Scopist jobs are one of the most lucrative part-time hustles online, especially for remote workers.
You can easily generate thousands of dollars monthly if you take the job seriously. But if you are still trying to figure out how to become a scopist, there’s no need to bug your mind about it anymore. This post will explain the most common method people use to launch their scopist career and make lots of money.
On the other hand, if you are hearing the job title, scopist, for the first time, you’d probably wonder what kind of occupation it is. But truth be told, many people are yet to understand who a scopist is and what their job description is.
This article will briefly explain the job description of a scopist, so you will know what to expect when applying for a job.
Who Is A Scopist?
Essentially, a scopist is a transcript editor for court reporters. Scopists are responsible for formatting and editing raw transcripts to make them readable and understandable for both court reporters and other interested parties.
What Does A Scopist Do?
A scopist is often charged with online legal transcription, editing, and proofreading. However, don’t mistake scopists for proofreaders or copy editors. Scopists only work with court reporters and use special scoping software to carry out their job.
How Much Does A Scopist Make?
A newly-trained scopist can earn between $30,000 – $35,000 annually. But if they improve quickly on the job and complete more tasks, annual earnings can run into $50,000. Surprisingly, some professional scopists earn up to $60,000 within a year.
5 Reasons Why Remote Scopist Jobs Are In Demand
Scopist jobs are in high demand at the moment, and thousands of people worldwide are being introduced to the occupation, thereby spurring their interest in the job. But more importantly, here are 5 convincing reasons why a lot of people are applying for scoping jobs:
Scopist Jobs Are Not Boring
As a scopist, you will usually listen to many crime documentaries. This will make your job pretty interesting, especially if you love crime shows and podcasts. Besides, delving into crime stories and gathering facts to put your report together can be fascinating. Except you are completely uninterested in reporting, storytelling, and crime, scopist jobs online are not boring.
Scopist Jobs Are Very Flexible
Scopist jobs are done remotely. It’s not a regular 9-5 that requires you to leave the comfort of your home to one fancy office. Scoping is like every other freelance job you can do from a distance. That’s why it’s flexible.
You can always schedule your working hours, how much you intend to earn for your services, and how many days a week you’d stay off the job. But if you want to cash out consistently from scopist jobs, you must have a packed schedule. Try to complete as many jobs as possible.
Affordable Training
Scoping is unlike a college degree that would cost you a lot of money. You can partially train yourself by attending an accredited scoping school within a few months. The fees for the training are also quite cheap. You should be able to afford a scoping training.
Scopist Jobs Pay Well
Like some freelance jobs, scoping pays well. You can make tens of thousands of dollars annually if you take the job seriously. However, remember that your earnings as a scopist are determined by your productivity on the job.
Qualities such as typing speed, accuracy, and the number of projects completed determine how much you make every week. But specifically, newly-trained scopists can earn up to $30,0000 per year.
Scopist Jobs Are Less Competitive
Since many people are yet to know about the money-making opportunity in scoping, the job is less competitive, unlike many other freelance jobs such as content writing, copywriting, or graphic design. With less competition, you can get hired almost immediately after you complete your training.
How To Become A Scopist For Court Reporters
When looking forward to becoming a scopist, the first thing you should think of is training. Scoping is not a regular proofreading job that even a high school student can handle. Scoping involves editing and formatting technical transcripts taken by court reporters. The technicality of the job requires you to be trained. Otherwise, you won’t be competent.
You don’t need to attend a physical school to get trained in scoping. You only need to pay for a high-quality course or training online, enabling you to learn remotely. Usually, the duration of learning this skill will take you 2-4 months. As soon as you complete your training and earn your certificate as a professional scopist, the next important thing is to start applying for jobs.
There are so many platforms where you can find good-paying scopist jobs. LinkedIn is one of the credible platforms that connect scopist with recruiters. But to begin your application on LinkedIn, you need to first create a profile and upload your resume and certificate to attract prospects. You can also search on LinkedIn for available scoping jobs for court reporters.
Tools That Scopists Use For Their Work
To function properly as a scopist, you don’t need a bunch of technical tools. Here are the only two basic tools required for professional scoping:
- A Laptop
A laptop or PC is what you use for typing your work. Instead of using a phone or a tab, a computer would make the job faster, more convenient, and more professional. Moreover, you don’t need an expensive laptop such as a MacBook Pro. You are a scopist, not a programmer. Any simple laptop with Windows operating system would get the job.
- A Scoping Software
Another important tool you need for this job is scoping software. Various scoping software is being used online, but not all are effective and efficient.
During your training, you might be given good scoping software to make your job easier. However, DigitalCAT, CATalyst Edit For Scopists, Stenocat Scopist Software, and Eclipse Edit Scoping Software are some popular scoping software you should check out.
Skills That Scopist Jobs Require
Everyone can’t be a scopist. Only those with the right skills can competently handle the job. Here are 5 crucial skills every scopist must have:
- Typing
As a scopist, you literally have to write a reporter. When editing and formatting a report, you would have to correct certain phrases by rewriting them. This is where typing comes in. You must be good at typing for you to work fast and complete more projects within a short time. It’s high time you started getting familiar with the keyboard.
- Listening
Listening is also an important skill if you must learn how to become a scopist for court reporter. Most times, the court reporter you work with might prefer recording the events of the court using a portable audio recorder. It’s your job to painstakingly listen to the audio tape and grab every sensitive information that would be written in your report.
On the other hand, having good listening skill will help you to pay attention and comprehend instructions from your recruiter.
- Good Communication
Effective communication is essential in scoping. If there are any ideas or suggestions you need to inform the court reporter, you should be able to communicate them effectively at the right time. You must know how to have formal conversations while working, and this makes the job between you and the court reporter easier.
- Time Management
Just like every other freelance job, time is key when scoping. Although you can work remotely, but that shouldn’t compel you to complete projects at your own time. You must stick to the given deadline, delivering your work on time. Time management is actually one of the things you will learn when undergoing your scoping training.
- Self-Coordination
As much as you’d work from home as a scopist without supervision, you must know how to organize yourself and the activities around you properly. This means you should be able to avoid distractions and focus on the job while doing what you ought to do. Scopist who aren’t self-coordinated tend to make numerous mistakes and don’t last on the job.
5 Best Sites To Find Entry-Level Scopist Jobs From Home
Getting scopist jobs from home is easy when you know the right places to scout for scoping projects. Here are the top 5 best sites to find entry-level scopist jobs as a newbie:
1. Upwork
Upwork is the second-largest freelance platform in the world. It’s an online marketplace where millions of freelancers find various jobs and hope to get hired by the right prospects.
Scopist jobs are available on Upwork, and if you are well-positioned as an expert in the field, you’d find people to hire you for your scoping services. However, Upwork usually takes 10-20% of your earnings as a freelancer on the platform.
For example, if you are paid $200 for a single gig, Upwork takes at least $20 while you keep the rest. It’s still a fair amount, especially if you are attracting a lot of scoping projects.
2. Indeed
Indeed is a well-known job listing site that millions of applicants visit to find their dream job. Fortunately, court reporter scopist jobs are being listed on the platform regularly. Once you sign up on Indeed, you can search for the open scoping jobs and begin your application.
Applying for jobs on this site is easy. Firstly, you will be shown the job description and the requirements for the job. When you click on the “Apply Now” button, you will be taken to the original site of your recruiter, where you can finish the application.
3. Scopist
Scopist is arguably the most popular site that offers only scoping jobs. Unlike Upwork or Indeed, you have no business with this platform if you aren’t a scopist. Thousands of job opportunities for scopist are regularly listed on this site. However, there are lots of applicants on the site as well.
Although the fierce competition doesn’t mean you won’t get a job on the platform. Just keep applying for any open jobs and you will get hired soon enough.
4. StenoSearch
StenoSearch is another credible platform where you can find real scopist jobs. Like many job listing sites, this platform is a search engine for job applicants. Once you go to the search bar and type in the job opening you intend to apply for, you will be presented with several results.
Like Indeed, applying for scoping jobs on StenoSearch is straightforward. Once you read the job description and examine the requirements, you can begin your application at once.
5. ProfessionalScopists
ProfessionalScopists is a platform for both scoping job applicants and recruiters.
When signing up on the platform, you will be made to decide whether you are coming in to hire someone or apply for a job. But since you are an applicant, submit the right information and examine the numerous scoping jobs available on the site. Jobs vary depending on the wages, workload, and years of experience. Always make sure you apply for a job that suits your profile.
For example, if you are newly trained, apply for entry-level scopist jobs. Once you gain enough experience on the job, you can apply for scoping jobs at your level.
Final Thoughts On How To Become A Scopist
You are probably more interested in scopist jobs now that you have learned some things about the profession. It’s a good career option if you are looking forward to working from home and making up to $60,000 yearly. But like many work-from-home jobs, you must remember that scoping requires a lot of self-motivation, focus, and dedication. Even when the job seems to be tedious or difficult, you must keep pushing.
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