Absolute Proof

Expert Proofreading You Can Trust

Hello!

I’m Jean

My parents instilled in me a love of books and reading at a very young age. They also encouraged my appreciation of proper grammar and punctuation. I have often corrected other people’s communications and publications; however, I learned not to disclose their mistakes unless they ask. My honest work ethic and positive “can-do” attitude have allowed me to succeed in my career.

I spent many years working for large corporate insurance companies; where my attention to detail, project management, and broad system knowledge was utilized. I became the “go-to” person to ensure projects were completed accurately and on time. In addition to creating and publishing reference documents on the company’s intranet site, I reviewed contract documentation for accuracy and formatting.

After leaving the corporate world, I started a nationwide truck driver recruiting agency with my husband. Meticulous attention to detail, organization, and communication skills resulted in the growth of our business from one company to forty companies in the first year. There was a strong appetite from companies such as Ruan, Schneider, and Coal City Cob, who recognized the quality and reliability we delivered.

The last ten years have been spent in education, mainly working with special needs students. This experience has further honed my skill set, merging my analytical attributes with the ability to creatively adapt my style to meet the ever-changing needs of my students and their daily educational goals.

My strong communication and research skills result in quick evaluation of problems, assessment of alternatives, and development of solutions to meet the customer’s needs. My dependability and self-motivation, combined with my technical, educational, and creative background, allow me to quickly adapt to change to obtain the desired results and meet deadlines.

When I am not working, I spend time reading or tinkering with various hobbies. I also enjoy time with my family, outdoor sports, riding motorcycles, traveling, playing my keyboard, or dabbling in art.

Editing Services

Several options of software and reference guides are available for your individual proofreading needs. Software options include Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Adobe Acrobat, and i-Annotate. All suggested changes and concerns will be marked within your text using Track Changes and Comments.

Your reference sources include style guides, such as: The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS), the AP Stylebook (APA), or your personal style sheet. In addition, various dictionaries, such as the Merriam-Webster Collegiate and Cambridge, may also be referenced during the review. The content will be returned to you with all areas of concern marked for your final approval.

What Others Have to Say

“As a member of my Advanced Reader Team, Jean's been a huge asset--she helps to make my books the best they can be. Her attention to detail and professionalism are second to none. She often finds things that other proofreaders miss. Hire this woman, stat!”

DV Berkom, USA Today Bestselling Author

“Jean was a helping hand in my first self-published book. She really took the time to read through it, ask questions, paid close attention to detail and really followed a strict set of guidelines when proofreading and offering suggestions. Her ability to offer creative alternatives for sentences/words helped me a lot. Although there was no deadline for this book, I feel that if I were in need of a proofreader for a specific deadline, Jean would be able to complete her tasks ahead of the deadline. The suggested changes are still under review, but I appreciate the time she took to review the book and offer her feedback. Her feedback on the book itself was honest and thorough. I will definitely be using her services for future books I plan to publish.”

Renai Deragon, Braillist/Writer

“I have had the opportunity to work with Jean Durbin for 4+ years. She has a great work ethic and is a very hardworking person. She knows a lot about technology, is very organized, punctual, and committed to meeting all her goals. Jean Durbin is great with various technology programs and her work is a good reflection of her knowledge.”

Raiza Salas-Soto, teacher

“Jean is very prompt when it comes to deadlines. She is fantastic with a multitude of computer systems, attentive to details, and very organized. She works well with others and is a great team player.”

Alicia Carter, teacher