A proofreader is one that reads a book, a manuscript, an article, or any written content after it has been edited and in print form; correcting any errors they find such as word usage, grammar, or other errors the editor may have missed. The errors will be compared to the editor’s copy to ensure all corrections are correct. A proofreader can also be one that read over website content prior to publishing on the internet to ensure all errors are corrected. A person that would be a great proofreader has a great eye for detail and loves to read.
Some steps to follow:
Pay attention in high school during English class.
Take English and literature classes in college.
Have a general knowledge about various subjects. Study a large variety of subjects so you will be able to read and understand what you are reading.
Work for your school’s newspaper.
Read as many books as you can find about editing and publishing.
Take a class in proofreading.
Decide if you enjoy reading books, magazines, website content, or newspapers.
Then decide which you would prefer to proofread.
Decide if you would rather work with just one publisher or many. You may choose to work as an in-house proofreader or you may wish to work as a freelance proofreader. A freelance proofreader with have the chance to work on a project-to-project basis instead of working with one publisher.
Search for employment as a proofreader. If you have taken a proofreader class, you may be able to take a test to prove your talent even if you do not have experience.
If and when you take a proofreading test, ask for feedback. This will help you learn the mistakes you may have missed, how often you miss the same errors, etc…
In some cases, you may have to begin as an editorial assistant or other entry-level position before being able to receive the dream job of being a proofreader, however, you can always look for freelance proofreading jobs on the side until you find a permanent full time employment as a proofreader.
You may wish to choose a specific topic if you desire a certain field. Foreign languages can be a great start, especially on the internet as many webmasters wish to have their content translated into another language and are not sure of the correct grammar. Such as a Spanish website owner may have his content also written in English, however, the grammar may not be proper and he may need a proofreader to ensure all is correct.
