Do you want a career that varies and allows you to be creative, whilst also working collaboratively with a wide range of people? Start a career in bid writing!
Specialising in bids and tenders can offer an amazing long-term progressive career for the right people.
What are the Responsibilities of a Bid Writer?
Before you start a career in bid writing, it’s a good idea to understand some of the roles and responsibilities you would be expected to complete on a day-to-day basis.
Bid writers can wear many different hats, depending on the type of bid they’re working on, but on a typical day their tasks could include:
- Planning a bid timeline.
- Researching a client and the likely competition.
- Monitoring portals for opportunities/clarification responses for ongoing bids.
- Meeting with team members to complete parts of a bid.
- Working with relevant subject matter experts.
- Proofreading their own, and others, work.
- Updating bid libraries.
- Graphic design to make their proposals more engaging.
What Skills Do You Need to Start a Career in Bid Writing?
Even if you’ve never worked in bids before, you may find that a lot of the skills you already know are highly transferable!
Some of the types of skills you will need include:
- Knowledge of the English Language.
- Excellent Written Communication Skills.
- Excellent Attention to Detail.
- Excellent Verbal Communication Skills.
- Competency in Using Computers & Their Main Software Packages (Like MS Office).
- The Ability to Think Clearly Using Logic and Reasoning.
- Administration Skills.
- The Ability to Use Your Initiative.
- Project Management Skills.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Bid Writer?
Qualifications required depend on the employer. Some might offer you on-job training, whilst others may want you to already have enough experience/knowledge to get your feet dug in straight away.
Usually, most employers will require at least 5 GCSEs at grade A*-C (or Level 9-4) including Maths, English, and Science. They could also require candidates to have a minimum of 2-3 A Levels, or equivalent.
It’s also possible that they will require you to have a degree. The best degrees to become a bid writer include:
- Business Development.
- Business Management.
- Sales & Marketing.
- Journalism
- English
If you don’t have the necessary qualifications but are still looking into a career in bid writing, there are a few other ways you can get your foot into the industry.
- Look for apprenticeships.
- Start your career in administration (for example) within a bid writing company and work your way up.
- Complete relevant courses that will give you the necessary knowledge/starter experience.
4 Reasons You Should Start a Career in Bid Writing
1. The Variety of Work –
People often mistake that a bid manager/writer role is solely transactions, this isn’t true. As a bid writer, you will have to manage relationships with a number of different stakeholders in different areas of a business. As you get further into your bid writing career, your role could become more strategic, and you could end up working alongside leadership teams in order to develop different bid strategies.
2. Highly Transferable Skills –
The variety of work you do within bid writing means that you end up with a list of skills that can be used in different business areas. These skills include attention to detail, project management, persuasive writing, and the ability to build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders.
3. You’ll Always Be in High Demand –
With Government initiatives, like levelling up, competition for winning contracts will be fiercer than ever, and there’s also a high possibility of more tenders being released. The public sector is a big industry, and in order for them to hire companies for contracts they have to go through the full tender process. There is never a shortage of tenders, but there’s always a demand for high-quality bid writers!
4. To Support Business Grow –
If you enjoy helping people reach their goals, then bid writing is perfect for you. Not only do you get to work with a variety of companies and people, but you also get to support their growth.
Winning a bid, whether your first or 15th, always feels amazing – not only for you but for your client too!
Keeping Up to Date with Bid for Success
If you have an upcoming bid that you need support on, contact us today! We work flexibly to your budget and provide as much, or as little, support as you need.
Bid for Success is here to help you achieve your business goals through successful bidding.
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