Indexer
What is the work like?
As an indexer, you would put together indexes for all kinds of documents to help users find the information they need easily. You would work on documents such as books, periodicals, technical manuals, reports and websites.
Your work would typically include:
- studying document to get an overall idea of what they cover
- identifying important words and phrases in the text, noting where they occur and putting them in alphabetical order
- identifying the main topics and breaking them down into sections
- cross-referencing related topics
- organising the index so that information is easy to find
- indexing photographs, diagrams and other illustrations
- using specialist computer software for sorting, formatting and printing.
As you would usually be self-employed, you would also need to find clients, negotiate work and carry out the tasks associated with running a small business, such as keeping accounts.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Although you do not need formal qualifications to become an indexer, you will need a good level of education. Most indexers have a degree-level qualification.
To find out if you would be suited to indexing, you could attend a workshop for beginners run by the Society of Indexers (SI), or complete an online workshop.
You can learn the principles and practice of indexing by doing the SI Training in Indexing distance learning course. The course is made up of four units, each involving about 45 to 50 hours of study. You will need to be a member of the SI to take the formal tests which follow each unit of the course.
When you have successfully completed the tests you will be awarded Accredited Indexer (AI) status, which is recognised by employers as a first stage professional indexing qualification.
The SI course covers advice on setting up as a freelance indexer and finding work. You could also attend SI workshops on working as a freelance indexer and establishing an indexing business.
See the SI website for details of workshops and courses.
Another option would be to complete the Book Indexing Postal Tutorials (BIPT) practical course, which is recognised as a valid qualification by the SI. This involves five tutorials, and you will learn by tackling actual indexes. You can also attend a residential version of the BIPT course. Contact SI or BIPT for more details. Please note: BIPT do not have a website – see below for contact details.
If you want to work in a specialised area you should have in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of the subject. Many indexers take up indexing as a second career, often using experience and knowledge they have developed in other kinds of work.
What further training and development can I do?
If you are employed as an indexer by a publishing house or similar organisation, you may receive training from your employer.
As an experienced indexer and a member of the Society of Indexers (SI). You can take the tests leading to Accredited Indexer status without doing an SI course. You could then complete an assessment process for the SI second stage professional qualification, Fellowship of the SI.
You can also attend SI workshops and seminars throughout the UK. These are suitable for beginners and more experienced indexers.
Joining the SI would give you the opportunity to network and learn from other indexers at local and special interest groups.
Contact BIPT for details of their residential weekends covering indexing by computer. Please note: BIPT do not have a website – see below for contact details.
Where can I go for more information?
Tel: 08080 300 900 (England and Northern Ireland)Tel: 0808 100 8094 (Scotland)
Tel: 08000 121 815 (Wales)
Tel: 07708 571548
Email: alanindex@tiscali.co.uk Focus Point
21 Caledonian Road
London
N1 9GB
10 Jessell Street
Sheffield
S9 3HY
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Indexers negotiate their own fees for each job. They might charge by the hour, by the page or offer a flat fee for the whole job.
The Society of Indexers (SI) recommends that rates for a straightforward text should start at £19.50 an hour (from April 2008). Experienced indexers working on specialised texts will normally charge more for more complex work or very tight deadlines. See the SI website for more information.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
As you would usually be self-employed, you would choose your own working hours. However, the need to meet deadlines for completing work may mean working long hours, including evenings and weekends.
You would usually work from home.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- a logical, methodical approach
- very high standards of accuracy
- good general knowledge and some specialist knowledge for indexing particular subjects
- a good command of English, with accurate spelling and punctuation
- keyboard skills and access to a computer
- good concentration
- the ability to work quickly and to tight deadlines
- self-discipline to organise your work, especially if you work at home.
What opportunities are there?
You would usually be self-employed and be commissioned to prepare single indexes. You could combine indexing with other areas such as proofreading and copywriting.
You would need to sell your services to publishers, authors, libraries, commercial companies and public bodies, so being able to market your skills is important. It may take some time to build up enough work to be able to rely on indexing as a main source of income.
As a qualified indexer you are entitled to an entry in the Society of Indexers (SI) annual directory, which is distributed to major publishers and other organisations, and also published on the SI website.
You are likely to have more chance of gaining contracts if you have specialised knowledge, particularly in law, medicine or technology.
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