Editors plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

  • Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
  • Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
  • Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication.
  • Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
  • Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.
  • Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.
  • Write text, such as stories, articles, editorials, or newsletters.
  • Supervise and coordinate work of reporters and other editors.
  • Confer with management and editorial staff members regarding placement and emphasis of developing news stories.
  • Plan the contents of publications according to the publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements.
  • Review and approve proofs submitted by composing room prior to publication production.
  • Assign topics, events and stories to individual writers or reporters for coverage.
  • Meet frequently with artists, typesetters, layout personnel, marketing directors, and production managers to discuss projects and resolve problems.
  • Monitor news-gathering operations to ensure utilization of all news sources, such as press releases, telephone contacts, radio, television, wire services, and other reporters.
  • Select local, state, national, and international news items received from wire services, based on assessment of items' significance and interest value.
  • Allocate print space for story text, photos, and illustrations according to space parameters and copy significance, using knowledge of layout principles.
  • Make manuscript acceptance or revision recommendations to the publisher.
  • Direct the policies and departments of newspapers, magazines and other publishing establishments.
  • Arrange for copyright permissions.
  • Interview and hire writers and reporters or negotiate contracts, royalties, and payments for authors or freelancers.
  • Read material to determine index items and arrange them alphabetically or topically, indicating page or chapter location.
Work Context
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 95% responded "Every day".
  • Electronic Mail — 91% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 83% responded "Every day".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 68% responded "Extremely important".
  • Time Pressure — 67% responded "Every day".
  • Contact With Others — 60% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Telephone — 63% responded "Every day".
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Work Activities
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Edit written materials.
  • Edit written materials.
  • Design layouts for print publications.
  • Design layouts for print publications.
  • Verify accuracy of data.
  • Edit written materials.
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Knowledge

English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Communications and Media
  • Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Administration and Management
  • Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
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Skills

Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing
  • Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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Abilities

Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Video creation and editing software
  • YouTube Hot Technology
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects Hot Technology
  • Avid Technology Media Composer
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
Web page creation and editing software
  • LinkedIn Hot Technology
  • Facebook Hot Technology
  • Social media sites Hot Technology
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Web content management system CMS software
  • WordPress
  • HP Autonomy TeamSite
  • CCI Newsgate
Enterprise application integration software
  • Extensible markup language XML Hot Technology
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