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Interested in Breaking into the Austin Court Reporting Industry?

January 11, 2012 – 2:55 pm

Court reporting in Austin is a great industry to work in. According to Salary.com, the average salary for an Austin court reporter is nearly $47,000 - not to mention the fact that U.S. court reporting employment as a whole is expected to grow by 18% through 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

However, whether you’re just starting out, or are looking to change your field mid-stream into court reporting, launching a new career can be scary - especially if you’re not even 100% certain it’s right for you.

So how can you make sure Austin court reporting is a career path you should pursue? Here are some ideas to help you.

Do Your Homework Into Austin’s Court Reporting Industry

Spend some time researching the Austin court reporting industry. For instance, check out job boards and law firm “career” web pages to see what kinds of opportunities are available and whether they sound interesting to you.

Talk to an Austin Court Reporting Professionals

Reach out to court reporting professionals in Austin. You can find many of them simply by using a search engine, connecting with them via LinkedIn, or asking your network of family, friends, and colleagues if they know any court reporters in Austin.

Once you have a decent list of contacts going, call or email each one and tell them you’re interested in breaking into the Austin court reporting industry. Then ask them whether they’d consider talking to you about their experiences.

While you may get a few rejections, many people love talking about themselves and will happily tell you their thoughts and offer some guidance, as well. This is highly valuable information because it’s coming from people who know first-hand about the Austin court reporting industry.

You can ask them questions such as:

  • What’s your favorite part of being a court reporter in Austin? Least favorite?
  • What’s an average day like for you?
  • How did you break into the Austin court reporting industry?
  • Did you go to school for court reporting?

After you interview each court reporter, make sure to send a “thank you” note or email. If you do end up pursuing a career path in court reporting, these contacts may serve you well in the future, so it’s important to leave a positive impression.

Enroll in Court Reporting Classes in Austin

If you’re still not sure whether court reporting in Austin is right for you, sign up for a class. While it will be a bit of an investment in terms of time and money, you’ll walk away from it knowing whether the field is really right for you.

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3 Tips for Working from Home as an Atlanta Court Reporting Pro

January 9, 2012 – 11:50 am

As an Atlanta court reporting professional, you probably spend many hours working in law offices, conference rooms, and in the courts. However, if you’re like most court reporters, you also do a lot of your work at home, as well.

While working from home can offer a host of benefits, it can also present some challenges too. When you work from home, it’s easy to lose focus and get distracted by phone calls, kids, housework, and other tasks on your “to-do” list. So if you aren’t highly motivated and disciplined, the dream of working from home as an Atlanta court reporting professional can quickly turn into a nightmare.

To ensure you don’t fall victim to these hazards, here are some tips to consider:

1. Have a Dedicated Office for Your Court Reporting Work

If you work from home as an Atlanta court reporting professional, and don’t have dedicated office space, it’s hard to stay organized and be as efficient as possible. So whether you set up an entire room as an office, or simply an area in a bedroom or finished basement, it’s critically important to have your own space in which you can keep all your supplies and equipment - and where you can shut the door for privacy when you need to focus.

2. Don’t Let Distractions Get in the Way of Court Reporting Work

You might think you’ll be able to get work done with your toddler playing quietly in your office, or that’s it’s not a big deal to throw in a few loads of wash, or return some personal calls - but the fact of the matter is that doing so distracts you from being as productive as possible.

In addition, mistakes happen when you’re not 100% focused on your work, which is a critical issue as a court reporter. Problems with accuracy can impact your reputation and ability to secure court reporting jobs in Atlanta in the future.

3. Keep a Consistent Schedule for Your Court Reporting Work

When you work from home, it can be easy to approach your court reporting work schedule in a haphazard way. But you’ll get more done if you maintain a consistent work schedule, whether it’s the traditional 9-5, or working mornings and evenings, or afternoons. You can also let clients know the hours during which you do most of your court reporting work, so they can contact you at that time to discuss any matters or questions.

And if you’re interested in securing more court reporting assignments in Atlanta, contact Huseby. As a leading Atlanta court reporting agency, we work with some of the top law firms and companies in the area and are always on the lookout for dedicated, accurate, and talented court reporting professionals.

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Charlotte Court Reporting Jobs

December 8, 2011 – 11:37 am

When people think of court reporters, they typically think of courtrooms and trials. But court reporters are in demand anywhere the spoken word needs to be recorded. This includes at law firms, in public buildings and government agencies, and at private companies.

In Charlotte alone, there are a variety of different job opportunities and employment options for court reporters. For instance, you can work as a freelance court reporter, an official court reporter, or a reporter employed by a Charlotte court reporting agency.

Regardless of the path you choose to take, one of the benefits you’ll enjoy as a court reporter is the competitive pay. In Charlotte, for instance, the median salary is $50,490 for court reporting experts; while in Raleigh, the median salary is a touch above, at $50,898.

With that said, finding a job as a court reporter isn’t as easy as just filling out an application. Here’s a look at some of the steps you’ll have to take in order to break into Charlotte’s court reporting field.

Preparing for Charlotte Court Reporting Jobs

First, those who employ court reporting professionals in Charlotte generally like to see court reporters with degrees or certificates from accredited court reporting schools. Training at one of these schools will also go a long way in preparing you for your day-to-day responsibilities on the job. These programs typically take anywhere from two to four years to complete.

While there are currently no requirements in North Carolina when it comes to state licensure, employers also generally call for either a Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification from the National Court Reporters Association or a Certified Verbatim Reporter (NCRA) from the National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA) in order to obtain an entry level position as a court reporter.

However, to become an Official Superior Court Reporter in North Carolina, you will be required to hold an RPR certification and maintain continuing education credits through the NCRA. The NCRA offers a number of opportunities to earn these credits both over the phone and online.

Finding Charlotte Court Reporting Jobs

Once you’re ready to start looking for a job as a court reporter, the North Carolina Court Reporters Association is a good place to start. Once you join the organization, you will have many opportunities to network with other court reporters and learn about possible job leads. You can also look online for job openings or join a court reporting agency in Charlotte.

After you do start working as a court reporter, there are several steps you can take to advance your career. For instance, you can establish your expertise with a certification, such as a Registered Diplomate Reporter, a Certified Legal Video Specialist, or a Certified Broadcast Captioner. You should also commit to practicing your new craft on a regular basis and reading the news in order to stay current on world events, as well as expand your vocabulary.

If you’d like to learn more about getting a job in Charlotte’s court reporting field, give us a call. As the national leader in court reporting and litigation support services, Huseby has many established clients and a steady flow of work. As a result, we are always on the lookout for talented professionals to join our team.

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Where to Find Greenville Court Reporting Experts

December 1, 2011 – 5:42 pm

As you well know, court reporters play a critical role in the judicial process. They are tasked with the vital job of recording the proceedings of depositions, examinations, and trials so they can be accessed and analyzed at a future date.

But when it comes to finding a Greenville court reporting expert to meet your needs, where do you look? Below are some tips and resources to help guide you in your search for the right court reporter.

Ask for Referrals to Court Reporting Experts in Greenville

Referrals are always a great route to take when you need professional court reporting services. Your trusted colleagues and co-workers will likely know of and have worked with quality court reporters in the past. Or perhaps they have worked with a court reporter who delivered a sub-par performance. Either way, asking around can offer you plenty of valuable information. Another added bonus of referrals is that they’re quick and cost-efficient.

Use the Web to Find Court Reporting Experts in Greenville

Nowadays, many court reporters work on a freelance basis. And since they are self-employed, they have to market themselves in order to tap into a steady flow of business. As a result, many of them will have websites or, at the very least, LinkedIn profiles that you can take a look at in order to gauge their level of skills and experience. They may even have testimonials or recommendations online that you can review.

Work With an Agency to Find Court Reporting Experts in Greenville

Another great source for court reporting experts in Columbia, Greenville, and anywhere else in the U.S., is court reporting agencies. These kinds of agencies generally employ many court reporters that are certified, highly qualified, and ready to go to work for you when you need them.

There are a variety of benefits to working with an agency. But one of the biggest is that they have an extensive network of court reporters available to you, unlike if you simply work with one freelance court reporter that might be booked when you need him or her.

If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of working with a Greenville court reporting agency, give us a call. We’ve been a leader in accurate court reporting services since the late 1980s and can offer you access to an extensive network of nationally certified, highly trained court reporting experts.

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Find the Right Dallas Court Reporter

November 29, 2011 – 11:23 am

When scheduling a deposition, hearing, or an important meeting during which you need to preserve the spoken work, finding a qualified court reporter is critically important. If you don’t already work with a Dallas court reporting firm you’re comfortable with, it can seem like a daunting task, particularly if it’s on short notice. However, if you know what to look for, hiring an expert court reporter isn’t all that difficult. Here are some tips to help you along the way.

Look For a Dallas Court Reporting Expert Who Is On Time

If a potential court reporter is late to their interview with you, then it’s more than likely that they will be late for important meetings, depositions…or worse yet, a trial. Punctuality is a critically important trait for a good court reporter to have.

Look For a Dallas Court Reporting Expert Who Is Flexible

Perhaps you have clients or witnesses that can only come in after business hours. Whatever the case may be, you want a court reporter that can be flexible and is able to work outside of normal business hours and at various locations. Otherwise, if a court reporter has a rigid schedule that they aren’t willing to change, you’ll be limited when it comes time to schedule depositions and meetings.

Look For a Dallas Court Reporting Expert Who Is Articulate

Excellent court reporters have a strong grasp of the English language, including good grammar and an extensive vocabulary, and as a result, are generally quite articulate. So if you meet with a court reporter who speaks in slang and doesn’t know proper grammar, then they are likely not the person you want to hire.

Look For a Dallas Court Reporting Expert Who Is Mature
During the course of depositions or trials, there may be subject matters covered that would make many people uncomfortable. But for expert court reporters, such topics are par for the course. They are able to remain cool during the process and focus on the task at hand.

Look For a Dallas Court Reporting Expert Who Is Accurate

Obviously, accuracy is a necessity when it comes to court reporting in Houston, Dallas, and beyond. In order to ensure a potential court reporter is accurate and has the right experience, confirm their certifications (which tells you they have taken and passed rigorous testing) and also verify at least three references.

If you’d like additional help finding court reporting professionals in Dallas, Houston, or anywhere else in the U.S., give us a call. As the national leader in court reporting and litigation support services, Huseby can offer you access to highly skilled and experienced court reporters - where and when you need them

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Austin Court Reporting | Dallas Court Reporting | Huseby

November 23, 2011 – 1:43 pm

Have you ever sat on a jury or been present in a deposition when the testimony is read back? If you have, those words came to you courtesy of a court reporter. It’s a court reporters job to capture what is said during trials and depositions and to transcribe those statements for future use.

In the Austin court reporting industry, there are several primary areas where the skills of a reporter are needed. They include:

Official Court Reporting Jobs in Austin

These Austin court reporting professionals record the proceedings of a trial in a courtroom. Their transcripts are used by the attorneys, judge, and juries during the trial and also may be accessed for the appeals process. In these positions, court reporters generally work full-time for the court system and are salaried employees.

Freelance or Agency Court Reporting Jobs in Austin

These court reporting professionals are either self-employed or they work for an Austin or Dallas court reporting agency that assigns them to various trials, depositions, and examinations before trial. They are usually paid on a per-page basis by the attorney or entity requesting their services. If they work for an agency, then they will receive payment through the agency instead. There a variety of benefits of working for an agency, including a steady flow of varied assignments and a more flexible schedule.

Hearing Court Reporting Jobs in Austin

These court reporting professionals record local, state, and federal court proceedings. Like official court reporters, these kinds of positions are usually full-time and offer salary and benefits.

Legislative Reporting Jobs in Austin

These court reporting professionals are usually employed by various government agencies. It’s their job to record the proceedings and debates that occur in the state, county, city, or town legislatures.

Closed Captioning Reporting Jobs in Austin

These court reporting professionals transcribe television programming in real-time for the hearing impaired.

Outlook for Court Reporting Jobs

Generally speaking, the outlook for court reporting jobs is positive. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of court reporters is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2018.

Salary for Court Reporting Jobs in Austin & Dallas

According to Salary.com, the median salary for Austin court reporters is $48,454. In the Dallas area, the median salary is $50,745.

If you’re interested in learning more about court reporting jobs in Austin or Dallas, give us a call. As the national leader in court reporting and litigation support services, Huseby has many established clients and a steady flow of work. As a result, we are always on the lookout for talented court reporting professionals to join our team.

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Preserving Legal Testimony In Raleigh: Court Reporting Or Electronic Recording?

September 29, 2011 – 9:12 am

Your firm’s success depends on your ability to deliver excellent legal support to your clients. Part of that entails working with the most qualified professionals in the field, including a reputable Raleigh court reporting firm. But in a day and age where people are being replaced by technology, should you follow suit and utilize electronic recording equipment instead?

While it may seem more efficient and less costly in the long run, using electronic equipment instead of a live court reporter can actually land you in hot water. Here’s why:

Accuracy in Raleigh Court Reporting

There is simply no substitute for the human element when it comes to court reporting in Raleigh. Having a live person transcribe a case or deposition from beginning to end will guarantee the most accurate record possible. In fact, court reporters can offer many important advantages when it comes to accuracy, including:

  • They can clarify technical terms
  • They can determine what is testimony and what is background noise
  • They can certify and testify to the accuracy of their records

Reliability in Raleigh Court Reporting

Machines break down; technology goes on the fritz. And when this happens in the middle of an important testimony or deposition, it can be particularly devastating.

However, with a live court reporter present, you don’t have to worry about these reliability issues. If an emergency comes up and your reporter is unable to attend your deposition or trial, then you can simply notify your Raleigh court reporting firm and a qualified replacement will be sent.

Peace of Mind in Raleigh Court Reporting

Certain conversations, such as those between an attorney and their client, should not be recorded in a transcript. And only a real court reporter will be able to make those kinds of judgments.

Also, if more than one person is speaking at the same time, the court reporter can stop the proceedings and ask for clarification. As a result, a court reporter can deliver a high quality transcript that doesn’t contain off-the-record conversations with attorneys, clients, and the judge.

Convenience in Raleigh Court Reporting

Today’s court reporters use the most advanced equipment and technology available. Many court reporters can transcribe in realtime, providing unofficial transcripts of testimony on electronic file almost instantly. And unlike electronic equipment, a court reporter can read back from any portion of their notes as needed.

So when you want to leverage the power of technology, while still maintaining that human touch, please contact our Raleigh court reporting office. Our professional staff is standing by, ready to help you.

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One Houston Court Reporting Firm That Has You Covered

September 28, 2011 – 9:06 am

When you think of a court reporting firm in Houston, you probably think of a company that provides court reporters. Here at Huseby, we certainly do that - and in fact, we pride ourselves on our ability to recruit and hire the very best court reporters in Houston. However, we do so much more than that, as well. Here’s a look at the other related services we offer in addition to traditional court reporting:

Document Indexing

Sorting and indexing documents can eat up a lot of your time, or your staff’s time. Instead, with Huseby, we will not only transcribe your depositions and transcriptions, but also get them indexed and organized by key search terms so they are ready to go when you need them. Meanwhile, you and your staff can focus on other priorities.

Video & Audio Transcriptions

When you have a paralegal perform video and audio transcriptions, you are taking them away from other important tasks that can be billed at a higher rate. Instead, with a court reporting firm in Houston, like Huseby, you can tap into our extensive network of qualified audio and video specialists who can do the work for you.

Realtime Court Reporting

You can immediately get transcripts right at your fingertips with a realtime court reporter from Huseby. Realtime offers nearly instant translation of legal proceedings, with the text appearing on your computer monitor. As a result, you can review and highlight parts of the testimony during the actual trial or deposition, immediately email transcripts off-site to co-counsel or expert witnesses, or search transcripts using specific keywords.

Web Streaming Video Conferencing

Huseby can help significantly reduce or even eliminate travel expenses with our web streaming video conferencing technology. Host client conferences, schedule depositions, or communicate with your entire team, no matter where they are in the world.

With Huseby, you can access the court reporting and related services you need - when you need them - without having to hire full-time employees. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you, please contact our Houston court reporting office. Our professional staff is standing by, ready to help you.

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4 Easy Tips For Finding the Right Greenville Court Reporting Firm

September 27, 2011 – 9:54 am

Court reporting plays a critical role in the success of your cases and the level of service you are able to deliver to your clients. But when it comes to court reporting firms in Greenville, there are so many options to choose from. So how can you select one that will be the right match for you? Here are some easy tips to help you get started:

1. Determine What You Need in a Greenville Court Reporting Firm

Before beginning your search, analyze the requirements you anticipate needing from the court reporting firm. For instance, in addition to a skilled court reporter, do you also need a videographer to take video depositions? Or do you need a court reporter that can offer realtime court reporting? Armed with this information, you’ll have a better sense of which firm will be right for you.

2. Do Your Homework to Find the Right Greenville Court Reporting Firm

With today’s Internet capabilities, finding a variety of court reporting firms in Greenville is easier than ever. So use a search engine, like Google or Bing, and then make a list of the results that come up. Once you have a solid list, go to each one’s website to read more about them. Find out exactly what services they offer and how those services work.

3. Ask for Referrals for Greenville Court Reporting Firms

Another easy way to finding a reputable Greenville court reporting firm is to ask your colleagues for referrals. They have likely worked with court reporting firms in the past and may be able to steer you in the right direction.

4. Ask the Right Questions to Find the Right Greenville Court Reporting Firm

Once you’ve investigated your list of court reporting firms via the web, create a short list of firms you’re interested in working with. Then call each one and ask important questions, such as:

  • How long have you been in business?
  • How much experience do your court reporters have?
  • What kinds of certifications do they hold?
  • What kinds of technology do they use?
  • How are transcripts delivered? Do you have paperless options available?
  • How much do your court reporting services cost?
  • Do you offer discounts for regular use?
  • Do you offer any guarantees?
  • Do you have a quality control department?

These are just a few tips to help you hire a court reporting firm in Greenville that’s right for you. And if you’d like to put Huseby on your short list of reporting firms to learn more about, let us know. We’d happy to discuss our court reporting services and how we can help you. Just give us a call.

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Court Reporting In Dallas - Beyond the Courtroom

September 26, 2011 – 9:50 am

Sometimes court reporters can be treated like glorified secretaries. All they do is sit there and take notes, right? But what court reporters really do is preserve the spoken word. While this is critically important to any trial or deposition, court reporting in Dallas has a place outside the legal industry, as well.

Consider the case of Richard Bernays.

The 94-year old Bernays was in the Navy during World War II. Part of his job was to keep a lookout for any Japanese submarines that came near the Navy destroyer escort he served on. The purpose of the destroyers, which were smaller and less armed than warships, was to escort merchant marine ships and to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines. His son Michael followed suit, serving in the Navy during Operation Desert Storm.

Both men, along with other area veterans, actually visited the Court Reporting Institute in Dallas this past August in order to share their wartime stories with court reporters as part of the Veterans History Project sponsored by the Library of Congress. The aim of the project is to record and preserve the accounts and memories of American veterans extending all the way back to WWI. The stories are then made available, both online and in the Library, to researchers, as well as to the general public.

Court Reporters in Dallas & the U.S. Are Responding for Duty

So far, court reporters in Dallas and across the U.S. have played a vital role in this process. In fact, The National Court Reporters Foundation (NCRF) and the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) partnered with the Library of Congress in an effort to help protect and preserve this rich and extensive history. Since the project began, literally thousands of these veteran’s amazing stories have been recorded by court reporters in Dallas and all over the United States.

Clearly, it’s a mistake to think that court reporters are just there to take notes in the courtroom. In this case, court reporters are playing an important part not just in preserving the spoken word - but also in preserving a part of history.

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