“I just want to make sure you’re the right fit.”

When you’re looking to hire a dissertation editor, there can be so much to consider. Does the editor have experience with APA 7 (or other style guides) and adhering to university/departmental dissertation guidelines? What is their rate? How many rounds of edits do they offer and can you ask follow-up questions after the final edits are delivered? What level of editing do they provide? What is their familiarity with your dissertation topic? Can they meet your deadline?

During a recent consultation call, a student asked me a number of the questions above before he told me, “I just want to make sure you’re the right fit.” I appreciated that statement, and I encourage anyone who is thinking about/or in the process of hiring a dissertation editor to take that same approach. Here are some things to consider to help you determine if a dissertation editor is going to be the right fit for you:

• Does the dissertation editor show true interest in your research, your topic, and your success, or are they more interested in discussing their rate and the various payment methods they accept?

• Does the editor communicate well and do they explain their process clearly and with confidence?

• Does the editor seem reliable? For example, are they prompt at responding to your emails? Do they call you when they say they’re going to? Do they send a quote/contract when they say they’re going to?

• Is the dissertation editor asking you questions and ensuring the partnership is also a good fit for them?

At first glance, a dissertation editor may seem like the perfect fit, but by asking the right questions and paying attention to how they interact with you, you might come to a much different conclusion.