The skills to be a great court reporter go beyond having fast fingers and the ability to learn the steno machine. Though these are critical skills, there are other characteristics that make for a great court reporter. If you’re currently a court reporting student or thinking of venturing into the field, these skills will help you excel in the court reporting world!
Time Management
If you work for a court reporting agency, like Susan Frye Court Reporting, your schedule is unstructured and relies heavily on you to build out your day-to-day work. Some days you might be working from home preparing transcripts, and other days may be spent in depositions or hearings. While a benefit of the job is flexibility, it does require time management to stick to your own schedule!
Attention to Detail
The success of a transcript hinges on all the tiny details. We are not ‘big picture’ people. Court reporting requires meticulous work to ensure that there are no errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or accuracy. If the thought of pouring over a transcript and proofreading gives you a headache, this might not be your choice of career!
Professionalism
There are many skills and values that fall under professionalism. Being punctual, courteous, and always representing the agency is important when going to depositions or hearings. The timeliness of work and always being reliable for clients is also important. Knowing when to engage in small talk with a client or witness and when not to is important as well.
Confidentiality and Neutrality
We are in the legal field. We encounter a lot of confidential and sensitive information. Part of our role is to keep this confidential and secure. Another important factor is remaining neutral. While you may not agree with what is being said during a hearing or deposition, it is your job to record what is being said--not to give your opinion.
Diligent
Learning the skills to be a court reporter, especially using a steno machine, requires diligent practice and dedication. Successful court reporters spent many hours during their school practicing their skills. This doesn’t stop once you get into the field. It’s important to keep up on the latest technology available to court reporters.
