Indexer

Introduction

Indexers devise methodical lists that allow users to find information easily in printed and electronic materials such as books, periodicals, technical manuals, databases and websites. They choose words and phrases from the text and organise them in alphabetical order. Indexers use specialist computer software to help them with their work.

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Work Activities

Indexers devise methodical lists that allow users easily to find the information they are looking for in a wide range of printed and electronic materials. They deal mainly with non-fiction books, academic texts, technical manuals, periodicals, reports, CD-ROMS, databases and websites. They select all of the important words and phrases from the text and organise them in alphabetical order. Indexers use specialist computer software to help them with their work.

In the first instance, the work involves studying the whole document in order to gain a comprehensive picture of what it contains, establish what the main topics are and break them down into appropriate sub-sections. The indexer then has to identify all the important words, terms and phrases in the text, to clearly record page references to show where they occur and to put them into alphabetical order. Diagrams, photographs and other illustrations may also be indexed. The indexer also ensures that related topics are clearly cross-referenced.

Overall, the index must be designed and constructed in a way that is clear, concise and methodical. Users should be able to scan the index in order to see what the document deals with, as well as use it to find information on specific topics and to return to sections that they wish to re-read.

Indexers use specialist computer software to assist with the sorting, formatting and printing processes. They usually give publishers disks of completed work that can be input directly into a typesetting system.

Most indexers are self-employed, so they have to build up a list of clients, negotiate fees, keep accounts and generally undertake the tasks required to run a small business. Some indexers combine indexing with other work for publishers, such as copy-editing and proofreading.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You must have a good command of English, together with a high standard of spelling and punctuation.

You must be well-organised, self-disciplined, logical and methodical in your work with a good eye for detail. High standards of accuracy are vital. You must also have excellent powers of concentration.

You must be happy to carry out work that is creative and intellectually demanding and which requires you to be flexible and adaptable in order to meet publishing deadlines.

You must have confidence in your ability and be able to market yourself to, and negotiate effectively with, clients, editors and publishers.

Good general knowledge is important and you may need specialist subject knowledge for indexing specific subjects and working on particular types of text. Good keyboard skills are required.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Recommended rates for experienced indexers are in the range of £18.50 - £30.00 per hour (about £2.00 - £5.00 a page), and some specialists charge more. However, not all achieve these rates.

Some indexers charge a set fee for a book, which may work out more or less than the hourly rate, depending on the complexity of the material and how urgently the work is required.

Most indexers are self-employed, and many work from home. They choose their own hours of work, which may include late finishes and weekend working, especially as deadlines approach.

Publishers or authors mainly employ indexers. Most indexers advertise in directories and contact publishers and authors for work. If you have expertise in subjects such as medicine, law or finance, you may be in greater demand.

Indexers sometimes combine their work with other publishing-related occupations, such as copy-editing.

There is a lot of competition in this area of work.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

People often enter indexing after gaining specialist subject knowledge in another career, for example publishing or librarianship.

Many indexers also have a degree. However, there is strong competition for work in this field.

The Society of Indexers offers a course in indexing by distance learning.

Most indexers work freelance, often from home. The work is often irregular and based on short-term contracts.

• 50% of people in occupations such as indexer are self-employed.
• 35% work part-time.
• 9% have flexible hours.
• 5% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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New Developments

This occupation may involve homeworking.  Find out more about Working from home.