Hi Neelam,

Troubleshooting guides are traditionally shown in a "question-and-answer" format, covering any known trouble areas that you anticipate your readers will encounter.

Speaking for myself, I have created many troubleshooting guides, usually using a simple table of contents at the top, showing just one level of headings, with the technical question forming the heading text. Present the answer as the paragraph text below the heading.

I hope this helps.

Ed

Hi Priya,

I believe, building a portfolio doesn't work when it comes to convincing any interviewer. Most of the companies will have their own style of testing the candidate's capabilities, based on those test results you will be hired. In technical round of interview, interviewer might ask you to work on few tools, in which you should have good knowledge (example: Framemaker, Robohelp, etc). So if you get passed in the technical round, you don't have to show them any portfolio.

Any documents you have worked on previously, either in training or in the previous company, you can just highlight about that in your Resume.

Most of the companies will have 3 rounds of interview, written test, technical round and HR round.

In written test, you will never get a chance to show your portfolio. If you are passed you'll be called for technical round, again in technical round, based on your written test results they might ask you few questions and also you might be given a test on any tool to work on. When you get through technical round, finally you'll have HR round in which the joining formalities will be there.

Portfolio is nothing but the work you have done previously to get thorough with your tools and skill sets. So if you are thorough with the tools and good at writing documents, you don't have to show any portfolio to an interviewer is what my belief.

Friends, please correct me if I am wrong. I have just shared my experience.

Thanks & Regards,
Naveen Raj B

Hi Harshitha,

To enhance your knowledge in technical writing, you can go for PGDTW(Post Graduation Diploma in Technical Writing) offered by symbiosis university.

If you are from hyderabad please google Techtotal institute.

Hi Suma,

I do not know in which domain you have worked or what was your previous designation. You can consider yourself as experienced only if you have worked on any of the following, training materials, brochures, instructional materials, etc. It's good that you have learned the necessary tools, but at the same time you need to learn the standards of Technical writing. If you need more information, you can send a mail to navscorpion@gmail.com, would be glad to share my opinions.

Thanks,
Naveen Raj B

Hello Nithya,

Welcome to TWIN.

I have recently started working as a Technical writer. So I thought of sharing my opinions about Technical Writing course.

1. Does Technical Writing courses help a fresher to be placed in good company's or can a fresher aply to job postings.

In my opinion, yes. Technical writing course would definitely help you to get into some good company. If it's for a fresher, definitely the course is necessary. Most of the freshers do get into this field, but initially they'll be hired for some other job and then get to work as a technical writer. Technical writing has got its own standards. It's completely different from other form of writings.

I am not sure how many companies recruit freshers without certificate or prior experience, but I had a very tough time getting into this field as a fresher without training and certificate. They question you about your writing experience. So it's quite hard to get in without experience or certificate.

2. are there any means on internet where the tools used for writing can be learned and practised effeciently.

You can learn tools online, but you cannot practice tools online. You need to download the trial version and start working on it. You will definitely get enough help from the respective tool forums, websites and if you can post it here on TWIN, someone will definitely help you.

3.which are the tools mostly used for documentation.

In India, most of the companies prefer MS Office, Adobe Robohelp, FrameMaker, Snagit, Visio, etc. But now companies are looking at advanced technologies, like DITA, XML Authoring tools, etc.

Nithya, if you are a fresher my suggestion for you would be to go for technical writing course. You will get the confidence and most of the tutorials trains you with the recent version of the tools and also you will get to learn under some experienced tutors.

Please do let me know your choice and the reason behind it. You can also mail me at navscorpion@gmail.com if you have any queries.

All the Best.

Naveen Raj

HI Nithya,

I suggest try to get job without attending classes,if it doesnt work out then go for classes.There are many company which hire fresheres in Mumbai,Bangalore,Pune.For details on jobs,resources you can see this blog

http://informationdevelopers.blogspot.com/

Hello,
Thanks for your prompt reply.It would be appreciable from your side if you can name good technical writing training institutes in mumbai or south india.
What type of written tests are conducted in companies for writers recruitment.Is it grammer test or logical analysis test.
Regards,
Nithya.A