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What does a reader do?

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
What does a reader do

The duties of a reader depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In the electric power industry, they are responsible for reading meters using tools and equipment to determine a household or establishment's utility bill. On the other hand, in publishing companies, a reader is in charge of proofreading written materials to prepare them for publishing procedures. Furthermore, there are instances when a reader may work at learning institutions and other private offices, providing clerical support tasks such as preparing and processing documents, reviewing files, and producing progress reports as needed.

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Reader responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real reader resumes:

  • Operate G5 hand-held computer or similar device for work.
  • Read and score achievement tests for numerous states, using DRC create rubrics.
  • Train on computer and the ITRON system.
  • Read and score MEAP essays for Michigan 5th graders
  • Supervise various levels of hundreds of scoring personnel across multiple scoring sites.
  • Read gas and electric meters for houses businesses and schools that have contracts with Entergy.
  • Operate metal detectors to locate cover water meters, meter probes, shovels and various non-powered hand tools.
  • Evaluate documentation relate to MEAP.
  • Read and edit literature submit for publication.
  • Read and service electrical meter for entergy company
  • Collaborate with other fiction readers and discuss submissions for journal
  • Collaborate with readers and editorial staff selecting fiction submissions for publication
  • Grade student exams and research papers for course in medieval Scandinavian literature in translation
  • Read and service electrical meter for entergy company

Reader skills and personality traits

We calculated that 18% of Readers are proficient in Windows, Language Arts, and Computer Screens. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Integrity, and Math skills.

We break down the percentage of Readers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Windows, 18%

    Work with all windows programs.

  • Language Arts, 10%

    Performed project-based scoring of English language arts essays, open-ended test items and performance assessments.

  • Computer Screens, 9%

    Read information from a computer screen and input data simultaneously into database.

  • Social Studies, 8%

    Evaluate student responses in various subject areas (reading, math, science, social studies, etc.)

  • Student Responses, 6%

    Evaluate open-ended student responses to elementary & secondary test questions.

  • Fiction, 6%

    Read and critically assessed 60 fiction submissions monthly at a national award-winning literary magazine.

Most readers use their skills in "windows," "language arts," and "computer screens" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential reader responsibilities here:

Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a reader to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks are responsible for producing accurate financial records." Readers often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "read and evaluated manuscripts in literary fiction and mystery/thriller genres; wrotereports detailing characterization, plot, marketability, and strengths/weaknesses. "

Integrity. Another essential skill to perform reader duties is integrity. Readers responsibilities require that "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks have control of an organization’s financial documentation, which they must use properly and keep confidential." Readers also use integrity in their role according to a real resume snippet: "water leaks, gas leaks or potential damage to the integrity of the electrical system. "

Math skills. readers are also known for math skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to reader responsibilities, because "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks deal with numbers daily and should be comfortable with basic arithmetic." A reader resume example shows how math skills is used in the workplace: "scored student performance assessments in the subjects of math and language arts for various grade levels. "

Computer skills. reader responsibilities often require "computer skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks need to be comfortable using computer spreadsheets and bookkeeping software." This resume example shows what readers do with computer skills on a typical day: "assisted co-workers and fixed computer problems.translated test responses from spanish to english. "

All reader skills

The three companies that hire the most readers are:

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Compare different readers

Reader vs. Water service inspector

A meter technician is in charge of installing and maintaining electric meters that measure the electricity consumption of houses and establishments. Part of their job is to travel to different sites and conduct prior assessments before installation, liaise with property owners or representatives, and maintain records of transactions. They may also handle and investigate issues, respond to high bill complaints, inspect systems to identify any damages, troubleshoot problems, and perform repairs or replacements as necessary.

If we compare the average reader annual salary with that of a water service inspector, we find that water service inspectors typically earn a $8,461 lower salary than readers make annually.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, reader responsibilities require skills like "windows," "language arts," "content organization," and "computer screens." Meanwhile a typical water service inspector has skills in areas such as "meter boxes," "water services," "billing inquiries," and "hand-held computer." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

On average, water service inspectors reach similar levels of education than readers. Water service inspectors are 4.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 2.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Reader vs. Meter technician

Meter technician positions earn lower pay than reader roles. They earn a $9,389 lower salary than readers per year.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real reader resumes. While reader responsibilities can utilize skills like "language arts," "content organization," "computer screens," and "social studies," meter technicians use skills like "water meters," "gas meters," "troubleshoot," and "safety procedures."

In general, meter technicians achieve lower levels of education than readers. They're 13.0% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 2.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Reader vs. Meter readers supervisor

An average meter readers supervisor eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of readers. The difference in salaries amounts to meter readers supervisors earning a $9,290 higher average salary than readers.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, readers are more likely to have skills like "windows," "language arts," "content organization," and "computer screens." But a meter readers supervisor is more likely to have skills like "water meters," "customer complaints," "meter boxes," and "meter readers."

Meter readers supervisors typically earn similar educational levels compared to readers. Specifically, they're 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Reader vs. Electric meter reader

Electric meter readers typically earn lower pay than readers. On average, electric meter readers earn a $2,652 lower salary per year.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "windows," "language arts," "content organization," and "computer screens" are skills that commonly show up on reader resumes. On the other hand, electric meter readers use skills like customer service, meter readings, motor vehicle, and billing purposes on their resumes.In general, electric meter readers hold lower degree levels compared to readers. Electric meter readers are 14.0% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of reader

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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