How to Easily Recruit a Technical Writer with an ATS

Are you struggling to find the right technical writer for your team? An ATS can make the recruitment process a breeze! You no longer have to sort through stacks of resumes and cover letters to find the best technical writer for your vacancy. 

With an ATS, you can seamlessly pinpoint top talent at the speed of light. Simply because it will help you source candidates, screen top talent, shortlist top performers, pinpoint the best candidate for the role, and send an electronic offer – all from one single place. 

Find out how to easily recruit a technical writer with an applicant tracking system (ATS) and expedite your search for the right person.

Let’s get started.

Determine the Requirements for the Technical Writer Position

Every professional job has specific requirements to ensure that candidates have the skill sets and knowledge needed to do their job well. So, technical writers should also meet the technical writing requirements they need to succeed at their jobs.

But to figure out what you need for a technical writer position, it’s important to think about what your company needs and what tasks the technical writer will be in charge of.

Some common responsibilities of technical writers include:

• Developing and maintaining technical documentation, such as user manuals, online help systems, and other technical materials.
• Collaborating with subject matter experts and other stakeholders to gather and analyze information for technical documents.
• Organizing and formatting technical information clearly and concisely.
• Ensuring that technical documents are accurate and up-to-date.
• Reviewing and editing technical documents for grammar, style, and clarity.
• Using software and tools, such as graphics and design programs to create visually appealing technical documents.

Also, when recruiting a technical writer, it is important to consider the following requirements:

Education: Most technical writing jobs require a bachelor’s degree in a related field, like technical writing, English, or journalism.

Experience: A job as a technical writer usually requires experience in technical writing or a similar field.

Skills: A technical writer should have excellent writing and editing skills and the ability to communicate complex information clearly and concisely. They should also be proficient in using software and tools relevant to the position, such as graphics and design programs.

Knowledge: Technical writers should have a strong understanding of the industry they will be writing for as well as knowledge of technical concepts and terminology.

In addition, it is also essential to set the salary and benefits for the position you are recruiting for. This will help you attract suitable candidates and ensure that they value the job opportunity, which will increase your chances of finding the perfect fit for your team.

Leverage an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

Once you have determined what you are looking for in a technical writer, it is time to leverage an applicant tracking system (ATS). An ATS is a tool that helps you streamline, manage, and optimize the entire recruitment process from one single place.

It can be used to post jobs, keep track of applications, organize resumes, and even help with scheduling interviews. With an ATS, you can also keep all the information about your hiring process in one centralized place. This ultimately makes it easier to find the best candidate quickly and efficiently.

Here are some great steps you can take to find the perfect ATS:

Choose the  ATS that meets your needs

The first step to take when looking for an ATS is to determine which one best meets your needs. This will help narrow down your choices and ensure you get the most out of the software. Look for features that are important to you, such as job posting capabilities, candidate tracking, resume sorting tools, automated emails, and analytics reports. 

Also, you should look for an ATS that offers customization options so that you can tailor the hiring process to meet your exact technical writing requirements. 

Set up Your Account

Once you have chosen an ATS, you will need to set up an account and configure it to meet your company’s needs. This may include creating custom fields for job postings, resume templates, and candidate information.

Integrate with Your HR System

Many applicant tracking systems (ATS) can be integrated with other HR systems, such as payroll and benefits software. Consider integrating your ATS with these systems to further streamline your HR processes.

Import Your Job Postings

The next step is to import your technical writer job postings after you’ve set up your ATS account and integrated it with other HR systems. This will help to streamline the hiring process and ensure that all relevant information is available and organized in one location.

Importing job postings into an ATS allows employers to quickly publish their positions with a single click. You can also customize job postings and add unique fields, such as preferred qualifications or certifications. This will help you find the best technical writer candidates that meet your requirements.

Set up Email Notifications

Most ATSs allow you to set up email alerts for different processes, like when a new application comes in or when an interview is set up for a candidate. Configure your email notifications to stay informed about the status of your recruitment process.

Automatically Filter and Rank Candidates

With an applicant tracking system (ATS), you can quickly filter and rank candidates based on their qualifications and fit for the job. This will save you time from manually sorting through all the applications you receive.

Review and Shortlist Candidates

Once you’ve received applications for your technical writer job, it’s important to sift through them with an ATS in order to find the most qualified candidate.

Here are some steps to review for technical writers using an applicant tracking system (ATS):

Set up criteria for shortlisting: Determine the specific qualifications, skills, and experience that are required for the technical writer position. Use these criteria to create a list of must-haves and nice-to-have qualifications.

Review resumes: Use the applicant tracking system (ATS) to review the resumes of all those who applied for the technical writer job. Look for candidates with must-have qualifications and a strong track record of relevant experience.

Shortlist candidates: Use the ATS to create a shortlist of the most qualified candidates. This may include those who meet all of the important qualifications and have strong resumes and cover letters.

Review cover letters: Read the shortlisted candidates’ cover letters to better understand their writing skills and ability to communicate complex information clearly.

Assign ratings: Use the ATS to assign ratings to the shortlisted candidates based on their qualifications, experience, and cover letters. This can help you to narrow down the list of candidates further and identify the most qualified candidates for the technical writer position.

Using an ATS can make it easier to review and shortlist candidates by providing a centralized platform for managing and organizing job applications and resumes.

Using the ATS to Schedule and Track Interviews with Shortlisted Candidates

Once the top candidates have been found, an applicant tracking system (ATS) can be used to set up and keep track of their interviews. Scheduling interviews through an ATS saves time and effort by streamlining the process and ensuring everyone has the same information.

Using an applicant tracking system (ATS) to schedule interviews is just as easy. All you have to do is specify the interview slots and send invitations to the chosen candidates. The ATS can also be used to track who has and hasn’t responded, as well as when they have accepted or declined an invitation.

Also, with an ATS, you can quickly review interview feedback from each candidate and rate their performance in real-time. This makes it easier to compare and contrast candidates after the interviews are over.

Make a Job Offer and Onboard the New Hire

After you have identified the most qualified candidate for the technical writer position, you must make a job offer and onboard the new hire to ensure a smooth transition into the company.

Here are some steps to make a job offer and onboard the new hire using an applicant tracking system (ATS):

Make the job offer: Use the ATS to send the job offer to the selected candidate. Be sure to include details such as the position, salary, and start date in the job offer.

Confirm acceptance: Once the candidate has accepted the job offer, use the ATS to confirm their acceptance and schedule a start date.

Onboard the new hire: Use the ATS to manage the onboarding process for the new hire. This may include tasks such as scheduling orientation, setting up their workstation, and completing necessary paperwork.

Assign a mentor: Consider assigning a mentor to the new hire to help them get acclimated to the company and their new role. The mentor can provide guidance and support as the new hire becomes familiar with the company and their responsibilities.

Wrapping Up

Using an ATS to recruit a technical writer is the most efficient and effective way to find the best candidate for your team. With AI-powered tools, easy-to-use interfaces, and real-time data insights, an applicant tracking system (ATS) provides businesses with all of the resources they need to streamline their recruitment process and make the most optimal talent decisions.

Ready to recruit the most qualified technical writer? We got you covered. 

EVA-REC is an award-winning ATS that helps small businesses to corporate giants build skillful workforces and hire top talent at scale. It makes it far easier for hiring teams to find, attract, and recruit top talent, each and every time. With world-class integrations and AI features, EVA-REC helps companies drive merit-based, objective, and fair hiring practices that minimize bias, without dehumanizing the hiring process. Request a free demo and see how our ATS can help you save time and make recruiting painless and hassle-free.

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