They dot the i’s and cross the t’s, figuratively speaking. Editorial Assistants use their eye for detail and organisational abilities to coordinate various steps of the publication process in diverse settings, from journalism, book publishing and digital content to marketing, advertising and education. Continue Reading
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What are the typical responsibilities of an Editorial Assistant?
An Editorial Assistant would typically need to:
The work of Editorial Assistants is typically office-based. However, since this entry-level role requires interdepartmental teamwork, Editorial Assistants usually do not have private offices but work in shared workspaces within the editorial department of publishing houses or media outlets. They may also work from home, depending on what the project needs. Editorial Assistants use computers, word processing, desktop or electronic publishing software, and equipment such as scanners and other electronic communications devices.
The atmosphere can be stressful but is underpinned by communication between authors, the editorial staff, and the marketing & publicity departments. You would typically report to the managing editor, publisher or editorial director.
You may need to travel within your home country or overseas to visit film or shooting locations, participate in conferences, meet with authors, designers or agents, or attend book signing events.
Editorial Assistants typically work full-time from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, putting in extra hours to ensure the accuracy of the material being edited, meeting deadlines or tackling digital content to post online or for live broadcasts. They spend some time attending various meetings with editors and team members to discuss submissions and exchange reactions and feedback.
Research suggests that flexible hours and generous telework policies appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules per the job demands.
Finding a new job might seem challenging. Editorial Assistants can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.
Editorial Assistants are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organisations, such as the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), the International Association of Professional Writers and Editors (IAPWE), The Society For Editing (ACES), and the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), known formerly as the Society for Editors and Proofreaders, are crucial for Editorial Assistants interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.
Professional associations provide their members with various continuing education and networking opportunities, and mentorship services. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.
Writing or editing experience, particularly in a media outlet, is essential to demonstrate a candidate’s interest in and familiarity with the publication process and to gain an edge in the competitive job market.
Aspiring Editorial Assistants can begin early to acquire relevant experience and skills.
Even while in high school, you can check with a teacher or counsellor about relevant work-based learning opportunities available in your school or community that can help you connect your school experiences with real-life work. For instance, you may work with student media, including school and college newspapers and magazines, or join relevant societies and clubs.
Apprenticeship programs as publishing assistants also help aspiring Editorial Assistants earn experience and develop the requisite knowledge and skills, learning from industry professionals.
Academic programs that a potential Editorial Assistant takes up typically require a period of supervised experience, such as an internship, as part of the course. You will benefit from tasks outside of the classroom that line up perfectly with lessons inside it. One may hear countless stories from more experienced professionals and obtain valuable hands-on experience when they turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.
Search companies' social media pages to find work experience opportunities and other relevant information. Summer internships, part-time work at an entry-level position or short-term paid/voluntary work with a magazine and newspaper or in a library or bookshop offer a taste of the career, give valuable insight into how a company or institution operates, help build useful contacts and improve one’s prospects of getting a permanent job. You will build general publishing skills and gain experience writing stories, editing them, and conducting the required research and interviews.
Some publishing houses offer placements of about two weeks, typically on an expenses-paid basis rather than for a stipend. You may also contact industry professionals or send speculative applications to publishing companies, advertising firms, or radio and television stations.
The experience may also help determine whether the public, private or voluntary sector is best suited to realise one’s ambitions. Your educational provider’s career service department can provide information about viable opportunities for work placements, internships and voluntary work in diverse sectors.
Once you graduate from college, you may find an entry-level role as an Editorial Assistant and aim to serve on different publications to identify your niche, which may be, for example, children’s books or academic writing. However, you can continue building experience through freelance projects if you do not immediately land a job. You can continuously sharpen your writing and online media skills by maintaining a blog or website or building your presence on social media.
You could also acquire experience as a general assistant in a publishing house or a company’s communications department and receive in-house training to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to move up the ladder to the role of Editorial Assistant.
Join some groups, try some hobbies or volunteer with an organisation of interest, so you can have fun while learning about yourself and be directed toward a future career.
Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experts working in editorial assistance at a publication or media outlet to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.
Since employers establish specific criteria that fulfil their needs, candidates may approach the entry-level role of Editorial Assistant through several pathways.
While not mandatory, aspiring candidates typically acquire an associate degree, a higher national diploma (HND) or a bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, media studies or communications. By helping you hone your writing skill and providing regular feedback on your work, such programs give you a competitive edge in the job market, particularly for roles in magazines and trade publications.
However, a relevant degree is beneficial if you wish to work in a specific field. For instance, a science or mathematics background may be critical to edit a scientific journal. A degree in business studies or finance is helpful in editing matter for a financial newspaper. You can supplement your degree with courses in publishing, proofreading and copyediting. Typing courses and introductory courses in copyright law and marketing are also beneficial.
While a master’s degree in publishing can help solidify your understanding of grammatical and literary concepts and the publishing industry, it is not essential to an Editorial Assistant’s role. Instead, you may pursue relevant post-baccalaureate courses that include internships or placements, allowing you to build the necessary skills and network with industry professionals.
Apprenticeship programs are another way to approach a career in the publishing world, allowing you to learn while you earn.
Taking electives in the area you wish to specialise in during your editorial career is useful. However, it is also beneficial to take diverse classes to prepare yourself for the variety of subject matter you will likely work on with your editorial team. You can present your relevant projects and modules to prospective employers to convince them of your experience.
English and speech classes during high school will help you develop your research, writing and oral communication skills. Computer applications are also useful for an aspiring Editorial Assistant. In addition, accounting, economics and business classes are of use to launch your business.
Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.
Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.
While not mandatory, certification demonstrates an Editorial Assistant’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. Skills include a grasp of writing and editing in a digital media environment, media & content strategy, and social media & content marketing. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics. When acquired from an objective and reputed organisation can help you stand out in a competitive job market and carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent.
Editorial Assistants may also need to undergo an employment background check, including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.
Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Editorial Assistants with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years to senior editorial and managerial roles in the publishing industry. Remember that competition is intense in the publishing field and while larger organisations may offer you career advancement, you may need to switch jobs to progress if you work in a smaller firm.
Depending on your interest and where you work, whether a magazine, newspaper, publishing house or media outlet, you can advance to become Features Editor, Development Editor, Editor, Project Editor or Commissioning Editor.
Editors in managerial roles typically make strategic business decisions and may advance their careers by joining publications with greater prestige or a larger readership.
You may diversify into digital publications, editing content for websites and social media. Some Editorial Assistants become freelancers, but only after building adequate experience and a solid network since freelance editing is highly competitive. With sufficient experience, you may land overseas jobs.
Other career options include becoming a writer, author or technical writer. Writers and authors create content for books in different genres, magazines, movies, plays, television shows, radio programs, advertisements and other media forms. Technical writers generate technical documentation and user manuals.
Another potential avenue for Editorial Assistants is broadcast media. They may diversify into journalism by becoming reporters, correspondents or news analysts.
The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation, and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.
Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and interesting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills along the way.
Candidates with the necessary publishing skills, professional writing experience and relevant education, have the best job prospects. A second language is an added advantage, given the international reach of publications in print and online.
Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Editorial Assistant build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity,
formal education, or self-directed learning.
In addition to offering the opportunity to continually upskill, regardless of one’s age, job, or level of knowledge, CPD also enables the periodic renewal of desirable certifications, which increase your chances of advancement and becoming an independent consultant.
On-the-job training helps newly hired Editorial Assistants learn the policies and procedures of the organisation that has employed them. Large enterprises may have structured training programs or deliver customised training to their employees. Smaller businesses may expect their staff to take relevant courses on their own.
Taking courses in electronic publishing, graphics, Web design, social media management, and multimedia production is beneficial. Membership in professional associations allows you to attend development workshops, conferences, seminars and webinars, pursue training and certification opportunities, discover internship and job opportunities, and earn recognition in the field. You may also participate in literary festivals, book fairs and other events relevant to your domain.
Mentorship by publishing professionals helps you build necessary skills through the guidance and feedback you receive from them. They can also suggest job openings and help you chart your career progression. You may approach professionals directly with your request for mentoring.
Editorial vs Editing Jobs
Editorial jobs factor in a broader range of responsibilities, which typically include publication strategy and management in addition to editing and proofreading. Those working in editorial jobs give creative direction to publications and other related projects by sourcing and commissioning writers, evaluating their submissions within the editorial framework of the publishing house and ensuring it meets quality standards, and supervising departmental staff. Editing focuses on reviewing and enhancing a piece of writing in terms of its structure, grammar, spelling and punctuation. Those responsible for editing also ensure that the written content they review is readable, clear and coherent and follows the style guidelines of the publication or publishing house.
Editorial Assistant vs Assistant Editor
Assistant Editors typically start their career as Editorial Assistants. In general, Editorial Assistants, working in entry-level roles with relatively less experience than Assistant Editors, provide editorial and administrative support to publishing professionals. On the other hand, Assistant Editors typically work with editors on the editing aspect of the publishing process and carry out strategic tasks, such as managing budgets. However, both roles focus on various activities, such as editing manuscript submissions, communicating with authors and readers, and making sure to meet deadlines.
Both Editorial Assistants and assistant editors must have top-notch writing and editing skills to review and revise manuscripts and carry out research to check the matter for accuracy. They both typically require at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in English, journalism and communications. However, Assistant Editors may also hold a master’s degree in a relevant subject and certification.
Writer vs Editor
Writers are freelancing or employed professionals who create diverse forms of literary and non-literary content, including books, essays, plays, poetry, articles, blogs, promotional or technical material, or academic matter, such as theses, textbooks, abstracts or book reports. They typically generate ideas and research topics before writing and revising drafts that they eventually submit to publishing houses.
Editors read, review and improve what others write by making grammatical, punctuation, spelling, and other linguistic and structural corrections. They may also fact-check and suggest changes to the plot or content. For any changes they recommend or make, editors strive to match the writer’s tone and objective.
Technical Writer vs Editor
Technical writers generate documentation that helps people understand how to use a product or service. While technical writers likely edit their work before submitting it for review to their employers, editors may further refine it in terms of grammar, spelling and punctuation or enhance its flow, coherence and clarity.
Proofreader vs Editor
Proofreaders apply their skills to reviewing and correcting a piece of writing in terms of its spelling, grammar and punctuation. Publications may hire standalone proofreaders to ensure that published content is error-free and comprehensible.
The role of editors is more comprehensive as they enhance a piece of writing to suit targeted audiences as best as possible. This requires not only a check of grammatical accuracy, spelling, punctuation and formatting but also a skilled and holistic evaluation and enrichment of the piece in terms of its choice of words and phrases, sentence structure, tone and factual correctness.
Depending on the size of the business, editors may carry out proofreading activities as well as contribute to generating content strategy and ideas, managing the content calendar and coordinating the publishing process with writers, designers and photographers.
Content Strategist vs Editor
Content strategists develop and execute content strategies that help a business fulfil its goals, typically revenue and growth. They plan what content is needed as well as the process of creation and distribution. Content strategists liaise with editorial staff, designers and other stakeholders to ensure that any content the business shares with the public contributes to achieving organisational objectives. Editors may participate in content strategy development, but their focus remains on curating and publishing content in print or online.
Other Roles & Titles in the Editorial Department
Commissioning editors are responsible for sourcing external contributions or reviewing proposals they receive to identify and secure potentially profitable and high-quality authors, book titles or ideas to publish.
Section editors work for newspapers, magazines and websites and are in charge of specific sections. Section editors may be news editors or feature editors or may have even more specialised areas under them, such as fashion or sports.
Deputy editors are second-in-command to editors, replacing them in their absence, although specific duties depend on the organisational structure of a publishing house. They may work as section editors or share the editor’s responsibilities. Deputy editors may work under the title of assistant editor in some publishing houses while the roles may be differentiated in others.
Editors typically lead and manage a single publication, optimising its performance independently and in view of its competitors. The role of an editor is comprehensive and senior, requiring candidates to possess relevant educational qualifications and experience.
Managing editors manage the daily operations of publications, such as magazines and newspapers, or the news departments of television and radio broadcasters. Some managing editors also take care of production aspects.
Editors-in-chief or executive editors head and manage a team of editors and assistant editors for a publication and its supplements. They may work for magazines, newspapers, television or radio shows, and advertising or public relations firms. As the senior-most editing personnel, they are in charge of editorial policies and overall content production and can decide which stories are to be published and how. They hire department staff, plan budgets, and negotiate contract terms with freelance writers.
Copy editors ensure that text is readable, clear, free of grammatical, punctuation and spelling, while abiding by editorial policy. Depending on the division of work within the organisation, they may also check the accuracy of facts, dates and statistics the text provides, suggest linguistic or structural revisions and arrange page layouts of articles, photographs and advertisements.
Line editors assist copy editors in fixing errors before a work is published and recommend improvements to the text. While their physical or online presence at staff meetings may not be mandatory, they must be clear about what copy editors expect of them and the deadlines for submission.
Web or online editors/community overseers/new or social media editors may be specially hired by companies to manage their online content. With print publishers becoming well-versed in online publishing, the roles may merge in the future.
Consulting or consultant editors play a freelance advisory role as experts in specific areas and provide their services to various publications.
Current Scenario
The employment outlook of a particular profession may be impacted by diverse factors, such as the time of year (for seasonal jobs), location, employment turnover (when people leave current jobs), occupational growth (when new roles are created), size of the occupation, and industry-specific trends and events that affect overall employment.
The employment of editors is projected to decline over the next few years. Traditional print publications are giving way to varied online media formats, and editing software is increasing, reducing the need for editorial staff.
Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment
Freelancing Editorial Assistants have more flexible work schedules and locations. They fully own the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.
On the other hand, full-time Editorial Assistants have company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.
When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.
At the core of your job lies the successful dissemination of reliable, well-written and correctly formatted information or narratives in various forms, in multiple fields and to diverse audiences. You help the editorial team take a manuscript through the publication process, making it worthy of becoming a formally published piece that informs, entertains or persuades audiences. Since the content and manuscripts you deal with are likely diverse, so is your work and the skills you need.
Become proficient in e-editing, understanding authors’ expectations and implementing best practices that aim at functionality. Be aware of what works in the market and what does not. Stay in tune with the publishing industry, in print or online. Read, follow publishing imprints, editors, authors and social media bloggers and reach out to people in the publishing world. Enthusiasm, experience and perseverance are vital to landing editorial jobs and achieving success.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can help Editorial Assistants enhance writing quality and accuracy by detecting and rectifying errors, suggesting alternatives or providing feedback.
What do Editorial Assistants do?
An Editorial Assistant would typically need to:
Accredited
$77,080
