Indexing requires no qualifications, although most indexers have at least one university degree, as well as experience in a variety of jobs. Indexing is such an unknown occupation, that it is something most of us have fallen into by chance. We consider ourselves fortunate to have discovered work which is ideally suited to our temperaments. Indexers' backgrounds, and related fields of work Indexers learn about the work through librarianship, through publishing, or through friends and family. Just as indexers often come to the field from librarianship and publishing, so might they discover other fields while working as indexers There is some movement from indexing to copy-editing and proofreading, and I know of one indexer who is also a bibliographer.
Indexers also discuss the possibilities involved in the indexing of the Internet.
The indexing process Indexers work with books, periodicals, databases, pictures, or business records. The skills of subject analysis, description of topics, and classification are broadly applicable. Book indexing The indexing process starts when the editor or author of the book telephones the indexer to discuss a book index which is needed. Ideally a contract or letter of agreement is signed at this stage. The indexer then goes through the page proofs highlighting key words and context words in the text, and may make notes of synonyms and other features of the terminology to be used.