When looking to hire a court reporter to work on your case, one of the most important things you’ll probably be looking for, besides academic qualifications, is work experience.
As with other professions, the kind of experience that a court reporter has under their belt can make all the difference in how well they do their job.
So, how much experience should you look for in a court reporter you’re seeking to hire? The truth is that a court reporter should have no set amount of knowledge to be considered competent at their job. Many freshly-minted court reporters excel at their role as much, if not more than some court reporters who’ve been in the industry for years.
Therefore, when vetting court reporters for a job, it might be more prudent to factor in the pros and cons of hiring candidates with varying amounts of experience. Here is a general overview of the benefits and downsides of hiring court reporters with different levels of expertise:
Recent Graduates
Individuals who have just received certification typically have a thirst for gaining work experience and climbing up the career ladder.
For this reason, they are more likely to agree to stay past their working hours and adjust to last-minute schedule changes compared to their older counterparts.
Moreover, recently graduated court reporters are more energetic, less prone to burnout, and have up-to-date training on the latest technologies and trends.
New Reporters
Hiring a court reporter with little experience in the industry often means they have fewer cases to juggle compared to a seasoned court reporter. As a result, you are more likely to have your transcripts delivered on time.
Many young court reporters are also eager to learn the ropes and build a reputation. They, therefore, come with a teachable and cooperative mindset.
Seasoned Reporters
When working on a case that centers around technical information, it’s best to hire a seasoned court reporter with extensive work experience who specializes in your kind of case.
Court reporters can specialize in many areas, including insurance terminologies, medical language, patent law, and other subjects that contribute significantly to your case.
Certified Reporters
It’s not uncommon for experienced court reporters to seek additional certifications beyond the basic skills required for their role in the courtroom.
This allows them to expand their skill set and become more competent in various situations compared to reporters who only have transcription skills.
For instance, notary public reporters have the skills and certifications needed for real-time reporting. In addition, they know how to solve technical issues that may arise during a proceeding and can therefore be invaluable during trial preparation.
A Final Word
As you can see, the kind of experience that a court reporter possesses determines what kind of benefits they can offer to a more significant extent. Ultimately, you want to hire someone that you can work with seamlessly.
So, apart from having the right qualifications and experience, you should go for a court reporter with an impeccable work ethic, a strong desire to learn, and a positive attitude.