Question

What is good document design for résumés and memos? Define effective design or formatting for technical communication and then give some criteria.

(Technical Writing Class)

Answer 1

Good document design for Resumes -

1) Choose the perfect font -

Using a unique font can be a simple way to make your resume stand out from a sea of Arial and Times New Roman. There is no right or wrong font when it comes to resumes. Make sure any font you use is legible both on a screen and in print. Keep font sizes between 11 and 13 points. Any smaller than that, and even the sleekest font risks becoming illegible. Be consistent with how you use different font sizes. For example, all headers should be the same size, as should all body text.

2) Add visual emphasis to your contact info -

Make sure the contact section is visually prominent by placing it at the top of the page. If you’re submitting the resume electronically, include a live link for your email address. Depending on the industry in question, it may also be valuable to include live links to social media profiles.

3) Make content skimmable -

Research shows that HR reps will spend about six seconds on your resume. Make the most of those precious seconds by ensuring your resume is skimmable.

4) Follow industry norms -

If you’re applying for a job in publishing, consider using a classic font. A job as a web designer? Consider adding some colorful elements to a print resume or even whipping up a digital resume to really showcase your skills in action.

5) Add a personal design touch -

Even if it’s not a good idea to use unicorn stickers on your resume, you can still find ways to add a personal touch through design. For example, you might utilize a custom typeface, borders, shading, tasteful pops of color and so on. Just remember that if someone prints out a resume that’s been submitted electronically, they may not do so in color.

Technical writing is writing or drafting technical communication used in technical and occupational fields, such as computer hardware and software, engineering, chemistry, aeronautics, robotics, finance, medical, consumer electronics, biotechnology, and forestry. Technical writing encompasses the largest sub-field within technical communication.

Technical writing is performed by a technical writer (or technical author) and is the process of writing and sharing information in a professional setting. A technical writer's primary task is to convey information to another person or party in the most clear and effective manner possible. The information that technical writers convey is often complex, and it is one of their main tasks to analyze the information and present it in a format that is easy to read and understand. A good technical writer needs strong writing and communication skills. They do not only convey information through text, and must be proficient with computers as well. They use a wide range of programs to create and edit illustrations, diagramming programs to create visual aids, and document processors to design, create, and format documents.

To get results, your communication must bridge the gap between you and your target audience. This gap is likely to be caused by variations in knowledge, ability, or interest. As an engineer, you may find yourself writing to a variety of people. Sometimes you will write to your professional and technical peers, sometimes to your superiors, and other times to those below you. In all these writing situations, inadequate audience analysis will inevitably result in noise (confusion), since different readers need different kinds of data. As a writer, you must organize your material so that each idea, point, and section is clearly and logically laid out within an appropriate overall pattern. There are several ways in which the reader-friendly quality or readability of a document can be achieved.