Top 20 Interview Questions & Answers for Stenographer Roles – 2025

Are you preparing for an interview for a stenographer role? Look no further! This guide provides a list of essential questions and answers to help you demonstrate your exceptional typing speed, attention to detail, and experience in transcribing and editing recorded dictations. These questions cover all key areas of the job, including technical skills and experience, as well as cultural fit and problem-solving abilities.

General Questions

• 1. Can you tell us about your experience as a stenographer?
  I have been working as a stenographer for five years now. I started as an intern at a law firm and then moved on to work for a court reporting agency. I have experience in both legal and general transcription, and I am familiar with multiple types of stenography machines and software.
• 2. How would you describe your typing speed and accuracy?
  I have a typing speed of 80 words per minute with an accuracy rate of 95%. I am continuously working to improve my speed and accuracy through practice and training programs to ensure error-free transcriptions.
• 3. What do you believe are the key skills required for a stenographer?
  Some key skills for a stenographer include exceptional typing speed and accuracy, attention to detail, an excellent understanding of grammar and punctuation, and proficiency in shorthand or stenography methods. Good time management and organizational skills are also important in meeting tight deadlines.
• 4. How would you handle a situation where you are unable to transcribe a word or phrase?
  In such a situation, I would first try to decipher the word or phrase myself by listening to the recording multiple times. If I am still unable to transcribe it, I would use context clues from the surrounding words to make an educated guess and note it for review by the author or a colleague.
• 5. How comfortable are you using different transcription software and formatting documents?
  I have experience using various transcription software, including Microsoft Word, Express Scribe, and Dragon Naturally Speaking. I am also familiar with different formatting styles and have a keen eye for consistency and accuracy in document formatting.

Technical Skills & Experience

• 6. Have you worked with multiple speakers before? How do you keep track of who is speaking?
  Yes, I have experience in transcribing recordings with multiple speakers. To keep track of who is speaking, I usually note the time stamp for each speaker’s first words and then refer back to it when I need to differentiate between speakers.
• 7. How would you handle a recording with background noise or poor audio quality?
  I have experience in handling such recordings. I would first try to use noise-cancelling headphones and adjust the playback settings to improve the audio quality. If that does not work, I would flag the recording for a more experienced colleague to handle.
• 8. Are you familiar with transcribing verbatim or clean-read transcripts?
  Yes, I am familiar with both types of transcripts. I have experience in transcribing verbatim, word-for-word dictations as well as providing clean-read versions that omit fillers and repeated words for easier reading.
• 9. How comfortable are you working with legal terminology and jargon?
  I have experience in transcribing legal dictations, and I am familiar with legal terminology and jargon. I have also completed training programs specific to legal transcription to further enhance my understanding of such terminology.
• 10. How do you ensure confidentiality of sensitive documents and recordings?
  As a stenographer, I understand the importance of confidentiality in this profession. I make sure to store recordings and transcriptions in secure folders and only share them with authorized individuals or clients upon consent.

Behavioral Questions

• 11. Can you tell us about a time when you had to handle multiple transcription projects with tight deadlines?
  In my previous role, I had to transcribe a recording for a court case that had a tight deadline of 24 hours. At the same time, I was also working on a long-term project for a client. To manage my time effectively, I prioritized the urgent project and divided my time between both projects accordingly, ensuring timely completion without compromising accuracy.
• 12. How do you handle work when there are frequent interruptions?
  As a stenographer, I am used to working in a fast-paced and often interrupted environment. To ensure minimal disruption to my work, I use noise-cancelling headphones and set clear boundaries for colleagues and other professionals who may need to approach me for queries or clarifications.
• 13. Can you give an example of a time when you noticed an error in a transcription after its completion? How did you handle it?
  In a recent transcription for a medical report, I misinterpreted a word and transcribed it incorrectly. Fortunately, I noticed the error during the proofreading process and compared it with the original recording to correct it immediately. I also notified my supervisor and made sure to double-check my work before submitting it in the future.
• 14. Can you describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult client or author?
  In my previous role, I had a client who was very particular about the formatting and layout of the transcripts. They often requested multiple revisions, which required a lot of back-and-forth communication. To handle this, I made sure to keep detailed notes of their preferences and requested feedback from other colleagues to ensure the highest level of accuracy and client satisfaction.

Situational Questions

• 15. If you were transcribing a recording and noticed that the speaker was using incorrect grammar or had a strong accent, how would you handle it?
  If I am confident that the speaker is using incorrect grammar, I would transcribe the words as spoken and make a note for the author to review. If the speaker has a strong accent, I would transcribe the words as accurately as possible, considering the context and any guidance from the author for clarification.
• 16. What steps would you take if you were unable to access a recording due to technical difficulties?
  In such a situation, I would first check if any other colleagues have the same issue. If so, I would notify the IT department and await a solution. If not, I would check my own equipment and try different methods to access the recording, such as using a different device or software.
• 17. In case of conflicting information in a recording and document, how would you handle it?
  I would first transcribe the recording as-is and note the discrepancies for the author to review. If the author does not have access to the recording, I would work with the client to clarify the inconsistencies and make necessary corrections.
• 18. How would you handle a situation where a recording is inaudible or missing parts?
  If a recording is inaudible, I would flag it for a more experienced colleague to handle as I am not comfortable making guesses and potentially compromising the accuracy of the transcript. If the recording is missing parts, I would transcribe the available parts and make a note for the author to review or request a replacement recording with the missing parts.

Cultural Fit Questions

• 19. How do you ensure quality and accuracy in your work?
  I prioritize careful listening and proofreading to ensure the highest level of accuracy in my transcriptions. I also continuously strive to improve my skills and keep up-to-date with the latest industry practices and technologies.
• 20. How do you handle feedback and criticism from supervisors or clients?
  I am open to constructive feedback and view it as an opportunity to improve my skills and learn from experienced professionals. I am also able to take criticism gracefully and make necessary adjustments to meet the expectations of my supervisors and clients.