Have you ever considered becoming a certified court reporter?
Court reporting is a very important job. People that work in this field know that court reporting is actually a demanding career path. Not only do reporters need proper training and certification, they also must cultivate traits that will help them succeed in the field.
If you want to do well as a court reporter, cultivating certain skills and having certain qualities will go a long way towards giving you a future in this career.
These include arriving places early, or being organized, having things set out the night before. Today we are talking about the top skills, traits, and more that successful court reporters have, choose to be, etc.
If you are considering being a court reporter, already are, or want to learn more, read on and find out all about it!
Being on time
When we say being on time, we really mean being early! You know that saying that ‘being early is being on time and being on time is late’. Well, that is especially true for the field of court reporting. The courts depend on a court reporter to start and you need to make sure that you are there on time (which means early). Showing up late or even exactly on time is not going to help you build a desirable reputation in the field, which could impact how in-demand you are as a reporter.
The ability to maintain confidentiality
Good court reporters are able to leave the information that they hear or process at work behind when they leave for the day. They have no urge to gossip or cross professional boundaries, or if they do, they are able to control it. Sensitive and confidential information must stay in the courts. Understanding this and respecting this is a must.
Staying committed to reporting instead of getting invested
Reporters have a duty to do their jobs. Even though they are hearing everything, it is not their job to have an opinion or react. That is counter-productive to the task at hand, which is reporting what is spoken. They must be fair and neutral, not siding with any party over the other, and transcribing what is said and done.
Always being professional
It’s very important to always dress, behave, and interact with others in a professional manner. It’s also just as important to be polite (part of being professional) and use good business etiquette. Being professional is treating all with respect, introducing people who have not met, being on time, being put together, prepared with equipment and ready to start the day. The best court reporters are professional, almost to a fault.
A quick and accurate proofreader
Proofreading your transcript accurately and quickly will allow you to see potential errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar. You can fix them then so the final result is flawless and totally legible.
Knowing when to speak up
Reporters often must speak up when they have missed something or have not heard a word or sentence clearly. While reporters are often silent, this does not mean that they are required to be passive. Reporters must be assertive when they need to be and focused on transcribing when they need to be too. Good court reporters know to stop a proceeding to make a request for spelling, clarification, or louder volume, to name a few examples.
Organizational efforts and good time management
If you try to be organized, you can get there. In any field, being organized can be helpful. Since many reporters are independent or freelance workers, being organized is essential. They have to have everything in the right place and ready to go, including themselves. Good time management skills will also be a requirement when it comes to the job too.
A commitment to excellence
The best court reporters know that they must try to do their best every day. The only job that matters is the one in front of them– all other jobs are in the past. This can include going for higher levels of certification in shorthand to working on their organization or preparation skills.
At the end of the day, every bit of effort that you put into getting better or being your best in the field will pay off. If you’re considering becoming a court reporter, these are the habits, traits, and skills you want to cultivate. If you can do that and have a hard-working attitude, you will be setting yourself up for success every day.