Job Discussion Forums

Kurochan · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 944 Location: China

I'm applying for a proofreading job, and wanted to sumbit a list of the publications I've edited. The thing is, that some of them are in biology, some of the are in social science, and some are in literature. Each one of these fields use a different documentation style. Should I write the name, etc. of the article in its particular documentations style (like the biology one in CBE style and the English one in MLA style), or should I just pick one and stick to it? On one hand, I don't want to look like I don't know the proper style for different disciplines, but on the other hand, if gave the article names in different styles, wouldn't it look weird because it would be inconsistent? What should I do?

Thanks for any help, particularly from sticklers like Steppenwolf.

ymmv · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 387

Kurochan · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 944 Location: China

I can do that too, but would it look weird if I used the several different styles on one resume? That's what I'm worrying about.

Yu · Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 1219 Location: Shanghai

What kind of editing job is it? I would use the documentation style that is most suited for that job.
I.e. social sciences use APA
ie. lit use MLA
but gear it towards the job you are applying for.
It is always better to stick to one format of citation. Be consistent.
then add a line on the resume that says you are familiar with all kinds of documentation styles and list them out.

And I am so up for getting a massage at some point, I dont have much on the plate for this weekend (FINALLY) so if you want to do something let me know.

lostinasia · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 466

Agreed - you must strictly follow the rules for each style of writing.

And while I never complain or tell people about their writing and making mistakes in posting things on the internet, you should probably proofread your post since you want a proofreading job... All you need is one person from the potential employer to possibly know who you are here and see that you made more than one mistake.

egwidener · Joined: 13 May 2007 Posts: 43 Location: China

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

The first hallmark of a good editor is being consistent. If your resume were a psychology publication, you'd use APA style consistently throughout it. Same for other fields.

But your resume is not a psychology publication. It's just your resume. Choose one style for citing your work and stick to it throughout the resume, regardless of the type of work you edited. This is just what you would do if your resume were a bibliography in a biology book but included works from literature and psychology as well.

And the style that you choose could be (but doesn't have to be) the style suitable for the specific proofreading job for which you're applying.

Good luck! Very Happy

[If you want an editor to look over your resume, feel free to send me a P.M. ]

voodikon · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1363 Location: chengdu

in addition to henry's statements, you'd also indicate somewhere on your resume that you are familiar with those different styles.

but the real question is, why on earth ask this kind of question here, where obviously very few of the posters are professional editors? you'd get many more (and dare i say better?) responses if you take it over to a copyeditors' forum.