Copy Editor Entry Level Jobs

Working as a copy editor is a great way to get your feet wet in the world of editing. It’ll teach you how to read through various types of documents and make sure that they’re grammatically correct, without getting too deep into the nuance of how words are used in context. And if you like what you do and keep working at it, there’s no limit to how far up the ladder you can go!

The first step is to find a job. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of all of the companies that are currently hiring entry-level copy editors. Check out our list below:

Copy Editor Entry Level Jobs

1. Pursue a college degree

Employers often look for copy editors who have a degree in English or a related field to ensure they hire people who are well-versed in grammar rules and written communication. Some employers may also accept an associate’s degree or equivalent experience, but a bachelor’s degree is a standard qualification for many copy editing positions. Select courses and electives that aim to strengthen your technical writing and editing skills, such as:

• Editing fundamentals
• News editing
• Corporate communication
• Pagination
• Literary journalism
• Public relations
• Journalism ethics
• Proofreading

2. Read and write regularly

The best way to strengthen your skills as a copy editor is to constantly practice by reading and writing regularly. Read the types of content you want to edit to immerse yourself in industry best practices and identify common issues with flow and readability. Whenever you read someone else’s work, make note of the improvements you would make to develop an editor’s mindset.

Although you won’t be writing content by yourself as a copy editor, writing on your own can help you become a better editor as well. Practicing writing can give you insight into the writing process, allowing you to give better advice and more useful edits.

3. Explore different specialties

Consider pursuing a specific niche based on what type of writing you enjoy working with the most. Apply for editing and proofreading internships in different fields to discover what specialties suit your talents and career goals.

Related: 6 Types of Journalism Jobs To Explore

4. Learn various style guides

Take the time to study popular style guides before applying for copy editing roles. While each organization or client may have its own unique style guides, they often use elements of the popular academic style guides such as APA, MLA, Chicago and Turabian.

Employers often expect copy editors to have a mastery of these style guides and be easily able to adjust punctuation and formatting without using a reference. This is especially relevant if you want to copy edit for any type of scientific or technical writing.

Try using flashcards or workbooks to practice using the style guides most common in your chosen specialty. You may want to invest in your own copy of official style guides and review any updated versions as they are released.

5. Build a portfolio through freelance

Look for small freelance editing jobs that you can use to hone your skills and develop an editing portfolio. Building an editing portfolio allows you to demonstrate the exact impact you could have on a client’s writing projects.

Be sure to show your editing process by either saving a before-and-after version of these assignments or scanning documents to show your markups. You can use your portfolio to show your knowledge of standard copy editing notation and ability to streamline and improve low-quality content.

6. Gain certifications

Many schools offer certificates in copy editing and other writing courses. Having a certification can set you apart from other applicants and give you additional knowledge about the field. You can also take professional development courses and certifications in complementary fields like marketing or publishing.

While pursuing official certification, consider signing up for a professional association for copy editors such as the Editorial Freelancers Association or the Society for Editing, also known as the American Copy Editors Society. Professional associations may help you get training, attend workshops and develop your skills throughout your editing career.

7. Build a polished resume

As an aspiring copy editor, your resume and cover letter must be completely error-free. Any written content you submit should be grammatically correct and add value to your application. Remove any repetitive or irrelevant information and choose strong verbs and adjectives so that you can demonstrate your writing ability. Spacing and punctuation should also be consistent to show that you understand formatting conventions and can apply them to your own work.

Related: Copy Editor Cover Letter Sample

8. Market yourself

Whether you want to work freelance or as part of an organization, marketing your professional skills can identify you as a top applicant for copy editing positions. Consider creating your own website to showcase your professional skills or use social media to network with other writing and publishing professionals.

Reach out to clients and organizations that produce the type of content you want to edit, explaining the value you would bring to their writing process. You can look for websites that have writing and editing errors and offer an editing sample to show how you could improve their web presence.

9. Complete editing tests

Many copy editing jobs require you to submit an editing test as part of the application process. In a limited time frame, you’ll have to read a style guide and apply it to a piece of writing. These test pieces are often intentionally filled with errors, so be meticulous about noticing and correcting as many mistakes as possible.