Lofty Goals

At a job interview yesterday I was asked about my long term goals. Fair enough. When you go to an interview you anticipate questions like these, most of the time you even prepare an answer that would suggest that they (your goals) can be met, or come very close (always leave room for growth), with a position where you are interviewing. I know this. But what do you say when your goal is so lofty and unbelievably hard to reach? Um, maybe you should say something else.

"So Jennifer, what was it that attracted you to this position, why here, what are your goals?"

(OK- I've got this. Growth, community involvement, an opportunity to learn...)

"It sounded really interesting. It seemed to me that there was opportunity for growth, which I am always looking for. The job description had various aspects that dealt with my education in addition to past experience which I thought would make this a great fit for what I am looking for. I have two little boys and would really like to get involved with the community, meet people, I love talking to people. Yeah."

(OK- not bad, hit many of the key points there, but then the part I should have kept to myself escaped.)

"Ideally, I would love to write books."

Signed, sealed, delivered, doom. What on Earth, does this position have to do with writing books? I mean, they managed not to scoff to my face at least, but the more people you tell about your dream, only means the more people who see that it's nothing more than that, a dream, when you do not actually achieve it. Half-empty perspective perhaps, but really, how many people do you hear of that say they are going to do something professionally one day and you think, sure, sure you are. Nice dream kiddo.

Sure, it COULD happen. When effort is applied, grueling hours met and long-term focus is kept, it can be done. It helps too when you have a knack for your dream. The question ought to really be, how are you going to achieve your goals?

(Ah, now here is something that I can grasp. A plan. A plan of attack. The plan that would see me to success. I could jabber on about how even having two children didn't slow me down, how I am more of the long distant runner type, not a sprinter...)

"Well, thank you for coming in Jennifer, we will be in touch."