When applying for a technical writing position, you will need to submit a resume as well as a technical writing cover letter. These documents help to give a potential employer an idea of your skills and qualifications, but more importantly, your cover letter is an opportunity to showcase some of your technical writing skills. When writing a technical writing cover letter, it is exceptionally important to ensure the document is properly formatted and checked for any errors. Since the job you want focuses on technical writing, which requires an eye for detail and impeccable grammar skills, your cover letter should reflect such skills and talents.
The technical writing cover letter should also be fairly brief. The letter should never be more than a page long, and it is best to stick to three to four short paragraphs. A longer letter may encourage the reader to stop reading and ignore crucial information. Remember that your goal with the technical writing cover letter is to produce a good first impression, but also to give the reader a quick and easy understanding of your most relevant skills and motivations. Employers may also want to know how you heard about the job, and you should definitely include information as to why you are interested in that particular employer.
Try to tailor your technical writing cover letter to each different employer to which you are applying. The cover letter should give your reader an understanding as to why you want to work for that employer, what you can offer that employer with your skills and talents, and what your goals are once you get hired. Be as brief as possible when writing your cover letter, and leave out any extraneous details; you will have an opportunity to be more thorough in your explanations once you secure a job interview.
Whenever possible, address your technical writing cover letter to a specific person. Avoid addressing it "To Whom It May Concern," as this shows employers you did not go through the trouble to find a specific addressee. Be as personal as possible; in many cases, you will be able to find a human resources employee or manager to whom the letter should be addressed. Such information can be found on the company's website, or in some cases, right in the job posting or description. Make sure all of your contact information is clearly posted on the letter so the employer can get in touch with you for an interview.
