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Learning how to say no.
This is one of the most important things you will ever learn to do as a court reporter. It will save your sanity.
I want to state right now that you (the court reporter) absolutely have the right to say, no, I cannot take that job. And there is no reason on earth you should feel guilty. it doesn't matter if you don't have a job the next day and you just want to take time off. It doesn't matter if you need to stay home and catch up with depositions. What matters is that if you want to say no, you can.
Of course, it's not that easy. The calendar person will be saying, please, please help me out. They'll be calling you up at 5:30. I've got a last-minute add on. Be a team player. Now, there's being a team player and taking care of yourself.
If the job is crappy and you know it's going to be crappy, say no. If their rate sucks and they won't meet your rate, then say no.
But how do you say no?
You simply say, I'm sorry, I'm booked. Short, simple, and sweet. If my deposition cancels, I'll call you. When an agency calls and leaves you a message about a job the next day, give them the courtesy call back saying that you are already booked. It generates a lot of good will. There really might be some poor calendar person desparately waitinig for your phone call. Or if the job has been covered, you still get bonus points bec. you had the courtesy to call them back.
Even if I say no, I like to find out as much as I can about the job. You never know, one of your fellow reporters might be available and need the work.
So there's ways to say no and still look like a good reporter. You shouldn't be afraid they will never call you again.
I think this is fairly obvious, but you'd be amazed by the amount of people who simply never return the phone call or the message.
Courtesy and professionalism. That's what the agency wants. Plus reporters who can write at 400 wpm, but that's another blog.
I want to state right now that you (the court reporter) absolutely have the right to say, no, I cannot take that job. And there is no reason on earth you should feel guilty. it doesn't matter if you don't have a job the next day and you just want to take time off. It doesn't matter if you need to stay home and catch up with depositions. What matters is that if you want to say no, you can.
Of course, it's not that easy. The calendar person will be saying, please, please help me out. They'll be calling you up at 5:30. I've got a last-minute add on. Be a team player. Now, there's being a team player and taking care of yourself.
If the job is crappy and you know it's going to be crappy, say no. If their rate sucks and they won't meet your rate, then say no.
But how do you say no?
You simply say, I'm sorry, I'm booked. Short, simple, and sweet. If my deposition cancels, I'll call you. When an agency calls and leaves you a message about a job the next day, give them the courtesy call back saying that you are already booked. It generates a lot of good will. There really might be some poor calendar person desparately waitinig for your phone call. Or if the job has been covered, you still get bonus points bec. you had the courtesy to call them back.
Even if I say no, I like to find out as much as I can about the job. You never know, one of your fellow reporters might be available and need the work.
So there's ways to say no and still look like a good reporter. You shouldn't be afraid they will never call you again.
I think this is fairly obvious, but you'd be amazed by the amount of people who simply never return the phone call or the message.
Courtesy and professionalism. That's what the agency wants. Plus reporters who can write at 400 wpm, but that's another blog.
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