5 Tips to Start a Proofreading Career with No Experience
Thinking about a career as a freelance proofreader? Worried you don’t have the right training or background? If so, we have good news! It’s possible to start a proofreading career with no experience whatsoever. All you need to do is:
- Research what a proofreader does and brush up on your core skills.
- Volunteer your services to build some experience.
- Get organized and plan your next steps.
- Continue building and refining your skills.
- Earn a proofreading certification.
Read on below to find out why freelance proofreading is a perfect entry-level job, even for those who haven’t done any proofreading or editing before.
1. Learn the Right Skills
You don’t need any particular qualifications to work as a proofreader, but there are some essential skills necessary for the job. Proofreaders benefit from having the following soft skills:
- Independence
- A keen eye for detail
- The ability to focus for long periods
- Solid time management
- Good communication skills
Next, we’ll take a look at some of the essential hard skills you’ll need to succeed as a proofreader.
Study the English Language
One of the most important skills a proofreader needs is a strong grasp of the English language. For instance, when proofreading, you may need to:
- Correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors
- Amend text for clarity and consistency
- Review for appropriate tone and vocabulary
- Address style guide errors (e.g., numbers and date formats)
- Check for formatting issues (e.g., missing page numbers or inconsistent fonts)
- Understand different writing styles and English dialect conventions
You can build on these skills or refresh your abilities on your own in several ways. For example, you can read reference texts, such as the Oxford Guide to English Grammar, take an online proofreading course, or connect with a professional mentor.
Master Key Microsoft Word Tools
Microsoft Word is one of the most popular word-processing tools available, so it’s a good idea to become familiar with its most common features. Here are the most important ones for proofreaders to learn:
- Track Changes: Records changes to the text in a document
- Compare: Allows you to compare two versions of a document, highlighting the differences in a new copy
- Comment: Lets you leave feedback, ask clients questions, and highlight potential problems that require the author’s attention
There are other programs you may also want to learn later on (e.g., Adobe Acrobat for PDF documents). But Microsoft Word is the most important!
Get Familiar with Major Style Guides
Style guides set out rules and guidelines that ensure consistency across content. Depending on the guide, this might mean:
- General rules for formal writing in a specific dialect (e.g., A Dictionary of Modern English Usage focuses on British English, while The Elements of Style covers American English)
- Rules for writing in a particular field (e.g., academic guides such as the MLA and APA style manuals, or the AP Stylebook, which is used for journalism and business writing)
You won’t have to buy and read every style guide out there to start working. But knowing the most common styles, and when they’re used, is useful even for entry-level proofreaders.
2. Volunteer to Gain Experience
You might not have any experience yet, but it’s never too early to get some! One of the best ways to build your skills and confidence is to volunteer your services. This will let you practice your proofreading skills without the pressure of working for a paying client. It also lets you explore different types of documents to see what you enjoy reading and editing.
Here are a few ways to volunteer:
- Check documents for friends and family. Offer to proofread their emails, résumés, or creative writing. This helps you practice spotting errors and applying corrections without the pressure of a paid client.
- Take on extra proofreading tasks at your current job. Many workplaces need to produce letters, reports, or presentations. Offering your proofreading services is a great way to hone your skills.
- Help charities or non-profit organizations. Local charities and global non-profits often appreciate volunteer proofreaders. Consider sending them a cold email. If they like your work, it could lead to plenty of valuable feedback and long-term opportunities.
- Join online volunteer projects. Distributed Proofreaders, for example, enlists volunteers to proofread public domain books that are converted to ebooks and shared via Project Gutenberg.
Volunteering can be a fantastic way to build credibility and a portfolio. However, it’s important not to undervalue your skills or take on too many free projects – doing so might lead to burnout. Strike a balance between gaining experience and recognizing that your time has value.
3. Plan and Prepare for Your Next Steps
After you’ve spent some time refining your skills and volunteering, it’s worth putting together a strategy for your next steps as a professional. Consider the following:
- Know where to find work. If you want to go freelance, platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr can help you connect with a wide range of clients. Another path is to look for work with a proofreading agency, which typically requires passing a few short tests to demonstrate your abilities.
- Update your resume. Include relevant volunteer experience and any training or coursework you’ve completed. If you don’t have extensive professional experience yet, use a skills-based résumé to highlight your suitability for proofreading. Take a look at our blog post “How to Create a Proofreading Resume as a New Proofreader” for more advice on perfecting your resume.
- Set SMART goals. Whether you plan to do proofreading part time or build a thriving freelance business, clear SMART goals will keep you motivated. Think about how much time you can invest, how many clients you hope to work with, and how much income you need to earn.
- Budget appropriately. With your career goals set, you can make sure your finances are in order. Think about how much money you can afford to spend on training, equipment, and your home office setup. And if you’re planning to create a freelance business, remember to account for costs such as taxes and an emergency fund.
4. Keep Building and Refining Your Skills
As you start taking on projects, it’s important to continue developing professionally. Even experienced editors never stop learning! You can stay sharp by:
- Subscribing to blogs about writing and proofreading, such as our blog and Proofed’s blog.
- Reading widely – fiction, non-fiction, academic papers, and more – to familiarize yourself with different writing styles.
- Seeking feedback from clients, peers, and mentors to pinpoint areas for improvement.
- Exploring advanced topics like specialized proofreading for academic and business documents.
5. Earn a Certification
If you want to kickstart your new career, there are many advantages to gaining a certificate in proofreading. It shows potential employers and/or clients that you’re eager to master the necessary skills, and that your knowledge is up-to-date. This increases your credibility – and makes you a more competitive candidate than those without a certificate.
Knowadays Courses
What’s the best way to become a proofreader with no prior experience? Our Becoming A Proofreader course! We cover many of the skills discussed here – what to look for when proofreading, how to use Microsoft Word, and the basics of style – plus you can build experience as you work through the quizzes and example documents in each module.
As an added bonus, if you pass the final exams for both Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor with marks of 80% or higher, you will get a chance to work with our partner company Proofed. Agencies like Proofed are a perfect way to start your proofreading career and gain experience in the industry.
Start your journey from an aspiring proofreader to a confident, trained professional by signing up for some free lessons today!
Updated on March 25, 2025
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