While I’m not an expert on personality types, I’d like to point out a few of the traits a good process server possesses:
Independence
Any good process server, whether they’re an introvert or extrovert, creative thinker or steady taskmaster, is fiercely independent.
Let’s face it, this line of work involves a lot of time in the car, running from place to place, grabbing lunch on the go. While it opens up a lot of flexibility in your schedule, it means spending time alone.
And when you run into a snag, like an evasive defendant or just a plain old flat tire, you’ve only got yourself to rely on.
If you’re naturally independent, the kind of person who hates being micromanaged, then you’ll love the freedom to do your job as you see fit.
Integrity
This is common sense, right? But if that’s so, why does the industry continue to be plagued by fly-by-night, less-than-honest types?
Every few months it seems another high profile case hits the news about unethical process servers and sewer service.
Sewer service is when a process server doesn’t actually complete a good serve, and then lies about it to get paid. For some, the temptation to make hundreds or even thousands of dollars without doing the work is just too much.
Falsifying court records is a serious offense, a felony in most cases. And it harms the industry, damaging the public’s trust in what we do.
A good process server respects the rules, and never falsifies a return of service.
Adaptability
We don’t talk a lot about adaptability, but it’s likely the most important trait a good process server can possess.
This applies to the day-to-day situations you find yourself in, and the much larger changes already happening within the industry.
The future will include service by email and social media (it’s already happening). The newest crop of process servers may spend as much time tracking down defendants digitally as we used to spend tracking them down the old-fashioned way.
A good process server will adapt or perish.