Chapter 1 — Recruitment Spots Stolen

During the interview, HR spoke English from beginning to end. When the general manager pushed the door open and walked in, she was dumbfounded. On the day of the interview, HR spoke English from beginning to end, at a speed as fast as a machine gun. I sat opposite, blinked my eyes, my face was full of sincerity, then replied in Chinese:

"Sorry, can you repeat it again?"

She frowned and repeated again in English, deliberately speaking more slowly, as if she were teaching a kindergarten child. I still shook my head, scratched the back of my neck, and smiled shyly:

"I'm sorry, my English is not good."

Her expression turned from impatience to disdain. She made a "click" sound when she folded the file, the corners of her lips curled up sarcastically.

"This position in our company requires English as a basic skill. If you don't understand even what I say, I'm afraid it's not suitable."

Having finished speaking, she stood up, intending to see her guests off. At that moment, the interview room door was suddenly pushed open. The group's general director stood right outside the door. As soon as he saw me, his face immediately changed.

"Why are you here?"

He turned to HR and said exactly one sentence. The female interviewer was still cocky and arrogant just now. As soon as she listened, her legs became weak and she couldn't even stand. The air conditioner in the interview room was very cold. I sat near the window, holding a resume in my hand, my fingertips barely moving. The woman sitting opposite flipped through two pages of documents and then looked up at me. Her name is Phuong Man, senior manager of the Human Resources department. The employee ID card is worn on the chest, the photo on it is edited to the point that it looks much gentler than the real person. In real life, she is colder and better at judging others. Not a single word of courtesy. As soon as she opened her mouth, she poured out a stream of English. The pace is so fast that it feels like reciting a prepared lesson. Obviously not to communicate, but to overwhelm the opponent. I looked at her, blinking.

"Sorry, can you say that again?"

I replied in Chinese. Phuong Man immediately frowned. She was silent for two seconds then repeated the whole thing in English. This time speak a little slower. Every word is emphasized very strongly. Just like a teacher teaching an idiot student. I still look at her.

"I'm sorry, my English is not good."

Having finished speaking, I even gave a very sincere smile. Phuong Man placed the pen firmly on the table. The sound is not loud, but deafening enough.

"Are you Khuong An Ninh?"

"In your profile, it says that you have experience working on projects abroad."

"That's right."

"But you can't even understand basic English communication?"

She leaned back in her chair, her eyes turning from scrutiny to disgust. I looked down at my resume. That's the profile I just edited not long ago. I erased most of my previous experience, only keeping three years of administrative work, two years of project assistant and a university degree from a normal school. The overseas project experience section is only written in one line. Participate in organizing documents. No mention of negotiation. No mention of contract. Not to mention that I once stood in a meeting room in London, using English to make Thinh Hoa Group's competitors so cornered that they couldn't say a single sentence.

"Maybe it's because I haven't written enough clear."

I calmly replied. Phuong Man burst out laughing. That's not a smile because it's funny. It's the smile of someone who thinks I don't know how to measure myself.

"Our International Sales Department hires assistant general managers, not tea bartenders."

"The recruitment requirements clearly state that you must be fluent in English and be able to handle international emails and meeting minutes."

"You don't even understand my last question, so how do you work?"

I nodded.

"What you say makes a lot of sense."

That answer made her pause. Perhaps she had already prepared a lesson, but I didn't expect that I didn't bother to argue. Next to him was a young male interviewer, who had hardly spoken since the beginning. He looked at me, then looked at Phuong Man.

"Miss Phuong, how about switching to Chinese and asking a few more technical questions?"

Phuong Man immediately glanced at him.

"No need."

She closed my file.

"I don't even have basic communication skills. Asking again is just a waste of everyone's time."

The male interviewer fell silent. I saw his fingers lightly tap twice under the table. He was also uncomfortable. Just don't dare to speak up. Phuong Man picked up my file, and as if suddenly remembering something, she turned to the second page.

"The reason you previously stated for leaving your job was to develop yourself?"

"I see you're not young anymore."

I raised my head to look at her. She looked straight at me, her tone even lighter.

"This position has a very high work intensity, often requiring meetings with senior leaders. It is not suitable for people who just want to find a place to get by."

I didn't speak up. She continued.

"There are people who think that getting into a big company can change their lives."

"But big companies are much more realistic."

"If you don't have enough ability, no matter how beautiful you are, it's useless."

At this point, this is no longer an interview. It's an insult. The male interviewer lowered his head to look at the computer screen, his ears turning slightly red. I placed the bag in my hand on my knee. Inside there is a tape recorder. Even before entering this room, it was already turned on. This is not the first time I heard the name Phuong Man. Half a month ago, Thinh Hoa Group headquarters received an internal complaint. The sender did not leave a name. The content is very brief. In the Human Resources department, there are people who often use English to humiliate candidates during interviews. It is especially cruel to people with a normal education, an interrupted record, or a relatively old age. One candidate was scolded by her until she burst into tears on the spot. There were also people who were mocked by her:

"If you don't understand, don't come here to make fun of me."

At the end of the email there is also a sentence attached. If Thinh Hoa Group's doors are only opened to those who like to show off their sense of superiority, then sooner or later this place will close to truly capable people. When that email was forwarded to the Board of Directors Secretary's Office, Ha Minh Xuyen called me. He said:

"Instructor Khuong, help me take a look."

"See how?"

He replied:

"Go personally for an interview once."

So I came. Wear your most casual white shirt. Tie the simplest low ponytail. Turn yourself into a candidate who doesn't exist at first glance any threat. And Phuong Man... Didn't recognize me at all. What Phuong Man saw was just a resume that I had deliberately omitted. Just saw a woman always bowing her head and apologizing.

"Khuong An Ninh."

Phuong Man stood up.

"Let's come here today."

"We will save your file."

"But as an individual, I advise you to read the recruitment requirements carefully before submitting your application."

She pushed the resume towards me. Very light movement. But the attitude is extremely heavy.

"Don't waste either side's time."

I don't take it. Just looked up at her.

"Manager Phuong, the English questions you just asked... are they really related to the work of this position?"

Phuong Man paused.

"Do you understand why you ask?"

"I just wanted to ask."

Phuong Man's face immediately turned cold.

"If you don't understand, don't pretend you have the ability to judge."

I nodded.