What is a stenographer?
Shorthand is a form of written language that allows a person to match writing speed with the speed of dictated or spoken words and has traditionally been used to transcribe notes from courtrooms, business, journalism, and the medical industry. Stenographers offer in-depth knowledge of various styles of shorthand and can provide your organization with accurate, written versions of spoken words in environments where word processors or other technology is not feasible.
How do you hire a stenographer?
You can source stenographer talent on Upwork by following these three steps:
- Write a project description. You’ll want to determine your scope of work and the skills and requirements you are looking for in a stenographer.
- Post it on Upwork. Once you’ve written a project description, post it to Upwork. Simply follow the prompts to help you input the information you collected to scope out your project.
- Shortlist and interview stenographers. Once the proposals start coming in, create a shortlist of the professionals you want to interview.
Of these three steps, your project description is where you will determine your scope of work and the specific type of stenographer you need to complete your project.
How much does it cost to hire a stenographer?
Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.
- An experienced stenographer may command higher fees but also work faster, have more-specialized areas of expertise, and deliver higher-quality work.
- A contractor who is still in the process of building a client base may price their stenography services more competitively.
Which one is right for you will depend on the specifics of your project.
How do you write a stenographer job post?
Your job post is your chance to describe your project scope, budget, and talent needs. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a contractor to know if they’re the right fit for the project.
Job post title
Create a simple title that describes exactly what you’re looking for. The idea is to target the keywords that your ideal candidate is likely to type into a job search bar to find your project. Here are some sample stenographer job post titles:
- Stenographer needed for high profile court case
- Need stenographer to record meeting minutes
- Court reporter needed for television closed captions
Project description
An effective stenographer job post should include:
- Scope of work: From court reporting to taking notes during a business meeting, list all the deliverables you’ll need.
- Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project.
- Background: If you prefer experience with certain industries, software, or engagements, mention this here.
- Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.
Stenographer job responsibilities
Here are some examples of stenographer job responsibilities:
- Ask meeting speakers to clarify inaudible statements
- File case transcript records with the county clerk's office
- Record depositions and other court proceedings for attorneys
Stenographer job requirements and qualifications
Be sure to include any requirements and qualifications you’re looking for in a stenographer. Here are some examples:
- Minimum five years as a court reporter
- Stenography our equivalent certification
- Detail oriented and adept at following instructions