Court Reporter Interview Questions
1. Are you a flexible person?
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User Answers
1. Yes, very much so. I do not take change hard at all.
2. Absolutely. I understand situations arise where schedules may have to change and I am open to this. I am also comfortable travelling for my position, as well as assisting co-workers who may need me for something that could possibly go beyond the designated schedule time that I am supposed to work until.
3. I am very flexible. You can always rely on me when you are short handed.
4. I am a very flexible person, yes. I believe that is one of my strengths.
5. Wake me up at mid night and tell me about a breaking story, I weill jump onto it. I am able to work long irregular hours, I have done it before thriugh out my career.I can even jugle around in between various reports.
6. I am very flexible. I actually enjoy knowing that each day may be very different, it keeps it interesting.
7. I am a very flexible person, I have no obligations keeping me from a diverse schedule.
8. Yes, I do consider myself to be a flexible person.
9. Yes, I do consider myself to be a flexible person.
10. Yes I am. I have flexible hours and can work late into the night. I can travel from a place to the other for the sole purpose of getting things done. I am a versatile individual.
2. Do you ever feel like you can't keep up when reporting?
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User Answers
1. I would have to disagree with this situation. I am a fast typer with attention to detail and good hearing. I am comfortable with a fast paced environment and if for any reason I feel as though I have missed something, I could politely ask the judge to confirm any rulings he may have made, or ask the individual speaking if they could repeat what they have said. Another option would be for me to ask the court clerk for assistance.
2. My skill level should not give me this problem.
3. Everyone has those off days. They are lying if they say they don't. They are not often, but occasionally, they do happen.
4. That would be new to me. It has never happened. I have thrown into the den of reporting critical stories, with high publiuc demand, and reports required instantly, I have never succumbed to lacking behind.
5. Sometimes I do when people are talking over each other.
6. I think we all have those moments where everything starts to get away from you, but that's when you take a breath, interrupt, and get your control of the record back.
7. No, I have had to facilitate and coordinate many meetings, where reporting from all stakeholders have been crucial, I found myself detailing the talking points, suggestions, actions and information from the speakers came easily to me.
8. No, I don't feel that way, I was trained well by professionals. I do however realize that over time it will get easier or more common place doing this job, but I know I can keep up.
9. I do not feel like I can't keep up when reporting. I was trained very well.
10. No. If people are speaking over one another, I will ask the Judge to have them stop interrupting.
3. Not only are you reporting what people are saying, but also what they are doing with their gestures and actions. Is it difficult for you to keep up?
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User Answers
1. No. I am a very observant person. Also I am able to use proper description words t.
2. I don't believe it would be with time and training. I find it takes about 6 months for anyone to be proficient in any new position.
3. It is not difficult for me to keep up. As mentioned before, I multi-task well and I am comfortable with doing various things at once, proficiently.
4. It can be at times. Especially when people talk over one another. However, I focus a lot on trailing and retention. That helps when there is a pause so I am able to catch up.
5. There are times when it can be difficult to keep up with people when they are speaking fast, however, I have learned how to "trail" and have great retention skills and use these skills to catch up during a brief pause or a break in speaking.
6. It is not hard to multitask, however, it can be hard to keep up at times when people are speaking fast with minimal breaks. I have learned to "trail" and use my retention skills when this happens and can catch up during a pause or brief break.
7. Not all the time. I try as much to decipher the words and actions.
8. No it is a challenging task.
9. There is always difficulty in every field, but if you focus and remain attentive, it will not be difficult. The current speed I am at now allows me to have the time to write down verbatim, but I always try and practice at a higher speed so I am one step ahead of my current speed.
10. No I am the mother of seven children and am constantly viewing and listening to multiple people at a time.
4. Why are you the best person for this job?
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User Answers
1. I can't say what the qualities of the other candidates are and I'm sure there are some great potentials. I do know that I will work extremely hard to make sure that I am the best I can possibly be at my job. I don't do well with average.
2. I am a highly motivated individual who is eager to start their career. I believe I possess all the required and recommended skills and traits for this position. I am punctual person with great organizational skills. Not only am I comfortable working within a courtroom, but I have a huge passion for the legal field.
3. My skills and training qualify me for the position you are offering I can grow in the field with your opportunity.
4. I am looking to be part of a team and be a long-term member of the team. I am very dedicated and I work hard and enjoy what I do.
5. Why not find out once I get hired ;)
6. Because I'm eager to learn, willing to do the job acurrately and a team player.
7. I well experienced, I have been there, done it and now looking forward into joining an organisation of your caliber where I can grow within, thus contributing positively to the team.
8. I am a hard worker, self-motivated, and reliable.
9. I am detailed, I show up, I will always excel at my job and can adapt well in all situations. I have great interpersonal skills, pride and integrity.
10. Because I want to learn, I want to become an asset to the company. I can actually see myself being a Court Reporter and the vision makes me very excited about my future.
5. Why did you choose to become a Court Reporter?
Note: We do not have professional answers for this career
User Answers
1. I have always been fascinated by the Judicial process. I love the thought of being a Judge's right-hand person.
2. I know posses the relevant skill and capability and having spent 3 years as a typist in the Judicial Department would only be an added advantage given that I am aware of the Legal Jargons normally used in a Court Sitting.
3. I know that I have the skills and knowledge of being a Court Reporter. As a typist, I usually take dictations and I use my skills with my job so I can be relied upon to get the work done.
4. Ever since I was in High School, I had two best friends who were professional Court Reporters, helping me gain an insight and love for the field. I knew one way or another; I wanted to be involved in the Courts so after much research on schools and jobs, I decided to transition my life from a four-year business college to a Court Reporting program.
5. I love the stories that are coming out of the court room. The emotions that people go through and the relief when justice is served. The debate between lawyers.
6. I have keen interest in the legal fretenity, from my early age I use to follow court or legal cases and that strengthened my love for legal reporting.
7. I choose it because I have study basic of law and I want to help with the knowledge I have acquire to expose my intelligence'
8. It was one of my interests after graduating from college.
9. I wanted to have a skill that's in high demand and job security.
10. I have always found this field interesting and now I am in a position that I can change career path and take my past experience and skills into this exciting field.
6. Have you ever gotten behind while reporting? How did you catch up?
Note: We do not have professional answers for this career
User Answers
1. This is an interview for my first position as a court reporter, so I have not had this experience. If I ever found myself in this position, I would indicate in my notations where I have missed something. I would respectfully ask the judge for a brief moment, or recess as I am feeling a little overwhelmed. If this is not possible, I would catch up on any of the recesses or breaks.
2. Again, there are times when people are speaking too fast. I retain and trail and when there is a pause, I catch up.
3. Once due to lack of experience at the time and was dissapointed by equipment. I filed through thw TV crew though I was doing radio. But it was not such a big mess.
4. Yes, I have and I ask the attorney to slow down.
5. I have not been in this situation because if I feel myself getting behind I am proficient in interruption.
6. At times yes, I would write a couple of key words to remind myself, continue with reporting the current events, then go back to my keywords and extend the details so that all relevant information was inputted.
7. I have plenty of down-time at home to type whenever I need to catch up so I do not worry about getting too far behind. If I find myself falling behind, I prioritize and catch up.
8. I can spend as much time as I need to catch up, I have no obligations keeping me from catching up throughout the entire night if need be.
9. Asked the people in question to slow down.
10. I have learned when it is busy with transcripts, I have to really make myself be organized and even make a timeline of due dates so that I don't get behind.
7. What type of court cases do you prefer?
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User Answers
1. I would say court cases relating to custody of children among families.
2. I do not have a preference. I find all areas of law interesting in their own way.
3. Each court case is different, which allows for challenges every day, I believe I find my highest interest in either criminal or family.
4. I really enjoy criminal. I'm sure most do. Although they are my favorite, I find that even some of the not-so-interesting cases keep my attention. Every day is different. I enjoy variety.
5. I can work with all court cases since it will be in my job description.
6. All cases, only there to write the spoken words.
7. I am flexible, I am not bothered by which court am reporting on, be it constitutional, or appeal, even labour court, I am free flowing.
8. I've only done civil work so I'd be interested in trying criminal.
9. I have no preference, they are all interesting to me.
10. Criminal is most interesting to me. I also enjoy divorce cases as they are very interesting and never dull.
8. Why do you have an interest in court reporting?
Note: We do not have professional answers for this career
User Answers
1. I understand the legal structures and find it easy to report on court matters as compared to social or soft news.
2. Court reporters are neutral. I love the court room atmosphere.
3. It is a passion to work skillfully with my voice.
4. It is a very professional and rewarding profession.
5. It is a very professional and rewarding profession.
6. I have an interest in court reporting because I have seen first-hand how well they are organized when they come into our office, and how quickly the turnaround time is on when we receive the transcript. I want to be a part of that.
7. The hours involved, the travel involved, the different people I get to meet; all of these are reasons I chose to be a Court Reporter.
8. I have always been in a career position where communications of facts, data and situations have been crucial to stakeholders and myself, to make decisions. I believe in integrity and identifying the reactions to situations in order to fully understand the circumstance as a whole. I feel that my passion and the specific requirements for this role are a great fit.
9. I was able to achieve 225 wpm's in school and was pushing myself for 250
10. After doing my placement at Microskills, getting to know more about technology, and graphic designing, I had an interest in how a court reporter would be.
9. What skills do you think are most critical to this job?
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User Answers
1. Attention to detail, discretion,
2. Listening, typing, time management, efficiency, professionalism.
3. The skills I find most critical for this job are a mixture of attention to detail, as it is crucial you record the correct information as the smallest error can result in a damaging error. It is important that you are able to handle pressure under stress, as you may find yourself in situations where multiple people are talking at once, or matters are moving along quickly and you need to be able to keep up. You must be aware of the legal software and how to use it, as well as necessary notations.
4. The fast wpm is a critical one you must be able to keep up. And also good ear.
5. I think this job needs very accurate typing skills together with good hearing skills.
6. Typing. Recording. Etiquette.
7. Proof reading, writing wite accuracy.
8. Discretion, integrety, good typing and communication skills.
9. Written communication skills, attention to details, being discriptive. Reporting court issues requires one to take a reader inside court through the article, its important to have the mentioned skills.
10. Being able to write the speed, control the record, maintain control of speakers, have the ability to interrupt when the record is in jeopardy.
10. How do you manage stress in your daily work?
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User Answers
1. I prefer to leave it at the door when I go home. What happens at work stays at work and vice versa.
2. I find it easy to deal with stressful situations in my life. I take my time with things, but work in a proficient manner. I organize tasks I need to do within my day to limit the availability for stress, and if I am ever struggling with something I will ask for assistance from one of my co-workers.
3. By taking a moment to my self deep breath and by staying possitive.
4. I have learned to take a step back and regroup. If I need a five-minute break to gather myself, I allow myself to take it.
5. By taking a little break and continuing thereafter.
6. I believe that comes naturaly with me. And for a fact that I knew from the on set when entering reporting, that its stress filled area, it made it easier as I was always prepared, and so am I.
7. If I have stress I will look for someone that I can trust and talk to him/her.
8. I focus on my work, instead of involving other stress that can interfere with my work performance.
9. I tend to thrive in stressful situations and I have always reacted in a positive way. I tend to continue working through it without realizing the stress level until I am off the clock.
10. I stretch when I am stressed, it loosens the knots in my neck and I take a walk.
11. How well do you write?
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User Answers
1. I would say fairly well. I have been awarded in school a few times for my writing skills.
2. Legible enough for me to understand and I have knowledge of shorthand.
3. I am a fast and a good writer and can get the job done by doing less mistakes.
4. I truly believe I write exceptionally well. I strive to consistently excel and improve in order to not remain stuck on a specific speed, as well as improve my vocabulary and grammar skills, which is needed when I transcribe.
5. I write well. I have experience saving and profiling various electronic documents as well as creating letters and emails that will be sent to clients.
6. I can write quite well, I pay attention to detail and try to give the best written statement that best describes the scene in front of me.
7. I believe I write quite well. I am not an English major but I do understand the basic concepts.
8. I would say I write well. Extremely well. I've never had any problems communicating in text.
9. I am just starting but I want to be fast enough to do realtime.
10. I am confident with my writing skills.
12. If you were unhappy with your job, how would you discuss this with your boss?
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User Answers
1. I would first pinpoint what it is exactly that I am happy with. I would exhaust all measures to try and fix this error myself, but if it is something out of my authority I would ask to speak to my boss about the issue and hope for a resolution.
2. I will calmly discuss the problem in a well educated manner and open mind to get the problem resolved.
3. I would make a list of the things that I feel need to be addressed. I would then prioritize them and ask myself which are the most important. Then I would ask to have time set aside to discuss.
4. I would tell them my honest opinion.
5. No, I would never be unhappy with the job.
6. This is a reputable organisation, I believe you practice open door policy, the seniors are profesional enough to lend me their ears in case there are some unhappines. I simply aproach my Editor or any other relevant senior.
7. I would ask how I can improve in my job to make it better.
8. Maybe ask if it is possible to try a different type of case.
9. I would have a conversation inquiring if there was a challenging task or project that could be given to me. Ask for more responsibilities in order to keep me engaged and strengthen my skills and career development.
10. I would approach it like anything else in life, head on and truthful.