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How can I get a proofreading job: ask the expert
I was just wondering if anyone knows how I can get a job as a proofreader? I have been looking into it, and all the websites say you don’t need qualifications. But when you apply for a job, they always ask you which level of distinction you have etc. I am not that well educated, but I am literate and I have good attention to detail. This would be something I would like to do part time, as I have a young son and would like to expand my family. I would also like to continue earning money to help with the bills etc. Any advice would be very much appreciated.
I’d suggest you check first whether there are reasonably good local opportunities for working as an employee or freelance proofreader and whether you’d be happy with the income you could earn. In my own area, for example, there’s a very big mail order company, they need proofreaders to check their product directories, customer mailshots and so on and they pay most staff (including proofreaders) comparatively well. Prospects might not be so good in other areas.
What the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (the professional body for proofreaders) says is that making a living from proofreading isn’t easy, even for established proofreaders. Around 20% its members would like to work more hours than they do (that may not be a problem for you as you want to work part-time). The Society suggests a minimum hourly rate of around £20, but says it can be difficult even for experienced proofreaders to get anywhere close to that amount of money.
The Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) run 33 local groups in the UK and I’d suggest you attend meetings of your most local groups (you can attend the first 3 meetings of a group without signing up for membership) to network with more experienced proofreaders, find out about local opportunities and check local pay rates. Visit www.sfep.org.uk or ‘phone 020 8785 5617 to find the local groups closest to your home.
These local groups also organise short training schemes and advertise members’ skills to the local business community. Ideally, you want an experienced and comparatively successful proofreader from such a group to take you under her wing and help you through your first steps as a novice to the sector.
Employers are usually more interested in new proofreaders’ relevant experience (eg using specialised legal or medical terms) and strong IT skills than qualifications. Many proofreaders have worked in publishing, journalism or other related areas; such experience gives them useful contacts and a credibility advantage. Good luck!
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Comments [10]
Gordon says:
Why is someone on this thread commenting on the context in which advice / advise should be used?! The irony!
Paul Sharples says:
I recently started working for Proof Master, who seem to recruiting at the moment. Their rates are decent but they also offer a lot of training a feedback & regular flow of work. Website is student orientated but there seems to be a diverse range of work from businesses and students… or at least that’s what they have sent my way!
Rose says:
Try Tutor-UK! They also have a branch in the US.
Dela says:
Hello thank you. Is there a branch in the United States?
Anonymous says:
I am interested in becoming a proofreader and 12 to 16 hours per week would be adequate. I have been a secretary / P.A. / general administrator for fifty years and reading is one of my hobbies. I would love to work from home. Any advice would be very welcome.
Editor: Follow the suggestions above.
Dianne says:
Is this a joke!? She doesn’t know the difference between advice and advise!
Mandy Garner says:
Actually she has got it right. Advise is the verb and advice the noun – see http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2014/05/advise-advice/
J Newman says:
It’s wrong, then. “Can you advise me” would be the verb. “Any advice” is a noun.
Mandy Garner says:
Exactly. It is a noun so it is correct.
Anonymous says:
Great! Very informative.