How do you demonstrate proofreading skills in an interview?

1 Prepare a portfolio

One of the best ways to prove your proofreading skills in an interview is to bring a portfolio of your previous work samples that showcase your writing and editing abilities. You can include documents such as newsletters, flyers, proposals, invoices, or minutes that you have created or revised for your past or current employers or clients. Make sure to highlight the changes you have made and the feedback you have received. You can also add testimonials or references from your supervisors or colleagues that attest to your proofreading skills.

2 Review your resume and cover letter

Your resume and cover letter are the first impressions you make on your potential employer, so they need to be flawless and error-free. Before you submit them, proofread them carefully and use tools such as spell checkers, grammar checkers, or online proofreading services to catch any mistakes. You can also ask a friend or a professional to review them for you. Make sure to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific job and company you are applying for, and highlight your proofreading skills and achievements in relevant sections.

3 Answer questions confidently

During the interview, you may be asked questions that test your proofreading skills, such as how you handle multiple tasks, how you ensure consistency and accuracy, or how you deal with feedback and revisions. You need to answer these questions confidently and provide specific examples that demonstrate your proofreading skills and processes. You can also use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to structure your answers and show how you applied your proofreading skills to solve a problem, improve a document, or meet a deadline.

4 Take a test

Some employers may ask you to take a proofreading test as part of the interview process, either before or during the interview. This is a way to assess your proofreading skills in a realistic and time-bound scenario. You may be given a document or a passage to proofread and correct for errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, or formatting. You may also be asked to rewrite or improve a sentence or a paragraph. To ace the test, you need to be familiar with the style guide and the tone of the company, and follow the instructions carefully. You also need to manage your time well and check your work before submitting it.

5 Show interest and enthusiasm

Finally, one of the best ways to demonstrate your proofreading skills in an interview is to show interest and enthusiasm for the job and the company. You can do this by researching the company and its products or services, asking relevant and insightful questions, and expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. You can also show your attention to detail by following up with a thank-you note after the interview, and proofreading it before sending it. This will show your potential employer that you are a professional, reliable, and diligent administrative assistant who values quality and accuracy in communication.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?