There's an article going around about how UX writers benefit from having extroverted personalities. And it's true; the role requires a lot of collaboration, communication, and energy. It's a good read, and I appreciate that they clarify that introverts can survive, too.
Seeing the article shared dozens of times on my LinkedIn profile, I couldn't stop wondering about the qualities that make good UX writers. Some of the best ones I know are extroverted, some introverted; some are extremely detail-oriented, while others focus on the big picture. And some aren't native speakers, or don't come from a writing background.
Honestly, it's a profession that few people aim for from the start. I didn't grow up thinking "One day, I'm gonna be a UX Writer!" But I love it all the same. I work with great people, get to help solve diverse problems, and rarely have a boring moment. It's a profession that's growing, and as more people consider the career path, here are a few skills that are good to have.
The ability to self-teach: I was lucky enough to have some great mentors starting out. But even if you get that advantage, there's a lot to learn. If you have time now, teach yourself Figma, research methodology, user behaviour, etc. Take some online courses, subscribe to some blogs, and soak in as much information as you can.
A love of learning: I'm trying to get better at Github, and I try to read at least two UX books a month. I'm confident enough at my job, but I know I can always do better. Remember that even after you land your first gig, never stop learning.
The capacity to multitask: Like most people, I have busy and slow days. But the busy days are busy, and require a lot of context switching. For me, managing different features and people means keeping detailed notes and setting aside focus time. Find a system that works for you.
Obviously there's more to it; you should learn how to write for different components, practice writing when possible, and learn from the people around you. But being open to learning is half the battle.
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