Proofreader Job Description

An effective and compelling job description is vital when recruiting the right job candidates. By using a professional job description template, there is no need to start from scratch. It saves time, and by editing this job description template, you will be able to attract the most qualified job candidates for the open position. 

How to write a Proofreader job description?

This Job description explainer offers guidance on key sections that are important to include for clarity, as well as suggestions for promoting the position. It provides a list of duties, responsibilities, tasks, requirements, demands for setting job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the work as described. However, it’s often not construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities.

When writing a job description, consider the following:

• Highlight the accurate job title;
• Provide a general company introduction;
• Provide an extract or introduction of the job with key goals or objectives;
• Specify the relevant job duties and responsibilities that are necessary for this position;
• List essential qualifications;
• Be clear and concise in the description;
• Have someone knowledgeable to proofread it;
• Make sure that HR and the hiring manager will sign off before publishing it;
• Define what success looks like in the position after 30 days, the first quarter, and the first year;
• Provide direct contact details of the manager or HR department who will follow up on the candidates;
• Publish it via several social media platforms, or offline media, so you are sure that in-house employees also can get easy access to it.

What are the duties and responsibilities of a Proofreader? 

The following duties, responsibilities and skills are important for this position:

Responsibilities:

• Read and evaluate written text for grammatical and typographical error.
• Liaise with writers and editors to determine the composition of specific texts in a document.
• Compare typeset proofs against original copy to identify errors or omission.
• Use word processors and other specialized software to make changes on typeset documents.
• Evaluate the dimensions of page elements such as images, text spacing and positioning to ensure they conform to set specifications..
• Ensure page numbers are in the right order and not repeated or omitted
• Analyze documents to ensure chapter titles match list of contents.
• Use symbols which are standard and recognized by printing and publishing companies.
• Mark corrections highlighted by editors/authors and ensure they reflect on the master set proof.
• Rephrase written text to ensure document structure and content are consistent.
• Stay abreast with grammatical development as well as new terminologies in a language.
• Ensure illustrations are suitably captioned and referenced.
• Contact authors directly to clarify grammatical inconsistencies related to style and text choice.
• Forward proofread materials for approval and publication.

Qualifications:

• Education and Training: To become a proofreader, you require a Bachelor’s degree most preferably in English, journalism, or mass communication, or in a related field. Employers usually require proofreaders to have about 2 years of experience proofreading or editing written content. Knowledge of standard proofreading practices, procedures, and concept is also required.
• Attention to details: Proofreaders are able to identify and rephrase grammatical errors to ensure an error-free text.
• Teamwork skill: They are adept at working with authors, editors, and typesetters to publish comprehensible write-ups.
• Spelling/Grammar Skill: They are able to correctly assemble words and apply them in writing.

Since well defined descriptions will attract more suitable candidates for the position, we recommend you to use this Proofreader job description sample. Customize it according to your needs, and then publish it directly to your page and network, you will soon start receiving Resumes and Cover letter from qualified candidates. This Proofreader Job Description template is fully customizable and can be used in Google Docs, MS Word format. Get this printable file now and personalize it according to your needs. If this is not the job description that fits your need, also have a look at many of our other examples of job description templates here.