Writers Worth: This Job, Not That Job

Happy Veterans Day to all who have served. We appreciate you.

It must be the time of year for weirdness. Paula Hendrickson sent me a job listing that was pretty awful. It was going to be today’s post. However, as bad as the one she sent was, this one was so, so much worse.

Time once more for This Job, Not That Job.

Proofreading

Company (name removed) provides publishing services for businesses and individuals. As a proofreader, you can choose which assignment you want. Your role will be closer to a copyeditor because you will be expected to submit a polished version of the project, not just mark things to be corrected. 

Rate: $0.02 per word

Okay, let’s unpack this one.

It’s a proofreading job, which yes, does pay somewhat less than editing. However, not that much.

Particularly when you get to this line:

Your role will be closer to a copyeditor because you will be expected to submit a polished version of the project, not just mark things to be corrected.

For two cents a word. So if you’re copyediting (let’s call it was it really is) a 2,000-word document, which could take you a few hours, depending on the quality of the writing, you’re getting:

Forty bucks.

For two hours of work.

I hear Lowe’s is hiring.

This is a high-level job masquerading as a proofreading job. It also smacks a little bit of rewriting original content and repackaging, but I can’t really say for sure. There’s just something a little unsettling about the requirement to “polish” the proofed document.

DRAFT Magazine

National magazine all about beer. Focus on beer, brewery news, trends and other industry topics. Also accepts sports, food, travel and other topics.

Rate: 80 cents per word

My word — look how much more your time is worth just finding a different avenue other than that job posting. Know what? It took me exactly three extra minutes to find a job that increases your gross pay from $40 to $1,600.

Writers, what job listings have you seen lately that left you shaking your head?