First Interview Frenzy

I went to work last Friday thinking it was going to be a pretty calm day after I got my two articles for Monday written. Turns out it was quite the opposite. As I’m about to scarf down a handful of almonds followed by a mango smoothie, my phone rings. I think nothing of it because I could tell that it was from the client’s office, and assumed it was just my contact calling. It wasn’t. It was a Major from the Air Force, calling me just like he said he would, about a project I am to interview him about. I didn’t think he would call me this early because he had just gotten back from being on leave. But he did. And I learned a valuable lesson.

So, I’m all over the place, trying to think of what to say next. “Oh hi Major Lincoln! So good to hear from you!” I say in an overly cheery voice. And I was happy to hear from him because I had a deadline for this story, and I was nervous about whether he would be mean or not. I mean, I've never known a major from the Air Force, or anywhere for that matter. I was pleasantly surprised however to find that the Major was perfectly pleasant to speak to. Unfortunately, I was perfectly unprepared.

So I bumble through my words as I speak to this man who is someone you shouldn’t bumble your words with. He’s part of a very prestigious, life saving project that I’m suppose to interview him about, and I sound like Rain Man. “Uh, major, hold on a moment while I get my questions.” I say as I rustle through papers. I realize I need to get myself together before doing this interview. “Hi, Major Lincoln, can I give you a call back in five minutes? Would that be ok?” He says sure and I say “Ok. Thanks. I’ll call you back in five minutes” I say stressing the five a little more than needed.

So I chug down a little more of the mango smoothie and as fast as I can, I scarf down the rest of my almonds. Still hungry but feeling a little better I find my notes with my questions, which are practically nothing. Just the Who, What, Where, and How. So I think of a few more questions and write them down.

Feeling more confident, I dial his number. “Hi Major Lincoln.” He says hello and I get right to the point. “Okay let’s start with why this project began. Why this instead of traditional method of delivering blood to those in theatre?” Wow, I surprise myself at how professional I sound. I really got it together quick. I’m such a professional. Never doubted myself for a minute. Well, maybe for a minute.

I finish the interview and take a deep breath. I did it! My first interview since I've been with Lockheed Martin. And it was successful despite my rough start. I'm still hungry so I go to the kitchen to buy some trail mix from the company vending machine and finish eating. I stop and think for a moment realizing that I must NEVER have a mishap like that one again. What if he hadn’t wanted me to call him back? What if he had been a total jerk? After this experience I will make sure I am prepared next time. I won’t make assumptions and I will put important calls on my calendar. I mean I generally put EVERYTHING on my calendar, including when I should take my next allergy pill or Tylenol if I’m having a headache (it’s not good to overmedicate). So, it’s not like me to not put important things on my calendar. I very rarely make that mistake. I definitely won't make it again and I’ll definitely be sure to eat breakfast first thing before any interview because I’ve learned this – conducting a kick-ass interview and hunger just don’t mix.