The Interview

So things got real in April of 2011, when I filled out an application with the same Paranormal Team who had hosted the Haunted Investigation of Baldwin Plantation. It was very thorough and asked specific questions about my experiences, my views, my understanding of terms, equipment, and confidentiality.

It was a very well rounded questionnaire, that looking back covered a great deal of the questions you would want to know about someone you'd soon be in a dark room with. I've learned since then, having someone you trust in a location is imperative. An entire investigation is tainted if you're unsure about the credibility of the teammate beside you. This person may be a friend, but if you feel they may be exaggerating, trying to make something out to be more than it is, or looking for something that isn't there, you have to get rid of them. It's without a doubt, poison. Okay, sorry... Let me hop off my soap box.

I've gotten off track... Anyway, soon after I filled out the application, I received a phone call and was asked to meet at the home of a team member to do an interview. I assumed that this would be unlike any other interview I had done before. I had no idea how unlike. When I walked in that day, a group of people were hanging out in the living room along with a Chihuahua who was not happy to see me darken her door. While "Bella", as I soon learned her name, barked at me, I introduced myself to everyone. The group was pretty laid back and made me feel welcome. Just when I got comfortable in my surroundings, I was told that my interview would be video taped. I learned that some of the members were not present and to get a consensus from everyone on if I met their criteria, I would need to be recorded for those not present to view later. Of course, I wasn't expecting to be filmed and I gotta say, I was nervous as I took the chair in front of the camera. I don't want to give away any of the things they asked, but I will say that all the items discussed were intense. Much like the application, they covered a lot of areas and they seemed to be summing up my personality as much as my knowledge of the field. I gave my answers to several rounds of questions trying not to pay attention to the lens sitting on the coffee table in front of me.
If I got one thing from this experience, I had found a group of people who I knew shared those same questions I have and the need to find truth. I was stoked at the chance to get to work with them and it just so happened that days later I was given that opportunity when I was asked to join the team as a trainee.