Proofreading is a wonderful opportunity to pursue as a career or a side job. Moreover, anyone can begin proofreading, although there are certain proofreader skills and qualifications of which you should be aware. There are no gatekeepers holding anyone back. If you have a computer and access to the internet, you can become a freelance proofreader.
Whether you intend to proofread full time or are just looking to pick up an extra client or two outside of your normal work, there are some basic skills that are essential to become a successful proofreader. These include both natural and learned skills, and while a formal education is not a requirement, it can be beneficial.
Essential skills for proofreading
Proofreading requires a specific skill set. While, of course, any skill can be acquired and improved upon, there are a number of proofreader skills and qualifications that are extremely beneficial to have.
In other words, if you are considering becoming a professional proofreader, think about whether the following paragraphs generally describe your strengths. If so, proofreading could be a great option for you!
You have a natural ability to spot errors
As a proofreader, the ability to consistently spot errors is a critical skill to have and develop. A good proofreader is the kind of person who can’t help but notice a missing period in a book or a grammar error on a sign.
If you naturally spot errors and mistakes in a text without even trying, this is a very good sign you have what it takes to be a professional proofreader.
You are good at and enjoy grammar
If you are the type of person who enjoys studying languages or learning about grammar and syntax, you could potentially become a very good proofreader.
Additionally, as a proofreader, you need to enjoy and find satisfaction in finding and fixing mistakes.
You are a self-starter and can manage yourself well
As a freelance proofreader, you are your own boss. No one is going to tell you when to start working, when to stop for the day, or when to take breaks. It’s completely up to you to get the work done.
For this reason, being a self-starter and having self-discipline are keys to being a proofreader. You must have the drive and maturity to get the job done without someone pushing you.
You can set and meet project deadlines
Freelance proofreading is built around projects and deadlines. The actual documents and content you will be reviewing will almost always come with a deadline, and for the ones that don’t, you’ll need to assign yourself a deadline.
The ability to always meet deadlines is extremely important if you want to be a top-tier proofreader.
You are generally positive, upbeat, and professional
Even though most of the job of a proofreader entails working solo, you will still need to regularly interface with your clients and sometimes their other employees and freelancers.
You will need to ensure you are spot-on with your communication, be as positive and upbeat as possible at all times, and always be professional. This means never complaining to, at, or about the client; leaving any profanity or uncouth talk out of your speech or writing; and always being as up front and honest as possible while still respecting the other party.
Attitude is as vitally important as any other proofreader skills and qualifications mentioned here or elsewhere.
You are good at research and are willing to ask questions
Research and asking questions are other keys to good proofreading. Whatever you find yourself editing over time, you will come across questions to which you don’t know the answers. You need to have the skills to be able to answer your own questions via a search browser.
Relatedly, sometimes you will find a word, phrase, or even sentence that doesn’t make sense—you have no idea what the author is trying to say. You need to be able to read through the rest of the text and try to determine, by context, the intent of the unclear section.
You also need to have the people skills to be able to go back to the client and ask them for clarification in a professional and respectful manner.
Educational qualifications
You do not need any particular educational background to get started being a proofreader. Most clients do not care about education or degrees—they care about results.
That being said, if you have a background or degree in English, journalism, or writing, it will definitely help prepare you for proofreading and can be a valuable asset for marketing your services.
You can also pursue various proofreading and editing certificates offered by colleges and universities throughout the country. The University of Washington, for example, offers such a certificate. While obtaining a certificate is not a requirement for a freelance proofreader, it can increase your skill set and value in the marketplace.
Technology skills
When it comes to proofreader skills and qualifications, there is a baseline of technology savviness that you need to have in order to succeed.
First, you must have access to and be able to use a reliable computer with internet access. While you don’t need to be able to troubleshoot every last computer issue, you do need the ability to use a computer in the daily course of business.
Second, you must have a working knowledge of the tools you will need, including email, search browsers, MS Word, Google Docs, and Adobe Reader. The vast majority of a proofreader’s job involves using these tools, so it is helpful to learn how to use them. Thankfully, many, if not most, professions commonly use these tools, and there is an abundance of training available online.
There are also various project and task management tools that clients utilize, including Basecamp and Click Up. These tools are typically very easy and intuitive to use, however, and you can easily find answers to any questions you may have with a quick internet search.
Summing it up: Proofreader skills and qualifications
While anyone can become a proofreader, there are a number of natural skills that are advantageous for a person to have. These include the ability to spot errors, manage yourself, and communicate well.
There are no educational requirements per se, but if you do have a degree or certificate, you can use it to your advantage, especially when marketing your services.
You will also need basic computer abilities and various common applications. If you are lacking in this area, however, any missing knowledge is easy to acquire online.