| Let's put it another way. Is there any such thing | | | | The fact is, most organisations looking to hire a |
| as an 'official' proofreading qualification? The short | | | | proof reader are going to be far more interested |
| answer is, 'no'. | | | | in your experience. You would be far better off |
| There is no 'officially recognised' proofreading | | | | using your time to carry out gratis proofreading |
| qualification. There is no diploma from any course | | | | work in exchange for testimonials. Visit some |
| provider that sits at the top of some 'must-have' | | | | writing forums and offer your services. You'll find |
| list when organisations are looking to employ or | | | | there's no shortage of budding novelists eager to |
| hire proof readers. Anyone telling you that their | | | | have their manuscripts proofread and made |
| course is 'the official one' or their qualification or | | | | suitable for professional submission. Similarly, you |
| accreditation is 'universally recognised', is, to be | | | | could visit some business forums and offer to |
| blunt, misleading you. | | | | proofread the content of the forum-users |
| That isn't to say, however, that such | | | | websites. Experience and reputation: a win-win. |
| 'qualifications' (I'll resist the urge to call them 'little | | | | In addition to looking at your experience (and |
| bits of paper') aren't without value. I'm certain in a | | | | demonstrating little or no interest in supposed |
| tie-break situation where a number of candidates | | | | qualifications), very many organisations will expect |
| had performed particularly well at interview and | | | | you to undertake some form of proofreading |
| the human resources department was finding it | | | | test, something that's likely to tell them whether |
| difficult to choose one potential proof reader over | | | | or not you're their kind of proof reader. |
| another, then that little bit of paper (sorry, | | | | Remember, not all proof readers are the same, |
| couldn't resist) might come into play as a deal | | | | and not all proofreading assignments are the |
| breaker of sorts. So, I'm reluctant to dismiss | | | | same, either. I've proofread novels and I've |
| them out of hand. | | | | proofread legal contracts and they are, to say |
| However, in my experience as a proof reader | | | | the least, worlds apart. |
| working for a number of organisations (both on a | | | | So, would I pay good money for a proofreading |
| permanent basis and as a freelancer), I never | | | | qualification? No. |
| once came across anyone with any such | | | | Should you? Well, as I said, they're not entirely |
| qualification. Nor did I ever hear of such a | | | | without value. But, I'm afraid it's up to you. |
| qualification forming part of any recruitment | | | | Good luck with all your proofreading endeavours. |
| criteria. | | | | |