Genesis 3
T he economy was bad, so Barry's career counseling business was ? good. In fact it was booming. Clients flowed into his suburban W Charlotte, North Carolina home-office in a steady stream. Many came in the evening, and with a young, exuberant family sharing home and business quarters, he felt perhaps his professionalism was being undercut.
It came to a head one evening during an interview training session with Blanche, an older woman who looked remarkably like Barbara Bush. "Ignore distractions," he advised her, "stay focused on the interview," all the while talking over his daughter's blaring music video and his three-year-old son Ethan's happy splashing in the bathtub. Blanche listened attentively and ignored the noise around them.
Suddenly the office door flew open and Ethan burst in, dripping wet and totally naked. Grantedgling wildly, he paraded around the room until Barry's wife, right on Ethan's heels, scooped him up in a big bath towel, the two of them laughing gaily.
Barry was apologizing profusely when Blanche interrupted. "Barry, I raised two kids and have three grandchildren. If this is the worst, you're a lucky man. Now, I think you were talking about ignoring distractions?"
They completed the session with Blanche amused and Barry seriously questioning the cost-benefit of an office at home.
Not long afterward, he moved his business to an office suite ten minutes from home, where he now has a partner and a still thriving resume preparation and interview training business.
Distractions will occur at an interview. You can demonstrate your value to an employer if you think on your feet, react appropriately and stay focused.
