Career Advice for a Proofreader

Proofreaders ensure that text is correct and complete before it is printed or published online. They check content in marketing and other documents to make sure the grammar, context, and brand voice are correct. Proofreaders can work for publishing companies working on different content or within a specialist field, ensuring facts are accurate, and text is consistent.

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How to Become a Proofreader

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Proofreader

Should you wish to work as a Proofreader you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Proofreader

  • 2 or 3 A Levels
  • Degree in Publishing, English or similar
  • Technical or specialist degree for technical proofreading field

Key Responsibilities for a Proofreader

  • Reviewing documents to check spelling
  • Ensuring spelling, syntax and other text styles are all correct
  • Checking text and content for brand voice and ensuring it meets the required style
  • Meeting deadlines for proofreading tasks
  • Fact-checking dates within text to ensure accuracy
  • Ensuring statements and facts in the content are correct
  • Making sure content meets word count and other requirements
  • Checking content to ensure it meets the tone and voice required
  • Confirming all content is original
  • Editing and correcting documents

What to expect as a Proofreader

Proofreaders use advanced and basic grammar rules to ensure that text fits into style guidelines. You will need to be meticulous in finding errors, check facts and recognise potential plagiarism issues. To be successful in this career path, you will need excellent attention to detail, superb communication skills, and extensive knowledge of grammar, syntax, and punctuation.

Recommended Proofreader Jobs

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How to get Proofreader Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Proofreader job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Proofreader application. If you have not held a Proofreader position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Proofreader role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Proofreader CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Proofreader application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Proofreader in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Proofreader 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Proofreader and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Proofreader experience.

How to get Proofreader Experience

What does it take to be a Proofreader? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Proofreader jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Proofreader through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Proofreader Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Proofreader part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Proofreader or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Proofreader freelance work

If you have impressive Proofreader qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.