Editors spend their time running their eyes over text looking for errors and changes that can be made to better enhance the material. It's so important that they have patience and pay attention to every detail. It takes a lot of focus and time to be able to read a document through an Editor's eyes and to make it publishable. They need to have a good sense of the language and should be knowledgeable and updated on current affairs. This makes their job easier if they already know a bit about what they are reading. Editors do not need to know every rule about grammar, punctuation or spelling, but they do need to know how to use the resources that will help them make those decisions.

An English or Journalism degree is recommended, but not mandatory, to get into the publishing world as an Editor. A master’s degree is also something you may consider. Like many careers, editing is something that is learned on the job. Starting at an entry-level position and learning the job by doing the job, is the best way to move up in a publishing house.