The System In My Head

Ben's Resume

Rubbing cold plastic from the armrest of his chair, Ben tries to refrain from a monkey outbreak in the middle of this office...

It wasn't easy, as the rude third interviewer criticized him as a waste without regard to his feelings.

The old first interviewer added nothing but nodded in agreement. Even though he wasn't that polite, it was clear he was thinking the same thing, as he stared at ben with rejection.

Bob, the second interviewer coughed. "My old friend at New York University recommended him, claiming that he was very talented."

The third interviewer sneered, "On the written resume he just arrived in New York City. It's his first undergraduate semester. What talent can he have?"

Hearing this rebuttal, Bob's face bowed. Although he agreed this interview was a waste of time, and did not expect Ben's qualifications to be so weak, he still planned to respect his old friend and not humiliate Ben. But what about the third interviewer? He should have been clear about the matter, but still not shown any wisdom!

Bob's face flushed with anger. 'I'm a manager too!' He tried hard not to raise his voice. "Paul, do you have a problem with me showing respect to my friend by interviewing recommended applicants?"

Seeing that Bob was about to step things up, the first interviewer clapped his hands to defuse the situation. "All right, we're all here. Since Bob's friend recommended it, we'd better give the young man a chance."

Hearing this, and seeing Bob's sharp gaze, Paul snorted but did not raise it any further, knowing that it was not in anyone's best interest.

As for Bob, his face was also relaxed, as he prepared to start the interview. However, despite supporting Ben, his expectations were no higher than the other two. Although he smiled, Ben watched as he checked the clock on the wall, unable to hide his impatience.

Seeing this, Ben cursed in his heart. People looked down on him all his life. Nonetheless, in the past few months, he struggled with every inch of his being, struggling through rejection, failure, and even death! He didn't do it to be ridiculed here! He came here to fight for a better future! Not to be humiliated!

With his emotions still burning, Ben stuck his nails into the armrest of his chair, as he involuntarily muttered softly. "It's okay, and if they don't do my interview properly, I'll burn the building down ..."

...

"What was that?" Bob asked as everyone squinted at Ben, not hearing what he was saying because of his low volume...

Realizing his emotions are a little out of control, Ben cleared his throat. "Submit.it's an honor to be here for this interview. This building...I really admire..."

...

"Yes, that's a nice piece of architecture." Bob nodded. Knowing the situation was difficult for Ben, he tried to assuage her with a nervous laugh ... "Well, Benjamin, thank you for coming. We'll start the interview now." He glared at Paul. "If no one objected ..."

Paul snorted but said nothing. He reveals himself as .. habit snorer ...

Bob continued. "I think we'll start with your resume."

"There is no relevant work experience at all .." Paul comments, before he exits the interview and turns his attention to his phone.

"Yes, we all start there, don't we?" Bob defends Ben, no matter Paul stops paying attention. After all, it would make the movement less abrasive for Ben.

The first old interviewer also frowned when he saw Paul's unprofessional demeanor.

Bob continued. "Benjamin, there are some points in the resume that I'm not clear .. Under the extra-curricular activities, can you explain what you mean by:

climbing stairs...

and lift..."

...

Everyone in the room squinted as they glanced between the resume and Ben...

He had never filled out a resume before. He was nervous as he wrote it and had nothing to put down. So, not wanting to leave it empty, she tried her best .. add anything that sounded reasonable ...

The first interviewer answered Bob's question in a serious tone. "I understand the meaning. Although these old bones are not fluent in youth terminology, I still know a thing or two." He looked at Ben intensely, then pointed at him.

That's when Ben realized he had screwed up.

...

Then the old man said it. "Take the basketball, right?"

...

She smiles. "My grandson is a good player. And climb the stairs... I'm pretty sure I heard my niece mention that it was a class at her gym..." He smiled and nodded at Ben. "An athlete, a good boy ..."

Ben's face remained flat. "Thank you, sir..."

"Please, call me Jacob."

The old man was much friendlier than before. After siding with Bob, he also decides to give Ben a chance given his circumstances.

"OK.." continued Bob. "Can you explain some of the things you wrote under Achievement?" He read some that confused him:

"Fool Gold, please,

Forever Dry, though,

Fisting,

Tame the Trap,

Cat, Crow or Snake, or,

Piercing the Dark Gorge,

world exploration, though,

Dirty Forever, Dirty,

big stone holder,

Butter biscuit, butter biscuit,

Steel Blast,

Tiger Fishing from the Mountain,

Athenian War Paint,

Bird Stylish...Aberdeen's...Snowball..."

...

Everyone looked at Ben again...

He swallowed. 'OKAY...NOW I've fucked up.'

...

Jacob frowned and narrowed his eyes at Ben. "That's all supposed to be ... jargon for certain skills, right?"

Ben sighed. "You could say that..." He knew it was over.

Nodding, Jacob leaned against the table and looked into Ben's eyes. "Benjamin. you..."

Ben gulped as he prepared for the worst.

"somebody survived, didn't they?"

...

Ben..restore a slow nod... 'I survived the challenge of death...'

The old man's eyes shone and he slapped the table. "I know it! Real athletes! I love that show, those Bear Grylls, it's awesome! Benjamin, you mustn't be so humble! It's very impressive for a young man to do that!"

...

Ben blinked. 'simple? Is that why I feel so ashamed despite having achieved so much?

...

Is this what I mean by humility?'

...

Soon, Ben's simple interview continues ...