CRYSTAL THOMAS
Redmond, WA | (425) 870-1346 | CrystalT50@hotmail.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/crystalhthomas
~ TECHNICAL CONTENT SPECIALIST ~
Highly experienced writer, editor, and content manager with a proven track record of developing effective
online and offline content for high-tech organizations. Skilled project manager, known for meeting and beating
all assigned deadlines. Capable of writing in multiple styles for any target audience. Fluent in the Microsoft
Manual of Style, AP style, the Chicago Manual of Style, among others. Advanced software proficiency,
fundamental programming knowledge, and rapid adaptation to new tools and applications.
Highlighted Qualifications
19 Years of Writing & Editing Experience
Content Management / Development
Advanced Microsoft Office Proficiency
Work Prioritization & Project Management
Style Guide Creation & Compliance
User Interface Writing
Experience with HTML, XML, Markdown
Technical Procedural Documentation
End-User Training Guides & Documentation
Copyright Issues & Trademarks
WordPress & Website Management
Digital Publishing / Social Media / Blogging
Marketing Copywriting
Writing for SEO & Global Audiences
Professional Experience
Technical Writer | Entirenet
• Create technical case studies and articles for Microsoft IT Showcase.
2015 to present
Editorial Manager | INE, Inc.
2012 to 2015
• Created effective and engaging IT training, marketing, and website content while collaborating daily with
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marketing personnel, instructors, sales and support staff, and development leads.
Managed technical editing and publishing of all customer-facing technical documentation and training materials.
Planned, wrote, edited, and published all website and promotional content.
Wrote and edited user interface (UI) text for internal and external tools and apps.
Mentored and trained internal and third-party editorial resources.
Bing Apps UI Writer | Bing Apps, Contracted by STEYER ASSOCIATES
2012
• Created and reviewed UI strings for the original six Bing apps that shipped with Windows 8, coordinating across
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all product teams and within the constraints of Bing and Windows requirements and guidelines.
Wrote, managed, and edited editorial department documentation, researched hundreds of international news
sources for localization, and sourced daily news content.
Freelance Technical Editor | MACMILLAN PUBLISHING & S4CARLISLE
• Edited college textbooks, Microsoft Press books, technical courseware, and marketing content.
Writer, Editor, & Customer Support Representative | COZI GROUP, INC.
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2007 to 2010
Improved Cozi.com content by writing and editing procedural Help documentation, marketing collateral,
customer communication, landing pages (incorporating SEO strategies), and UI text.
Leveraged customer feedback into self-service knowledge base articles for a customer support response library.
Assisted users with technical troubleshooting and moderated and managed the Cozi user discussion board.
Technical Editor | MICROSOFT CORPORATION
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2005 to 2012
2003 to 2004
Ensured high-quality product documentation for SharePoint, including technical papers, online books, product
Help, UI text and error messages, and glossaries, as well as team style guides and process documentation.
Created and maintained aggressive, deadline-driven writing schedules and team collaboration tools.
Owned the Shared Office Server UI guidelines and led the ongoing Documentation Security Review process.
Led terminology reviews and facilitated communication between the author and product teams for the Microsoft
SharePoint Products and Technologies Resource Kit.
Participated in customer feedback evaluation and content planning for Office server products.
Crystal Thomas—Resume, Page 2 of 2
Technical Editor | MICROSOFT CORPORATION
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Copy Editor | MICROSOFT CORPORATION
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1998 to 2001
Acted as Microsoft Press book principal for copyediting and proofreading; managed multiple books through all
stages of the production process, reviewing all first printings for accuracy.
Reviewed marketing materials, book covers, and updates to the Microsoft Computer Dictionary.
Created content for the team website and owned/updated the team procedures manual.
Trained and supervised the work of new and junior editors.
Freelance Editor & Proofreader | MOUNTAINEERS BOOKS, SASQUATCH BOOKS
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1996 to 2004
Ensured the quality of nonfiction book manuscripts by performing substantive editing, copy editing, and
proofreading.
Collaborated with book authors on editorial issues.
Editor | BOOK PUBLISHING COMPANY (BPC)
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2001 to 2003
Helped develop Version 1 of Microsoft InfoPath by writing and editing product Help documentation, web
content, UI, error messages, programming content, and marketing/pre-release materials.
Implemented and facilitated key terminology and feature-naming processes.
Created and maintained both team and cross-group style guidelines to ensure consistency.
Performed regular updates to and consolidations of the company-wide Office Style Guide.
1996 to 1998
Performed copyediting of legal manuscripts and ongoing supplementation of legal code books.
Created cost estimates, negotiated customer contracts, and prepared manuscripts for legal analysis.
Editorial Intern | SASQUATCH BOOKS
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1996
Performed editing, proofreading, fact-checking, scheduling, market research, and database tasks.
Education & Certifications
Bachelor of Arts in English (Professional Writing) | University of Puget Sound, 1996
Honors in English, 3.65 GPA
Graduate Certificate in Publishing | University of Denver Publishing Institute, 1996
Technical Writing & Communication Certificate | Bellevue College, 2000
Coursework included technical writing and editing, document design, computer programming, writing and
editing for the web, project management, indexing, and style guide development.
Additional Training, Coursework, and Knowledge
HTML Authoring | Programming Concepts | XML | C Programming I | XML Syntax & Applications
Writing for Global Audiences | Delivering Services in Constant Ship Mode | Documenting Accessibility
Managing Documentation Projects | Managing Content & Processes in SharePoint
Adobe InDesign CS5 Essentials | Bug tracking | SharePoint 2010 for End Users | Adobe Acrobat Essentials
Adobe Dreamweaver | CSS Basics | Markdown | Magento | Visio | WordPress
Representative Project List
Editor/collaborator on 16 technical books including Microsoft SharePoint Products & Technologies Resource Kit
(Microsoft Press, 2004), Principles of Data Networking & Computer Communications (Prentice Hall, 2007), and
Optimizing Windows 7 Pocket Consultant (Microsoft Press, 2011)
Editor of 21 non-technical books ranging from Medical Neuroscience (Hayes Barton Press, 2007) to Best Short Hikes in
Washington’s South Cascades & Olympics (Mountaineers Books, 2002) to Alaska Best Places (Sasquatch Books, 1997)
Writer, editor, and project manager on dozens of other publications, including courseware (such as Designing &
Optimizing Microsoft SQL Server 2005), as well as daily management and content development for corporate website