How to Get A Job As A Court Reporter

Only about one third of all Court Reporters actually work in courts. Court Reporters are in demand anywhere that accurate records of the spoken word need to be documented. They are employed in lawyers offices, public buildings, government agencies, and private businesses. Hours worked depend on the location and the demands of the employer. Many court reporters freelance.

Instructions

1. Cultivate the specific characteristics needed for the job. To be a successful court reporter, you need to be well-organized, able to sit and focus for long periods of time, have excellent listening skills, and an excellent command of the English language. Your spelling and grammar must be exemplary. Your hearing must be perfect and you must enunciate clearly. You must have a high degree of integrity.

2. Prepare early. If you are still in High School, try to get some volunteer experience. Inquire in City Hall or any area where Court Reporters may be used. Ask questions and show an interest. See if you can find a Court Reporter who will appreciate you interest and show you exactly what the job entails. Get involved in public speaking. Hone your English language and computer skills. Speed and accuracy are essential.

3. Understand the job. Court Reporters make detailed, accurate records of the spoken word and, in some instances, accompanying gestures. They may record depositions or interrogations. They may record conversations or public discussions. They may provide readable translations for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Think of all the close captioned television now available and you can appreciate the growing need for Court Reporters. Skilled Court Reporters are able to record approximately two hundred and twenty-five words per minute. How is this done?

4. Learn about the two main types of Court Reporting, voice writing and stenotyping. To voice write, the reporter wears a mask type silencer that enables him to speak unheard by those around him. He basically repeats all that he hears into an attached microphone. The record of the voice is later converted to written text. To do this the recorder must be able to listen and speak at the same time.
   To stenotype, the Court Reporter uses a stenotype machine. He can type one, or several letters simultaneously, to record whole phrases. A computer translates these symbols into written text. This is the most skilled type of recording. Court reporters proofread and keep records of their transcriptions.

5. Train. To become a Court Reporter can take from two to four years of post-secondary education for an associate's or bachelor's degree. Stenotyping requires four years of training. Remember, as with all positions, the better qualifications you have, the greater will be the demand for your services. Inquire at your local college and make sure that your training will enable you, upon graduation, to become certified.

6. Get your certification. Although states vary in their requirements, it is wise to take the certification exam as this is a testament to your qualifications and skill. You will then have the title of Certified Court Reporter, CCR. There is additional training available which will lead to higher classifications and levels of distinction. For more information on training, certification and advanced designations, contact the National Court Reporters Association.

Tips & Warnings

• Skilled Court Reporters are well paid and in high demand.