Copy Editor Job Description

What is a Copy Editor?

A copy editor may work for any industry to create, proofread, and modify content for writers or employers. From books to articles to web content, copy editors make sure that documents are grammatically correct, readable, and correspond with the brand image and target audience of the company. Depending on the industry they work in, they use style manuals to make decisions about voice, word choice, formatting, and other variables.

Professional copy editors generally hold a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or a related field. They must be able to adhere to strict deadlines and be extremely meticulous to identify and correct small errors in punctuation, spelling, or grammar. A copy editor may work exclusively for one organization or they may freelance for various companies. They also research information presented in articles to make sure that facts, such as dates, names, and statistics are correct and current.

Average Salary Interview Questions Jobs Available

View Copy Editor Jobs Hire a Copy Editor

Copy Editor Job Description Template

Job Overview

Here at XYZ Inc., we are the leading company in our industry in the Capital City area. We're pleased to have a 3.8 Glassdoor rating from our employees. We are hiring an experienced Copy Editor to help us keep growing. If you're dedicated and ambitious, XYZ Inc. is an excellent place to grow your career. Don't hesitate to apply.

Responsibilities for Copy Editor

Communicate within the company with creative directors or other interested parties via email, telephone calls, or in person
Conduct extensive research and interviews to ensure content is accurate and up-to-date
Proofread text and edit text at various stages of the writing process and in response to feedback from writers or creative directors
Engage readers with informative, entertaining, and educational copy
Understand and consistently reflect the brand voice of the company in writing style
Inform readers on the features of products using accurate and current information
Produce email marketing copy for products or services using promotional language designed to motivate
Keep abreast of trends in content and style reflected on various popular social media channels

Qualifications for Copy Editor

2+ years of copy editing experience preferred
Proficiency with applying the principles of style guides, such as the Chicago Manual of Style, to different types of writing
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in the English language
Thorough knowledge of media production and communication
Ability to remain detailed-oriented and focused when processing large amounts of text
Willingness to collaborate with a creative team of writers, graphic designers, and others
Strong computer processing skills, especially G Suite and Microsoft Office
Basic knowledge of legal issues involved in publishing, such as libel and plagiarism
Mastery of spelling, grammar and punctuation errors and ability to make constructive suggestions

Ready to Hire a Copy Editor?

Try Job Postings

Hiring Resources

Your Ultimate Recruitment Planning Guide

Small Business Recruiting on Glassdoor

How to Balance Time and Candidate Quality In Your Interview Process

Employers: How to Write Great Job Descriptions

Be sure to mention requisite years of experience and educational requirements
Tell job seekers what's unique about your company and job
Ideal length is a few paragraphs or about 200 words
Make sure to use appropriate paragraph breaks and bullet points so it’s easy on the eyes

Download Full Guide