Interviewing for a copyeditor role? 📃 Answer these 5 questions to ace it 🙌

So you know your dangling modifiers from your misplaced and squinting ones, but do you know a winning answer to an interview question from a “good enough” one? 

Most people going for a copyeditor role are fairly confident in their mastery of language. But not all copyeditors are confident in their ability to sell (or even list) their soft skills: 

• the ability to manage author and stakeholder relationships

• a knack for meeting deadlines

• an aptitude for learning technical tools and jargon

• critical thinking skills for making tough judgment calls

• a creative bent for making content more appealing

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

From one copyeditor to the next, I’ll help you identify and answer some questions you’re likely to be asked when interviewing for a copyeditor role.

TIP: If you're new to copyediting, you can adjust the answers listed below to speak about a hypothetical scenario using "In that situation, I would..." statements instead of "This is how I do things" statements.

What they want to know

Like it or loathe it, most organizations nowadays will employ AI in their processes. And with 38% of researchers using AI to write papers and over half of the articles on the internet being written by AI, you're likely going to have to edit AI-written work at some stage.

You don't need to love so-called "AI slop", but employers want to know that:

• you won’t point-blank refuse to use AI

• you're willing and able to edit AI-written pieces

• you know the common AI mistakes to look out for

What a winning answer looks like

Include

• AI can be a useful tool to help spot mistakes or improvements the human eye might look over.

• AI is not a replacement for the human eye, and it’s important to be aware of the mistakes AI tends to make.

• I'm willing to use AI to speed up processes where possible.

Don't Include

• AI is ruining creativity.

• I can't stand reading "AI slop".

• I'm worried AI will replace me, so I avoid it at all costs.

• I don't know anything about AI and don't want to learn.

• This AI fad will die out in 3 or 4 years.

• AI use is dreadful for the environment — you shouldn't be using it.

Quiz

You've been asked to discuss AI usage in the copyediting world. Select the best ones to include in your answer. More than one statement might apply:

A. I think AI will replace humans eventually, and I'm on board with that.

B. I use AI tools and language-editing software with caution. I don't let them override my judgment.

C. I think AI can be trained to create a decent first or second draft of a piece of content or copy, not a final one.

D. I can spot AI-generated content a mile away. A good writer or editor shouldn't need to use AI.

What they want to know

Feedback can be hard to stomach. You might think that early-stage authors are less likely to take on your feedback, but in fact, more experienced authors have been found to be less inclined to take on editor suggestions.

A copyeditor’s job is not to completely modify an author’s text. There’s a fine balance between improving a text and rewriting it completely. Interviewers want to know that you’re not going to upset seasoned and valued authors to the point that they walk away.

What a winning answer looks like

Include

• I believe in respecting the author's voice and style in every edit I make or propose.

• I want to help authors’ work reach its potential and be error-free without losing its originality.

• If I feel an edit is going to alter the text in a significant way, I ask the author what they think of my suggestion before making an edit.

Don't Include

• If an author doesn't like my edits or suggestions, then it might be their ego getting in the way.

• The copyeditor should have the last say on all edits.

• Authors can be overly precious about their work. It's important to bring them down to earth.

• A copyeditor's job isn't to be nice. It's to be honest.

What they want to know

This question is a little sneaky. They don’t just want to know your step-by-step process for the sake of it. They want to know you won’t skip any important steps, like fact-checking and using a style guide.

If you're new to copyediting and don't have a process yet, you can get some inspiration online. Have a look at these pre-editing steps and this sample copyediting workflow. You can then change the sample answers listed in the following section to start with "I would..." instead of "I [verb/adverb]...)

What a winning answer looks like

Include

• I start by reading through the guidelines, style guides, job aids, and any other process documentation.

• I have 3 rounds of edits, looking for different things in each one, namely...

• I always do a fact check before submitting my edits.

• I first read in my head, then out loud, then backward.

Don't Include

• I only ever need to read a piece once. I don't need to read things twice.

• I don't have a process. I just go with the flow.

• I always trust that the author or designer has done the fact-checking piece, so I don't have to.

• I always make a cup of tea or coffee first and then put on a playlist of focus music.

What they want to know

In an environment where there’s a copyediting step, if you miss a deadline, you’ll hold up the rest of production. Copyediting takes time, but unfortunately, you need to be able to do it at a pace that keeps up with our fast-moving world.

Interviewers understand that deadlines get pushed out every now and then. What they want to know is that you’re not going to miss the majority of deadlines and that waiting for your work won’t hold everyone else up — but also that you won’t compromise on quality.

Quiz

Aisha is interviewing for a copyeditor role at a magazine. The interviewer asks her how she manages deadlines. Which statement below is most likely to impress the interviewer?

A. I break down my work into small, important tasks that ensure quality and have a time limit.

B. I believe quality beats quantity every time. Deadlines should be flexible.

C. I don't rush and simply never miss a deadline, even if it means working overtime.

D. My work is naturally of good quality, so I never have to worry about that. I just power through and work at speed.

What they want to know

Sometimes, your edits will go through someone other than the author before final sign-off. And that person might not always agree with your edits. So what happens when they disagree?

Whoever is interviewing you will want to know:

• how you maintain integrity

• don't compromise your values or fall short of quality work

• keep stakeholders happy

What a winning answer looks like

Include

• Sometimes, you have to accept someone else's last word if they are the gatekeeper at the final stage of the process.

• If I feel strongly about an edit, I make sure I have a written record of my justifications in case it comes up in the future.

• I always refer everyone involved back to the style guide and user/reader experience.

Don't Include

• I will not back down if I strongly believe an edit needs to be made.

• The copyeditor should always have the final word, not anyone else.

• I don't like it when other people meddle with my edits. My role as copyeditor should be respected.

• I would propose that we change the process so fewer people have a say.

The questions listed in this Byte are just some of the most likely questions you'll be asked in a copyeditor interview. To be fully prepared for your interview, try the following action items: