5 Signs You Would Be a Good Proofreader

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Are you thinking about becoming a proofreader and wondering if you’re cut out for the job? As a proofreader who recognizes the signs of someone who shows promise in this profession, I can help you determine whether proofreading is a good fit for you.

Let’s examine some signs that indicate you’d be a good proofreader.

Signs You Would Be a Good Proofreader

1) You tend to spot errors that others overlook.

Do you have a knack for catching errors in books or textbooks? Have you ever spotted a blunder on a restaurant menu or in a brochure? Surely you’ve found some faux pas in text messages from family members and friends!

If so, you may be well suited to proofreading.

Perhaps you were the unofficial proofreader for your friends in high school or college.

You’ve just got those eagle eyes that are always on the lookout for mistakes!

I wrote a post about the types of mistakes proofreaders look for, in case you’re curious.

2) You enjoy detailed, focused work.

You need to be the kind of person who enjoys getting down to the nitty-gritty and can maintain that level of focus for extended periods.

Proofreaders often check for errors as tiny as an improperly capitalized word or a missing space. If working at that level of detail sounds more satisfying than it does exhausting, proofreading may suit you well.

3) You’re more concerned with grammar and mechanics than most.

You probably wouldn’t want to leave an i undotted or a t uncrossed.

Do you try to punctuate your text messages properly, or at least ensure autocorrect hasn’t given them an unintended meaning?

For Christmas one year, my sister gifted me a coaster that says “autocorrect has become my worst enema.”

When I taught young children in Costa Rica, I wrote a monthly newsletter for my students’ parents. At one point, outer space was going to be our theme for the next two months. A sentence in my newsletter contained the word earth, and I wasn’t sure if earth should be capitalized in that context.

I doubt the parents ever scrutinized my writing in those letters.

Even though no one would care whether I capitalized the word correctly, I took the time to find the right answer. I guess I did that just for my own satisfaction.

I think that was a pretty clear sign that being a proofreader was right up my alley.

Do you also tend to write (or text) carefully, more for yourself than anyone else?

4) You’d proudly serve on the grammar police force if one existed.

You feel it’s your civic duty to get rid of grammatical gaffes, snuff out spelling slipups, correct capitalization catastrophes, fix formatting flubs, and put a stop to punctuation pitfalls.

You’re keenly aware of the difference between it’s and its and would love for everyone else to be mindful of these distinctions as well.

You feel like the misuse of homophones should constitute some sort of infraction, right? 😉

What would be the consequence if a writer made a mistake dealing with homophones while you were on grammar patrol? Maybe a warning? Whoa! That’s far too lenient. A stiff fine? Yes! After all, the punishment should fit the crime.

Okay, I may be exaggerating, but you know what I mean. 😊

5) You enjoy your own company.

As a proofreader, I enjoy working with me, myself, and I. No one else is involved.

If you’re not too keen on working by yourself, you can still work around other people.

Instead of working at home, you can work at a coffee shop, library, coworking space, or alongside a friend at an agreed-upon location. Recently, I started planning work dates with a friend. She’s a graphic designer (not a proofreader), but it was nice to be in her company as we worked on our respective tasks.

Having other people around while I work is quite beneficial for me. Maybe it could work for you too. 😊

I hope this article helped you decide if proofreading is a good fit for you!

If you think it would be a solid fit, feel free to check out my article outlining the steps to becoming a proofreader.

A Related Question

Is proofreading a skill?

Proofreading is a skill that can be developed through training and practice. Even people with a solid grasp of grammar and mechanics still need to learn style guides, proofreading processes, and professional workflows.

If you’d like to learn more about the abilities proofreaders develop, please see my post “19 Must-Have Skills to Be a Proofreader.”

Best wishes to you!

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson