How to Get Started as a Content Developer

|

ProEdit created this practical guide to help you get started as a content developer—even if you’re starting from scratch. If you love words, enjoy learning new things, and take pride in helping others understand, this guide is for you.

Contents

Introduction: From Lost to Word Person

Back in 1980, I was a student at Mercer University. My major was economics, but I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I wasn’t excited about economics—or anything, really.

After finals, I took a solo road trip. I drove south from Atlanta with no plan. When I ran out of road, I found myself in Key West.

I checked into a Holiday Inn and crashed hard. The next morning, I walked around the island with no destination. It was May, but already hot. Beautiful, too.

Eventually, I ended up at 907 Whitehead Street. It was Ernest Hemingway’s house.

I stayed for hours. The rooms were open, and I wandered freely. Hemingway’s writing room sat above a small outbuilding. The tour guide said it had once been connected to the house by a rope bridge. A hurricane destroyed it long ago.

In the middle of the room was a round table. On it sat Hemingway’s typewriter. The guide listed all the books written there, but I barely heard a word.

That was the moment. I knew I wanted to be a writer. Nothing else would do.

I changed my major to English and never looked back. Since graduation, I’ve earned a living by writing, editing, or supporting others who work with words.

No, I’m not Hemingway. But that’s okay. I get to write from home, work with smart people, and help others find their voice. That’s more than enough.

If you’re reading this because you think you might be a “word person,” welcome. This guide is for you—from someone who started in the same unsure place.

The rest of this guide comes from my team at ProEdit. It’s designed to help you learn how to get started as a content developer. Whether you’re changing careers or just starting out, we hope it helps you. If you are simply curious about this field, we hope it helps you find your way.

Introduction by Doug Davis, President & CEO, ProEdit, Inc.

What Is a Content Developer?

A content developer is someone who creates content that helps people understand, learn, or take action. That’s it. You don’t need to be a tech expert. You just need to be good at explaining things clearly.

Common Roles Within Content Development

The title “content developer” often includes roles like:

  • Technical writers—write user manuals, FAQs, and how-to guides
  • Instructional designers—create training modules and e-learning courses
  • UX writers—write the words inside apps, websites, and digital tools
  • Content strategists—plan and organize large sets of content for websites, support centers, and more

These jobs all use different tools. But they share the same goal: making complex ideas easier to understand.

What Content Developers Actually Create

Depending on your role, you might work on:

  • Quick start guides or step-by-step instructions
  • Onboarding materials for new hires
  • Training videos or instructor scripts
  • API or developer documentation
  • In-app messages, labels, and buttons
  • Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
  • Interactive eLearning courses

Some content developers do it all. Others focus on writing, designing, or managing projects. You can shape your path as you go.

Is Content Development a Good Career?

Yes. It’s a strong career with growing demand.

Job Growth Looks Promising

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects technical writing jobs to grow 7% from 2022 to 2032—faster than average for all jobs (source).

That number doesn’t even include roles like instructional design or UX writing. Those fields are expanding too, especially with more companies offering remote training and digital tools.

Why This Field Keeps Growing

  • Technology changes fast. Someone has to explain how it works.
  • Remote work is here to stay. That means more digital content, training, and support docs.
  • Healthcare, finance, and other regulated industries need clear, compliant communication.
  • AI tools like ChatGPT help, but they still need humans to structure, fact-check, and write with empathy.

Pay and Flexibility

Many entry-level content roles start around $55,000–$70,000 per year. Salaries grow with experience and specialization. You can also find contract or freelance work, often remote.

Try searching platforms like:

Bottom Line

If you enjoy using words to bring order and clarity, content development could be a great fit. It’s a career built around helping others understand what they need to know.

Traits That Help You Thrive as a Content Developer

Some people are naturally wired for content work. They enjoy learning new things and explaining ideas clearly. If that sounds like you, you’re already off to a great start.

Here are five personality traits that help content developers succeed. You don’t need all of them today. But they’re good to grow into as you gain experience.

Collaborative

Content developers rarely work alone. You’ll often need information from subject matter experts (SMEs), team leads, or managers.

Some SMEs are brilliant but struggle to explain their ideas clearly. Your job is to bridge the gap.

Being collaborative means asking the right questions and listening closely. It also means building trust with others.

The better your rapport, the easier it is to get what you need to do your job well.

Adaptable

Content projects can change quickly. Deadlines shift. Clients change direction. Feedback may come late in the process.

You might have to rewrite content for a new audience. Or learn a new tool on short notice.

If you stay calm and flexible under pressure, you’ll thrive. Adaptability helps you keep moving, even when the plan changes.

Thorough

Details matter in content work. You’ll often need to check for:

  • Clear and accurate information
  • Consistent formatting
  • Proper spelling and style

Many companies don’t have their own editors on staff (like we do here at ProEdit!), so you’ll need to edit and proofread your own work extensively. A strong content developer takes time to get things right. Good work earns trust and avoids confusion.

Eager to Learn

Every project will teach you something new. One week, you may be writing about software. Next week, you might be learning safety rules or onboarding steps.

You’ll also need to keep up with tools and trends. That’s part of the job.

If you enjoy learning as you go, you’ll do well. Sites like TechWhirl and Learning Guild offer great free resources.

Creative

You don’t need to be an artist. But creativity still matters in content development.

You might use it to build better examples. Or to explain something in a simpler way.

You might design a training quiz, write helpful microcopy, or rework a confusing guide.

Creativity helps you make content clear, useful, and easy to follow.

You don’t need to master all five traits right now. But if you’re curious, calm under pressure, and love helping people—you’re already in a great spot.

Skills You Can Start Building Right Now

Content developers need a few essential skills to do their best work. The good news? You can start building those skills today, even if you don’t have a job in the field yet.

Here are three core areas to focus on first.

Understand Your Audience

Every piece of content has a reader. To be effective, you need to understand who that reader is.

Before you create anything, ask:

  • What does the audience already know?
  • What do they still need to learn?
  • What problems are they trying to solve?
  • What tone or format will work best?

Audience awareness is a key part of content work. It helps you write with purpose instead of guessing.

Build Strong Research Habits

You don’t need to know everything. But you do need to know how to find and verify useful information.

Strong content developers know how to:

  • Read older versions of a document
  • Interview experts to clarify complex topics
  • Watch software demos or process walk-throughs
  • Gather insights from articles, websites, and help centers
  • Ask clear questions when something doesn’t make sense

These research skills help you learn fast and build credibility with your team.

Write Clear, Concise Copy

Clear writing is a superpower. Whether you’re explaining a process or teaching a concept, your writing should be easy to follow.

Here’s how to keep it simple:

  • Use short sentences and plain language
  • Avoid jargon, unless your audience expects it
  • Break content into sections and bulleted lists
  • Use consistent terms and formatting

Good writing makes your readers feel confident, not confused.

You can practice this skill today. Try rewriting an instruction manual, a recipe, or a “how to” blog post in your own words. Focus on making it easier to understand.

Building Your First Portfolio

You don’t need a degree or years of experience to build a strong content portfolio. In fact, you can start creating samples today—even if no one’s paying you yet.

A portfolio helps hiring managers see how you think. It shows your ability to organize ideas and solve communication problems. That’s more important than a fancy title.

Here’s how to get started.

Create Sample Projects

Think of a skill or topic you know well. Then, create a short guide to explain it to someone else.

You could:

  • Write a step-by-step tutorial for using an app or tool
  • Create a sample FAQ for a product or service
  • Design a short training plan using Google Slides
  • Build a quick-start guide in Canva, Notion, or Word

No topic is too simple. What matters is how clearly you explain it.

Redesign Something That Already Exists

Take an existing document and improve it. Maybe it’s a confusing set of instructions or a boring help article.

Try rewriting it with better structure, simpler language, and clear formatting. Then briefly explain what you changed and why.

This shows that you understand both content and user needs.

Volunteer with a Nonprofit

Many nonprofits need help creating clear, helpful content. You can:

  • Offer to update their training materials
  • Help write onboarding content for volunteers
  • Redesign a public-facing FAQ or how-to guide

These projects give you real-world examples and references.

You can find opportunities on sites like Catchafire and VolunteerMatch.

Choose the Right Tools

You don’t need anything fancy. Many content developers build portfolios using:

  • Google Docs or Google Sites
  • Notion
  • GitHub Pages
  • Wix or Squarespace

Make sure it’s easy to read and navigate. Add a short description for each sample. Include what you did, why you did it, and who the audience was.

What to Include

Your first portfolio might have just three samples. That’s fine.

Focus on showing:

  • Clear writing
  • Logical structure
  • Audience awareness
  • Basic formatting skills

You can add more over time. Just keep it simple and professional.

Getting a Job in Content Development

You’ve got the traits. You’re building your skills. You’ve started a portfolio. Now comes the job search.

Here’s how to take smart, practical steps toward your first content development role.

Start with the Right Job Titles

Not every company uses the same language. Some jobs that match your skills won’t include “content developer” in the title.

Here are some roles to search for:

  • Technical writer
  • Instructional designer
  • Content specialist
  • Content strategist
  • Documentation coordinator
  • UX writer
  • Knowledge base writer
  • Training content creator

You can find these roles in tech, healthcare, education, finance, and many other industries.

Use the Right Job Boards

General job boards are a good place to start. But don’t stop there.

Try these focused job search sites:

Sign up for job alerts with keywords that match your interests and skills.

Tailor Your Resume

Don’t send a generic resume to every job. Tailor it to match the posting.

Use keywords from the job description. Show how your experience fits their needs.

If you’re coming from another field—like teaching, journalism, or admin—highlight transferable skills:

  • Organized training sessions? That’s instructional design.
  • Documented internal processes? That’s technical writing.
  • Wrote public-facing emails or posts? That’s content creation.

Keep your resume clean, simple, and focused. One page is fine when you’re starting out.

Don’t Let Imposter Syndrome Win

You don’t need years of experience to get your first job. You need curiosity, clarity, and follow-through.

You’re not “faking it” by applying. You’re bringing value.

Many companies want to hire someone who’s coachable, eager, and detail-oriented. That could be you.

Interviewing With Confidence

Once you land an interview, your goal is simple: show them who you are and how you think. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be prepared, focused, and clear.

Here’s how to approach your interview with calm and confidence.

How to Start Strong

Before the interview, research the company. Look at their website, blog, or LinkedIn page. Read any recent news or updates. This shows that you care and understand their work.

At the start of the interview, try something like this:

“Thanks for taking the time to meet. I saw your post about [project or news], and I’d love to learn more about the team and what you’re looking for in this role.”

This simple opening shows interest, preparation, and professionalism.

Use a 90-Second Introduction

Most interviews start with some version of “Tell me about yourself.” This is your chance to deliver a quick, clear overview.

Use this structure:

  1. Start with what you do or are transitioning from
  2. Mention past experience or skills related to the role
  3. Explain what you’re looking for and why this role excites you

Example:

“I’m transitioning from a role in education, where I created training materials and student guides. I’ve recently built a small portfolio with writing samples and e-learning scripts. I’m excited about applying those skills in a more technical environment, and I’m looking for a team where I can keep learning.”

Practice your intro aloud so it feels natural. It’s not a script—it’s a story.

Prepare for Common Interview Questions

You can’t predict every question. But here are a few that come up often:

  • Why are you interested in this role?
  • What are your strengths?
  • What’s one thing you’re working to improve?
  • Tell me about a time you solved a problem.
  • How do you handle tight deadlines or shifting priorities?

Use simple, honest answers. Share examples from your real experience. Even if it wasn’t a formal content role, your skills still apply.

Need help getting started? Check out the Muse’s interview guide for clear, friendly tips.

Talk About Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Make a short list of strengths before your interview. Include real examples of when you used each one. Keep it focused on communication, organization, problem-solving, or learning new tools.

You can also list a few small accomplishments you’re proud of. These don’t need to be dramatic. Think of times you made someone’s job easier or fixed something confusing.

If they ask about weaknesses, be honest—but constructive. Try something like this:

“I used to get stuck trying to perfect each sentence before moving on. I’ve learned to write a full draft first, then revise. That helps me meet deadlines without losing quality.”

This shows self-awareness, growth, and balance.

What to Do After the Interview

Send a short thank-you note the same day. It can be email or LinkedIn message—whatever fits the tone of your conversation.

Include:

  • A thank-you for their time
  • A quick reminder of your interest
  • A reference to something specific you discussed

Example:

“Thanks again for meeting with me today. I enjoyed hearing about your onboarding process and content goals. This role seems like a great fit for my skills in writing, training, and simplifying complex ideas. I’d love to help the team hit the ground running.”

A short, thoughtful message leaves a strong impression.

What to Wear (and Why It Still Matters)

Your skills and attitude matter most. But how you present yourself—especially in an interview—still counts. Dressing well shows respect, attention to detail, and self-awareness.

You don’t need to wear a full suit. You just need to look polished and intentional.

Match the Company Culture

When setting up the interview, ask about the office dress code. You can also check the company’s “About” page or team photos on LinkedIn.

If you’re not sure, dress one level more formal than the everyday outfit for that workplace. That usually means:

  • Business casual for tech or creative roles
  • A blazer or button-up for corporate or regulated industries
  • Neat, clean, and pressed clothes—no matter the setting

You want the focus to stay on your words, not your outfit.

Tips for Video Interviews

For remote interviews, you still want to look professional. Try this:

  • Wear solid colors—they show up best on camera
  • Avoid busy patterns or logos
  • Choose a quiet, neutral background
  • Use natural light or a desk lamp to brighten your face

Even small touches—like sitting up straight or muting notifications—show that you’re focused and respectful of their time.

Keep It Simple and Comfortable

You don’t have to spend a lot of money. Most people already have something that works. A well-fitted shirt, dark pants or jeans, and neat shoes are a solid foundation.

Make sure:

  • Clothes are clean and wrinkle-free
  • Shoes are polished or simple
  • Hair is tidy
  • Nails are clean
  • Accessories are minimal

Try everything on the day before your interview. That way, there’s no last-minute stress.

Confidence Is the Goal

You don’t need to impress anyone with fashion. Your goal is to feel good, stay focused, and let your work shine.

When in doubt, keep it simple. Clean, respectful, and confident always works.

Navigating Your First Week on the Job

Starting your first content development job is exciting—but it can also feel overwhelming. New tools. New terms. New people.

The good news? You don’t need to know everything on day one. You just need to be curious, organized, and ready to learn.

Here’s how to start strong.

Get to Know Your Team and Tools

Introduce yourself to the people you’ll work with directly. Ask:

  • What’s their role?
  • What tools do they use?
  • How do they prefer to communicate?

Find out what platforms you’ll need to use. These may include:

  • Slack or Microsoft Teams for chat
  • Zoom or Google Meet for meetings
  • Google Drive, Confluence, or SharePoint for documents

If you’re not familiar with a tool, take 15 minutes to explore. Many platforms have free tutorials or quick-start guides online.

Clarify the Scope of Your Work

Ask your manager or team lead to walk through the first project with you. You’ll want to know:

  • What the final deliverable is
  • Who the audience is
  • What the timeline looks like

This helps you avoid guesswork and plan your time wisely. If anything is unclear, ask early.

Connect with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

Many content developers work closely with SMEs. These are people who know the topic inside and out. You may need to interview them, ask for clarifications, or review what they’ve written.

Here’s how to build strong relationships with SMEs:

  • Be respectful of their time
  • Prepare a few clear questions
  • Follow up with summaries or notes for review

You don’t have to become an expert in their field. But you do need to understand it well enough to explain it clearly.

Be Consistent with Style

Ask if there’s a style guide for the team or company. If there isn’t, you can follow a public one like AP Stylebook or Microsoft Writing Style Guide.

Be consistent with:

  • Headings and subheadings
  • Punctuation and spelling
  • Terms and formatting

If you make decisions about voice or structure, keep notes. These can help others—and your future self—stay consistent.

Ask Questions as You Go

No one expects you to understand everything from the start. It’s better to ask questions early than to guess and miss the mark.

Keep a running list of questions as you work. Review them with your manager or a peer during check-ins.

You’ll learn faster, build trust, and avoid rework later.

Keep Growing—Even If You Don’t Have the Job Yet

You don’t have to wait for a job title to build experience. In fact, many great content developers keep learning throughout their careers. The field changes quickly. Staying current helps you stay confident—and marketable.

Here’s how to grow your skills while you search for work (or even after you land your first job).

Take Advantage of Free and Low-Cost Learning

You don’t need a graduate degree to break into content development. You just need curiosity and focus.

Start with free resources:

Want to go deeper? Look for certificates in technical writing, instructional design, or UX writing. Choose programs that include portfolio-building projects.

Try New Tools on Your Own

Most tools used in content development offer free trials. This lets you build skills without spending money up front.

Try:

The more tools you explore, the more confident you’ll feel during interviews.

Join a Community

You don’t have to do this alone. There are many online groups where content developers share advice, job leads, and encouragement.

Try:

Even reading others’ questions and answers can help you learn faster.

Build One Project Per Month

To keep growing, try this challenge: create one small content sample each month. Pick a topic you care about. Then write a guide, storyboard, checklist, or training asset for it.

Over time, you’ll build a portfolio you’re proud of—and a skill set employers will notice.

Conclusion: Your Future in Content Development

You don’t need to know everything before you begin. Most content developers start with curiosity and clear thinking. This field values people who solve problems with words and enjoy helping others understand something new. You don’t need a perfect resume. You need clear writing, steady effort, and the courage to keep going.

If you’re building a portfolio, rewriting a process, or applying for jobs, you’re already moving forward. Confidence comes from action—not waiting. Every project you try builds skill, clarity, and momentum. You belong here if you care about people, ideas, and making information easier to use.

And if you ever want support, advice, or a team that values your voice—we’re here for that. You’re a word person. And the world needs more of those.

See also:
Other articles on ProEdit’s People and Culture
Writing Services

Contents

→ Contents

Discover more from ProEdit

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading