How Proofreading Courses Aid Continuing Professional Development 

Proofreading courses are just one way to engage in continuing professional development, but they come with many benefits.

For newcomers and established proofreaders alike, here’s how a proofreading course can improve your skills and advance your career.

If You’re New to Proofreading

If you’re currently working in a different industry, taking a proofreading course is a great way to gain transferable skills and open up new career possibilities.

Here’s why you should consider taking a proofreading course, even if you’ve never done proofreading work before:

1. Apply New Skills in Your Current Job

In addition to the skills specific to proofreading, a good proofreading course will give you plenty of transferable skills you can apply to your current career.

These include:

• A good grasp of the English language, as full-time research student Lisa discovered.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• The ability to manage your own time and schedule.
• Experience with various computer programs and software.

With these skills, you can take on new tasks at your current job or apply for work in any industry.

2. Access New Opportunities

Training as a proofreader can provide you with many opportunities for career development. 

You might choose to start proofreading as a side job, earning some extra money to supplement your main income.

Or you could quit your job and embrace proofreading as a full-time career, giving you a better work–life balance.

You could even decide to set up your own freelance proofreading business and take control of your own career, like Knowadays graduate Thenere’.

3. Challenge Yourself

Taking a proofreading course is a great way to develop and challenge yourself, whether that’s through learning the finer points of grammar, testing your knowledge through quizzes and assessments, or developing your eye for detail.

This is good news because learning new skills and different ways of looking at things has been proven to:

• Keep your brain alert and interested
• Improve your memory
• Help you cope with stress
• Boost your self-confidence
• Engage your social skills

So, if you’re craving the challenge of learning something new and taking the next step in your continuing professional development, a proofreading course could be the right choice for you!

If You’re Already a Proofreader

Even if you’re already doing proofreading work, a proofreading course will refresh your industry knowledge and keep your skills sharp.

Here are some reasons why established proofreaders can still benefit from CPD and proofreading courses:

1. Stay Up to Date

It’s important to keep up with the latest updates and developments in the editing industry, no matter how long you’ve been working in it.

Proofreading courses can help you stay on top of:

• New editing software and work methods.
• Changing professional consensus on language and grammatical rules
• New and updated style guides

It can also help refresh your knowledge of all aspects of proofreading. After all, even the most seasoned editors might still need a refresher on the more obscure aspects of English grammar!

2. Reach Career Goals

As a professional proofreader, you’ll likely reach certain career goals. 

A proofreading course or qualification under your belt will help you achieve these goals by enabling you to:

• Attract more clients.
• Offer a wider variety of services.
• Increase your rates
• Learn how to market yourself.

So, whether you’re looking to increase your client base or simply earn a higher income, a proofreading course could be the boost your career needs.

3. Improve Your Confidence

Confidence often comes with experience, but even seasoned proofreaders can lose confidence in their skills.

Luckily, proofreading courses can offer concrete evidence of your talent as a proofreader through assessments, grades, and tutor feedback. Knowadays graduate Debra shares her story of how our Becoming A Proofreader course improved her confidence as a freelancer.

Being able to prove that you’ve taken part in training will also improve your clients’ confidence in your abilities and can help you land more work.

Becoming A Proofreader

Whether you’re an established proofreader or just dipping your toes into editing, our Becoming A Proofreader course can help you reach your career goals.

Sign up for a free trial to try it out.

Related posts:

Why is Upskilling Important for Freelance Proofreaders and Editors? A Guide to Continuing Professional Development for Freelancers Why Should You Take an Online Proofreading Course?