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Technical Communications

Online Resources |  Required Skills | Training Programs | Documentation Agencies | Freelancing | Knowledge of Hebrew | Employment Home Page

Olim from a wide variety of professional backgrounds discover second careers in Israel in technical communications. The field attracts teachers and writers who are looking for a more corporate work environment and higher salaries; programmers and techies who prefer to work in a field that leverages their English language skills; and lawyers or other professionals who do not have the time or interest to study for the Israeli exams.

Technical communications covers a wide range of material, some of which is more technical in nature and some of which is more marketing-oriented. Technical writers usually are responsible for writing and editing user manuals and online Help files, and for creating highly technical specification documentation.

The job of a technical writer can also include producing marketing materials. In some companies, technical writers produce brochures, prepare and update web content, edit English language documentation for Israeli staff members, create PowerPoint presentations, and organize trade shows and other promotional events. The specific job description is usually dependent on a variety of factors including company size and age, the type of product that is produced, and whether there is a separate marketing department within the corporate structure.

Online Resources

The Israeli community of technical communicators has developed a number of online resources that can be of tremendous help to job seekers:

  • Techshoret is an email list for technical writers in Israel. Jobs are frequently advertised on this list. To subscribe, send an email to: techshoret-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or go to: http://www.techshoret.com/
  • Society for Technical Communications (STC) has a web site: http://www.stc-israel.org.il/. Note: STC's annual convention in Israel is an excellent networking opportunity.
  • Resume database at www.techshoret.com
  • Jacob Richman's web site includes job leads and salary surveys: www.jr.co.il
  • Yokneam Forum of Technical Writers. This site also includes information for translators, marcom writers and creative writers. See http://www.elephant.org.il. (This site includes a wealth of free resources as well as some services that involve a charge.)
  • SourceForge, http://sourceforge.net/people/. By volunteering to document SourceForge projects, inexperienced technical writers can build up a portfolio of real-life projects which then helps you get paid positions.

Required Skills

Most Israeli employers are looking for technical writing professionals with experience using software packages such as FrameMaker, RoboHelp, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. A background in programming is a significant advantage.

As with many fields, most Israeli employers are looking for writers who already have several years of technical writing experience. The first job in the field is the hardest one to find.

Training Programs

Israeli training programs for technical writers are fairly expensive.  The critical factor in choosing a program is their success rate vis-à-vis employment. Before selecting a program, make sure that the program's staff is involved in placing their graduates in permanent technical writing positions.

Online Alternatives

Online training programs cost a fraction of the Israeli programs, but do not assist you with job placement. Here is a selection of available courses:  

Documentation Agencies

There are several types of documentation agencies: Some agencies charge freelance writers for the service of finding them clients, while others charge the employer for the service of providing them with quality writers. 

Freelancing

One of the advantages of technical communications is the wide range of employment arrangements that are available. Some technical writers work on-site in salaried positions. Others work as freelancers from home, an arrangement that is particularly suited to individuals who live far from employment centers or parents who are interested in part-time, flexible work.

Knowledge of Hebrew

Most technical writing positions require you to have conversational Hebrew skills. Though the work itself is in English, most companies will expect you to interact with Israeli programmers and product managers whose English knowledge may be limited as well as to attend staff meetings in Hebrew.

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