Most Important 8 Lessons That Are Not Taught in Court Reporting School

By: Colleen Jilio-Ryan | Posted in: court reporting

Court reporting is a job that is always in demand and the better you are at it, the more money you can make.

Here are 8 lessons to explore more deeply that you won’t find in typical manuals or school lectures.

Speak Up and Be Assertive

As a court reporter, you may come across witnesses or attorneys who are speedy talkers or are soft-spoken. Rather than staying silent and endangering the accuracy of the transcript, speak up and be assertive to clarify your doubts whenever necessary. Don’t hesitate to stop a proceeding, if you need clarification on spellings or if you need to ask for repetition to produce an accurate record.

Always Maintain Neutrality

Court reporters are also required to maintain neutrality on cases they are working on. They should simply record what is spoken and should not communicate their views about the case after the testimony hearing is over. The best court reporters treat each party alike, offering similar services at similar rates to all the parties.

Never Stop Learning

Earning a license in court reporting and working as a court reporter for some time shouldn’t stop you from learning further. In order to be a successful court reporter, to have job security, to earn a high salary, and to control your work schedule, you should continuously upgrade your skills. Keep improving your typing speed, listening, writing, and transcription skills.

Be Careful When Wearing a White Suit

The irony of wearing a white suit is that ideally it presents a very clean look, yet white is the easiest material to get dirty. White can look very dirty just from sitting in a dusty room. Dirty looking suits can send the wrong subconscious messages.

Avoid Steno Note Disasters

Never forget where you set your paper steno notes down, which can sometimes wind up in unusual places. Sometimes steno notes can get scattered by accident as disorganization can present plenty of confusion.

Prepare Your Trips

When planning an out of town deposition, it helps to print a copy of the directions if you do not have GPS in your car. The clearer you are on the directions, the more likely you will not get lost or be late for the assignment.

Don’t Carry Too Many Things at Once

When you are transporting equipment, avoid trying to carry too many items at once, especially if you are dealing with expensive equipment. Always take extra care to make sure the equipment is safely transported.

Never Be Late

All court reporters understand that being late is usually a major strike against credibility that could affect future opportunities. Being late to a deposition is not only embarrassing, it causes inconveniences for all parties involved, which becomes hard to forget or forgive.

Court reporters are required to undergo a formal training through an authorized training program. However, it is crucial for them to meet and exceed the training expectations, in order to upgrade their salary and employment options.