Rooting for a Stranger
An overheard interview, a pending court date and a little grace.
Photo by Resume Genius on Unsplash
“Okay, well, I’ll see you next week … if you’re not in jail.”
“Oh, I won’t be.”
That snippet of a conversation occurred in a restaurant earlier this week while I was enjoying lunch. The interviewer’s tone was pleasant, and afterward, she didn’t go back to her employees and gossip about it. I know that because I could hear everything she said to them. She just carried on as usual, saying she had more interviews lined up. Presumably, that will bring them some relief.
Who knows what the interviewee faces in court next week. Apparently, she disclosed it to her potential employer, who was okay with it.
That must have been so difficult for the new employee. She could have kept quiet, hoping things would go her way in court, and dealt with the fallout later if things didn’t pan out. We put our best foot forward in interviews, not our worst. But she laid it on the table before she even had the job. Maybe she figured it would come out anyway. That took courage, and integrity.
In a sense, it was a picture of the gospel. You can’t get in unless you confess you don’t belong. Then grace enters the equation.
She still has to stand before a judge. Confession didn’t erase that. But she won’t walk into that courtroom wondering whether anyone will give her a chance afterward. Something tells me her new boss might hold the job for her even if she ends up serving some time.
When I first started writing for magazines, an editor took a chance on me and gave me an assignment. I think I had one publishing credit to my name at that point. I interviewed the subject and those who knew him, then wrote the article and turned it in. The editor came back and pointed out that my article had two themes. I needed to pick one and flesh that out. After doing so, his magazine published the article, and he went on to assign many more articles to me.
He could have crushed me, but instead, he guided me in the right direction and gave me another shot. I don’t think I’d still be writing today if he had responded differently.
I’ll never know how things turn out for the new hire. But as she walked out of the restaurant, I found myself rooting for her. I know what one person’s willingness to take a chance did for me. I hope it does the same for her.
