Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

The Work

Proofreaders check pre-printed and printed material against the original. After typesetting, page proofs are sent to the proofreader. The proofreader marks any inaccuracies in grammar, punctuation, and often content, so they can be amended.  
 
Proofreaders use dictionaries, reference books and other sources of information in their work.  
 
In addition to grammatical errors, proofreaders check the quality of typesetting and general presentation. A special set of marks is used to make corrections, usually in red ink. If they find a lot of mistakes, a second set of amended page proofs is prepared.  
 
Proofreaders work either on their own, with a copy-editor or, occasionally, with the author.  
 
Proofreading skills are increasingly being applied to websites.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Mark copy to indicate and correct errors in type, arrangement, grammar, punctuation, or spelling, using standard printers' marks.
• Read corrected copies or proofs to ensure that all corrections have been made.
• Correct or record omissions, errors, or inconsistencies found.
• Compare information or figures on one record against same data on other records, or with original copy, to detect errors.
• Route proofs with marked corrections to authors, editors, typists, or typesetters for correction or reprinting.
• Consult reference books or secure aid of readers to check references with rules of grammar and composition.
• Consult with authors and editors regarding manuscript changes and suggestions.
• Archive documents, conduct research, and read copy, using the internet and various computer programs.
• Write original content, such as headlines, cutlines, captions, and cover copy.
• Typeset and measure dimensions, spacing, and positioning of page elements, such as copy and illustrations, to verify conformance to specifications, using printer's ruler or layout software.

Further Information

• Proofreader - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

A degree in a particular field may be an advantage as specialist knowledge can be useful for some publication. English would be a preferred subject. 

Many working in the field would have a college degree of some kind, particularly in the humanities, as the nature of the assignments and essays assigned as part of academic assessment are good preparation for the work of a proof-reader. But it is not necessarily a requirement.

FET Centre Traineeship: Business Admin, Customer service, Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Marketing, Journalism, creative writing, Arts - Pre-University at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: There are no current apprenticesips in this occupational area at NFQ level 5-10 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business, Maths & Statistics, Journalism, arts, English Literature, communications NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €53k

Salaries Vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ Prosperity

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

• Publishing Training Centre

  • 45 East Hill, Wandsworth, London SW18 2QZ
  • +44 (0)20 8874 2718
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Society for Editors and Proofreaders

  • Apsley House 176 Upper Richmond Road Putney London SW15 2SH
  • +44 20 8785 6155
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Publishing Ireland

  • Guinness Enterprise Centre, Taylors Lane, Dublin 8
  • +353 1 6394868
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here