Jade
(Getting Back to Work)

It can be hard to get back into the swing of paid work after time away. Luckily, our proofreading course, with its work guarantee, can help. To find out more about this, we spoke to Knowadays graduate Jade. After 15 years as a full-time mum, Jade is getting back to work by becoming a freelance proofreader.

Hi, Jade! What made you consider the Knowadays course?

I wanted to refresh my knowledge and skills after years of working as a full-time mum.

I hadn’t had a paid job in 15 years, since the birth of my first child. And I was looking to get back to work, but I wanted the flexibility of working from home.

Was there anything surprising or challenging in the course for you?

I think many people are worried that the promise of work after completing the course sounds too good to be true. It isn’t!

I still felt fresh and new after completing the course and not quite ready to reach out for work outside Proofed. But after a few months, I feel like I now have the experience to be able to confidently offer up my services elsewhere.

How has your transition to working as a freelance proofreader with Proofed been?

It has been the perfect training ground. I appreciated the gradual process, never feeling like I had been thrown in the deep end.

It’s certainly challenging, but if you can successfully edit Proofed documents then you can edit anything.

“It has been the perfect training ground. I appreciated the gradual process, never feeling like I had been thrown in the deep end.“

Was the course good value for money?

I found the course very good value for money. It’s comprehensive and practical, delving into the different English dialects; academic, creative, and business writing; and how to use Microsoft Word effectively for proofreading.

What do you enjoy most about proofreading?

The greatest satisfaction in proofreading comes from helping the author express their thoughts and intentions with clarity and concision.

I find it rewarding to read back over a carefully edited document and see the improvement. It’s like I have ironed out the creases, resulting in a neat and clean end product.

Part of the fun of proofreading is the variety of subjects I get to read about. I find interest in everything I edit, even if it’s a topic I would have never considered reading about previously.

What is your day-to-day routine like now?

The main draw for a career as a freelance proofreader was flexibility. My daily schedule is ever-changing, so having the freedom to fit my work around my life rather than the other way around is priceless.

“My daily schedule is ever-changing, so having the freedom to fit my work around my life rather than the other way around is priceless.“

Where do you proofread? Have you got a workspace set up?

I work on a laptop that can go anywhere with me. When no one else is home I work at the kitchen table. But if my family are home I’ll try and find a quiet nook somewhere.

I’ve also invested in a good pair of noise-canceling headphones for those particularly distracting days.

Have you been self-employed before? How are you finding it?

I have always dreamed of being self-employed, and it’s everything I had hoped it would be.

I love that I can take a break whenever I like. I can go for a walk and clear my mind, or I can put on that load of washing.

Are you proofreading elsewhere, in addition to your work at Proofed? If so, how did you find this work?

I have recently begun finding work through an online freelance marketplace.

I’ve used my experience working with Proofed to apply for jobs there, successfully securing a regular weekly job editing social media posts.

Are you making enough money?

My goals weren’t to make a lot of money, but rather to supplement the income of my partner. I am happy with what I am able to make at the moment, and I see the potential to make more if the need should arise.

“Working as a freelance proofreader has given me the flexibility to earn money when and where I would like. “

How has life changed for you as a freelance proofreader?

Working as a freelance proofreader has given me the flexibility to earn money when and where I would like. In this climate of lockdowns and uncertainty, freelance work is more valuable than ever.

Do you have a website or LinkedIn profile that you’d be happy for us to share?

Yes, I have a LinkedIn profile.

Becoming A Proofreader

If you’re considering getting back to work after a break, why not follow in Jade’s footsteps and sign up for our Becoming A Proofreader course? And if you’re not sure if proofreading’s right for you, our free trial might help you decide.