Transformation…

Ethan, an average guy, average in everything. His grades were “B-” throughout school. Ethan showed negligence to every problem he faced. His attitude was “this-is-how-it-is-what-can-I-do” to almost everything. He never tried to change anything let alone his life. He convinced himself he is average, he convinced himself that he is destined to live a mediocre life. I believe that is the worst anyone has for done him, ever. As you go through the story you will learn how Ethan changed his life, transformed into a complete new one. This story is all about how Ethan broke the glass ceiling, that had he created around him.

Ethan was sitting in his room with 1 half empty and 3 empty beer bottles, labelled “strong”. He was surrounded by cigarette butts and ash. He opened a window, cool breeze changed the environment and cleared the smoke in his room. Staring at the stars he thought “this is what I wanted, an engineering degree and a job. I will get my degree in less than a year and I have an Interview with one of the best government organizations tomorrow”. Ethan’s technical and communication skills were average, but his confidence was much below that. He said to himself “more than 20 companies will be visiting my college in next 7 months, I will make it to at least one of those, even the worst one will do. Then I will be earning an average salary, get married to a normal girl, who is neither ugly nor beautiful, have 2 kids, get a 2 bedroom flat, get settled and die peacefully”. Now I think you can understand the glass ceiling I am talking about. He caged himself in that glass cage. He always thought he is destined to live a such life. He never believed that his destiny is in his hands, life is what you make it. He was far away from these thoughts and considered such motivational quotes crap. Ethan never had any “actual” friends, except one girl who was his lab partner.

After consulting with many seniors and colleagues, he finalized his outfit for interview carefully, and memorized what not to do at interviews. He passed the written exams with ease, he wore a formal outfit, white shirt, black trouser, black shoes, no belts and a tie. He double checked if his breath is still stinking like ashtray. He arrived at the conference room where the interview was scheduled. They called 24 guys for interview, Ethan was scheduled last. Total number of vacancies were 10, by the time Ethan arrived at the scene they had interviewed 22 guys and finalized 9. The result were being declared after every 2-3 interviews. Only Ethan and his only “lab-partner” friend Maya were left. One position left and two contenders. Stress was clearly visible in their faces. Ethan asked Maya why is she not wearing formals? Even though Maya was stressed she simply answered, pointing a finger towards her forehead “Its all in here dude, its all in here”. Ethan felt pity for her but wished her anyway. Maya went in with a blank expression. Ethan was feeling bad for his friend but was happy as well, as Maya was not in proper outfit, the chances of him getting selected is more now. Maya came out of the interview hall with exact opposite expression, before Ethan could ask her about the interview he was called in. He went in and saw 6 guys sitting near a circular table, all facing at the center of the table and reading Ethan’s profile. One guy welcomed Ethan with a warm “Good afternoon”.

Interview No. 1

Interviewer 1: Good afternoon Mr. Ethan. (No reply for around 5-7 seconds, without asking for permission he sat in the chair, kept his profile and hands on the table and replied)

Ethan: G..G..Goo…Good afternoon sir. (his reply was awkward)

Interviewer 1: Please call me Adam. And no need to be nervous. Just be calm, be yourself.

Ethan: (still nervous) sure sir…I mean Adam sir, I mean Adam. Thank you.

Interviewer 2: So Mr. Ethan, tell me about yourself.

Ethan: Sir I..I …am..I…I…I am Ethan. I am in final year of PQR college of Engineering. And I….

Interviewer 3: Don’t you think we know that already Mr. Ethan.

Ethan: Of.of….course you do Adam Sir.

Interviewer 3: (Pointing towards Adam) I think you already know that I am not Adam, he is.

(in next 5 minutes Adam and others asked something around 10-11 technical questions, Ethan was able to answer 7 of those. He said “I don’t know”, “I have never read that”, “That question is not covered in my syllabus” etc. in the questions he was unable to answer and every time he answered Adam’s question he addressed him as sir (followed by I mean Adam sir…. I mean Adam).)

Interviewer 1: Alright Mr. Ethan you may go now. We’ll let you know the results shortly. You can wait in the lobby.

Ethan got up picked his resume and left without saying anything. (Rude…. very rude)

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Ethan went to lobby and saw Maya sitting there reading a fashion magazine. He went to her and asked “how was your interview?”. She smiled and said “Good. yours?”. “Yeah mine was good too”. Ethan inquired about the number of technical questions she answered. She replied using her hand, four fingers pointing upwards. “What? girl!! what have you done? 10 questions and 4 answers. Are you craz…”. Maya looked up for the first time and said “chill out man, they asked me only 8 questions, I think they were more interested in HR stuff than non-technical stuff. What about you?”. “Me? I answered 7 of 10 questions perfectly. But they didn’t ask me anything other than technical stuff”. Adam came with a big smile. He noticed the way Ethan and Maya were talking to each other. “Hello Ethan, Maya how are you doing?”. Both answered “We are good”. Adam came closer and said “Miss Maya you are hired. Congratulations. Be ready to join us on 24th-August, you can collect your offer-letter from the head of your training and placement department tomorrow. Now would you mind giving me and Ethan a sec ?”. Maya was very happy she said “sure sir” and left. Ethan was stunned to hear all that, he turned to Adam “Adam I thought you said technically I am good and… “. “Yes. That you are Ethan. I just think you are not suited for the post we are offering. You have a bright future ahead of you. Tell me one thing, and be honest, do you think you are missing something?”. Ethan was still stunned. his eyes wide open and face was pale, he replied “I don’t know Adam”. “See now you are calling me Adam loud and clear. What were you doing in there? Okay I’ll tell you something, you are missing something, something very important, you need to figure that out as soon as possible. Not merely to make it through a job interview but to live”

Ethan felt stupid for saying those words to Maya. “She did it, I could not” he was thinking this over and over. That night he was surrounded by 4 full beer bottles all labelled “super strong”. This was his way of showing indifference to problems. Instead of confronting the problems, he avoided it. No improvisation. All he learned was his communication skills are poor. He started thinking what went wrong? everything except one was perfect, resume, outfit, body language. And what was that thing Adam was talking about? “I am missing something that I need to live…. horse-shit”. How dare he made such comment? Who is he to tell me that? Ethan could have analyzed the comment and he could have found that thing he has been missing. But he didn’t. Screw Adam and his company he thought, better companies will be conducting interviews soon.

Ethan was waiting at the very same lobby in the very same outfit for his turn. Next to him was Harry. He barely knew the guy. Harry looked like nothing serious is going on. “Hi! Ethan right”. “Yeah. You are Harry right?”. “Yes I am. Whats wrong you look tensed?” Harry noted. “Dude my interview is scheduled 2:00 PM and its 1:53 PM, course I am tensed”. Harry looked at Ethan with a calm face “Yeah well mine is scheduled at 2:15 or something, And I am joining this company”. Ethan felt pity for Harry too but said “What makes you so sure? Maya told me about your grades, your’s are almost same as mine”. Harry came closer and said “Fact. Should I be worried about that? That is something I can’t change, but what I can change is the way I present myself to the Interviewers, the way I use what I have in most efficient way”. “Do you know every technical thing that we learned in last 3 years of Engineering?”. Harry readjusted his position and said “No. Do you? Man who does? Okay be ready you are up next” Ethan felt like he just wasted 1.5 minutes of his life by talking to an idiot.

Interview No. 2

Interviewer 1: Good afternoon Ethan. Please sit. (A warm welcome same as Adam’s)

Ethan: Good afternoon sir. Thank you. (more fluent than last time)

Interviewer 1: (Handling Ethan’s profile to other interviewer) Ethan why don’t we start the interview with your brief introduction.

Ethan: Sure sir. Thank you. As mentioned in my profile I am Ethan I am from XYZ city. I love analyzing problems. I am positive, confident and honest in every work I do. I have completed a project P1 under the supervision of Prof. X. (and some family background after that).

Interviewer 1: Good. Good. Is there anything you regret after these 3 years of engineering at this college?

Ethan: Yes I do. My final semester syllabus includes a mandatory subject that will not be helpful to anyone except the guys who are going for higher education and research. I feel like I am wasting 5 hours every week on this subject. But there is no other option its a mandatory subject.

Interviewer 1: hmm… anything else?

Ethan: And some of the professors are just crazy, they expect us to finish some task that requires complete10 days in just 3 days. I mean what is that all about. (what is positive in this reply? Ethan’s words and actions are conveying different attitudes)

Interviewer 2: I am sure you had to go through a lot. So Mr. Ethan any specific reason you preferred us over other companies?

Ethan: No sir. No specific reasons. I just want a job and an average salary. You seem to be providing both. So I… (Gone… long gone… no preparation about the company whatsoever)

Interviewer 2: Thank you for your time Ethan. You may leave and please send in Mr. Harry.

(Ethan was silent for a few moments and thought why the hell did they tell me leave. They didn’t even ask any technical questions. What did I do?)

Ethan: Sure sir. Thank you. (and left. This too was better than last time, but overall not so good)

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Ethan saw the notice board to find his name in the list of selected candidates. It was not there. He turned, his eyes were red, he left for his room. He saw a bunch of guys cheering their success with a bottle of champagne. He noticed Harry was holding an A4 size envelope. Others were congratulating Harry. Ethan guessed the contents of Harry’s envelope. He didn’t feel like going to them. He locked himself in his room. He brought booze and cigarettes. This time the beer bottles were labelled “super duper strong”. He never congratulated Harry or Maya.

Ethan was doing his regular thing. booze, smoke open a window gaze at stars and wonder how it happened?. Ethan’s cell phone buzzed. It said “Maya calling…”. Ethan picked up the phone “Hey Maya! Whats up?”. He was trying to hide his anger. Anger for Harry? for Adam? for Maya? Even he was not sure of that. “Hi Ethan!!! I heard about the….you know… Harry told me”. Ethan trying his best not to freak out “Yeah yeah I know, what about it?”. There was silence for next 20 seconds then Maya said “Just wanted to make sure you are okay?”. “You think I am okay? that’s great, well guess what? I am not okay. And what is it to you? you and that stupid Harry have already got offer letter”. Maya still sounded cool and calm. “Hey don’t say that you are my friend…are you drunk?”. Ethan coughed to make his voice more clear “No I am not… I mean why would I be drunk… ha haha haa you sound crazy”. “You are drunk. Aren’t you”. Ethan felt stupid, he said “Yes I am drunk, I am sorry but I can’t handle situations like this”. Maya was still cool “Its okay. Do you really think Harry is stupid?”. Ethan was a little moved by the question “Yes I do, please don’t tell Harry”. Maya replied in her usual cool voice “Don’t worry I won’t. But the thing I don’t understand is why?”. Ethan pulled himself away from the window and said “Because his grades are less and he has got a big mouth, he just keeps talking weird stuff like presenting what he knows in an efficient manner etc. I was really pissed at him”. Maya simply asked “why do you think they hired Harry?”. Ethan never gave it a thought, this simple question reduced the effect of the super duper strong beer drastically. “I am not … sure” Ethan replied. Maya said “Guess… now a days companies hire stupid guys with big mouth and girls with improper outfit eh…”. Ethan was shocked “Why Harry? Why not me?”. Maya was not done “You call him stupid because he has got lower grades? Does that mean you are stupid too? Your grades are almost similar. Do not belittle your self… you……. drinking…. moron. The only possible explanation is there is something wrong with you? I want to help you but you never let me, you just like to live alone in that creepy room of yours”.Maya’s words reached Ethan’s unconscious and conscious self . There is something wrong with me, Adam was saying something very similar. They hired someone who was not properly dressed (Maya), they hired someone having similar and even those with lower grades than mine. He recalled all the events since the interview process started. He was not listening to Maya. Maya was saying “…and you just start boozing and…”. Ethan Interrupted “Hey Maya! What did you mean that day when you said Its all in here, I mean in your head?”. “I am glad you asked that Ethan, I only meant that your getup and shoes and tie and haircut actually supports one thing. If that one thing is not good, all the supporting items bear no meaning”. Ethan was listening carefully now “whats that thing?”. Maya replied “Attitude”. Ethan realized she is so damn right. “Ethan I have learned many things in last 4 months like Never give up, Keep trying, Now or never. Do not memorize it like you always do. Try to understand it. You will get a job one company or another but there is something that is required to move forward in life, attitude, a goal, a force to push you up. Don’t think that life is over just because you earned an engineering degree, that is just the beginning. Struggle is inevitable, fight for your goal, don’t avoid it” Ethan was listening everything, a little 5 minutes talk Maya has helped him find what he has been missing all along. Ethan gave up every time he experienced a small failure and boozed. Maya unknowingly gave him the secret to success. “Maya, thanks for calling I really needed that and congratulations”. Maya replied “anytime Ethan”.

Ethan was rejected in next 8 interviews. But there was a small difference this time. He learned something every time he failed. He improvised every time. He gave his best every time he was called for interview. Every interview was better than previous one. Although he was a bit upset yet 8 failures in a row could not shake his confidence even by a bit. He stopped neglecting problems, he stopped providing succor to negative thoughts. One of the best private organisations visited Ethan’s college one day they wanted to hire 10-13 fresh engineers. As always Ethan made it to the final round.

Interview 11.

Interviewer 1: Good morning Ethan. Please be seated

Ethan: Good morning sir. Thank you. (more confident than ever. A big smile was visible. Same formal outfit)

Interviewer 1: How are you ?

Ethan: I am wonderful sir, thank you.

(After introductions and some of the technical questions. he again scored 7/11)

Interviewer 2: Why do you want to join us Mr. Ethan?

Ethan: Sir I have read your firm’s reports. There has been a tremendous progress in past 3 years. Company’s turn over has increased by 37% in past 2 years. Company has extended its wings to 13 more countries in just 2 years and 4 months. I believe I can contribute in company’s growth and I can develop myself as a professional in the least possible time at your firm. The exposure I will get will stand second to none. I would very much like to join and grow with you.

(Even the interviewers were not sure about the facts and figures. Is it the same Ethan who wanted just a job)

Interviewer 3: Mr.Ethan its really good that you know so much about us, but I believe you lack the technical skills we need for the position we are offering.

Ethan: Yes sir that is correct.

Interviewer 1: Then why should I hire you? I hope you don’t expect us to hire you just because you have spent some time for research about our company.

Ethan: Sir I didn’t spend, I invested my time. I know I will get the return sooner or later. Sir as far as technical skills are concerned I can understand that I am below the standards you are looking for. You can arrange trainers to teach me technical stuff but character and loyalty are something no one can teach me. I believe I have the necessary technical knowledge I need, to take my skills and knowledge forward. And I believe I can outperform what is expected of me.

(This is something Ethan has been missing, “The Positive Attitude”. The Interviewers looked at each other with an expression of satisfaction)

Interviewer 2: One last question Mr. Ethan. 5 years down the line where do you see yourself ?

Ethan: Sir I see myself as a professional, I see myself as expert in my domain and learning new things. I see myself as a critical resource of the company. And I see myself asking this very same question after 5 years “Where do I see myself in next 5 years? What next? What is my next goal? What i want to do? professionally and personally”.

(See the change. He is so damn positive. This is called talking progress, thinking progress and pushing for progress.)

Interviewer 1: Mr. Ethan we will be happy to have you join us. Welcome to our company. Here is your offer letter. Do you have any questions?

Ethan: Only one question sir. What will be my roles and responsibilities?

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Ethan was sitting at his room surrounded by 17 bottles of beer labelled “strong” and 4 cigarette packets. He was peeking through the same half open window to see the stars. One difference was he was thinking about a beautiful wife, a villa, a BMW and a swimming pool now. His simple change in thinking and attitude changed his life. He started thinking big now. Someone yelled “Dude come on out, there’s still some booze left, and the party is on. Maya, Julie and Anita have to reach girl’s hostel before 9:00 PM. Come out”. Ethan replied “coming Harry”.