Being a professional English language editor is a specialist job! One really needs to know the inner workings of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. But good editing is so much more – it requires careful consideration of style and tone. It requires knowing what the reader wants and responding to that in the best possible manner using the best possible selection of words. We recently interviewed our South African-based editor at WordWorx. Below, Janine tells us about how she got started in the field and provides tips for those looking to perfect their CVs and cover letters:
You have worked as a professional English language editor for many years. How did you get into this field exactly? Tell us a bit about your background.
I consider myself lucky to be working as an English editor. I have always enjoyed reading and writing, getting to grips with language, tone, register, vocabulary, and punctuation. Good written communication is a powerful tool. After I graduated with a Master’s in English Literature, I took several courses on editing and proofreading.
Why is professional editing a crucial service for those wanting to apply for jobs in the Netherlands or anywhere for that matter?
Your CV and cover letter are essentially the first impression you make on a prospective employer. You must prove you have an excellent command of the English language and that you position yourself well in relation to the job. Poor grammar, bad layout, and unnecessary mistakes may mean you don’t even get an interview!
What are your five main tips when it comes to ensuring you have a top-notch CV and cover letter?
- Be confident – this is your opportunity to impress a prospective employer. Mention your qualifications, achievements, experience, accomplishments, and what it is you would like to gain from the job opportunity. You need to sell yourself.
- Be truthful – you must be 100% honest in your CV and cover letter. Don’t make things up or pretend to have experience or qualifications which you don’t have. This can get you into serious trouble if your (prospective) employer finds out. Recruiters may also refuse to help you, and your reputation will be damaged.
- Be brief – the purpose of your CV and cover letter is to get you an interview and NOT the job. You don’t have to list absolutely everything in detail. Stick to the highlights and sell yourself by emphasising the experience, qualifications, and skills which are most applicable to the prospective job. The person who is recruiting needs to be intrigued by your CV, and you want them to be eager to meet you.
- Be critical – consider your strengths and weaknesses so that you know what to emphasise. A basic personal SWOT analysis may be useful and can guide you when you structure your cover letter.
- Be attractive – your CV and cover letter need to stand out from possibly hundreds of applications. The documents need to be well-designed, clearly laid out, and easy to read.
Are there any important things to know when it comes to writing a cover letter and CV to apply for jobs in the Netherlands specifically? Do the Dutch do things differently on the job application front?
In general, the Dutch like two-page CVs and one-page cover letters. Short is sweet as far as writing is concerned. Experience counts and is often more important than education, so list your experience first in your CV.
Use clear and simple language – the Dutch don’t like very flowery or over-the-top language. They also don’t like overly polite and formal language and being too familiar or informal is frowned upon too. Your language must be clear, accessible, and to the point.
Lastly, be authentic when selling yourself — the Dutch don’t like boasting. Rather, indicate a professional challenge. The Dutch appreciate and respect this, as they can see you want to grow professionally.
As a professional English language editor, you’ve seen a lot of different writing styles. What are some of the biggest mistakes people can make when it comes to writing a CV and cover letter?
The biggest mistakes are documents that are too long and have many grammar or spelling mistakes. These give the impression that you are unprofessional, don’t engage critically with tasks, and don’t take pride in your work.
How can people get your advice or get you to take a look at their professional documents?
Contact WordWorx via email: info@elizabethjoss.com and attach a sample of your document. Elizabeth Joss, owner, will get back to you within one day with a quote.