To develop our quiz, we asked our clients about the editors they loved working
with and those they were doing their best to forget.
Our quiz assumes that you're a capable, top-notch editor
whose work meets professional
editorial standards. We focus instead on issues of professional conduct.
By prompting editors to think about the many factors
that can affect our relationships with clients, we hope to point the way toward
a more satisfying experience for all.
[Basics]
- Are
you responsive and easy to reach? Do you return calls or emails promptly?
(yes = 10 points)
- Are
you warm and pleasant to deal with, rather than cold or indifferent? (yes =
10 points)
- Do
you apply the level of edit that you and the client have agreed on,
given the project's timeline and budget, regardless of what the project
"needs"?
(yes = 10 points) Or do you line-edit a proof that's about to go to
the printer, or proofread a work that the client wants line-edited?
(yes = subtract 10 points)
- Are
you sensitive to your clients' feelings? Are your queries tactfully worded, rather than abrupt and abrasive
("makes no sense")? (yes = 10 points)
- Do
you check your ego at the door, striving to preserve the client's voice rather
than rewriting the document in your own words (unless they've specifically
requested this)? (yes = 10 points)
- Do
you offer your clients positive feedback on what they've done well,
as well as fixing their errors? (yes = 10 points)
- If
unforeseen issues surface in a manuscript (heavier editing or reorganizing needed,
suspected plagiarism, etc.), do
you consult with the client first rather than trying to fix the
problem on your own? (yes = 10 points)
- Does
your editing reflect an understanding of modern technology?
For instance, do you mark just the first instance of an error to be a global
change, rather than mark each individual instance? (yes = 10 points)
[The Finished Product]
- Do
you deliver the completed work to the client on time? (yes = 10 points)
- Do
you deliver the completed work in good condition? That is, if
it is a hard copy, is it free of stains, noxious odors (i.e., cigarette
smoke or strong perfume), and excessive creases? If it is an electronic document, is it appropriately
cleaned up and in the format the client
requested? (yes = 10 points)
- Do
you include a professionally compiled style sheet with the
completed work?
(yes = 10 points)
[Professional Ethics and Conduct]
- Do
you have the skills, knowledge, and experience that you represent
yourself as having? (yes = 10 points)
- If
another editor refers work to you, do you thank him or her promptly,
regardless of whether you end up
taking the job? (yes = 10 points)
- Do
you engage clients in conversations about personal, political, or other
inappropriate non-business matters? (yes = subtract 10 points)
- Do
you engage in any sort of harassment or
discrimination? (yes = subtract 20 points)
What your score means
130: You're a great editor; clients should be
flocking your way!
110-120: Keep up the good work!
70-100: You have a
few areas in which to improve--especially if you're not getting as much work as you'd
like.
0-60: Please study the wisdom of the experienced editors and writers who've
spoken to the Guild. Here are a few to start with: 1 2
3 4
Negative score: Editing is probably not the right career for you!
Check out our companion quiz: "Are
You a Good Client?"
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