Court Reporter Resume Guidance

A court reporter is a professional responsible for creating a written transcript of court proceedings, hearings, and other legal proceedings. Court reporters use a stenotype machine, shorthand, or voice writing to capture every spoken word. They must produce an accurate and verbatim record of the proceedings.

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1. Header

• Name: Your full name.
• Contact Information: Include your phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable).
• Location: City and state (you don’t need to include your full address).

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2. Professional Summary (Optional but Recommended)

• A brief 2-3 sentence statement summarizing your experience, skills, and professional goals. Focus on what makes you an exceptional court reporter.
• Example:
  “Certified Court Reporter with 5+ years of experience providing accurate, real-time transcriptions of courtroom proceedings. Skilled in stenography, legal terminology, and maintaining confidentiality under high-pressure situations.”

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3. Skills

• List your core skills that are relevant to court reporting. Include both hard and soft skills.
  • Technical Skills: Stenography, voice writing, transcription software (e.g., Case CATalyst, Eclipse), and audio equipment.
  • Soft Skills: Attention to detail, active listening, multitasking, strong communication, and organizational skills.
  • Legal Knowledge: Familiarity with legal terms, proceedings, and procedures.

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4. Certifications and Education

• Certification: Highlight your certifications, including any relevant licenses. If you’re certified by organizations such as NCRA (National Court Reporters Association), include those.
• Example:
  • Certified Court Reporter (CCR)
  • Registered Professional Reporter (RPR)
  • Notary Public (if applicable)
• Education: List your degree, the institution where you studied, and graduation year.
  • Example:
    Associate’s Degree in Court Reporting
    XYZ College, Graduated: 2018

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5. Professional Experience

• Detail your work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
• For each job, include your job title, employer name, location, and dates of employment.
• Use bullet points to outline your responsibilities and accomplishments, using action verbs to convey impact.
• Example:
  • Court Reporter
    XYZ Court, City, State | January 2020 – Present
    • Transcribed and recorded courtroom hearings and depositions with 98% accuracy.
    • Assisted in the creation of official transcripts, ensuring confidentiality of sensitive materials.
    • Maintained real-time stenographic records during trials and pre-trial motions.

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6. Professional Development

• List any ongoing education, courses, or workshops you’ve completed to stay up-to-date with technology and legal practices.
• Example:
  • Continuing Education in Legal Transcription, ABC Academy, 2023

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7. Technical Proficiency

• Mention any transcription software or equipment you are proficient with, such as Case CATalyst, DigitalCat, or other court reporting tools.
• Example:
  • Software: Case CATalyst, Stenograph, Eclipse
  • Hardware: Stenotype machine, audio recording systems

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8. Awards and Recognitions (Optional)

• If applicable, highlight any awards or professional recognition you have received.
• Example:
  • Awarded “Outstanding Reporter of the Year” by XYZ Association, 2022

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9. Professional Memberships (Optional)

• If you are a member of any relevant associations, include this section.
• Example:
  • Member of the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA)
  • Member of the State Court Reporters Association

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10. References (Optional)

• Include a statement like “Available upon request,” or list 2-3 references (make sure to get their permission first).

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Additional Tips:

Proofread: As a court reporter, attention to detail is critical, so ensure your resume is flawless.

Tailor your resume for each job application. Highlight experience or skills that are particularly relevant to the position.

Use bullet points to make your resume easy to read and focus on measurable achievements (e.g., “achieved 99% transcription accuracy”).

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