10 {Qualifications} You Have to Be a Proofreader in 2023

If you happen to’re enthusiastic about changing into a digital nomad, making good cash on-line whereas lazing on a seashore by the Mediterranean, or tenting on the hovering Canadian Rockies, I like to recommend that you just attempt proofreading on-line. Earlier than you begin, nonetheless, you’ll want to think about the {qualifications} to be a proofreader.

With a lot written content material being launched in in the present day’s digital world, proofreading is in demand. And fortunately, this job may be labored from wherever.

I started freelance proofreading after I began residing overseas in Japan, and the additional money allowed me to backpack across the total nation; from exploring Tokyo to trekking round Iriomote Island. Proofreading can be one among my favourite on-line jobs; it’s a lot enjoyable to learn all kinds of written work, from pupil sociology essays to media information articles and neuroscience analysis papers.

However, when you’re enthusiastic about proofreading on-line, you’ll first have to think about the various necessities to safe proofreading jobs. So, that can assist you out, I listed out the ten {qualifications} that you have to be a contract proofreader.

With out additional ado, let’s start.

☞ SEE ALSO: Tips on how to Grow to be a Proofreader

{Qualifications} to Be a Proofreader

Earlier than we dive proper in, I simply need to make clear that whereas having these 10 {qualifications} to develop into a proofreader is extremely beneficial earlier than beginning your proofreading profession, not all of them are required. Many of those expertise may be discovered or developed whereas working as a proofreader, and there are various proofreaders which can be simply as profitable with out a few of these traits.

Nonetheless, it’s a lot more durable to do effectively as a proofreader with out these expertise, so I positively suggest engaged on them. With that being stated, let’s get began with the ten final {qualifications} to be a proofreader:

1. Take a Proofreading Course

First, one of many key {qualifications} for changing into a contract proofreader is the completion of a proofreading course. Not solely will this can help you achieve invaluable perception into the basics of grammar and proofreading, however you’ll even be extra marketable to potential shoppers. The precise course may also expose you to the terminology, guidelines, and finest practices for locating errors, recognizing inconsistencies, and bettering the writing of others.

One of many finest proofreading programs out there is the Knowadays Turning into a Proofreader course, because it comes with assured work with their accomplice firm, Proofed.

Whereas I by no means personally took a course particular to proofreading, I did take a grammar and punctuation refresher previous to beginning my first proofreading job, and it was instrumental in offering me with the instruments, sources, and confidence to start out proofreading professionally. So, I positively suggest taking some type of course earlier than you begin to proofread on-line.

2. Sturdy Grammar and Punctuation Expertise

Subsequent, one of many greatest necessities to be a proofreader is to have distinctive grammar and punctuation expertise.

Now, I do know that this level may be a bit of apparent to you but it surely should be stated. Figuring out the ins and outs of grammar and punctuation is crucial for figuring out errors in written content material, comparable to misplaced commas, misused phrases, inaccurate verb tenses, incorrect pronoun utilization, sentence fragments, and extra. It’s undoubtedly some of the essential expertise a proofreader will need to have.

If you happen to’re not totally snug along with your present English expertise, you may at all times take a category on English grammar. Doing this helped me tremendously after I first began out; I by no means appreciated what number of guidelines there are within the English language till I took a category on it!

3. Publish-Secondary Expertise

I need to preface this by saying that having post-secondary expertise is unquestionably not a requirement for working as a web based proofreader. Nonetheless, having some kind of school diploma or diploma can actually make it easier to thrive as knowledgeable proofreader.

This doesn’t need to be an English diploma; any post-secondary expertise can give you a bonus over rivals because it makes you extra marketable to potential shoppers. It may well additionally make you stand out for being extra specialised in your proofreading area of interest.

As an illustration, whereas I’ve a bachelor’s diploma, it isn’t in English, it’s in neuroscience. And having this diploma offers me an enormous benefit when proofreading tutorial articles, analysis papers, grants, and theses in STEM. So, having some school expertise has personally helped me achieve extra shoppers than I’d have been capable of in any other case.

4. Laptop Expertise

Having some expertise, or data, working with computer systems is vital for working as a web based proofreader. And don’t fear, it doesn’t need to be intensive; you don’t have to know methods to construct programming or something like that. However you’ll positively profit from being snug with the fundamentals and fundamentals.

As skilled proofreaders should be capable of use digital instruments like PDF editors, grammar-checking applications, text-comparing software program, and different functions with ease, understanding methods to navigate a pc is crucial. Moreover, with a view to be environment friendly (and subsequently, earn more money) as a proofreader, you’ll additionally want quick and correct typing expertise.

My laptop data is fairly fundamental; I understand how to make use of Microsoft Workplace, Adobe Acrobat, WordPress, and Google Docs. And that is sufficient for many proofreaders, so don’t fear in case your laptop data is considerably restricted too.

5. Familiarity with One or Extra Model Guides

One other important qualification to be a proofreader is to be educated with a number of model guides, comparable to MLA, APA, and Chicago model. That is particularly essential when you’re hoping to proofread pupil papers and tutorial writing.

Why is that this the case? Effectively, a key part of proofreading includes checking the formatting of the written content material, and every model information has completely different formatting guidelines. As an illustration, the citations in MLA require the creator’s final title and web page quantity, whereas the citations in APA require the creator’s final title and publication yr.

Fortunately, I gained familiarity with model guides by way of my school diploma (another excuse why having some post-secondary expertise will help). If you happen to’re enthusiastic about reviewing the model guides, I like to recommend trying out the Purdue On-line Writing Lab.

6. Element-Oriented

Probably some of the essential qualities you have to be a proofreader is to be detail-oriented.

That is one other apparent level, but it surely should be stated regardless. As a proofreader, you want to have the ability to choose up on even the subtlest of errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax. And when you’re required to nit-pick an article, being meticulous is crucial.

I discover that the easiest way to hone this talent is to start out studying by way of an article a number of instances and pay shut consideration to using language, grammar, punctuation, and extra. I typically get sidetracked by how attention-grabbing the written content material is (and sometimes, how boring), so re-reading the writing a number of instances is unquestionably needed. With sufficient follow and dedication, you’ll develop into more proficient at recognizing errors and inconsistencies in written content material.

7. Self-Disciplined and Nice with Deadlines

Subsequent, two of essentially the most crucial expertise that you just’ll have to have with a view to achieve success as a contract proofreader are self-discipline and assembly deadlines.

Assembly deadlines early and promptly reveals shoppers that you just’re knowledgeable and reliable proofreader. This makes it extra doubtless that the shoppers will return to you time and again, they usually’ll even be extra more likely to suggest your providers to different potential shoppers.

If you happen to’re fearful that you could be not be self-disciplined sufficient to be a proofreader, don’t fret; there are various methods so that you can keep up to the mark. One of many greatest hacks that I take advantage of is to provide myself an earlier deadline than the one supplied. That manner, I can make sure that I meet my deadlines on time, and infrequently even earlier than anticipated.

General, as a proofreader, you have to be capable of keep organized and on prime of your tasks. So, construct good habits to make sure that you at all times stay dependable and constant in your work.

8. Time Administration Expertise

If you happen to’re nonetheless questioning what {qualifications} you have to be a proofreader, some of the essential expertise that you just’ll want is time administration expertise.

That is just like being self-disciplined, but it surely does differ in some methods. Sure, you want time administration expertise with a view to meet your deadlines, however excelling at time administration additionally includes being organized, prioritizing a very powerful or most arduous duties, setting objectives, and making a schedule.

As an illustration, after I’m planning to spend a complete day proofreading, I set short-term objectives for the way a lot of the written content material I need to get by way of by (for instance) 12 o’clock. I additionally prefer to give attention to one activity at a time; for example, I’ll begin by specializing in proofreading the formatting and citations, then I’ll test to see in the event that they use the Oxford comma or not, and so forth.

9. Able to Working Independently

With the ability to work independently is an important qualification for changing into a contract proofreader.

Proofreading is a job with little to no collaboration. This is without doubt one of the best cons to proofreading; it may possibly typically get isolating. Whereas there are methods to mitigate these emotions of seclusion (comparable to utilizing co-working areas or bonding along with your roommates at a hostel), working independently with out co-workers or supervisors requires plenty of self-motivation and group expertise.

Moreover, you should be able to effectively perfecting an article with out a lot (if any) assist or steering from others. This type of self-reliance requires the event of excellent habits comparable to setting sensible objectives and studying to handle distractions.

I discovered that these expertise got here with time, however belief me, it at all times helps to have them earlier than you develop into a web based proofreader and start taking in your first jobs.

10. Stellar Communication Expertise

Final however not least, some of the important {qualifications} to develop into a proofreader is having stellar communication expertise.

As a proofreader, you’ll usually want to speak with shoppers, editors, and others with a view to make sure that your work (and the ultimate product) is ideal and meets the consumer’s expectations. So, having sturdy communication expertise will can help you successfully clarify any adjustments that you just made and reply any questions that the shoppers may need.

Being a robust communicator can be essential so that you can ask any pertinent inquiries to your shoppers, inform them of any points that will come up, and maintain them up to date in your progress (particularly if it’s a big job).

General, this helps construct a way of belief and rapport between you and your clientele, which makes them extra more likely to request your proofreading providers once more sooner or later.

{Qualifications} for Proofreaders: FAQs

Listed below are some solutions to generally requested questions in regards to the required {qualifications} of a proofreader:

In Conclusion

I hope this text helped you identify whether or not or not you may have the talents and traits essential to work as a web based freelance proofreader.

And bear in mind, you don’t essentially want all of those {qualifications} to develop into a profitable proofreader; many of those expertise may be discovered. From taking a proofreading or grammar course, changing into acquainted with a pc, reviewing the model guides, or working in your time administration expertise, I imagine that anybody can develop into knowledgeable proofreader in the event that they put within the work and energy required.

So, open up your laptops and polish up your resumes, it’s time to start out your proofreading profession.

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