When you start applying for jobs, you quickly realise that including a cover letter with your CV is a excellent way to stand out. But what should your cover letter focus on?
Should it emphasise your key achievements or simply list your responsibilities? And how can you effectively demonstrate that you're the ideal fit for the role?
One of the most common mistakes candidates make is either underselling themselves or overstating their experience.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to craft a compelling cover letter by showcasing your most significant professional achievement and telling the story behind it.
Cover letter examples for technical writer
Explore additional technical writer cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Senior Technical Writer
- Emphasising Achievements: The cover letter highlights specific achievements with quantifiable results, such as a 30% increase in user satisfaction at Atlassian and a 45% reduction in user queries through improved API documentation. This demonstrates the candidate's significant impact on previous roles.
- Relevant Skillset and Experience: The focus on technical writing skills like API documentation, Markdown, and Agile methodologies, alongside experience with major companies like Atlassian and Salesforce, positions the candidate as highly qualified for a technical writing role in a SaaS environment.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Highlighting collaboration with developers and product managers shows the candidate’s ability to integrate technical and product insights into documentation, which is crucial for creating user-friendly content.
- Ongoing Professional Development: Mention of courses like "Advanced API Documentation Techniques" demonstrates commitment to continuous learning and improvement, which is important in a constantly evolving tech landscape.
Junior Technical Writer
- Highlight relevant experience and achievements: The cover letter effectively outlines Charlie's achievements in reducing support ticket volume and increasing user engagement, which are crucial success metrics for a Junior Technical Writer role.
- Emphasise technical skills: Skills such as HTML, CSS, and Agile Methodologies are directly applicable to technical writing and documentation roles, enhancing the candidate's suitability for the position.
- Showcase collaboration: By mentioning the collaborative feature launch, the letter underscores the candidate's ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, an important aspect of a technical writer's role.
- Demonstrate ongoing learning: Highlighting completed courses in Technical Writing and HTML/CSS indicates a commitment to continuous professional development, beneficial for roles in technical writing and content creation.
Lead Technical Writer
- Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasising over ten years of experience in technical writing and leading projects, which aligns perfectly with the expertise expected from a Lead Technical Writer role.
- Emphasise Leadership and Teamwork: Describing leadership in delivering critical documentation updates and collaborating with engineering teams showcases essential skills for managing and leading technical writing teams.
- Underpin Achievements: Mentioning awards and recognitions, such as the 'Excellence in Documentation' and 'Documentation Innovation Award', reinforces credibility and underpins a history of delivering high-quality work.
- Focus on Technical Skills: Listing proficiency in XML, MS Office, and Adobe tools, which are key technical skills for a Technical Writer, demonstrates readiness to handle the technical aspects of the role.
Principal Technical Writer
- Highlight relevant certifications such as the "Military Technical Writing Certification" which emphasises expertise in authoring military documentation, important for technical writing roles in the defence sector.
- Emphasise achievements in optimising processes, like the "Efficiency Enhancement" project which increased document turnover by 30% and reduced manual errors, showcasing improvement in document management efficiency.
- Include examples of successful leadership and project management, such as leading the transition to digital documentation methods, which saved significant costs and time.
- Demonstrate impact on client satisfaction, as evidenced by the BAE Systems Excellence in Client Satisfaction award, illustrating an ability to meet and exceed client expectations.
By Role
Technical Content Writer
- Highlighting specific achievements, such as leading a project on cybersecurity codes that increased comprehension by 30%, demonstrates expertise and a tangible impact in the field.
- Emphasising collaboration with UX teams to enhance user satisfaction scores by 15% showcases an understanding of cross-functional work and user-centred design principles.
- Utilising established tools like GitHub and JIRA to streamline processes and achieve a 30% increase in efficiency underlines proficiency with industry-standard software and effective project management skills.
- Including educational background, such as a Master of Science in Cybersecurity, underscores credibility and specialised knowledge in the cybersecurity domain.
Technical Proposal Writer
- Highlight Relevant Achievements: The cover letter effectively emphasizes significant achievements such as securing a major grant and streamlining proposal processes, showcasing the individual's ability to deliver impactful results.
- Demonstrate Industry Experience: By detailing relevant positions held, such as Technical Proposal Writer and Grant Coordinator, the cover letter underscores extensive experience in proposal writing and grant coordination, which is crucial for the role.
- Showcase Education and Certifications: Mentioning a Master’s in Technical Communication and specific courses like "Advanced Grant Writing Techniques" underlines the advanced knowledge and expertise necessary for successful technical proposal writing.
- Emphasise Key Skills: The focus on skills such as technical writing, grant proposal writing, and project management illustrates a well-rounded capability set perfect for the demands of a Technical Proposal Writer role.
Technical Manual Writer
- Emphasise certifications relevant to technical writing such as the "XML Authoring for Technical Documentation" certification, showcasing specialised skills for structured content creation.
- Highlight specific skills and tools like Adobe Photoshop and FrameMaker 11, which are critical for creating high-quality visuals and documentation in technical writing roles.
- Include quantifiable achievements, such as improving manual accuracy by 30% and reducing maintenance error rates, to demonstrate the impact and effectiveness of your work.
- Showcase leadership and mentoring experience, which is valuable for senior technical writing positions, as evidenced by the 15% productivity increase through mentoring junior writers.
Technical Report Writer
- Highlighting the applicant's specific experience in leading a team to develop a new format for technical reports which improved readability and consistency, is crucial for showcasing leadership in documentation.
- Mentioning the 20% increase in report clarity emphasises the tangible impact of the applicant's work, demonstrating their ability to enhance technical documentation quality effectively.
- The inclusion of courses related to Advanced Technical Writing and Project Management Fundamentals underlines the applicant’s commitment to continuous learning and relevance in the field.
- Explaining the proficiency in cross-functional collaboration is significant, as this role requires working closely with diverse teams to ensure technical accuracy and cohesive project outcomes.
Technical Writer in Software Development
- Highlighting Relevant Experience: Matilda skillfully showcases her extensive background in technical writing, spanning 8 years, and emphasizes her proficiency in creating developer documentation, particularly for APIs. This sets a solid foundation for her suitability for the role.
- Specialised Skills and Tools: The cover letter specifies Matilda's proficiency in programming languages such as C++ and Python, as well as tools like Git, Swagger, and Sphinx, which are relevant to the technical writing field and can directly contribute to the team's needs.
- Quantifiable Achievements: The letter effectively incorporates quantifiable improvements (such as a 30% increase in documentation process efficiency and a 25% improvement in team output), making Matilda's accomplishments more tangible and impactful for prospective employers.
- Educational and Continued Learning: Matilda includes her advanced degrees in a related field and relevant courses like "Advanced API Development", emphasising her ongoing commitment to learning and staying updated in her field.
Technical Writer in Aerospace Engineering
- Highlighting specific achievements, such as reducing documentation errors by 30% and improving usability ratings, showcases the candidate's ability to deliver tangible improvements in documentation processes.
- Emphasising collaboration skills through examples of working with cross-functional teams demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively across departments, which is critical for a technical writing role.
- Mentioning advanced technical writing courses and certifications, like the completion of Military Standards Documentation, reinforces the candidate's dedicated and specialised knowledge in technical writing for niche industries.
- Incorporating passions related to the field, such as automotive engineering, provides a personal touch that can differentiate the candidate by showing genuine interest and enthusiasm for the industry.
Technical Writer in Biotechnology
- Relevant Experience: Highlighting over 5 years of experience in scientific grant writing and a proven track record of securing over £4 million in funding showcases suitability for the role.
- Achievement Metrics: Mentioning a 75% success rate in grant approvals and a £2 million grant success underlines the applicant’s effectiveness and capability in the field.
- Educational Background: Citing advanced degrees in Biotechnology and Biomedical Science from prestigious institutions enhances credibility and demonstrates a strong foundation in the relevant industry.
- Key Skills: Emphasising skills such as “Grant Writing”, “Biotechnology”, and “Technical Writing” directly aligns with what is expected from a Senior SBIR / Scientific Grant Writer, adding to the applicant’s profile strength.
Technical Writer in Telecommunications
- Emphasising Relevant Experience: Highlighting experience in technical writing specifically related to DOD proposals and document management can significantly strengthen the candidate's suitability for roles related to defence contracting or similar technical fields.
- Quantifying Achievements: Using specific metrics, such as a 20% reduction in customer support queries or a 40% decrease in document retrieval times, provides concrete evidence of the candidate's impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
- Showcasing Education and Training: Listing formal education such as a Master’s in Technical Communication, alongside relevant courses like Advanced Technical Writing, highlights the candidate's specialised knowledge and commitment to their field.
- Highlighting Awards and Recognition: Mentioning awards like the "Best Proposal Submission" underscores industry recognition and can instil confidence in the candidate's ability to replicate similar successes in future opportunities.
Technical Writer in Manufacturing
- Highlighting Relevant Experience: The cover letter effectively emphasises over 5 years of experience in technical writing within the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, which is crucial for demonstrating subject matter expertise.
- Emphasising Compliance and Accuracy: Key achievements such as achieving 98% first-time accuracy in documentation and contributing to zero critical audit findings underline the applicant’s attention to detail and compliance adherence, which are critical in regulated industries like pharmaceuticals.
- Showcasing Leadership and Process Improvement: The description of co-leading a team to update regulatory documentation, and implementing a new document management system, showcases not only leadership skills but also an ability to drive significant process improvements.
- Mentioning Relevant Education and Certifications: Noting formal education in Biochemistry and Technical Writing, along with certifications like the Advanced Technical Writing Certification, supports the applicant's capabilities and commitment to the field.
Technical Writer in Energy Sector
- Industry-specific experience: Highlighting over 5 years in technical writing within the clean energy sector positions Eva as a highly specialised candidate for a Procedure Writer role.
- Demonstrable impact: Quantifying achievements such as a 25% increase in adherence to project guidelines and a 30% improvement in project initiation efficiency effectively showcases Eva's contributions to organisational success.
- Educational background: Offering both a BA in English Language and Literature and an MSc in Renewable Energy Systems indicates a strong foundation in language skills combined with relevant industry knowledge.
- Advanced skills and training: Emphasising courses like 'Advanced Technical Writing for Energy Industries' alongside technical proficiencies solidifies Eva's capability to produce high-quality documentation tailored to the energy sector.
Technical Writer in Automotive Industry
- Relevant Experience: Highlighting experience with well-known companies like Autodata Group and Haynes Manuals demonstrates industry-specific knowledge crucial for an Editorial Content Writer role.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Including specific metrics, such as enhancing user comprehension by 30% and reducing customer service queries by 40%, effectively showcases the tangible impact the candidate has had in previous roles.
- Specialised Skills: Emphasising expertise in technical writing and using tools like XML Editor illustrates the technical proficiency essential for crafting detailed automotive content.
- Educational Background: The combination of a Bachelor and Master’s degree in automotive and engineering fields directly supports the technical aspects of automotive content writing, adding credibility to the candidate's knowledge base.
Technical Writer in Pharmaceutical Industry
- Emphasising experience in GMP compliance, a crucial aspect of technical writing in pharmaceutical contexts, showcases expertise relevant to the industry.
- Highlighting the successful streamlining of SOP creation and document processes demonstrates a candidate's efficiency and capability to improve existing systems.
- Mentioning past leadership roles in EDMS implementation and team collaboration highlights project management skills and the ability to drive improvements and ensure user adoption of new technologies.
- Including a focus on pharmaceutical regulations indicates a strong understanding and passion for the regulatory frameworks that are vital in the technical writing for the healthcare sector.
Technical Writer in Information Technology
- Highlighting certifications such as the Agile and Scrum Certification and Advanced Project Management Certification demonstrates expertise and a commitment to professional development, which is crucial for roles in project management and systems analysis.
- The cover letter effectively uses metrics to quantify achievements, such as the 30% reduction in training efficiency, 20% decrease in onboarding time, and 30% reduction in software release times, showcasing the candidate's impact and value to potential employers.
- Incorporating specific tools and methodologies, such as Microsoft Project, Test Complete, and agile methodologies, aligns the candidate's technical skills with the requirements of IT technical writing and project management roles.
- The emphasis on collaboration and training through examples of cross-functional team work and positive training feedback reflects strong interpersonal and leadership skills, highly valued in IT and management positions.
Technical Writer in Cybersecurity
- Highlight relevant experience: Elsie's cover letter prominently features their extensive experience in cybersecurity technical writing through roles at major companies like BAE Systems, Thales Group, and Raytheon UK, showcasing their strong background in the industry.
- Emphasise key achievements: The cover letter effectively articulates specific achievements, such as drafting cybersecurity policy documents that improved compliance and leading a cybersecurity awareness campaign that reduced incidents by 40% at Thales Group.
- Include relevant certifications: Elsie's certification in an Advanced Cybersecurity Program by Cybrary is highlighted, underscoring their specialised expertise and up-to-date knowledge in cybersecurity policy development.
- Demonstrate communication skills: The cover letter outlines Elsie's success in developing communication strategies and organising webinars, reflecting their capability to enhance stakeholder engagement and team knowledge in cybersecurity.
Technical Writer in Robotics
- Emphasise Industry-Specific Experience: Highlighting roles in well-regarded companies such as BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce aligns with industry expectations for technical writers in the robotics and autonomy sector.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Using percentages to showcase impact, such as improving user understanding by 40% and reducing documentation errors by 25%, provides tangible proof of the candidate's value.
- Skill Highlighting: Listing key skills such as Linux, API Documentation, and SysML aligns with the technical nature of the role and demonstrates capability in essential areas.
- Education and Continuous Learning: Including relevant advanced degrees and courses underscores a commitment to education and professional growth, particularly in robotic and technical writing specialisations.
Technical Writer in Artificial Intelligence
- Highlighting Relevant Experience: The cover letter effectively showcases Lily Cooper's extensive experience in policy implementation and consultancy, particularly focusing on her experience with Deloitte, RAND Europe, and Ernst & Young.
- Specific Achievements and Impact: The letter details specific achievements, such as leading policy reform initiatives that increased legislative efficiency by 30%, which demonstrates her ability to deliver impactful results.
- Educational Qualifications and Certifications: Lily's educational background, including a Master of Public Policy and certification in International Labour Law, are strategically highlighted to affirm her expertise in the field.
- Skills and Languages: The letter effectively incorporates crucial skills like policy analysis, project management, and stakeholder engagement. It also mentions language proficiency in English and French, beneficial for international roles.
Technical Writer cover letter example
Daisy Shaw
123 Example Street, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE1 2AB, UK
+44 1234 567890
help@enhancv.com
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my interest in the Senior Technical Writer position at your esteemed company. With a background of over 11 years in the maritime engineering sector, I have always been captivated by the innovation and dedication that your company brings to the maritime industry.
At BAE Systems, one of my significant accomplishments was designing and implementing a documentation process that reduced errors by 30%. This not only improved project efficiency but also cost-effectiveness, demonstrating my ability to lead project documentation processes and translate complex technical specifications into actionable work scopes. My expertise in effectively managing communication across departments resulted in a reduction of project delays by 15%, showcasing my skills in facilitating coordination and project delivery.
I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your team at your earliest convenience. Thank you for considering my application. I am looking forward to the opportunity to speak with you and further explore how my experience aligns with the goals of your organization.
Sincerely,
Daisy Shaw
Senior Technical Writer
The key to this cover letter’s success:
- Highlight specific accomplishments related to the role, such as the documentation process at BAE Systems that reduced errors by 30%, showcasing both relevant experience and results-oriented achievements.
- Demonstrate strong leadership and coordination skills, as seen through the effective cross-department communication that led to a 15% reduction in project delays, emphasizing the ability to enhance team efficiency and project outcomes.
- Emphasize technical expertise by mentioning a solid background in maritime engineering, which aligns with the company’s focus and can enhance credibility for the Senior Technical Writer position.
- Convey enthusiasm and specific interest in the company, showing an understanding of the company’s industry role and aligning personal passion with organizational goals.
Importance of cover letters in the United Kingdom
A well-crafted cover letter can significantly strengthen your job application by emphasising why you’re an ideal fit.
Here are some reasons why it matters:
- Personalisation: Employers expect your cover letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience align with the company’s needs and/or values.
- Addresses what is omitted from your CV: If your career path includes gaps or changes, your cover letter is the best place to address these positively and explain their relevance.
- Opportunity to stand out: Many applicants have similar qualifications, so a tailored cover letter can show your unique attributes and experience.
What UK employers expect from a cover letter
Want to make an excellent first impression on your UK employers with your cover letter?
Here are three handy tips and tricks to keep in mind when creating yours:
- Take the time to research: Invest in learning about the company and role by exploring their website, social media, and doing a thorough Google search. Focus on the products and services they offer, as well as awards and industry recognitions.
- Focus on the company's values: Refer back to your research and to uncover what the company believes in. Integrate those values into your cover letter by explaining how you embody them. For example, if they value diligence, highlight how you’ve consistently met tight deadlines or successfully managed heavy workloads.
- Align your skills with the job requirements: Read the job advert carefully and identify the most sought-after skills. Select the top three skills that you can substantiate with your most noteworthy achievements, to demonstrate your expertise in those areas.
How to format a technical writer cover letter
Before diving into the content, the structure of your cover letter should include the following elements:
- Your address and contact details
- The employer’s name and address
- Date
- Salutation or greeting
- Opening or introductory paragraph
- Middle or body paragraphs
- Closing paragraph
- Sign-off and signature
When it comes to the best font choice, consider modern options like Lato, Rubik, Raleway, Volkhov, Chivo, or Bitter as alternatives to Arial or Times New Roman.
Your cover letter should be single-spaced, with approximately 1-inch (2.5 cm) margins all around (our templates are set up automatically with this spacing in mind).
Ensure your CV and cover letter use the same font for consistency, and always send them as a PDF to prevent edits and maintian formatting.
Lastly, while Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS—the software used to match your application to set requirements) won't read your cover letter, recruiters certainly will, so make sure it stands out.
How to write your technical writer cover letter salutation
Imagine you're a hiring manager reading through countless cover letters—which would catch your attention: being addressed directly by name, or reading 'Dear Sir or Madam'?
The first option shows you've made the effort to learn about the company and the role.
To find the hiring manager's name, try LinkedIn, check the company's website, or even reach out to the organisation on social media.
How to write your technical writer cover letter intro
One of the best ways to grab a hiring manager's attention? Show them the unique value you'd add to the team.
Review the skills or requirements listed in the posting and draw connections to your previous work experiences.
Focus on specific (and quantifiable) accomplishments and qualifications that align with the job description to make a strong first impression.
Cover Letter Intro
Having admired [Company Name]'s commitment to innovative technology solutions that seamlessly integrate into everyday life, I am eager to bring my skills as a technical writer to your dynamic team, contributing to the clarity and reach of your cutting-edge projects.
RIGHT
How to write your technical writer cover letter body
As you reach the body of your cover letter, you might wonder what to write in it.
Our advice? Don’t just copy your CV—choose your greatest achievement and tell its story.
Focus on how you got there using hard and soft skills, describe your involvement, and quantify the results with concrete outcomes.
Remember, recruiters aren’t looking for an epic tale of your career—they want something concise, relevant, and directly addressing their needs.
Cover Letter Body
During my tenure at TechCorp, I led an ambitious project to overhaul the company's entire internal documentation system. With over 200 internal guides in need of revision, streamlining, and standardisation, I implemented an innovative documentation framework that not only enhanced clarity and usability but also significantly reduced retrieval time by an impressive 40%. This was achieved by leveraging my technical writing proficiency to create intuitive templates and a comprehensive style guide, ensuring consistency across all documentation. My proactive collaboration with cross-functional teams resulted in improved adoption rates of the new system by 75%, saving the company approximately 400 man-hours annually. This accomplishment underscored my ability to effectively communicate complex information and foster collaborative improvements, skills I am eager to bring to your organisation.
RIGHT
How to write a closing paragraph
You’ve written a brilliant cover letter so far—so don’t undermine it at the very end.
If you think signing off with a polite 'Kind regards' or 'I look forward to hearing from you' will make a strong impression, think again.
A better approach is to make a tangible promise—one that reflects both personal and professional growth—and demonstrates your value to the recruiters.
Alternatively, encourage the hiring managers by asking when you might expect to hear back from them.
Cover Letter Closing
Thank you for considering my application. I am very enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to your team as a Technical Writer, and I am confident that my skills and experiences make me an ideal candidate for the position.
I would be delighted to discuss my application in more detail and am available for an interview at your earliest convenience. Please feel free to contact me to schedule a meeting.
I appreciate your time and consideration and look forward to the opportunity to speak with you.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
RIGHT
Conclusion
A standout cover letter is crucial for making an strong impression in your job search in the UK market. Personalise your letter by addressing it to the hiring manager and aligning your skills with the job description.
Use concrete examples to highlight your greatest achievement and convey your enthusiasm for the position. Finally, ensure that both your cover letter and CV are presented professionally for a consistent application.
