proofreading jobs description

Proofreader Job Description, Duties, and Responsibilities

This post presents detailed information on the proofreader job description, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

It also highlights the major requirements that you may be expected to fulfill to be hired for the proofreader role by most recruiters/employers.

What Does a Proofreader Do?

Proofreaders are responsible for detecting and correcting errors in written documents.

The proofreader job description entails checking written text for misspellings and inaccuracies prior to publishing.

Proofreaders read manuscripts before they are typeset to find and correct mistakes; they read through typescripts to detect and highlight typographical or grammatical error.

They also read original copies of a manuscript against typeset proof to catch typing mistakes.

As part of their responsibilities, proofreaders check typeset documents to ensure the publisher used the font style, size, and text spacing specified on the original copy by a page designer.

Their role also involves making corrections on written text using special marks which are standard and recognized in the printing and publishing industry.

They also make copies of proofs which are given to editors, authors, and others for revision.

Proofreaders usually mark corrections by editors or authors on a master set of proofs which are returned to typesetters for correction.

After correction by typesetters, proofreaders check typeset proof against reviewed copies one final time before printing.

In performing their duties, proofreaders check images, tables, and charts contained in a document to ensure they are precise and properly aligned.

Their work description also entails verifying accuracy of page numbers, headings, and captions, as well as consistency of spelling and grammar.

Proofreaders, as part of their duties, perform copyediting functions – depending on the project – they may be required to reword or rewrite a text.

They put up missing or misplaced punctuation to make an article coherent and comprehensible.

They also use specialized software to make corrections on printed proofs.

In fulfilling their role, proofreaders maintain up-to-date knowledge of new terminologies, as well as changes in language standards.

They usually report and present articles to Chief Editor for approval, and also analyze documents for consistency in capitalization, hyphenation, and formatting.

To get into the proofreader career requires a Bachelor’s degree preferably in English or Journalism, or in a related degree.

The qualities you need to succeed in this job include attention to details, teamwork, skills, and grammar/spelling skills.

Proofreader Job Description Example/Template

Proofreaders perform various functions in keeping written documents free of errors.

Below is a job description example that highlights major tasks, duties, and responsibilities commonly assigned to proofreaders in most firms:

• Read and evaluate written text for grammatical and typographical error
• Liaise with writers and editors to determine the composition of specific texts in a document
• Compare typeset proofs against original copy to identify errors or omission
• Use word processors and other specialized software to make changes on typeset documents
• Evaluate the dimensions of page elements such as images, text spacing and positioning to ensure they conform to set specifications
• Ensure page numbers are in the right order and not repeated or omitted
• Analyze documents to ensure chapter titles match list of contents
• Use symbols which are standard and recognized by printing and publishing companies
• Mark corrections highlighted by editors/authors and ensure they reflect on the master set proof
• Rephrase written text to ensure document structure and content are consistent
• Stay abreast with grammatical development as well as new terminologies in a language
• Ensure illustrations are suitably captioned and referenced
• Contact authors directly to clarify grammatical inconsistencies related to style and text choice
• Forward proofread materials for approval and publication
• Ensure project is completed within set time constraints.

Requirements – Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge – for Proofreader Role

If you are seeking to work as a proofreader, the following are important qualities and attributes you may be required to have to qualify for an interview with most firms:

• Education and Training: To become a proofreader, you require a Bachelor’s degree most preferably in English, journalism, or mass communication, or in a related field. Employers usually require proofreaders to have about 2 years of experience proofreading or editing written content. Knowledge of standard proofreading practices, procedures, and concept is also required
• Attention to details: Proofreaders are able to identify and rephrase grammatical errors to ensure an error-free text
• Teamwork skill: They are adept at working with authors, editors, and typesetters to publish comprehensible write-ups
• Spelling/Grammar Skill: They are able to correctly assemble words and apply them in writing.

If you are an employer needing to make a proofreader job description for use in hiring for the position, the sample work description and information about the duties and responsibilities of proofreaders contained in this post can be of great use to you in preparing it.

You will be able to attract the best candidates for the role to your company by creating a detailed description for the position.

This post is also beneficial to aspiring proofreaders for them to improve their knowledge of proofreading career, including the kind of tasks they may be assigned when hired for the role. This helps them to prepare adequately to become the best proofreaders in the industry.

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Proofreader Job Description: Complete Guide for 2024

One of the most important aspects of creating any piece of content, whether it be academic writing, marketing copy, or anything in between, is ensuring that it meets a high level of quality and accuracy. Proofreading is the process of reviewing text to identify and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and formatting. It involves carefully reading a document and checking it for mistakes, ensuring that it is ready for publication or distribution.

Proofreading is an essential part of the writing process that should never be overlooked. Even the most skilled writers can make mistakes, and it is critical to have a fresh set of eyes to catch any errors that may have been missed. Whether you are a student, a professional writer, or a business owner, proofreading can make all the difference in ensuring that your message is clear, concise, and professional.

In this article, we will provide a complete guide to the job of a proofreader. We will begin by defining proofreading and explaining its importance. We will then give a brief overview of the job description and what it entails. By the end of this guide, you will have a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to be a successful proofreader, and how this vital role plays a critical role in ensuring high-quality written content.

Responsibilities

Proofreading is a vital process in the production of various types of documents. As a proofreader, your responsibilities include:

Proofreading job duties

• Reviewing and checking documents for errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting
• Ensuring consistency in style, tone, and formatting across all documents
• Verifying the accuracy of data, statistics, and other information presented in the document
• Collaborating with writers, editors, and other stakeholders to make necessary revisions and edits

Types of documents proofread

As a proofreader, you can proofread a wide range of documents, including:

• Academic papers, essays, and dissertations
• Business reports, proposals, and presentations
• Marketing and advertising materials, such as brochures, flyers, and ads
• Website content, blog posts, and social media posts
• Technical documents, such as manuals, user guides, and specifications
• Legal documents, such as contracts, agreements, and patents

Tools and software used by proofreaders

Proofreading can be done manually or with the help of various tools and software. Some of the tools and software commonly used by proofreaders include:

• Microsoft Word and other word processing software that feature built-in spelling and grammar checkers
• Grammarly and other online grammar checkers that can quickly identify errors in sentence structure, style, and tone
• Plagiarism detection software such as Turnitin, which helps proofreaders identify passages that have been copied from other sources without proper citation
• Style guides such as the AP Stylebook or the Chicago Manual of Style that provide guidelines on grammar, style, and formatting

The job of a proofreader involves much more than simply checking for typos and spelling errors. Proofreaders play a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and overall quality of a wide range of documents. With the right tools and software, proofreaders can work efficiently and effectively, making important contributions to the success of any organization or project.

Skills and Qualifications

Proofreading is a specialized task that requires a keen eye for detail, a command of the English language, and a thorough understanding of grammar and syntax. To become a successful proofreader, you need to possess a combination of education, experience, skills, and personal characteristics.

Education and Experience Required

While there is no specific degree or certification required to become a proofreader, a background in English, journalism, or communications can be useful. Many employers look for candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in one of these fields, as well as experience working in a related field, such as writing, publishing, or editing.

Experience proofreading is essential, and it can be gained through internships or entry-level positions, such as editorial assistants, copy editors or fact-checkers. Additionally, attending short courses or training sessions in proofreading, copyediting or writing can help to improve your skills and make you stand out in the job market.

Essential Skills for Proofreading

Proofreaders need to possess a variety of skills that will help them spot errors and ensure that written materials meet high quality and readability standards. Essential skills for proofreading include excellent spelling and grammar, knowledge of style guides (such as the AP Stylebook or The Chicago Manual of Style), familiarity with proofreading marks or symbols, strong attention-to-detail, good time-management and organizational skills.

Proofreaders must be comfortable with working under pressure and tight deadlines while staying focused and maintaining high levels of accuracy.

Personal Characteristics for Success as a Proofreader

Along with education and experience, a successful proofreader needs to have specific personal characteristics such as patience, attention-to-detail, and a strong work ethic.

Proofreading requires a meticulous approach to editing, you will be reviewing texts in different industries, so you must be adaptable, open-minded and receptive to alter the tone of the content. Being able to comprehend and write different levels of language yet maintain high quality and adapt to meet the specific needs of diverse clients.

Additionally, the ability to stay focused for a long time, a great sense of responsibility, and excellent communication are essential. A successful proofreader should also have a strong sense of initiative and be able to work independently while being able to seek inputs when necessary.

To become a successful proofreader, you need to have a combination of education, experience, and personal characteristics. Essential skills for proofreading include excellent grammar and spelling, familiarity with style guides, attention-to-detail, organization ability, and strong time-management. Personal characteristics such as patience, flexibility, and good communication skills are highly valued in this field. With a combination of education and experience and the right set of skills and personal characteristics, you can excel as a professional proofreader.

Standards for Quality

As a proofreader, it’s essential that you understand what constitutes good quality proofreading. Here are some aspects to keep in mind when assessing your work:

Defining Good Quality Proofreading

Good quality proofreading involves ensuring that a document is free of errors and clearly conveys its intended message. This includes checking for spelling, grammar, syntax, punctuation, and formatting errors. In addition, a good proofreader should also check the overall coherence and clarity of the text, ensuring that it makes sense as a whole and flows logically from one point to the next.

Common Errors to Look For

Some of the most common errors that proofreaders need to watch out for include:

• Spelling errors
• Grammatical mistakes
• Punctuation errors
• Inconsistent capitalization
• Inconsistent formatting
• Missing or incorrect citations and references

By paying careful attention to these details, you can help to ensure that your work is accurate, effective, and polished.

Techniques to Maintain Consistency

Maintaining consistency is key to producing high-quality work as a proofreader. Here are some techniques that can help you achieve this:

• Develop a checklist of common errors and issues to look out for, and use it consistently with each document you proofread.
• Use tools such as style guides and dictionaries to ensure that you stay consistent with spelling, capitalization, and formatting rules.
• Take breaks to refresh your mind when working on longer documents to avoid missing errors due to fatigue or inattention.
• Compare each sentence to the one before it to ensure that the language and tone are consistent throughout the document.
• When in doubt, seek clarification from the author or editor to ensure that you are making the right choices about wording or phrasing.

By following these techniques, you can add value as a proofreader by producing high-quality work that is consistent, accurate, and effective.

Types of Proofreading

There are several types of proofreading that a professional proofreader can offer, depending on the specific needs of the client. Here are some of the most common types of proofreading:

Copy editing

This type of proofreading involves checking the document for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. The focus is on making the copy clear, concise, and readable. The copy editor may also suggest changes to improve the flow of the text and ensure that it meets the style guide or editorial standards.

Line editing

Line editing goes beyond the surface-level errors and looks more closely at the structure of the writing. The editor will analyze each sentence and paragraph, making changes to improve the overall clarity, flow, and coherence of the text. This type of proofreading is particularly useful for longer pieces, such as books or academic papers.

Developmental editing

Developmental editing involves a deep dive into the substance and structure of the writing. The editor will help the author shape the content and develop the ideas, offering suggestions for how to build a strong narrative, argument, or plot. This type of proofreading requires a high level of expertise in the subject matter, as well as a strong understanding of the target audience.

Substantive editing

Substantive editing is similar to developmental editing, but is focused more on the overall structure and organization of the text. The editor will evaluate the manuscript as a whole, looking for areas where the content could be improved or rearranged. This type of proofreading is particularly useful for longer pieces or for authors who are struggling to shape their ideas into a coherent form.

Each of these types of proofreading plays an important role in creating high-quality written work. Whether you are a writer looking to polish your manuscript, or a business owner seeking to improve your website copy, hiring a professional proofreader is an essential step in ensuring that your words are communicating your message as effectively as possible. Becoming a proofreader typically involves some level of education and training. There are several paths you can take to hone your skills and increase your credibility as a professional.

Degree and Certification Programs : Pursuing a degree or certification in an English-related field, such as English, journalism, or communications, can provide a solid foundation for a proofreading career. Many universities and colleges offer specific courses or concentrations in editing and proofreading, such as the University of Chicago’s Graham School’s Editing Certificate Program. Certification programs from organizations, such as the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), are also available for those seeking to verify their skills and experience.

Self-Study or Online Courses : If a degree or certification program is not feasible, there are several self-study or online courses available to help you develop your proofreading abilities. Websites like Udemy, Skillshare, and Coursera offer affordable courses that may teach you the basics of proofreading, or even specific skills like proofreading legal documents. Poynter’s News University also provides online courses, including one called “Cleaning Your Copy: Grammar, Style and More.”

Professional Associations and Resources : Joining professional associations and subscribing to industry resources can provide access to networking opportunities, job listings, and additional training materials. The Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) is a membership organization for editors, proofreaders, and other freelancers in the publishing industry. The EFA offers job boards, professional development workshops and webinars, and an online forum for members to discuss industry topics. The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJ) is another association that offers resources and a directory of professional proofreaders.

Other resources include industry magazines, such as The Chicago Manual of Style or The AP Stylebook, as well as online tools, such as Grammarly or ProWritingAid, which can aid in proofreading processes. Additionally, establishing a personal network of fellow proofreaders, writers, and editors can provide valuable feedback and support throughout your career.

Becoming a proofreader involves education and training, whether it be through a formal degree or certification program, self-study or online courses, or joining professional associations and utilizing industry resources. Continuous learning and self-improvement are essential for maintaining credibility in the proofreading field, as it is a highly competitive industry where reputation and skillset matter greatly.

The Job Market

If you’re interested in a career as a proofreader, it can be helpful to have an understanding of the job market. Proofreading is a competitive field, but there are still plenty of opportunities available for those with the right skills and experience.

Overview of the job market for proofreaders

Proofreading jobs can be found in a variety of industries, including publishing, marketing, advertising, and more. Many companies also hire freelance proofreaders on a project basis. The demand for proofreaders is expected to remain stable in the coming years, with some growth in specific industries such as online content creation.

How to find proofreading jobs

To find proofreading jobs, you can start by searching online job boards, such as Indeed or LinkedIn. Networking with other professionals in your field can also be helpful, as they may know of job openings or be able to connect you with potential clients. Freelance marketplaces, such as Upwork or Freelancer, can also be a good source of work, although competition can be high.

Tips for building a successful freelance proofreading business

If you’re interested in freelancing as a proofreader, there are a few tips that can help you build a successful business:

Develop a niche:  Consider specializing in a specific type of content or industry. This can help you stand out from other proofreaders and make it easier to market your services.

Create a professional website:  Having a website can help potential clients find you and showcase your portfolio and services. Make sure your website is professional-looking and easy to navigate.

Join professional organizations:  Consider joining professional organizations, such as the American Society of Journalists and Authors or the Editorial Freelancers Association. These organizations can provide networking opportunities and help you stay up-to-date on industry trends.

Offer exceptional service:  Providing excellent customer service is key to building a successful business. Be communicative with clients, meet deadlines, and strive to exceed their expectations.

Market yourself:  Don’t be afraid to promote your services and reach out to potential clients. Social media can be a powerful marketing tool, as can email marketing and networking events.

By following these tips, you can build a successful freelance proofreading business and take advantage of the opportunities available in the job market.

Rates and Payment Strategies

When it comes to proofreading services, it’s essential to know the market rates to charge your clients accurately. According to recent research, the average hourly rate for proofreading services is between $25 and $45. However, you may choose to adjust these rates based on your experience and expertise.

One decision you will need to make when setting your rates is whether to charge a flat fee or bill clients hourly. Many proofreaders prefer flat fees for simplicity and predictability, while others prefer hourly rates, which provide payment for every minute spent working. Ultimately, the choice depends on your clients’ preferences, the scope of work, and your efficiency.

In addition to determining your rates, you’ll also need to consider different payment models and strategies. One option is to require upfront deposits, typically held in an escrow account or prepayment. Another popular approach is to send clients an invoice stating the final price after the job has been completed, with payment due within a certain timeframe.

It’s also worth exploring different payment methods, such as PayPal or Stripe, that offer secure online payment options, helping streamline payment processes and reduce the risk of fraud or chargebacks.

Ultimately, the key to a successful payment strategy is to be upfront and clear about your rates and payment expectations from the start, so both you and your clients can avoid misunderstandings or miscommunications, and build a successful working relationship centered on trust and mutual respect.

Effective Communication

Communication plays a vital role in the success of any proofreader. As a proofreader, you will have to interact with different people to ensure that the final document meets the client’s expectations.

Working with Clients

The success of any proofreader largely depends on how they handle their clients. When working with clients, it is essential to establish clear communication from the outset. For instance, you can put together a checklist or create a set of expectations for the project’s scope, timeline, and revision processes to avoid any misunderstandings. Ensure that you also clarify the fees charged for different tasks, such as proofreading, editing, and formatting.

Communicating Effectively with Authors or Publishers

A proofreader must build a good working relationship with authors or publishers to enhance the document’s readability and clarity. The goal of effective communication is to provide feedback without causing offense. As a proofreader, you should learn how to highlight areas that need improvement without sounding too critical. For instance, when giving feedback, you could start by praising something good about the manuscript before mentioning what needs altering. Remember to be respectful, objective, and specific when pointing out errors or inconsistencies.

Dealing with Difficult People

As a proofreader, you will occasionally interact with difficult people. However, knowing how to handle challenging situations confidently can help you save time and maintain your reputation. When dealing with challenging individuals, first try and identify the source of the problem to avoid any misunderstandings. Then, consider using active listening skills to understand their perspective and respond accordingly. Being assertive and polite is essential when communicating with difficult individuals, but you also need to know when to walk away from a confrontation that could escalate.

Effective communication is essential for any proofreader seeking to build lasting working relationships with clients, authors, or publishers. By understanding and adopting the tips mentioned above, you can enhance your communication skills and provide better proofreading services.

Career Advancement

As a proofreader, you may be wondering about the potential for growth in the field, as well as the skills you can develop and the career paths available to you. Here’s a closer look at each of these areas:

The potential for growth in the field

The demand for proofreaders is expected to remain steady in the coming years. However, there may be greater demand for proofreaders who have specialized skills or knowledge in certain areas (such as legal, medical, or technical writing). Freelance work is also a common option for proofreaders, which can allow for greater flexibility and control over the types of projects you work on.

Skills to develop for career advancement

To advance in your proofreading career, there are several skills you can work on developing:

• Attention to detail:  This is perhaps the most important skill for a proofreader. You need to be able to catch even the tiniest errors in a document.
• Knowledge of grammar and syntax:  Brushing up on your grammar and syntax rules can help you identify and fix errors more efficiently.
• Familiarity with style guides:  Depending on the type of writing you’re proofreading, you may need to be well-versed in one or more style guides (such as MLA, APA, or Chicago Manual of Style).
• Specialized knowledge in a subject area:  If you’re interested in proofreading for a particular industry (such as finance or engineering), gaining knowledge in that area can make you a more attractive candidate to potential clients or employers.

Career paths for skilled proofreaders

There are several career paths available to skilled proofreaders:

• In-house proofreader/editor:  Many organizations employ their own proofreaders and editors to review documents before they are published.
• Freelance proofreader/editor:  As mentioned earlier, freelance work is a common option for proofreaders.
• Copyeditor or content editor:  Some proofreaders expand their skillset to include copyediting or content editing. These roles may involve more substantive changes to a document, along with the typical proofreading tasks.
• Proofreading instructor or coach:  If you enjoy teaching, you may be able to use your proofreading expertise to become an instructor or coach, teaching others how to proofread effectively.

The proofreading field can offer stability, flexibility, and the ability to work on a variety of projects. By developing your skills and exploring different career paths, you can advance your career as a proofreader and find success in this growing industry.

Examples of Successful Proofreaders

If you’re looking for inspiration as a proofreader, look no further than some of the top-rated and successful proofreaders in the industry. In this section, we’ll provide an overview of these top-rated proofreaders along with some case studies that highlight what made them stand out in their field.

Overview of top-rated proofreaders

Some of the top-rated proofreaders in the industry include:

Caitlin Pyle – Caitlin is a highly successful proofreader and founder of the Proofread Anywhere program, which has helped thousands of aspiring proofreaders launch their careers.

Ashan R. Hampton – Ashan is a professional proofreader and editor who has over 20 years of experience in the industry. She has worked with major brands such as IBM and Procter & Gamble.

Nick Loper – Nick is a successful entrepreneur and author who has also built a successful proofreading business.

These proofreaders have all achieved great success in their careers, and their stories can offer valuable insights for aspiring proofreaders.

Case studies of successful proofreaders

Let’s take a closer look at some case studies of successful proofreaders and what made them stand out in the industry:

Caitlin Pyle

Caitlin Pyle is a highly successful proofreader and entrepreneur who has built a large following in the industry. What makes her stand out is her dedication to helping others launch successful proofreading careers through her Proofread Anywhere program. She has also authored several books on the topic and regularly contributes to online publications.

Ashan R. Hampton

Ashan R. Hampton is a highly successful proofreader and editor who has worked with major brands in the industry. What makes her stand out is her attention to detail and ability to provide a high level of quality in her work. She has also authored several books and provides mentorship and coaching to aspiring proofreaders.

Nick Loper is a successful entrepreneur and author who has also built a successful proofreading business. What makes him stand out is his ability to balance his various business ventures while still providing high-quality proofreading services to his clients. He has also authored several books and provides valuable insights on his popular blog.

What made these proofreaders stand out

What made these proofreaders stand out in the industry was their dedication to their craft, their attention to detail, and their willingness to go above and beyond for their clients. They also focused on building their brand and creating valuable content for their audience, which helped them establish themselves as thought leaders in the industry.

As an aspiring proofreader, it’s important to learn from the success stories of those who have come before you. By understanding what made these proofreaders stand out and applying these lessons to your own career, you too can achieve great success in the field.

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Last updated on Nov 02, 2023

How to Become a Proofreader: the Ultimate Beginner's Guide

This article was written in collaboration with professional editors and proofreaders Allister Thompson , Aja Pollock , David Haviland , and Sally Apokedak . 

Proofreaders are keen-eyed professionals who specialize in going over texts to make sure no typos and grammatical mistakes are present before publication. Essentially, if you choose this career path, you'll be reading for a living, and you can do it from your own home, so what's not to like? 

If you’re interested in having a proofreading career, we’ve contacted some of our top professionals here at Reedsy to put together this comprehensive guide on how to become a proofreader in six steps:

1. Understand the proofreading job description

2. identify what proofreading services you want to offer, 3. take a proofreading course, 4. develop a strong command of style guides, 5. search for freelance proofreading jobs, 6. network and keep building your business portfolio.

Let's take a closer look.

What does a proofreader do? A proofreader does the final check of a piece of text to catch any remaining grammar and punctuation mistakes, spelling errors, or formatting issues before it reaches the eyes of the public, after the author has adjusted the structure based on a developmental editor's feedback and the polished the language based on a copy edit. Their services make news articles, essays, books, website copy, or any other type of text error-free and ready for publication.

More specifically, proofreaders are often freelancers, and they carefully read documents from many types of clients (authors, publishers, businesses, and so on) to double-check for:

• Typographical errors
• Inconsistencies in style or layout
• Awkward page and word breaks
• Missing punctuation and spelling mistakes
• Any other issues that might spoil the reading experience.

Top tip: to keep track of all creative decisions such as alternative spellings of names and places or italics for thoughts, proofreaders often use customized style sheets. You can read more about how to use a style sheet and download two free templates here .

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Editorial Style Sheet Templates

Set up a sleek and easy-to-use style to keep track of all your creative decisions.

While some authors may be tempted to skip over proofreading to save time and money, proofreading is an integral part of making any text look spot-on and professional. “A proofreader is the ‘last line of defense’ between a book that looks professional and one that is obviously amateur and sloppy,” says Allister Thompson , a proofreader with over 25 years of experience. “So a proofreader actually has a lot of responsibility in the publishing process.”

Proofreaders vs copy editors

An important distinction to make is that between copy editors and proofreaders: as opposed to copy editors, proofreaders are not necessarily concerned with the quality of the sentence on a subjective level, but how well it adheres to grammar conventions and the logic of the text. That means that a proofreader will not go into a text and make suggestions for better ways to phrase things, so long as there are no objective spelling errors, missing punctuations, or formatting issues, for example. 

Below is a table that clarifies the different steps of the editorial process. This applies best to books — in article or copywriting you may have content editing followed directly by proofreading, for instance.

Emphasizing the difference between copy editing and proofreading, Aja Pollock , a freelance editor for Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, and Macmillan, says that “probably the main piece of advice I'd give to new proofreaders is that proofreading is not copyediting. Your job as a proofreader, aside from catching outright errors, is to back up the copy editor and make sure the style they've established is applied consistently, as stated in the style sheet.” 

“If it’s clear and consistent,” she continues, “don’t change it without checking with whoever hired you.” Unauthorized and unnecessary corrections at the proofreading stage can set the whole production schedule back and cause further issues down the line, so “as a proofreader, you need to develop a sense of when to stay in your lane.”

🎓 What qualifications do you need to become a proofreader?

While you don’t necessarily need any specific formal qualifications to become a proofreader, you do need to demonstrate somehow that you have the skills for the job. Most proofreaders will hold bachelor’s degrees in fields like English or Journalism and, most importantly, must have a strong command of language and grammar. To that, Allister Thompson adds that a skilled proofreader must be able to focus for long periods of time: 

“A distracted proofreader is a bad one. The eye always wants to skip over text, especially when you're pressed for time. You can't do that.” 

David Haviland corroborates this statement:

“Proofreading is all about focus and attention to detail. Many of the issues that a proofreader identifies are ones that most educated people would spot, if they were paying attention. But maintaining this kind of focus on every line over the course of an entire manuscript, and then doing the same thing day after day, is an acquired skill.”

Further, you should be able to spot typographical or design errors, as you might be working with laid-out book files and not just text documents.

Having a university degree or special qualifications in the form of certifications, though not strictly required, can be helpful in showcasing that you have the skills and techniques clients expect proofreaders to have, and help you stand out during the job application process.

With that said, you can study in other fields as well, especially if you want to work as a proofreader for technical or academic content. This makes the job quite accessible to students, freelance writers, and just about anyone with a sharp eye and love for wordsmithing . You can also opt for vocational training programs that specifically teach proofreading, and which come with certifications. 

💰 How much do proofreaders make?

According to ZipRecruiter, professional proofreaders make around $23 per hour on average. As of 2023, that means the average salary of proofreaders is around $47k per year. 

That being said, proofreaders with more experience and expertise — or expertise in niche fields — can command even higher fees, with top professionals making between $30-$35 an hour. Professional proofreaders on Reedsy, for instance, can make anywhere between $600–$1,000 working on a book, depending on the book’s genre and length. 

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If you like the job description and the money sounds good, the next step towards becoming a proofreader is to pick your niche, i.e. what type of texts and industries you would like to work with.

Since media content is everywhere nowadays, you get a lot of choices. You can work with authors on books, with content creators on websites and blog posts, with scholars on academic papers, with reporters on news articles — the list goes on. With the right background, you can even proofread medical texts or court reports. 

Now, as you’re building experience, you can try your hand at a variety of projects, though the key to getting a leg up is to find a specific niche. Each field has their specific requirements in terms of language and format, so it’s simply easier to learn them one at a time. Moreover, your niche is your competitive advantage when applying for proofreading jobs: clients will appreciate expert services more than they do a melange of barely related work experiences.

If you want to work in publishing, it’s even beneficial to narrow your focus down to book genres , since they can require quite different skills. Proofreading a fantasy novel, for instance, may demand sharp attention to details and the mechanics of a fictional language, while proofreading picture books may present technical challenges, notes editor and proofreader Sally Apokedak : 

“If I proof PDFs with illustrations, I take into consideration the design of the book. For instance, maybe the text is centered and paragraphs lack indents. Quote marks can present another problem. So, when possible, I proof the work according to the typesetter's  rules to maintain consistency.”

With this in mind, consider where your expertise and genuine interest lie, and work towards eeking out your presence in your desired niche.

If you do not yet possess the skills and qualifications to land the proofreading jobs you’re applying for, you might want to consider bulking up your resume with a proofreading course. Since there’s more to proofreading than just reading and catching a spelling mistake here and there, (and since real-life experience can be hard to come by) we highly recommend signing up to a proofreading course that can guide you through other duties of the job. This is what Aja Pollock did: 

“I took a proofreading class at NYU, just to get some kind of credential under my belt, and a class taught by someone who knows what they're doing is a great way to learn best practices and conventions for proofreading. Someone who's new to proofreading might not think to check for things like stacks and ladders or make sure the folios and running heads are correct; you should be able to come out of a class with a full checklist of things to look for beyond just typos.”

A course not only gives you a head start on understanding style guides (more on this in a bit) and grammar rules, it also allows you to familiarize yourself with editing tools and provides a chance to practice proofreading while getting feedback from veteran professionals. Working together with your course mates while meeting deadlines not only shows that you're a team player, but is also a great way to kick-start your networking efforts; a proofreading course is a great place to meet potential future colleagues and employers, after all. 

Of course, each program offers different things: some might be more tailored to fiction proofreaders, others to legal paperwork; some can offer more theoretical knowledge, others come with a mentorship program. The point is to find a curriculum that provides the best training for your chosen niche. Start your research with our summary of the best proofreading courses in the market right now. 

Beyond the work that a course gives you, here are some other options to hone your proofreading skills:

Practice, practice, practice

They say practice makes perfect, so get going! Make an effort to proofread anywhere and everywhere you go (silently in your head, of course). And don’t stop with correcting grammar and spelling mistakes; think about your punctuation errors and inconsistencies in language as well. 

For more material to work on, offer to proofread a friend’s work for free. Be mindful of the context of each piece — is it a cover letter, an essay, or a website copy? What style guide would it follow? What kind of English is used — British or American? The answers to questions like these will give you the standards which the piece needs to satisfy, which is the basis of your proofreading work, as a competent proofreader knows how to distinguish between objectivity and personal preferences.

Reading texts with these criteria in mind can sharpen your skills. The more you do it, the more competent you’ll be at noticing discrepancies and errors.

Take a proofreading test

Now that you’ve studied up and practiced your proofreading skills, it’s time to test them out! There are tons of tests out there, ranging from multiple-choice quizzes to textual exercises, that are great for gauging your ability to find and recognize key errors and inconsistencies. For some quick tests, check out these sites:

• Freelance Writing
• Editing Tests

As David Haviland says: “One way or another, you need to study the art of writing clearly, stylishly and consistently.” And whether that be through a course or through other avenues, you will have to know how to work with style guides.

Style guides are manuals that provide standard guidelines for the writing and formatting of various documents. If you’re going to become a proofreader, you’re going to want to know them like the back of your hand.

Which style guides you learn, of course, depends on your niche and the types of texts you’ll work with. In many projects, however, the choice will come down to the client so, at the very least, you should acquaint yourself with the following styles:

• Chicago Manual of Style;
• APA Style; and

David Haviland notes that he will always ask his clients what style guides they prefer at the start of a project. If your client doesn’t have a preference, you can refer to whatever style guide you feel most comfortable working with.

“It's handy to have a style guide like Chicago on hand,” Thompson adds. “Or whatever style guide your client uses. It's also handy to have a style sheet for a particular project, so copy editors can be encouraged to make those to explain spellings and style choices in the book.”

“I use the Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (online edition), as well as the house style sheet if I'm working for a publisher who has one,” Aja Pollock says. “When you start out, you may need to consult these a lot until you learn the fundamental style conventions and M-W spelling. That can slow things down when you're new to proofreading, but it's part of the learning process.”

If your niche is academic or scholarly in nature, you might also want to consider learning MLA and Turabian Style. Knowing these style guides will help you maintain objectivity and follow consistent rules whenever you’re editing a manuscript.

You can find the handbooks to these styles (which are essential resources  for editorial professionals) in libraries or on the internet. Having the one you're following on hand is always a plus, even when you become an experienced proofreader!

Once you’re all trained up in the proofreading department, you’re ready for your job search. But first, a word of warning: beginners in any editorial field will have less access to quality projects in their desired specialty or genre. Do take smaller proofreading roles that come in at the beginning of your career, and always keep your eyes out for opportunities that are adjacent to your chosen specialty. 

If you manage to weather this challenging first stage, you’ll emerge on the other side with the skills and track record to pull you through the rest of your proofreading career. 

“Proofreading suits a particular kind of person who loves language, cares about the fine details, and has a critical mindset. It’s quite difficult to do well, so there will always be work for a proofreader who is professional, reliable and fastidious.” — David Haviland

Since most proofreading services are provided by freelancers — even publishing houses  outsource this task often, to be more economical — you’ll find a lot of proofreading jobs on marketplaces like Reedsy or other freelancer job sites which connect you with a community of writers in need of proofreading services.

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Publishing job boards are also useful platforms to check out. And if you feel like working with a specific publisher or a media company, find and follow their editors on Twitter or LinkedIn. Managing and production editors commission proofreading services all the time — they often post something online when new gigs are available.

💡 Pro-tip: Impress your potential clients with this freelance proposal tempate and this invoice template. 

Setting your rates

In most cases, as you’re a freelancer, you’ll get to set your own proofreading rates. Remember not to undercharge! We recommend thinking about how much you need to cover your living and business costs (think office space and time spent on keeping the books) in order to come up with an absolute minimum, below which you should not accept. 

Experience and exposure is too often used as an excuse to underpay, and you should not accept that, especially if you have nailed down the fundamental skills for the job!

Before you know it, you’ll know plenty of people in the industry and will start finding jobs with ease, perhaps even commanding higher pay. But, don’t forget: keep building your résumé and treat everyone as a potential business partner! Make sure your portfolio is always updated and includes the latest projects relevant to your career goals. 

In other words, focus on presenting pieces that reflect what you want to keep working on and cultivate your professional relationships. So if you want to proofread more fantasy novels, highlight projects that involve other-worldly elements, even if they are review articles or short stories. That way, only the suitable clients will send you a request. Or perhaps you'll know a guy who knows a guy who can hook you up with your next project.

And, Sally Apokedak reminds us, even though proofreading is less concerned with the style and flair of the writing, it’s still an art-form which you can practice and get better at: 

“In all proofing, consistency is king because there is some room for art when proofing. Some of it is science—there is never a time when ‘it's’ will be a possessive pronoun, for instance. But some of it is art—some questions could be punctuated with an exclamation point instead of a question mark, for example. So the key is to make a reasoned choice in the beginning about certain gray areas and then be consistent all the way through to the end.”

Proofreading, just like any other editorial job, will come with its challenges. It’s not uncommon for newcomers to have to deal with low wages, competitive job prospects, and long work hours. But if you put your mind to it and really invest in your craft, then making it as a proofreader will be more than worth it in the long run.

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What They Do

What does a Proofreader do?

A proofreader is an individual who is responsible for carefully checking simple and complex errors in a document before it is published or shared. As a member of the publishing team, proofreaders must make sure that errors such as spelling mistakes and grammar errors are checked to avoid bad publications. They are required to work closely with writers and other proofreaders to ensure that every word and paragraph is formatted correctly and free of errors. Proofreaders are usually self-employed, however, some are employed by publishers and are required to work standard office hours.

• Responsibilities
• Skills And Traits
• Comparisions
• Types of Proofreader

Proofreader responsibilities

Proofreaders play a vital role in ensuring the accuracy and quality of various materials. They perform both manual and computer-based proofreads, comparing information across records to detect errors. Their responsibilities often involve working with client materials, including patient information, ensuring adherence to regulations such as FDA standards. They also review a wide range of documents, from inventory reports and periodicals to legal documents and college textbooks, checking for grammatical errors, consistency, and correct formatting. Proofreaders may also assist with SEO strategies, edit biographies, and collaborate with artists to ensure illustrations meet client specifications.

Here are examples of responsibilities from real proofreader resumes:

• Create and manage BNA's corporate income taxation evaluators.
• Edit academic papers for grammar, consistency, and clarity according to academic writing conventions and customer preferences.
• Implement changes in proofreading house style through collaboration with other department members, thus maximizing efficiency and increasing productivity.
• Use of APA style format.
• Style guides: AMA, AP, Chicago, CSE, MLA, in-house.
• Work are created with QuarkXpress & PhotoShop.
• Proofread and copyedit documents from clients as directed.
• Utilize the InDesign program for editing and CMS.
• Maintain documents on an internal website using SharePoint.
• Proofread and copyedit all client and corporate marketing materials.
• Work with hard- and soft-copy materials, including PDF and web-base content.
• Perform the QA process for appeal letters and assemble documentation for client hospitals.
• Proofread abstracts of historical newspapers for on-line research, with the QA department.
• Assist customer service by providing PDF samples of client s art history files.
• Demonstrate writing and creative capabilities with regard to DVD sleeve synopses and DVD biographies.

Proofreader skills and personality traits

We calculated that 35 % of Proofreaders are proficient in Proofreading , English Language , and PowerPoint . They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity , Good judgment , and Detail oriented .

We break down the percentage of Proofreaders that have these skills listed on their resume here:

Assisted independent court reporter with the preparation of court hearing and deposition transcripts by proofreading and editing utilizing TurboCat computer program.

Proofread a significant scientific research paper to ensure proper English language is utilized

Created graphs/charts and PowerPoint presentations for several projects including military, substance abuse and childcare information.

Created customer-specific style guides for consistency.

Lead meetings and gave presentations on topics including AMA style, the Abbott dictionary, and annotating in Adobe Acrobat.

Updated and proofread inventory reports, library references, periodicals, press releases, and other correspondence forwarded by librarian.

"proofreading," "english language," and "powerpoint" are among the most common skills that proofreaders use at work. You can find even more proofreader responsibilities below, including:

Creativity. The most essential soft skill for a proofreader to carry out their responsibilities is creativity. This skill is important for the role because "editors must be imaginative, curious, and knowledgeable in a broad range of topics." Additionally, a proofreader resume shows how their duties depend on creativity: "proofread documents for grammatical errors, content, layout and creativity. "

Good judgment. Many proofreader duties rely on good judgment. "editors decide whether certain stories are ethical and whether there is enough evidence to publish them.," so a proofreader will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways proofreader responsibilities rely on good judgment: "displayed good command of the english language and careful attention to detail. "

Detail oriented. proofreaders are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to proofreader responsibilities, because "editors must be meticulous to ensure that material is error free and matches the style of a publication." A proofreader resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "reviewed and compared source and software-generated accounting documents for highly detailed client filings with the u.s. securities and exchange commission. "

Writing skills. A big part of what proofreaders do relies on "writing skills." You can see how essential it is to proofreader responsibilities because "editors ensure that all written content has correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical proofreader tasks: "perform responsibilities of copywriting specific assignments as requested by internal clients. "

All proofreader skills

The three companies that hire the most proofreaders are:

• Uline 16 proofreaders jobs
• ExamWorks 4 proofreaders jobs
• Levi, Ray & Shoup 2 proofreaders jobs

Choose from 10+ customizable proofreader resume templates

Compare different proofreaders

Proofreader vs. editorial assistant.

An editorial assistant is primarily responsible for performing support-related tasks for an editor or editing staff. Most of the duties will be clerical such as writing content for print and media, answering calls and correspondence, responding to inquiries, running errands, and following directives from the editor. There are also instances when an editorial assistant must perform fact-checking or proofreading tasks, arrange appointments and travel documents, process paperwork, greet visitors, and even attend meetings and other work-related events.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, proofreader responsibilities require skills like "proofreading," "english language," "style guides," and "adobe acrobat." Meanwhile a typical editorial assistant has skills in areas such as "fact check," "editor-in-chief," "twitter," and "administrative tasks." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Proofreader vs. Service writer

A service writer is an employee who acts as an informative middleman between a business owner and its customers in the automotive sector. To develop this relationship, service writers must provide successful management of product or service delivery to their customers. Service writers must correctly manage their scheduled appointments to avoid overwhelming their mechanics with incoming vehicular repairs while monitoring the service progress to avoid delivery delays. They must also know how to encode customer profile information into the computer system.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, proofreader responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "proofreading," "english language," "powerpoint," and "style guides." Meanwhile, a service writer has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "repair orders," "warranty claims," and "cleanliness." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Proofreader vs. Copy editor/proofreader

Copy editors and proofreaders make sure that any product text that involves writing doesn't have any mistakes while making sure that the pieces they are proofreading are still engaging and easy to understand. Publishers of magazines, books, or newspapers are the ones who usually employ them to read and edit their works before publishing them to the public. They must be knowledgeable about using the English language and correct any grammatical errors without changing the context of the article, sentence, paragraph, or phrase.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a proofreader is likely to be skilled in "english language," "style guides," "law firm," and "bluebook," while a typical copy editor/proofreader is skilled in "website copy," "journal articles," "news stories," and "adobe indesign."

Proofreader vs. Editor/proofreader

Proofreaders are the frontliners of editing. They supervise in editing both written and digital content in fast-paced publishing environments, proofing, and reviewing. Proofreaders are natural perfectionists in editing. Their personalities lean toward thorough work and meticulousness. Companies from across industries employ proofreaders to ensure that the final work product is consistent, accurate, and error-free. These people enjoy flexibility in their work hours. They are expected to meet deadlines, manage to multitask at any given time, and work at nights and weekends.

Types of proofreader

• Service Writer

Updated June 25, 2024

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

What Similar Roles Do

• What an Editorial Assistant Does
• What a Service Writer Does

Proofreader Related Careers

• Copy Editor/Proofreader
• Editor/Proofreader
• Editorial Assistant

Proofreader Related Jobs

Resume for related jobs.

• Editorial Assistant Resume
• Service Writer Resume
• Zippia Careers
• Office and Administrative Industry
• Proofreader
• What Does A Proofreader Do

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Proofreader

United States

Proofreader proofreads, reviews and edits documents for accurate use of grammar and content. Corrects any grammatical, spelling, typographical, or compositional errors in original copy. Being a Proofreader typically requires an associate degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. The Proofreader works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. To be a Proofreader typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

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Sample proofreader job description and interview questions

Hiring a Proofreader is a great idea for businesses that publish a lot of written materials. You want to publish polished, error-free copy that will represent your business well to readers and potential customers. Since even the best writers make the occasional typo, having someone proofread work before it is published or sent out is important.

If your business is currently in need of a skilled Proofreader, keep reading to explore a sample Proofreader job description template that you can customize for your Proofreader job posting. We’ve also provided some sample interview questions to aid you in the hiring process.

What is a Proofreader?

The primary objective of the role is to ensure that all written materials are published without any errors.

A Proofreader is in charge of reading through copy to identify typos, punctuation errors, and grammatical errors. They also often conduct fact-checking and make suggestions to improve the readability of the copy. Many Proofreaders also help with formatting copy for publication.

Proofreaders can work in a variety of industries and proofread a wide range of content. Some Proofreaders work for publishing houses and focus on proofreading books. Others work in corporate roles proofreading content for the company’s blog, press releases, social media pages, website, and other publications.

Proofreader job description template

The Proofreader will read printed material, checking for composition, grammatical, and typographical errors. This individual would also read to ensure content accuracy and conduct fact-checking as needed. Duties will include checking revised proof against copy to ensure all corrections were made and making approved revisions if they haven’t yet been made. They also measure dimensions, spacing, and positioning of copy and illustrations to make sure that they conform to set specifications.

Job Responsibilities

Reads proof against copy, detecting and marking any errors using a standardized code.

Ensures that copy is written and formatted in accordance with the company’s style guide.

Checks revised proof against copy to ensure corrections were made.

Measures dimensions, spacing, and positioning of copy and illustrations, verifying conformance to specifications.

Collaborates with copywriters and copy editors as needed to create an error-free finished product.

Qualifications

An associate’s degree in English or a related field is required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.

1-2 years of experience in a related role

Excellent spelling and grammar skills

Ability to meet tight deadlines

Strong computer skills

Familiarity with the Chicago manual of style guidelines

Proofreader interview questions

Here are some helpful questions to ask when interviewing candidates for a Proofreader role.

What types of material are you accustomed to proofreading?

Proofreaders work on a wide array of written materials. Today, many proofreaders work to prepare content for publication online in the form of articles, website copy, blogs, or social media posts. However, there are also some proofreaders who specialize in long-form content such as books. They may also be proofreading content with different objectives which can impact how they edit for clarity or tone.

Due to the wide array of content that can be proofread, it is helpful to know what the candidate has primarily proofread in the past to understand whether that aligns with your company’s proofreading needs. You can definitely still consider candidates with different forms of proofreading experience, but it is a good idea to learn more about candidates’ past experiences and evaluate how transferable they will be.

What is your proofreading process?

Understanding how proofreader works can provide great insight into their thoroughness. Many proofreaders read through the text once or twice before marking any suggested corrections so that they can get an overview of the piece and fully understand the context of specific sections that they are editing. Many also do the first round of edits for basic spelling and grammar before moving on to editing for clarity or readability. They typically do a final proofread after making correction suggestions to proofread their own work and make sure that the corrections flow properly.

There is no singular perfect process, but their individual process should display that the candidate is meticulous and has some well thought strategy.

It’s also worth noting that many editors and proofreaders use digital tools like Grammarly as part of their process now. That’s generally alright as long as it is not their entire process. Tools like this can be helpful for finding small, easily overlooked errors such as putting a comma in the wrong place. However, the Proofreader should be using this as one small step — usually,after they’ve already read the piece as a starting point for quick edits or after they’re done editing to double-check that they didn’t miss anything.

This is because these tools won’t know the company’s style guide or the intended tone and purpose of the writing like the Proofreader will. For example, Grammarly will typically flag frequent use of a word or phrase in text as repetitive, but the Proofreader may know that it is necessary for SEO purposes or for the clarity of the copy.

What makes you an effective Proofreader?

This question gives the candidate an opportunity to touch on specific skills that make them an excellent fit for the role. What skills could they bring to your company if hired? Are they great at time management or incredibly thorough in their work? Ideally, the candidate will highlight how they’ve excelled in past roles due to the specific skills that they mention.

How do you balance the need for accuracy vs. efficiency when proofreading?

When people rush, mistakes are bound to happen, and some small typos or errors may be missed. Balancing the need to work quickly to meet deadlines while also needing to work thoroughly so that nothing falls through the cracks is one of the most challenging aspects of a Proofreader role. When evaluating a candidate’s response to this question, you should be listening for a couple of things.

The first thing to listen for is their time management skills. A candidate that manages their time well and knows how to prioritize tasks effectively may mention that they are careful to allocate enough time to each project so that they can meet deadlines without feeling rushed. They may mention their skills when it comes to planning their time and prioritizing assignments properly to support this.

You may also gain some insight into the candidate’s communication skills . An experience Proofreader will likely have learned to be proactive in communicating when they receive a deadline that isn’t practical. Listen for how they communicate with their team to make sure they can get extra time or support in order to get the work done without compromising quality.

Often in corporate roles, colleagues in other departments may put in immediate last-minute requests to “just look over something quickly” without understanding that proper proofreading requires time and focus. A Proofreader will need to be able to communicate that.

Lastly, you’ll want to take a big-picture look at their answer to make sure that you’re choosing a candidate that is efficient but won’t compromise on quality. You don’t want to publish something full of errors. If a candidate is giving unrealistic turnaround times for proofreading, they may be inexperienced or just telling you what they think you want to hear.

What computer tools are you familiar with?

This question should be adjusted to focus on the type of tools that your company expects the Proofreader to use in their role. Often word processing software such as Microsoft or Google Docs is used. Sometimes proofreaders help with formatting in Adobe Acrobat for PDFs, WordPress for web content, etc.

WHAT TO READ NEXT

Proofreader Job Description

Proofreader: role overview, proofreader job description template, your responsibilities.

• Review and edit written documents for grammatical and spelling errors
• Ensure consistency and clarity in language and tone throughout the document
• Check for factual accuracy and ensure that all references are properly cited
• Collaborate with writers and other team members to ensure that deadlines are met
• Provide constructive feedback to writers to improve the quality of their work
• Develop and maintain style guides and other editorial resources
• Stay up to date with industry trends and best practices in proofreading
• Communicate with clients and stakeholders to address any questions or concerns
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively

Requirements

• Experience in proofreading written content.
• Deep understanding of grammar and spelling.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Familiarity with style guides, such as APA and MLA.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Keen eye for identifying errors and inconsistencies.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing project requirements.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and suggestions.
• Experience using industry-standard proofreading software.

Frequently asked questions

What does a proofreader do, what skills make a great proofreader.

• Attention to Detail: Careful and thorough examination of text for errors.
• Grammar: Knowledge of the rules and principles governing the use of language.
• Spelling: Ability to recognize and correct spelling errors.
• Punctuation: Understanding of the correct use of punctuation marks.
• Formatting: Knowledge of the formatting requirements for different types of text.
• Proofreading Symbols: Familiarity with the symbols used to mark corrections.
• Communication: Ability to effectively communicate with clients and team members.
• Time Management: Efficiency in completing tasks within deadlines.
• Research: Aptitude for finding and verifying information.
• Adaptability: Capacity to adjust to changing requirements and expectations.

How to write an engaging job description for the Proofreader role?

Who does a proofreader work with on daily basis, ready to hire the best proofreader, beyond job description: verify candidates' skills for the proofreader role with heroify assessments.

Our questions are designed to assess candidates' actual skills in real-world business situations. We don't quiz on definitions or irrelevant facts that can be found easily online. Additionally, all questions are evaluated by experts with diverse experience and regularly updated, ensuring they measure precisely what you need.

At Heroify, we don't use pre-made assessments. Instead, we customize each assessment to meet your specific needs. We analyze your job offer to identify the skills that should be tested and include a diverse set of questions to ensure that the assessment is not only effective, but also captivating for candidates.

We work with psychometricians, work psychologists, and experts in artificial intelligence to ensure the maximum effectiveness, reliability, and objectivity of our assessments.

We ensure that all candidates have equal opportunities to showcase their skills by using modern and user-friendly anti-cheating methods. The integrity and honesty of the results are guaranteed by measures such as question copying prevention and alerts that inform of window switching, among others techniques.

Create a customized Proofreader skills assessment in just 5 minutes!

Share essential details about the position and paste the job offer., we analyze provided data to identify skills to assess, and select the most effective questions customized to meet the needs of the position, company, and industry., make the assessment even more personalized by including open-ended questions., invite candidates to take the assessment and impress them with instant feedback and smart questions., quickly and easily compare candidates based on their actual skills and hire the most qualified one for the job., assessments handpicked by recruiters, valued by hiring managers, and enjoyed by candidates., emilia niemiec.

What I liked most was that I could easily arrange all candidates' results. Questions were at the right difficulty level.

Borys Musielak

Smok ventures.

Significantly more people completed the test than answered the questions we previously used in recruitment forms.

Dorota Rymaszewska

The tests not only check the level of commitment from the candidates, but also give us a quick way to evaluate their actual skills.

Adrian Piwko

Pora na pola.

I can't imagine hiring or even interviewing a candidate without checking their skills with Heroify tests first.

Katherine Keddie

Using Heroify as the first stage of our screening process was a game changer. Without Heroify, it would have been impossible to get through all the applications.

Monika Hryniewicz

We use Heroify because it allows us to assess candidates' analytical skills in a quick and accurate way that is also attractive to candidates.

Bartosz Majewski

If I were to hire for SDR or entry-level roles, I'd use Heroify not to waste time talking to people I shouldn't be talking to.

Rozalia Mikolajczak

Heroify allowed me to conveniently compare all candidates at once. It's a genius tool to hire for sales-related roles.

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How to become a proofreader

Is becoming a proofreader right for me.

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

Still unsure if becoming a proofreader is the right career path? Take the free CareerExplorer career test to find out if this career is right for you. Perhaps you are well-suited to become a proofreader or another similar career!

Described by our users as being “shockingly accurate”, you might discover careers you haven’t thought of before.

How to become a Proofreader

Becoming a proofreader involves a combination of education, skills development, and gaining practical experience. Here's a guide to help you pursue a career as a proofreader:

• Educational Background: While a formal degree is not always required, having a strong educational foundation in English , journalism , communications , or a related field is beneficial. A bachelor's degree can provide a solid understanding of language conventions, grammar, and writing styles.
• Specialized Training: Consider taking courses or workshops specifically focused on proofreading. There are many online and in-person courses that cover the essentials of proofreading, including industry standards, style guides, and the use of proofreading tools.
• Understand Style Guides: Familiarize yourself with widely used style guides such as The Chicago Manual of Style, Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, or other guides relevant to your area of interest. Different industries may have specific style preferences, so being well-versed in these guides is essential.
• Gain Practical Experience: Practice proofreading on a variety of materials. Offer your services to friends, family, or local businesses to build a portfolio of work. Volunteer opportunities, internships, or entry-level positions within publishing, media, or communications can provide valuable hands-on experience.
• Use Proofreading Tools: Familiarize yourself with digital proofreading tools such as Microsoft Word's Track Changes feature, Grammarly, or other proofreading software. These tools can help streamline the proofreading process and catch errors more efficiently.
• Create a Professional Presence: Establish an online presence by creating a professional website or LinkedIn profile showcasing your skills, experience, and examples of your work. This can serve as a portfolio to attract potential clients or employers.
• Seek Freelance Opportunities: Explore freelance opportunities on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or other freelancing websites. Freelancing allows you to gain diverse experiences and build a reputation in the industry.
• Continued Professional Development: Stay updated on industry trends, language evolution, and new proofreading tools. Consider pursuing additional certifications or attending advanced training courses to continually enhance your skills.

Helpful Resources Here are a few helpful resources for proofreaders:

• Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA): The EFA provides resources, training, and a job board for freelance editorial professionals, including proofreaders.
• American Copy Editors Society (ACES): ACES offers networking opportunities, training events, and a job bank for editors and proofreaders.
• The Chicago Manual of Style Online: A widely used style guide for proofreaders and editors.
• Associated Press (AP) Stylebook: Essential for those working in journalism and media.
• Proofreading Academy: Offers online proofreading courses and certifications.
• Poynter ACES Certificate in Editing: A comprehensive online editing course by Poynter and ACES.
• Grammarly: An AI-powered writing assistant that helps catch grammatical errors and improve writing style.
• Merriam-Webster Online: An online dictionary and thesaurus resource.
• PerfectIt: A consistency and proofreading tool for Microsoft Word.
• Hemingway Editor: A tool that helps improve the clarity and readability of writing.
• LinkedIn Groups: Joining proofreading and editing-related LinkedIn groups can provide opportunities for networking and learning from peers.
• ACES Discussion Forum: ACES offers an online forum for editors and proofreaders to connect and exchange information.
• Upwork: A platform for freelancers to find proofreading and editing gigs.
• FlexJobs: A job board for remote and flexible job opportunities, including proofreading.
• "The Copyeditor's Handbook" by Amy Einsohn: A comprehensive guide to copyediting and proofreading.
• "Eats, Shoots & Leaves" by Lynne Truss: A humorous take on punctuation and grammar.

Defining the Role

Copy editor/proofreader, what is a copy editor/proofreader.

Similar Job Titles:

Content Quality Assurance Analyst

The purpose of a Copy Editor/Proofreader is to edit and proof the content in a document or digital file. While the two jobs are often combined, each role has distinct responsibilities: A Copy Editor focuses on style consistency, fact-checking, spelling, sentence structure, and clarity, and may also write headlines and subheads. A Proofreader examines the final draft—after it has been edited—for mistakes or inconsistencies in spelling, punctuation, and word usage, and any errors that may have happened between the original design and the final version.

What does a Copy Editor/Proofreader do, typically?

Focuses on both the details and the big picture.

A Copy Editor or Proofreader is considerate of the overall intent and design of the content in a document or digital file, and, at the same time, is meticulous about the details, especially identifying inconsistencies and errors in grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation

Has intimate knowledge of style guides and use of language

This type of specialist is familiar with various style guides, and both formal and informal use of language

Collaborates with writers and designers

A Copy Editor/Proofreader provides direction and feedback to writers and designers to ensure final content is aligned with business goals

Copy Editors/Proofreaders are not:

Spell checkers.

Copy Editor/Proofreaders edit and proof copy to improve its readability by correcting errors and adding clarity. This often includes fixing spelling mistakes, but in a more sophisticated way than the spell checker on your computer.

Copy Editor/Proofreaders revise content to improve accuracy and clarity. A Writer creates content from scratch.

Important metrics for a Copy Editor/Proofreader

The most basic metric for measuring the work of a Copy Editor/Proofreader is finding an uncorrected error after something is published. Additional metrics are:

• increased discovery
• user engagement (how long did the reader stay on the page)
• increased conversion
• customer feedback
• satisfied clients

Copy Editor/Proofreader Salary

US Based, employer-reported data for a Copy Editor/Proofreader:

• 25th Percentile $46.6 K
• Average $53.5 K
• 75th Percentile $60.6 K

Copy Editor/Proofreader Job Description

Copy the text below and paste it into your own job description, or, into our FREE downloadable template in the section that looks like this: <INSERT JOB DESCRIPTION COPY FROM BLOG POST HERE>

As a Copy Editor/Proofreader at <Company XXX>, you’ll get to showcase your expertise in elevating the written word. More specifically, you’ll get to:

• improve the way we communicate the stories about our company through websites, white papers, presentations, newsletters, social media, and other channels
• focus on both the details and the big picture—fixing the smallest of errors that have been overlooked while respecting the overall theme and intent of the content
• use your expertise with style guides and language syntax to fix inconsistencies and errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and design
• provide direction and feedback to writers and designers to ensure final content is aligned with our brand message

Hire a Copy Editor/Proofreader

We can help you find a qualified Copy Editor/Proofreader who fits your specific needs. Send us a few details about your ideal candidate, and we’d love to start the search for you!

The Celarity Mission

Celarity is an  award-winning Staffing & Recruiting  agency for Marketing, Creative & Digital talent with a mission: Creating happy careers with meaningful connections. For 30 years we have proudly connected 600+ companies with over 5,000 candidates.

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© 2024 celarity. all rights reserved., privacy policy, start the conversation.

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Job Description Editor & Proofreader

roofreadersIf you want to drive an Editor/Proofreader to distraction, fill your content with typos, wordiness and corporate jargon.

It’s often assumed that these two roles are the same. And, in fact, the skills required are similar. However, a Proofreader searches your content for misspellings of words and punctuation inaccuracies while an Editor seeks to improve content by improving its flow and readability.

Can you find a resource that has the soul of a content writer with the ‘nitpickiness’ of a proofreader? Absolutely! But depending on the type and volume of work, you may also need specialists in each area.

The Editor/Proofreader works with content writers to improve their performance. The content writers could be freelance or internal marketing teams, division heads or even your CEO. The content could stretch across digital mediums, or on paper, and it could encompass anything from a press release or blog to ad copy, a white paper, or a book.

An Editor/Proofreader reviews content to make certain it is error free, clean, and concise. Their job is to make your business look smart while effectively communicating a particular message via the written word.

Skills Needed

There are four primary qualities needed for an Editor/Proofreader:

• Reading comprehension
• English (or other language) skills
• Attention to detail
• People skills

Editor/Proofreaders read and review content, so their ability to comprehend the written word must be exceptional. They understand the rules of grammar and punctuation and are meticulous with a keen eye for the smallest details .

Proofreaders are inter-departmental collaborators and work well under multiple deadlines . They are skilled listeners who can tactfully communicate errors , all the way up to the c-suite.

If content is King in the marketing world, then your Editor/Proofreader is actually the real power behind the throne.

If you’re seeking content for your business, the buck stops with your Editor/Proofreader, who will provide an invaluable service: Assuring your content is accurate and well written enough for public consumption.

Suggested Software Proficiency

There is software for writers and proofreaders on the market today. While an Editor/Proofreader is likely to primarily use the Microsoft Office suite, it is also possible they will utilize some of these platforms:

• After the Deadline
• Google Docs

Just say, “NO” to Typos. Find an Editor/Proofreader Today!

We hope you find this proofreader job description useful. For businesses seeking an Editor/Proofreader check out our talent pool: Click here to find talent!

If you are an Editor/Proofreader looking for work click here.

Ready to work with us?

20 Online Proofreading Jobs for Beginners (2024 Guide)

by Joanna Kneller

on May 27, 2024

Searching for ways to work from home and considering online proofreading jobs?

It could be a perfect fit if you have an eye for detail and enjoy polishing other writers’ prose.

But how do you get started?

This post has all the answers you need to become a professional proofreader, whether you want to work online, remotely, be an employee, or freelancer — it’s your choice.

Since proofreading is a major part of the writing process, proofreaders are always in demand.

Ready to learn how to become a proofreader, how much proofreading jobs pay, and the top 20 sites for finding legitimate online proofreading jobs?

Great, let’s go!

What is Proofreading?

Proofreading is the process of reading and examining a piece of written work to find errors and mark them for correction. A proofreader is generally the last person to read through a document before publication. Proofreaders scour text for errors missed during the editing process.

They look for:

• Improper grammar
• Misspelled words
• Incorrect punctuation
• Inconsistent spellings of words
• Formatting errors
• Incorrect capitalization
• Typesetting issues

Proofreaders work on all kinds of documents for:

• Academic and student clients
• Business and professional clients
• Creative writers, authors, and publishers
• English as a second language (ESL) writers

Now that we have a better understanding of what proofreading entails, let’s see how it compares to editing.

Proofreading vs. Copyediting

It’s easy to confuse proofreading and editing, as the lines between the two are sometimes blurry. However, they are different.

Copy editing involves correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation, word choice, inconsistencies, and syntax ( the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences ).

Overall, a copyeditor’s main concern is to ensure their documents are clear, coherent, consistent, and correct. Copy editors often have the responsibility of proofreading, as well.

Proofreading and copyediting do involve some of the same tasks; however, a copy editor is more likely to change the phrasing or structure of a document , while a proofreader is less likely to significantly alter text before it’s published.

In addition, proofreading is considered the final stage of the editing process, so the proofreader can pick up any errors the copy editor may have missed.

The Top 20 Sites for Finding Proofreading Jobs

Before searching for proofreading jobs, consider your interests and what type of documents you’d enjoy proofreading. This will narrow your options and ensure you find suitable jobs.

Some sites listed below include job boards with search bars. Here’s a short list of search terms to start with:

• Remote proofreading jobs
• Freelance proofreading jobs
• Proofreader
• Copyediting
• Editing jobs

Fiverr is a freelance marketplace that connects buyers and sellers while offering high-quality services at every price point, including proofreading services.

It’s different from other marketplaces in this post because buyers seek you out, instead of you bidding or applying for jobs.

Fiverr is a great place to make money as a beginner because it’s totally acceptable to only charge $5 for your services. And as you gain experience, you can increase your prices.

Simply sign up, set up your “Gig,” and offer your services to a worldwide audience.

2. FlexJobs

FlexJobs is a job site that offers high-quality remote proofreading jobs (amongst others) for freelancers and employees.

You can easily search jobs by keyword, category, or title.

Rest assured, all job listings are legitimate since FlexJobs takes extra precautions to protect job seekers from scams. That’s why, in order to view full job details, FlexJobs charges a small (satisfaction guaranteed) membership fee.

Don’t hesitate to check their listings first — it may be well worth it!

Gramlee is a copyediting site that also provides proofreading services done by independent contractors who work from home.

Their website says they are always looking for exceptional editors, which could mean you!

Applying is simple: fill out the Gramlee Employment Application, and if they like your application, they’ll contact you.

Upwork is one of the largest online job marketplaces.

Clients post projects and jobs, ranging from entry-level to expert, for freelancers to choose from. This is beneficial for beginners looking to get started.

Sign up for a free account, create your profile, and search for proofreading jobs via the search bar or by selecting the Editing & Proofreading category. Once you find a fun project or remote job, submit a proposal and bid for the job.

Just know that Upwork can be highly competitive, so you may initially need to accept low wages and submit multiple proposals before getting hired.

5. ProofreadingPal

ProofreadingPal is a proofreading website that offers a variety of professional proofreading services and utilizes a unique two-editor approach, wherein every document is proofread by two skilled proofreaders. This is a benefit for job seekers since it means a higher demand for proofreaders.

ProofreadingPal editors can earn between $500 and $3,000 per month, but you must be enrolled as a graduate or postgraduate student (with at least a 3.5 GPA) in an accredited US college/university OR have a graduate degree and five years of experience as a proofreader.

6. Wordvice

Wordvice is a global leader in providing editing and proofreading services to academic, admissions, and business customers.

They offer remote part-time editing and proofreading jobs to freelancers who are enrolled in or have completed a graduate degree program and have some previous editing experience.

To apply, submit an application (include expected pay rate) and resume, complete an editing sample, and then wait for notification of results.

7. American Journal Experts

American Journal Experts is a team of former academics and publishing professionals who provide manuscript preparation services.

Current proofreader job openings and available freelance job opportunities are listed on the Careers page (scroll down to view contractor opportunities).

American Journal Experts is currently looking to hire independent contractors who are affiliated with specific US research institutions.

8. Domainite

Domainite is a platform that provides marketing services to business owners, including website design, social media marketing, and reputation management.

Before applying to proofread for Domainite, be aware that they may offer low pay. However, if you’re brand new to proofreading, this could be a good opportunity to gain some experience.

The application process is simple: Fill out the short Freelance Editing Job Hire Form and edit the sample text provided.

9. EditFast

EditFast is a platform where freelancers and clients connect to provide and receive services, including editing and proofreading.

Freelancers create their own Web pages (profiles) to promote their skills and talents for clients to view. Clients can either select a freelancer or submit their documents for EditFast to assign an appropriate freelancer for their project.

Complete the registration process to get started, and once EditFast approves your information, your Web page will be activated.

To be hired, EditFast requires a degree from a recognized university and past proofreading experience.

EditFast receives 40% of the project price.

10. ProofreadingServices.com

ProofreadingServices.com provides proofreading, translation, publishing, and professional services.

When you work with them, you’ll proofread “just about everything under the sun” and have access to part-time and full-time online proofreading jobs that pay between $19 and $46 per hour, depending on turnaround time.

To be considered for hire, you’ll need to successfully complete a 20-question proofreading test within 20 minutes and score 95% or above on it.

11. Scribbr

Scribbr provides academic proofreading and editing services to help students earn their degrees.

They look for editors with a passion for language and a bachelor’s degree.

For an editor role, you’ll need to pass Scribbr’s quiz and have your resume reviewed to determine if you’re a good fit. Next, complete an editing assignment, and if you pass, you’ll be invited to join Scribbr Academy to receive training.

After successfully completing two to five simulation orders, you’ll be officially welcomed to the Scribbr editor team.

12. Scribe Media

Scribe Media helps authors write, publish, and market their own books, which includes proofreading services. Scribe Media offers full-time careers as well as freelance and part-time roles.

Full-time employees enjoy plenty of time off, flexible hours, the option to work from home, as well as health and financial benefits.

Check Scribe Media’s “Careers” page for a list of available full-time and freelance opportunities. If there are no open proofreading jobs, simply join the Careers List to receive notification of new roles.

13. Scribendi

Scribendi provides editing and proofreading services to a variety of clients, including those in business, academia, and publishing fields.

They hire both freelancers and in-house employees for editor/proofreader positions.

Freelancers make their own schedules, choose interesting assignments, and interact with in-house staff and other freelancers via an online forum.

Scribendi looks for experienced proofreaders and editors with a bachelor’s degree or higher who are also native-level English speakers (since much of their work is from ESL students and clients).

Simply click on the “Apply Now” button on Scribendi’s Jobs page.

14. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is an online business platform for professional networking where you can connect with other professionals to either market your services or find employment.

Open an account, create your profile, and start connecting with everyone you know .

Search for online proofreading jobs by clicking on the “Jobs” icon. When using the search bar, click on the “City, state, or zip code” bar and select “Remote” from the dropdown menu.

If you plan to offer freelance proofreading services to those in your network, be sure to indicate on your profile that you’re providing these services.

15. Polished Paper

Polished Paper offers “world-class” proofreading and editing services to business, academic, personal, author, and ESL clients.

They look for exceptional editors with diverse educational backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

To apply, register for a user account, upload your resume, and take a 35-question editor test. The good news is that Polished Paper encourages the use of outside resources to help you complete this test.

16. Freelancer

Freelancer is an online marketplace that connects employers and freelancers worldwide.

Employers post projects, receive bids from freelancers, and select the best freelancer to complete the job.

Set up your profile and browse proofreading jobs (you can save job searches and get notified when relevant new jobs are posted).

Once you find a job opportunity, write your best pitch , get hired, and deliver high-quality work.

Guru is a platform where freelancers and employers work together.

Employers post a variety of jobs for freelancers to browse and to submit quotes for.

You can easily find proofreading jobs by either selecting the Editing & Proofreading subcategory (under the Writing & Translation category) or by simply entering relevant terms into the search bar.

Sign up on the website, build your profile, view job listings, and submit quotes for proofreading jobs.

Employers evaluate all quotes and choose the best freelancer for the job.

18. Clickworker

Clickworker is an online platform that hires independent contractors called Clickworkers to perform small tasks for clients.

Clickworker takes large, complex jobs and breaks them down into microtasks that include proofreading and copyediting. These tiny tasks are then completed by Clickworkers on a piece-rate basis.

To become a freelance Clickworker, simply sign up on the website, create a user profile, complete some assessments, and then get to work.

19. Get Editing Jobs

Get Editing Jobs is an online community of job seekers and employers that includes a job directory with writing, editing, and proofreading positions.

To find a list of proofreading jobs, start with search terms like “proofreader,” “proofreading,” and “editor.”

It may also be beneficial to create a job seeker account so you can manage your resume, create custom alerts, and receive job notifications.

20. Lionbridge

Lionbridge is a global communications platform with a community of talented, remote workers who help customers with their content.

They outsource various tasks to their workers and often have online proofreading jobs available.

If no proofreading jobs are listed, be sure to join the community , register for proofreading tasks, and take the relevant evaluation tests. Lionbridge will then contact you when proofreading work is available.

How Much Do Proofreading Jobs Pay?

Can you make decent money proofreading?

Salary.com reports that, as of March 29, 2021, the average proofreader salary in the United States was $53,226, with ranges typically falling between $46,709 and $60,779, depending on education, certifications, skills, and number of years in the profession.

For hourly rates, as of April 4, 2021, Payscale.com reports the average proofreader hourly pay to be $18.53, with individual pay ranging from $11.84 to $30.17.

These numbers are likely for full-time proofreading jobs.

When it comes to freelance work, it’s possible to be paid per word, per page, per project, or by the hour. And, as a freelancer, you have the ability to set your own rates .

According to the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), freelance proofreaders can charge between $31 and $45 per hour, OR between $0.02 and $0.039 per word, depending on experience level and type of proofreading job.

This gives you an idea of what to expect, but ultimately your pay depends on your experience and skills, who you’re working for, and how you’re being paid .

Let’s look at the skills and qualifications needed to be a proofreader.

Proofreader Skills & Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in English or a related field is sometimes required, but it’s not necessary to find proofreading work.

Prior proofreading experience may also be required.

If you’re a beginner proofreader, think about your schooling or past employment. For example, did you do any academic editing while attending college?

Or, how about friends and family? Did you ever proofread correspondence, resumes, or creative writing for them?

Include these experiences in your application or resume.

You’ll also need these proofreading skills:

• Strong language skills to correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Attention to detail  to spot small errors and inconsistencies, which also requires patience and concentration.
• Communication skills to work directly with clients and be able to understand and follow instructions.
• Ability to meet deadlines to submit completed work within specific turnaround times.
• Computer skills  to learn formatting, use software, and utilize the Internet.

You should also become familiar with style guides, like The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) and The Associated Press Stylebook (AP).

How to Become a Proofreader

If you have a natural tendency for finding errors and noticing inconsistencies while reading, this is a great start. And if you enjoyed English class and scored well, this is good too.

But if you have no prior proofreading experience, it would serve you well to get some training before applying for jobs.

While you don’t necessarily need a college degree, it’d be wise to brush up on those skills you learned in English class.

A multitude of online training courses are available, and most are reasonably priced. A simple Google search for “online proofreading courses” will provide a list of high-quality options.

Two popular courses are Proofread Anywhere ’s General Proofreading and Proofreading Academy ’s Becoming a Proofreader.

Another option is Udemy.com , which offers many inexpensive editing and proofreading courses-some as little as $11.99 during sales.

Once you take a course or two, start updating your resume.

As you find jobs, create a portfolio to show prospective employers or clients your work.

Next, let’s find out what tools you’ll need to do proofreading work from home.

What Tools Do You Need for Remote Proofreading Jobs?

Besides a computer and internet access, some other tools are useful for completing remote proofreading jobs.

Microsoft Word may be the most common word processing program used for online proofreading jobs. Newer versions of Word include a “Review” menu with useful features for proofreading and editing, such as Editor, New Comment, Track Changes, and Compare.

Google Docs works with Google Drive. Drive is like a filing cabinet that stores files, while Docs is the word processing program where you open and work on your files/documents. Drive and Docs allow you to share files (and your work) with your employer or client.

Dropbox is similar to Google Drive and can also be used to share files with your employer or client.

Spell-check is a feature included with your word processing program. Use it! However, don’t fully rely on this as it’s incapable of picking up every error due to homophones and context, etc.

Grammarly (affiliate link) scans your work, points out spelling and grammatical errors , and offers options for correction. ProWritingAid (affiliate link) is another great option, and it comes with a 20% discount. But don’t fully depend on Grammarly or other tools — they’ll miss some errors, depending on context, type of document, etc.

Ready to Do Proofreading Jobs from Home?

So you’ve found a way to work from home AND make money doing what you love.

You’ve also learned how to finally go after and get your dream job.

If you’re new to the idea of proofreading, don’t hesitate. Get some training to build your confidence.

Then, update your resume and search the sites above for interesting proofreading jobs.

If you already have education and experience proofreading, then begin by examining which new skills you can either acquire or improve.

Now, get out there and be the best dang proofreader you can be!

Joanna Kneller

GET PAID TO WRITE

A "cheat sheet" to making 2-5k per month as a writer,  even if you're a total beginner ..

Written by Joanna Kneller

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Publishing Copy-Editor/Proofreader • Job Description, Salary & Benefits

The proofreader and the copy-editor are in charge of making sure that the text of any product that involves writing (such as magazines, newspapers and books) is free of any errors, whilst ensuring that texts are engaging and accessible to the readers.

Proofreading involves correcting grammatical and spelling errors, while copy-reading involves looking at the work and fixing any problems with style and tone.

Copy-editors usually do fact-checks as well, making sure that everything in the text is accurate and true. Most publications combine both job roles into one position (in which case, they’re called copy-editors rather than proofreaders).

Copy-editors are usually hired by newspapers. Some magazines have copy-editors and proofreaders, too, but their longer production time allows for the use of fewer people to assess the articles. In book publishing, the proofreaders also do some administrative work, such as coordinating with writers and with printers.

Salary & benefits

Copy-editors who work in-house can earn from £20,000 to £30,000 a year. Those who work freelance get a flat rate for every article they proofread or copy-edit.

In general, copy-editors will earn more, but the difference is usually small, almost negligible.

Working hours

Copy-editors and proofreaders work longer hours when necessary, especially when there’s a deadline to be met. In newspapers, copy-editors usually work odd hours due to the late timing of deadlines.

Freelance copy-editors are often under tight deadlines as well, but they are generally more flexible. Copy-editing is desk work, so they should be able to handle repetitive, methodical work.

Copy-editors and proofreaders should have good concentration and attention to even the smallest details.

As with most editorial work, copy-editing is open to every professional writer or editor, although those with degrees in publishing, media studies, and journalism are preferred.

Specialist companies may require more specialist degrees as well. In any case, copy-editors should have a good grasp of the English language.

While some sources say that copy-editing is work which may require postgraduate units, it’s important to note that copy-editing and proofreading are different from the work done by actual editors.

Copy-editors are merely in charge of the text’s external quality, so to speak. It is still the editor who has the final say on the slant of the text and the bones of its argument or narrative.

Training & progression

The position may require basic work-based training, although this is largely so that those still wet behind the ears can learn the ropes.

There are short courses and seminars on copy-editing and grammar available, although certain publications have specific procedures and standards beyond the basics of copy-editing and proofreading, which those who are newly hired will learn during a brief training period.

Proofreading is an entry-level position, but copy-editing isn’t. Copy-editors will need prior experience in writing and/or publishing, while proofreaders only need basic training and basic written and editing skills.

In any case, many copy-editors (freelance or otherwise) use this position as a means of getting into more specialized areas, specifically in writing.

For instance, aspiring science writers can start by proofreading in a science journal. Newspaper reporters can use proofreading as an entry route towards actual reporting, especially if they have an academic background.

Management roles are also possible for copy-editors, once they gain enough experience.

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• APPRENTICESHIPS
• CAREER INDUSTRY
• CAREER PATH
• COVER LETTER
• INTERNSHIPS
• POSTGRADUATE
• SCHOLARSHIPS
• SELF EMPLOYMENT
• STUDENT DISCOUNT
• WORK EXPERIENCE
• TERMS & CONDITIONS
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Contact us: [email protected]

Posted July 22, 2024

Remote freelance copyeditor – kot copyediting & proofreading inc., description:.

REMOTE FREELANCE COPYEDITOR/PROOFREADER www.kotcp.com is looking for experienced freelance copyeditors to join our team remotely. The editor will typically complete 1–3 manuscripts per month. We are looking for someone interested in a long-term position. What we’re looking for:  Must have 3+ years experience in the editing industry  Must be able to reply to emails in a timely manner during regular business hours  High proficiency using MS Word track changes  Able to commit to around 10–20 hours per week—when you work is up to you  Able to use Adobe mark-up and highlight tools  Experience creating editorial style sheets  Extensive experience with CMOS  Outstanding proofreading skills with a keen eye for small details  Personal computer with internet access, MS Office, and Adobe Acrobat  Critical thinking and researching skills Key Accountabilities:  Provide high-quality copyediting services using MS Word track changes  Maintain timely communication with team members  Adhere to deadlines and budgets  Provide detailed feedback when required  Uphold a professional and friendly attitude What we offer:  100% work from home  Recurring, stable work on a fixed pay schedule  Rates that are set on a project-by-project basis, prior to commencing work How to apply: Step 1: Cover Letter and Resumé Submit a cover letter and resumé outlining your skills and experience in relation to why you are the best fit for this position. Please ensure “Job #0722” appears at the top of your letter and that it is addressed to the hiring manager. Step 2: Editing test There is a short editing test that is vital in determining a candidate’s suitability for this position. Instructions are included with the test, which will be sent to you. Step 3: Brief questionnaire We ask you to fill out a brief question form (to be provided) detailing job expectations, skillsets, etc. Send all applications to [email protected]

[email protected]

Editors For Hire

Scholarships.