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Question 4 of 20
What distracts you in the workplace?
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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"My dog passed away earlier this year. I took one day off to sort things about, but I was still quite distracted for another day or two. My pup had been my best friend for quite some time. I made some small mistakes in some reporting, but my team knew my situation and were very understanding. I am not easily distracted, but that event was an exception."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"Because I sit at the front desk, I face many interruptions during my day. We have an open-office layout which also doesn't help much either. I will send signals to my team when I need to concentrate such as sending out an email to let the team know that I have a deadline to hit by a certain time. Luckily most of my office mates are respectful and consider those deadlines."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"Emails! Emails can be so distracting and time-consuming. For that reason, I have started to shut my computer screen off during times when I need to gather my creative mojo. It helps tremendously to block time specifically for emails. I am much more productive that way."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I get distracted by clutter. I feel that a store should be tidy, and items should be easy to find. At times I have found myself so engrossed in merchandising that I do not get to my other tasks until later than I would like. Now, I set a particular time for myself, for instance, I will give myself 10 minutes to fix the front displays, and when that time is up, I need to move on."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"In my current position, we have meetings to have meetings, to have more meetings. I do often find these more distracting than I do helpful. I fully understand the need for meetings but perhaps not two or three per day. These often interrupt my flow and then I end up working a lot of overtime."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"The classroom can get a bit noisy which is a distraction for myself, and other students who are trying to concentrate. To combat this, I have incorporated quiet time with prizes for students who are the quietest during the week. This downtime is great for the students and also helps me to get some marking in while the kids read."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Everyone finds distractions in the workplace, and the interviewer would like to know what yours may be. Avoid saying that you do not get distracted. As laser-focused as you may be, you are still human and will get distracted. Be honest with what distracts you in the workplace but also offer up a solution by discussing how you best avoid that particular distraction.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I think we are all distracted by our phones now and then and I am no exception to the rule. To overcome this distraction in the workplace, I keep my cell phone in my desk drawer on silent. Anyone who knows me knows to call my desk phone when they need me, or in case of an emergency."
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Anonymous Answer
It's so easy to get distracted by all of our technology and devices. I keep my phone on silent and in the room next to me. I check it during breaks to make sure no one is trying to get a hold of me concerning my son. I do wear an Apple Watch and have put it on sleep mode during work hours. This way it will track my steps but it won't vibrate or beep every time I get a message.
I have also started mindful meditation over the past few months. I notice a big difference in my focus, patience, and being present.
Marcie's Feedback
Excellent answer! Getting distracted by technology is a common issue, and it sounds like you've discovered various ways to ensure you stay focused on your work instead of on your phone. Nice! The interviewer will appreciate hearing this. You come across as patient, present, and focused.
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