Job Discussion Forums

[odie76]

Hi all,

I am interested in doing some online proofreading / document correcting work. I'd be grateful if anybody can refer me to companies who offer this type of work.

Thanks.

[Chancellor]

[Glenski]

odie,
Don't know where you are or what genre you feel qualified to check.

Besides, here in Japan that sort of thing is a very prized sort of side job, and most people won't just up and give you their contact information.

[musaafira]

Anyone with any recommendations (meaning websites hiring)?

Please do post here.

Thanks

[spiral78]

I know people who do this sort of work, but it's not through companies, but FOR companies. As Glenski notes, this is commonly done by expat native speakers in the cities where they live/work, and they've developed the contacts and reputations with local companies to get the work.

It's also very genre-specific and requires some qualifications. To be a 'proper' editor is an actual professional job.

It's unlikely that simply being a native speaker is enough to get one much work along these lines.

[Glenski]

[naturegirl321]

I (ironically ) have proofread docs in the past, don't know due to working lots of overtime and having a little baby. I guess I could now, but having a bit of free time seems better than making a bit extra. As people said it requires connections. I got my first job through a friend who didn't have time to do it. Once you break in though, the other jobs start coming.

Talk to expats, some of them might pass on work. Approaching companies might work as well, though you might have to know a bit of the local language to get past the front door. Locals might also know. Some of them might work for companies that need English proofreaders.

Have business cards handy and give them out. It's kind of like teaching private lessons, it might take a bit of time to get started, but once you do you often have to turn down work becuase you just don't have any time.

[Teacher in Rome]

OP: Have you ever done this sort of work before? (I'm assuming not, otherwise you wouldn't be asking here for contacts.)

I don't know your motives for wanting to proof other people's English, but I can tell you that it's not easy money. You might have lengthy reports to wade through (and often on a subject not close to your heart!) written at varying standards of English. If you're lucky, it's just the odd grammatical mistake to correct. If not, it's entire paragraphs so badly written that you'd be hard-pressed to figure out the intended meaning. And then we haven't even got on to the issue of house-style editing.

But if you're really keen, try proz.com. They generally have translation work, but the odd proofreading job comes up. Membership is free, and they also run training sessions on various translation software. I've even got (interesting) teaching / writing work from them, so you can strike lucky on occasion.

Another option is local publishing companies (depending on where you are). You might be able to proof textbooks and so on - thereby curing you forever of the desire to proofread for a living!

[naturegirl321]

guru.com and odesk.com are other possibilities.