Reply
Thu 30 Jun, 2005 09:21 am
I've had several people now who, when they hear that I'm a proofreader, say that they would be great at that, that they always catch mistakes in books, and they ask me if I would recommend them for the job with my publishing house.
When I suggest to them that they might want to read a few books on copy editing and proofreading, they seem to think that they just don't need that, that they already know what they need to know to do the job. And they seem miffed.
Once, at the request of an old high school chum, I spent an hour laying out in an email all that the job requires, and she didn't respond. So after a few days, I emailed her, and she said that she just didn't want to take that kind of detailed care with a project. No thanks at all for my valuable time. I work three jobs, volunteer, and have my own numerous interests and familial obligations.
First, I'm insulted that someone would think they could just step into something that I spent a significant amount of time preparing for.
Second, I'm tired of looking like some kind of professional snob when I suggest they might want to check it out before sending a resume.
Third, I'm not interested in having more competition for the limited projects that come from my publishing house. I mean, really, I sent out 76 resumes to find the one for me. They should find their own.
Yesterday at work, it came up again. A third-party was suggesting I hook up Mr. L____ with some proofreading contracts, that he would be great. When I replied that Mr. L_____ might want to read a few books on the subject, the third-party actually bristled! And she said that she was sure Mr. L_____ already knew everything there was to know about proofreading!
I found out later that Mr. L____ proofreads her daughter's school papers, and also proofreads projects for the law firm.
I'm sure he'd be a great proofreader, but my point is, that if I were to switch from fiction to nonfiction or even to newspaper or magazines, for example, there would be a few things I would need to brush up on. Proofreading really is a specialized field, and specialized according to what one is proofreading.
I did approach Mr. L____ later and offer to bring in my books on the subject, and suggested that he could make a lot proofreading in the legal field, which requires a different style manual than the one I use. And that I thought he would be a terrific proofreader.
How should I handle this in the future? These pushy people are persistent and are not easily dismissed I assure you!
You might try a humorous approach, and suggest that with the limited work available, you are not interested in putting yourself out of a job--if you can find a humorous way of getting that message across.
So, dupre, I just started as an editor and am looking for some more projects and...
...No?
(Kidding! :-))
Hmm, it sounds like you've been handling it well so far, not sure if there is much more you can do besides steel yourself against the undeservedly negative reactions you get. I'm starting to get that too -- I don't have as good of a reason to bristle since I *did* just hop into it with no particular training (well, English degree), but my first reaction (unspoken) is always something like, I worked damn hard to get here, why can't you?
The competition part of it is definitely an issue, too, that if I give people leads and then they abuse that lead, I lose out in a very concrete way. I need every lead and opportunity I have for myself, so far. (Hopefully a time will come when I have extras, then will be happy to spread the joy.)
So far I've just been telling people what I did to get where I am so far -- daily searching of craigslist and other online job boards, incremental movement upwards -- and wishing them luck.
Great advice from both of you.
I can keep it simple, <whew!>, and just say, "Hey, when I get some extra leads, I'll let you know!"
That would be short and sweet.
Thanks!
People also think they can be lawyers without Law School, singers without training, hairdressers without experience, etc. etc. etc. I suppose it's the nature of a society where we are told how wonderful we are at everything, and also where so many people are (by necessity) generalists.
And it looks like your response is a great one.
"Give me your resume and I'll pass it on" usually works for me. Hardly anyone goes to the trouble of providing one.
Don't forget:
"I have a great idea for a book based on my life. You write it and give me half the money."
If you'd settle for one-fourth the money, Noddy, I'd be pleased to write YOUR biography.
Eva--
Thanks for the kind words, Eva.
jespah wrote:People also think they can be lawyers without Law School, singers without training, hairdressers without experience
If that does work - I would sincerely like to meet them!!
Great advice here. And thanks for the reality check. People like that in every wanna-be field, I guess.
Probably have been one myself at one time or another.
Thank you all.
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace