If you have recently qualified in an English language-related course at a university or if you have taken a training course, you are probably wondering what route to take to find freelance copy editing jobs. If you specifically want to get a job with a publishing house, then you will be narrowing your search and forging a specialization.

Strategy

You need to hone your resume to make yourself appealing to potential employers and present a profile that suits freelance copy editing jobs, rather than a typical full-time copy editor. Freelancers work on shorter contracts than permanent employees, so you will be looking for work more frequently than your traditionally employed counterpart. Eventually, you will become accustomed to the job search process, but at first, it may be difficult to know what path to take. Once you have a resume to send out, try the following avenues to get freelance copy editing jobs.

Networking

Get to know other people in the industry. If you attended a university course, then keep in touch with your classmates. They will be getting their first jobs, and these old friends can be your spies, alerting you to short-term staffing needs that create freelance copy editing jobs. Join writing and editing groups on Facebook to get to know others in the industry, and “friend” people that have good professional experience. Join LinkedIn, and track down some of your new Facebook friends there. You can look through the contacts in those profiles and attempt to connect with more people. Through social media, you can build up a network of professional contacts that will help you locate freelance copy editing jobs.

Find publishers

It will take time to build a network. Research publishing companies that create freelance copy editing jobs. Focus your search on the types of freelance copy editing jobs you want to specialize in. If you particularly like working in an office, you should search for publishers within commuting distance of your home. If you hope to get home-based work, look for companies that talk about their content management platform. In all cases, your best way of searching is on the web. Almost every company has a website, and this site should give you contact details.

Get noticed

If you can afford the phone bill, try calling the company you want to work for. Emails are easy to ignore, and if the company’s website only gives a general inquiry email address, your resume is unlikely to get forwarded to the person in charge of freelance copy editing jobs. If you’re aiming for an office job, try to work the phone system to get through to the managing editor or the personnel department. Once you are able to talk to the right person, explain that you are specifically looking for freelance copy editing jobs and would like to have a meeting to outline your abilities. If you get an appointment, print your resume and take it with you. Even if the publishing company has no need for an editor at that moment, they might want to keep a list of potential freelancers in the area in case freelance copy editing jobs arise in the future.

A simple guide to becoming an editor

Are you wondering “How do I become an editor”? Well, the answer is actually quite simple: the same way you get to Carnegie Hall. Practice, practice, practice!

While there is no single educational or occupational path to becoming an editor, those interested in editing as a career tend to have one main thing in common: obsessive–compulsive editing disorder (OCED). They also share the following traits: a passion for language, reading, and learning; attention to detail; an overwhelming urge to improve communication; and a qualification in a subject such as English, journalism, technical communication, or teaching. Some people plan to be editors right out of school, and others come to the profession in a more roundabout way. But one thing they all have in common is a natural predisposition for wordsmithery.

Years ago, there were no formal training programs for those aspiring to become editors, but this is no longer the case. Some U.S. educational institutions that offer editing courses include the following:

• University of California at Berkeley
• The Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies (University of Chicago)
• California State University
• Boston University
• The Graduate School
• School of Liberal Arts of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
• University of Washington

A list of Canadian institutions that offer editing courses can be found on the Editors’ Association of Canada web site. This association, and others like it—such as the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors, and the Society for Editors and Proofreaders­—also offer training courses, certification, workshops, and seminars.

To become an editor, you must have an excellent understanding of grammar, strong analytical skills, sound computer skills, a working knowledge of various style guides, good people skills, strong organizational skills, the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, and an overwhelming desire to help people communicate as clearly as possible.

There are many types of editors and many industries in which editors work, ranging from the publishing and educational fields to the scientific and medical fields. Editors can work alone or in collaboration with others, such as writers, publishers, or project managers. Whether you are interested in being a freelance editor or being part of an editorial team, the road to becoming an editor is an educational adventure. If you choose to do freelance work, keep in mind the importance of building and maintaining a strong network of colleagues, acquaintances, and friends. You never know who may be able to tip you off to a good job in the future. It is also important to market yourself, something that is easy to do using the various social and professional networking sites available.

So, what’s stopping you? Start on the path to editing as a career, helping others communicate more clearly and learning interesting new things every day. While there is no cure for OCED, becoming a professional editor is a great outlet for your compulsion!