Breathe. Step. Repeat.

*disclaimer - I am tired, and refuse to proof read this... so.. please accept my apologies... posting as-is.

"The closest to perfection a person ever comes is when he fills out a job application form. " ~Stanley J. Randall

*insert a sigh of relief*

I survived the BIG interview day. Some how.. some way... I got through it.

Breathe. Take a step forward. Repeat.

That's what I kept telling my self the entire time. Just get through it. Just get through it...

Think the "Little Engine That Could" : "I think I can.. I think I can...

I thought I could. I think I did.

Breathe. Step. Repeat.

It started out simple enough - fill out the application, even though you have a resume in their hands. Then I was escorted upstairs to the news room for the morning meeting. I got to see the dynamic of everyone there, the story ideas tossed back and forth, the buzzing of the police scanners. All of it was vaguely familiar. Then I began hearing the "lingo" and it was like a foreign language I once spoke was slowly coming back to me. Slowly... but surely.

So far - one hour down - so good. For the most part, everyone was friendly. Nope, can't remember a single name, and nope could not tell you what most of them did (outside of the on-air talent.. since I am more familiar with them.)

Next I was dropped off into the morning show hub to see how I fit in with the team. Luckily, I had worked with one of their "live" reporters on several stories in the past - so it went well.  We all laughed, chatted, I shared my story. They shared theirs. I can honestly say the chemistry was there. About 30 minutes into that, the Midday show was about to begin, and I was left in there to chat with one of the anchor/reporters.. and it was a nice chat.

It's noon now.

Time for one on one with the News Director and Assistant News Director. I was up front and honest about my job experience, sharing little tid bits here and there. He challenged me a few times with some questions like, "If you could take any inspiration from programming on tv now and incorporate it into a newscast - what would you do?" I thought about it.. and answered accordingly with examples and what not.

Then 30 minutes later - it's writing time. I was given 30 minutes to write 3 stories (from the wire feed) and was asked to write a creative piece on approaching the security gate.

Seriously.

I went for it with gusto. I don't know if it was actually 30 minutes, but the A. D. came out and asked me to print, had to go back in and the N.D. critiqued the stories I wrote. It's close to 1pm now.

Starting to get hungry. Starting to get tired. But hanging in there.

Then the final part of the interview takes place. The Assignment Editor, the A.D. and the N.D. role play with me for almost an hour. As if we are in a morning meeting. They give me the basic stories we have, I have to decide the "treatment" for them, then stack them in a newscast. Of course, the N.D. throws some little monkey wrenches in with examples like, "The live truck is down..." Or "You don't have the verdict.." Etc.

This is where I started getting a little nervous. It's been a while. These are stories I am not super attached to. But I stumbled my way through that section.

Only to spend the next 30 minutes or so answering trivia questions like - Name a State Senator, and Who's the Mayor of such and such, and finally "Who won the National Football Championship two years ago." *sigh* Breathe. Step. Repeat.

Finally, I got to share a little more about me, and ask a few questions. They answered graciously and sent me on my way.

It's hard to read news people, always has been. They come off way more tough than they actually are, but you have to go through that "initiation" of sorts... it's just how it goes.

Do I think they will hire me? Your guess is as good as mine.
Do I think I am qualified? Heck yeah.
Do I think I am rusty on the ins and outs? Of course.

But the basics haven't changed, even though the technology has. That's the good news.

Oooh... it was a looooong morning. But one thing I know for sure, I really liked the conversation during the morning meeting, I truly felt comfortable and good with the morning show team, and I know I could do this.

Whether or not there is someone else with just a little more experience, that remains to be seen.

I need a nap now. ;-)

Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else. ~James Matthew Barrie