Tip #1—Take a Close Look at Yourself
When you are trying to find great editing positions, one of the first things you need to do is to take a close look at yourself. Evaluate all you have to offer and go over the background that you have. Make sure that you include important experiences in your background that can make your application for editing jobs even stronger. This can include specialties in education, travel, knowledge of various languages, and previous experience that you have in the editing field. Make sure that you are honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses as well and ensure that you have a passion for the job. Without a passion for editing, you will find it both harder to land the editing positions you really want and to enjoy them if you do.
Tip #2—Have an Idea What Type of Editor Job You Want
Before you go out trying to find editing opportunities, you should have an idea what type of editing jobs that you want. If you are not sure what you are looking for, it will be difficult to find jobs that you really want. Figure out if you want to work in your area, if you want to move somewhere else to work, or even if you want to work from home. Also, figure out what kind of job you want to help you further your career in the editing field. This can help you to find the jobs that are going to best suit you and where you plan on going in the future with your career.
Tip #3—Understand How the Market Works
Make sure that you understand how the editing market works before you go looking for editing jobs. Remember that if you are just getting started, smaller companies are going to be your best bet. Larger companies usually want editors with more experience. So work on getting a job with a smaller company in the beginning and build up your experience. This way you will have the experience needed to further your career with a larger company in a few years.
Tip #4—Know the Company with Whom You are Applying
If you find great editing opportunities, make sure that you know the company that you are applying with before you apply or go to an interview. Find out what the company is looking for and then work to make sure that your resume and cover letter focus on offering what they need.
Tip #5—Make Contacts
When it comes to finding great editing positions, one of the most important things that you can do is to make contacts in the business. It is always a great idea to have friends in the business. Often they can let you know about job openings before they are advertised, giving you a better shot at the job. Many times in the writing and editing business, who you know can make a big difference in whether or not you are successful at finding an editing job.
Tip #6—Apply Quickly When You Find an Opportunity
When you do find an opportunity, if you want to get the job, then make sure that you apply quickly. Employers get hundreds of applications, so you want to respond as soon as possible to get ahead of the rush of applications. If you wait to respond and apply for the editing opportunities, either they will already be filled or the employer will already be overwhelmed with applications. So make sure you use time to your advantage.
Tip #7—Use the Internet as a Job Search Tool
The Internet can be one of the best job search tools for you when you are looking for editing jobs. There are many excellent sites on the Web that list editing jobs that you can easily apply for. You can read about the jobs, the qualifications needed, and in many cases you can apply for these jobs online as well. If you are looking for jobs in editing the Internet is a great place to go, especially since so many companies are using the Internet exclusively to advertise their editing opportunities.
Tip #8—Remember You Don’t Have to Work on Site
When you are trying to find editing positions, remember that you do not necessarily have to work on site. While working on site may be a great idea for some, today there are many editors that are able to get jobs working from their own homes. If this appeals to you, check out the editing jobs that allow you to telecommute, giving you a bit more freedom and saving you money in the cost of commuting to and from a job as well.
