Jan 14 2009
Preparing for Your Edit Test:
In the world of journalism, applicants of the edit and copy edit positions are pre- screened with the inevitable edit test. More and more the result of your edit test determines whether you get the job or not. In the world of scholarly jargon, the edit test exists as well . . . Anyone associated with the world of journalism knows about the edit test but the edit test is proliferating into all sorts of fields these days.
If an editing position is one of your career goals, what can you do to prepare for these tests? The first time is going to be the ultimate in scary because the element of unknown produces the most fear. If you channel your fear in the right direction, along with background research, you can utilize this fear into positive energy while taking your first edit test. As a copy editor, you will want to brush up on the different kinds of format styles, as well as familiarize yourself with the style the newspaper, publisher, or scientific organization uses. I suggest the same for editors, or proofreaders, because there are numerous edit tests, and copy-editing areas could be included on the test questions. For any type of editing position, I suggest thoroughly researching the company at hand. Further - especially if this is your first time taking an edit test - certainly research available edit tests. Try a web search, and you will find many tests in order to test drive your current editing skills. Like any skill, the less we use it the more we lose it. It certainly cannot hurt to judge your speed and accuracy by practicing on preexisting tests available to the public before you embark on your real test. First impressions count, and you can count on this test making a lasting impression.
Finally, know when to stop or say ‘no’ - while it is common knowledge edit tests apply in the world of journalism, the footing is less solid in other fields. I caution when it comes to online positions; while it may be a rare occurrence causing a bad taste in our mouths, online editing scams do exist. A good sign you are about to become involved in an editing swindle is when your edit test includes a full chapter, essay, or longer piece for you to edit and submit. Afterward, someone will notify you that your test results were not up to standard. I would be wary when it comes to editing large sections of any manuscript for an internet company you may know very little about, and doing it for nothing . . .
Does an interior designer design a room free of charge before she is hired, or are her credentials sufficient in good faith? I agree – it does happen. Photographers and the like produce portfolios, but this should be sufficient. However, artists and scientists are exploited, and often, through the open context of submitting work. The whole process requires faith, and the semantics surrounding the topic of intellectual and artistic property and its subsequent theft is but another story for another day . . .
