Where a fact checker can go next
5 destinations recorded, ranked by how much of the target role a fact checker already meets. The closer to the top of Table 1, the less there is to learn.
Fact checkers make certain that all the information in texts that are ready for publishing is correct. They research the facts thoroughly and correct errors.
Also known as copy editor/fact checker, journalist/fact checker, fact-checker, editor/fact checker, writer/fact checker, researcher/fact checker, assistant editor.
Professionals 18 skills on file 5 career moves 0 above 60% overlap Closest: magazine editor, 25%
- 70% and above · short step
- 50 to 70% · real move
- Below 50% · substantial retraining
Table 1 · A bigger jump
Possible, but expect real retraining rather than a sideways step.
Table 2 · What the job itself asks for
A fact checker needs 10 required skills and areas of knowledge. They say the most about the work.
- search engines social sciences, journalism and information
- review unpublished articles information skills
- perform background research on writing subject information skills
- read manuscripts information skills
- search databases working with computers
- proofread text communication, collaboration and creativity
- consult information sources information skills
- communicate by telephone communication, collaboration and creativity
- scientific research methodology education
- develop professional network communication, collaboration and creativity
Table 3 · Jobs that lead here
The reverse view: occupations whose skills already cover much of what a fact checker does. The figure is how much of this job each one brings.
- journalist 58% covered · difficulty 37.9
- book editor 40% covered · difficulty 53.1
- copy editor 40% covered · difficulty 52.5
- presenter 40% covered · difficulty 53.7
- lexicographer 37% covered · difficulty 55.4
- editorial assistant 34% covered · difficulty 57
- genealogist 29% covered · difficulty 61.7
- proofreader 29% covered · difficulty 61.2
Look up another occupation
Fact checker is filed under Professionals, ISCO major group 2. The full index lists all ten groups.
How these figures were compiled
Overlap is how much of the target role is already part of a fact checker’s work. It is directional: the figure for the reverse move differs. Every entry above opens the full comparison for that move: what carries over, what is missing, and where to start. The full method.