Key Skills to Look, Before Hire Freelance Technical Writers.

Here are some skills to look for before hiring Freelance Technical Writers: 

1. Proven working experience in Technical writing of software documentation. 
2. Ability to deliver high quality documentation paying attention to detail.
3. Ability to quickly grasp complex technical concepts and make them easily understandable in text and pictures. 
4. Excellent written skills in English.
5. Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office. 
6. Basic familiarity with the SDLC and Software development.

Roles and Responsibilities of Technical Writers?

Here are some of the roles and responsibilities of Technical Writers: 

1. Work with internal teams to obtain an in-depth understanding of the product and the documentation requirements.
2. Produce high-quality documentation that meets applicable standards and is appropriate for its intended audiences.
3. Write easy-to-understand user interface text, online help and developer guides.
4. Create tutorials to help end-users use a variety of applications. 
5. Analyze existing and potential content, focusing on reuse and single-sourcing opportunities. 
6. Create and maintain the information architecture. 

What are the Interview questions for Technical Writers?

Here are some of the common Interview Questions for Technical Writers: 

1. What interests you about being a technical writer for our industry?
2. What measures do you take to stay updated on industry news?
3. How quickly can you learn to use a new tool?
4. What software tools do you use on a daily basis?
5. How much experience do you have with interviewing subject matter experts?
6. What tools do you bring when you interview subject matter experts? 
7. Describe a time you received negative criticism from your editor. How did you handle it?

How to Hire the Best Freelance Technical Writers?

1. Set your copy goals- you should identify your goals you want them to achieve. This will help you determine what type of Technical Writers you need and what qualifications they should have.
2. Identify your needs - the next step is to determine what your project  needs from the Technical Writers. By gathering and knowing this information it will now help you to establish a list of potential candidates.
3. Research and Find Potential Candidates - once you understand your goals, target audience and desired outcomes, you can now start researching potential Technical Writers who will fit for the role and will make your project into success. 
4. Create a job posting that outlines the Scope of Work and Compensation - this is an additional step to finding a skilled Professional Technical Writer. You should write an appealing job posting to get noticed. 
5. Review Applications and Portfolios to Identify the Best Candidates - To ensure the best results, you should be able to take a thorough approach when reviewing applications, testimonials and portfolios. 
6. Schedule Interview - when you’ve gathered all the information you need from the candidates, you are now ready to schedule an interview with your top choices and it will allow you to get to know them better. 
7. Make a final decision and extend an offer - You can now make an offer to the chosen Technical Writer after careful consideration and thorough review. Making sure that the chosen Technical Writer best fits the role and will be able to help and contribute to the growth or your organisation. 

What Challenges will you face when hiring Technical Writers?

Here are some of the challenges you will face when hiring Technical Writers: 

1. Last minute changes to products.
2. Lack of information about their clients products. 
3. Gathering information from Subject Matter Experts.
4. Outdated or unsuitable tools.
5. Inconsistency in the documentation.
6. Disorganized structure

How do you negotiate rates and terms with your freelance Technical Writers?

1. Determine your budget - Before negotiating, you must have a clear idea how much you are willing to spend on your Technical Writers  responsibilities. 
2. Understand the scope of the project - make sure you have a clear understanding of what is the scope of their project, this will help you determine if the price being quoted is fair. 
3. Consider the value of the work - It’s also important to consider the value of work being offered. Technical Writers with multiple experiences and having a strong portfolio may charge more for their projects. 
4. Communicate your budget and needs - Be open and transparent about the budget you allotted on paying them. This will help Technical Writers to understand what you need and come up with solutions that will fit your budget. 
5. Be willing to compromise - both parties should be willing to compromise on certain aspects of their project in order to stay within the allotted budget.