You could study for a degree at university to give yourself a strong foundation to build upon. Relevant subjects include:

• English
• information management
• library studies
• data asset management
• publishing

Other subjects may also be acceptable to employers.

If you want to work in a specialist area, for example science or law, you'll usually need a degree or postgraduate qualification in that field to gain the in-depth subject knowledge required for indexing.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

You may be able to apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

• Information and Archive Services Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Publishing Professional Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

This could help you find a trainee position with an organisation. Once working, you could take further training in indexing.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

You can apply directly for jobs. Many indexers have a higher education qualification like a degree, although this is not always essential.

Often, indexers start this work as a second career, using the experience and in-depth knowledge they've built up from their main area of work.

A background in publishing, data management or editorial work can be useful.

You can do a training course with the Society of Indexers by distance learning. This is a combination of online tutorials, assignments and assessments and includes:

• indexing terminology
• cross-referencing
• indexing books, periodicals and websites
• computerised search systems

When you've successfully completed the course you'll be awarded accredited indexer status, which is recognised by employers as a first stage towards becoming a professional indexer.

You'll need:

• knowledge of English language
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• to be flexible and open to change
• administration skills
• the ability to work well with others
• excellent verbal communication skills
• a good memory
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

As an indexer, you could:

• study documents to get an understanding of what they include
• identify important words and phrases in the text and record where they occur
• identify the main topics and break them down into sections
• cross-reference related topics
• organise indexes into a logical order so that information is easy to find
• index photographs, films, diagrams and illustrations
• use specialist computer software for sorting, formatting and printing
• handle large volumes of digital information, for instance when working with databases and websites

You could work from home or in an office.