First interview/statement tomorrow

[clayhillks]

I have my first paid, statement/interview tomorrow after observing a few. Nervous but excited and (hopefully) well prepared. Will report back to let you know how it went.

K

[malmac]

Well done karl do let us know
malmac

[Homer]

I am interested to hear the story and those of others who have recently done their first interview/statement recently.

[Catzeyes]

Well done Karl.  I am sure you will be fine.  

Most of us who did their first job whether it be factual, surveillance, or whatever, did not sleep well the night before, so it is understable that  you are nervous and it is quite natural to be so.

[clayhillks]

Ok - overall, it went well. The feedback I got from the person supervising me was mostly positive, it was never (and never will be) going to be perfect, everyone always learns. The claimant was very patient with me and overall was very accomodating during the interview.

Had one mini stuff up which I won't go into here (we all stuff things up though at some stage though and thats how we learn) , but it just means I have to see the claimant again tomorrow to get him to sign the statement and review it. Basically, up until the mini stuff up I was doing really well but then got flustered and wanted the earth to swallow me up right there and then, but it wasn't until after the interview was completed that the supervisor said to me that it wasn't a major stuff up and its fixable and that I was doing fantastic up until that point. All good though.

Overall for my first one I was happy and relieved it went off mostly without a hitch. Still have lots to learn but that is to be expected. The feedback I got at the de-brief afterwards was positive and constructive at the same time.

[Homer]

So do you get to charge for going back to see the claimant ? Would the client wear those costs if it was a stuff up ? What was format of i/v - tape recorded, typed there and then or notes ?

[clayhillks]

No - the client isn't getting charged for me to go back.

It turns out its all good - the original error has been fixed 100% and in a fraction of the time I thought it was going to initially take to fix,  so the revisit is simply me going out to get the claimant to read & sign the statement. Luckily I was heading that way today so its no inconvenience to me or the claimant as he was very understanding at the time as well.

I think the magnitude of the error was enhanced because it was my first statement and I just wanted the Earth to swallow me up when it occurred but it turns out that its a common error that even experienced investigators experience from time to time. The good news is I have now put measures in place so it won't (hopefully) ever happen again.

 I have received great feedback on the statement from the client and all is good.

[sgtskzell]

Well done Clayhillks!

You are obviously recently licensed? I am hoping to have mine by mid-May, I can't wait to get started!

What area are you from? I'm currently living on the Gold Coast, and hope to find work locally, but I am not sure of the likelihood of that happening.  :?

It's great to hear that everything is going well for you! It's not very common that we get to hear of the progress of the newly licensed, and it is a very motivating and encouraging sign for those like me who are still studying.

Have a good weekend