The department supervisor scoffed, then asked casually, "Any internships lately?"
"Yes, my most recent internship was with classmates at an advertising company, where I worked on copywriting and client liaison."
Copywriting and client liaison?
The supervisor found the two aspects rather unrelated and replied dismissively, "Elaborate, please."
Tong An'an didn't try to embellish her qualifications or employ any interview tactics. She honestly recounted her work process and limited experience.
The supervisors simultaneously wore expressions that seemed to seal her fate.
Given her education, work experience, and personal disposition, she was only suited for roles like copywriting, logistics, or secretarial work. Venturing into sales and public-facing roles was entirely unsuitable for her.
"How about this: you can go back and wait for news. We'll discuss it, and then we'll call you with the outcome."
Tong An'an's eyes dimmed completely. She knew this interview had failed again.
Her timid nature, coupled with her unimpressive major, made her fundamentally unsuited for this position.
Moreover, the competition at Zhan Corporation was truly fierce.
She could have thanked them and left at that point, but a wave of frustration and self-reproach washed over her.
Why could everyone else be so confident and outgoing, while she had to be timid and hesitant?
She wasn't inferior; she had consistently received praise from her teachers at school.
She had many ideas and a lot of passion for work. If only she were given a chance, she believed she wouldn't lose to anyone.
Why was no one willing to give her a chance?
So, after the supervisor finished speaking, she didn't rush to leave. Instead, she stood up, bowed respectfully, and then spoke with poise.
"I know there's a stereotype that sales requires eloquent speech and a bold, assertive personality, but I don't believe that."
"Young people today, a new generation of consumers, interact differently than before."
"During my time at university, I conducted a survey with my professor. We found that the core demographic of internet users, aged 18-45, often labeled themselves as socially anxious."
"More and more people prefer solitude and dislike being oversold."
"For instance, many of my friends share a common trait: they enjoy buffets and shopping at unmanned stores because they don't want the constant presence or overly enthusiastic sales pitch from staff, which puts pressure on them."
"Of course, I'm not suggesting that all salespeople should temper their approach and become like unmanned retail, passively waiting for business."
"Rather, I believe we should assign different types of salespeople to different client types?"
"As long as one has solid professional knowledge, can effectively liaise with clients, perfectly address their queries, and handle issues, they can still be a good salesperson, can't they?"
Unexpectedly, at the last moment, she delivered such a profound insight.
Those in the mid-to-high ranks at Zhan Corporation were seasoned professionals over the age of 35.
She managed to momentarily stun them, but not for long.
After hearing her out, they exchanged glances, smiled, and one supervisor said,
"What you've said has some merit, and we will consider your opinion. However, please don't hold up the time for others. Kindly return and await notification."
Though still facing rejection, she felt a sense of relief having expressed her thoughts and that she had done her best.
Tong An'an bowed sincerely to everyone again and prepared to leave.
Jiang Jingyu, who had been leaning back silently, suddenly stood up slowly.
"Zhan Corporation emphasizes diversified talent. With too many elites here, everyone is too arrogant and unwilling to yield to others. If this continues, the team might encounter problems."
"What this student said is quite right: facing different clients requires different types of salespeople. As long as one is diligent and hardworking, it doesn't matter if they aren't as dazzling."
"Your interview style is too rigid and conventional. Continuing this way will cause the company to lose diverse talents. You should reflect on yourselves."
Hearing their president speak, everyone quickly stood up, looking surprised.
They thought, He never cared about these matters before. Why is President Jiang showing up here today? And why is he saying words of retention for an unremarkable interviewee?
Could it be that this person has a connection with him?
Similarly, Tong An'an on the other side felt a bit puzzled.
She felt Jiang Jingyu looked familiar, but couldn't recall where she might have seen him.
Seeing everyone showing him such respect, he must be someone important.
She mused internally, Perhaps I saw him in a magazine or news report. Otherwise, I wouldn't find such an important figure familiar.
Seeing everyone standing respectfully and looking at him, Jiang Jingyu didn't want to make the atmosphere too awkward. He walked over, patted the sales deputy general manager's shoulder, and smiled, saying,
"No one is destined for a certain position from birth; everyone needs to learn. Be good at discovering the shining points in others and don't fixate solely on their flaws. Thank you for your hard work, please continue."
With that, he left the conference room under everyone's gaze.
His assistant walked briskly beside him back to the president's office. As they neared the door, he suddenly remembered.
"That's why I thought she looked so familiar! We've met her before! President Jiang, do you remember? The Hao Wei Restaurant in Shuangqiao Town."
"That Tong An'an just now, we dined at her family's place!"
Jiang Jingyu thought, You only remember now.
But he denied it verbally, "What Shuangqiao Town? What restaurant? I don't remember."
Tong An'an, who had been officially dismissed and would have had to wait a couple of days for interview results even if she passed, was mistakenly believed to have connections and was hired on the spot.
She was to officially report for duty the following Monday.
Tong An'an was stunned.
It wasn't until she left the Zhan Corporation building and looked back at the magnificent structure from a distance that she belatedly covered her mouth and let out an excited scream.
She had gotten into Zhan Corporation! She had been hired by Zhan Corporation, surpassing numerous high-achieving students!
Oh, heavens, when paths seem blocked, another village emerges!
As long as she didn't give up on herself, life still held hope!
She immediately took a car home to report the good news to her mother and then packed her bags to come to Nancheng to start her employment.
By the time she returned home, it was past one in the afternoon. Her brother, a taxi driver whose meal times were irregular, had just returned for lunch.
Since her mother didn't have much of an impression of Zhan Corporation, she wasn't particularly thrilled by the good news. It was her brother who kindly said a few words on her behalf.
"Zhan Corporation, that's impressive. I never expected them to make an exception and hire you, a history major. I've driven many guests who were masters from various prestigious universities, and they were still rejected."