Would You Make a Good Editor?

This Quiz Can Help You Find Out

By Dawn Rosenberg McKay

Updated February 06, 2018

1. You're watching a show and like an actor's performance. What do you do?

Nothing.
I hope to see him in something else.
I look at the program and write down his name so I can look him up online later.
I ask my friend if she ever heard of him.

Correct Wrong

2. You're a great cook, and you're invited to a potluck. What do you bring?

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I bring chips and dip.
I make a recipe I find in a cookbook.
I bring something I've made many times before.
I come up with a recipe I think everyone will love.

Correct Wrong

3. You have to proofread an article for a magazine. How does it go?

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Wow. There were a lot of typos but I manage to catch them all.
It doesn't go very well. The article gets published with a lot of errors.
It goes okay but there is one glaring error I don't catch.
I give the article to my assistant. I'm a terrible proofreader.

Correct Wrong

4. Your teacher assigns a term paper. You ...

... look forward to getting started. I like writing papers.
... study really hard for the next test because I expect to do poorly on the paper.
... drop the class.
... start my paper soon because I know it will take forever to complete.

Correct Wrong

5. Your cousin Kim wants to tell you all about her new job. What do you do?

I listen to her but check email on my phone a few times.
I excuse myself to go talk to cousin Tim.
I listen to her entire story.
I listen for a bit and then interrupt her to talk about my job.

Correct Wrong

6. Your coffee machine breaks so you call customer service. What happens?

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You don't know how to explain what's wrong with it to the customer service rep.
You explain the problem to the customer service rep and she is able to help you.
You explain the problem to customer service but they ask a lot of questions.
You explain the problem to customer service but they have trouble understanding.

Correct Wrong

7. How would you feel if you had to use computers to do your job?

Correct Wrong

8. Do friends turn to you to help them resolve arguments?

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Never.
Often.
Occasionally.
Always.

Correct Wrong

9. Do you have, or will you earn, a bachelor's in English, communication, or journalism?

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I have one or would be willing to earn that degree.
I have or would be interested in getting an associate degree in those subjects.
No. I have no interest in getting a degree.
I want, or I have, a bachelor's degree but not in those subjects.

Correct Wrong

10. What is the lowest compensation that would be acceptable to you?

$56,010
$75,640
$97,674
$118,414

Correct Wrong

Would You Make a Good Editor?

You got: Don't Become an Editor

Based on your answers to the questions on this quiz, you are missing most of the qualities you need to succeed as an editor. The salary may be a bit lower than you would like and you may not be willing to fulfill the educational requirements.

Editors must be curious, creative and detail oriented. They need strong writing, interpersonal, listening and speaking skills and must be comfortable using computers to do their job.

Editors usually need a bachelor's degree in English, journalism or communication. They earn a median annual salary of $56,010.

Find a career that makes good use of your strengths. This will allow you to have a successful career that makes you happy.

Would You Make a Good Editor?

You got: Editor Probably Isn't a Good Career Choice

This quiz looked at whether you have the soft skills that will allow you to succeed as an editor. According to your answers, you have a few, but not enough, of the qualities editors need. In addition, you may be unwilling to fulfill the educational requirements that will allow you to get a job and the compensation for this occupation may be a bit lower than you would like.

Editors need strong writing, interpersonal, listening and speaking skills. They must be curious, creative and detail oriented and comfortable using computers to do their job.

Editors typically need a bachelor's degree in English, journalism or communication. Their median annual salary is $56,010.

Keep looking for a career that is a better fit for someone with your strengths. It will increase your chance of succeeding.

Would You Make a Good Editor?

You got: You Might Make a Good Editor

According to your answers to the questions on this quiz, you have most of the soft skills you need to be a successful editor, but not all of them. You may not want to fulfill all the educational requirements and the salary may be unacceptable to you.

Editors must be good writers, listeners and speakers. They need strong interpersonal skills and must be curious, creative and detail oriented. They should be comfortable using computers to do their job.

Editors usually need a bachelor's degree in English, journalism or communication. Their median annual salary is $56,010.

Before you move forward, learn about being an editor. Read job descriptions and conduct informational interviews with people who work in this field.

Would You Make a Good Editor?

You got: You Were Born to Be an Editor

Congratulations! You made a great choice. Your answers to the questions on this quiz show you have all, or almost all, of the qualities successful editors need.

Editors must be curious, creative and detail oriented. They need excellent listening and speaking skills and should be comfortable using computers to do their job. They need good interpersonal and writing skills.

Editors usually need a bachelor's degree in English, journalism or communication. They earn a median annual salary of $56,010.

Although the results of this quiz indicate this is a good career choice, learn more about it before you make a final decision. Look at job descriptions and do informational interviews with people who work in this field.