5 Top Secrets to Becoming a Respected Court Reporter

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For every court proceedings, a court reporter must be available. It is their duty to attend court sessions, listen and follow the proceedings carefully and in the end record every spoken word that is worth preserving. Court reporters also create transcripts, edit and make all the necessary corrections before presenting a final copy of the proceedings after every court case.

That said, court reporting is a loved career these days as compared to the gone days where a great majority viewed it as a boring career path. If you have the passion and you would love to be one of the many respected court reporters, (please) read on. Here are 5 top secrets on how to excel in your court reporting career;

  • Understand what your state requires – different states have different requirements when it comes to court reporting. The first step to excelling is to clearly understand the requirements in your state. So, do your research, ask around, and talk to people who have done court reporting (in your area) until you know exactly what is expected of you.

 

  • Enrol in a good program – after you understand what is expected of you, make sure that you find a good program for a strong educational background. As we all know, sharp skills are the tool of trade for personal court reporters. In fact, for most of the careers in the job market, education and skills are a must have and court reporting is no different. So, find a court reporting program that is affordable and above all one that is recognized by the state.

 

  • Save some money for your job equipment – what most people don’t know, court reporting equipment are a bit expensive and unless you have a good budget plan, buying them will be strenuous on your finances. Before you can join a professional setting, come up with a budget for your reporting equipment. In fact, if possible, start saving some money as soon as you enrol in a reporting program.

 

  • Get a license – in as much as there are no set standards of licensing, some states require you to pass your exams before you acquire the necessary credentials and certification. For example, for one to be a certified voice reporter in court, he or she should acquire a certificate of merit and real-time verbatim reporting. So, after your educational program, you will sit for exams and your skills will be put to test before you become fully licensed to operate as a court reporter.

 

  • Apply for an actual a job – congratulations you are almost there. With some skills and a license; you are now ready for the professional set up. Start by looking up some court reporting agencies in your state and apply for a chance to work as a court reporter. In your first job, be the best you can ever be, up your communication skills, be a good listener and always be thirsty for some knowledge in good English grammar.