July 20th, 2007
Sudden sadness and regret filled my heart... It did not become a terrible day to me still the time Nga My informed us – members of CCC – of a rumour. No, now it’s a truth that could made me so disappointed: Richard will leave me and that’s an irrevocable decision of him at this time.
3 months is such a short time to get familiar to new working conditions and the jobs. I tried more to learn about things and knowledges involved. Just a wish to be more skillful and useful. Richard may happy to know how I tried to do my best – I think.
Remembered the first day we met: it’s an interview.
I applied one month before for the position of a Customer service executive. Electrolux at that time seems to be an ordinary company as others. However, the beautiful and luxurious building – Saigon trade centre, and Electrolux office had made deep impression on me at the first sight. I joined 2 times before with Mrs Hanh, and Mrs Nga My, and that was the first time I met Richard – my marketing manager.
Richard was handsome and polite. I thought when first watching him. My heart jumped to his face – kind of nervous may be. It was an interview and every candidates would feel like that. But with Richard, he ‘s so friendly and fresh that had made me soon self-confident then we could talk in a more comfortable way.
“Good afternoon, ah, your name is: Hang Ngoc Nguyen, correct?” – Wow, he could read my name as a Vietnamese. Besides he repeated it so many times during the interview, like the way a person respects someone talking to him, as I read in a book of manner. His voice is fairly easy to hear and sounds good!
“ My name is Richard. And this is my name card. Nice to meet you today! Hang”
“Ah, Can I ask you a question first? – He asked: As I looked at your CV, you mentioned your university as Van Lang – huh? But how many years did you study there?”
“4 years”
“So, just take a look at because you had written your background from ….”
That’s what he tried to explain and helped me understand my mistake in the CV on that day. No one recognized it before and may be they could, they did not tell me as he did. Perhaps I was a little bit shy and silly as well when shouting at him trying to excuse the mistake, even at first I could not understand what he said. Richard was very sweet and patient though. He did not like other managers I had met. He wanted to show me my weakness and he smiled when we talking. That’s enough to give him a sympathy. He’s too kind to forgive my fault and give me a chance to be continued.
The interview soon passed after about 45 minutes. We talked, and the atmosphere was not very stressed as I could image. We talked as we are friends. I did not know how busy he was – since managers have their tight schedule. But Richard showed me as he had all the time listen to me. Few times in the meeting he advised, and encouraged me not to be shy, but be strong and take it easy sharing my weaknesses and strengths. I felt as if he could stay there with me for anytime we could, just to listen to me, and … It’s good for me, it’s my opportunity, not for him.
Time flied, the first time I felt why it was so quickly to say goodbye to him – an interviewer.
At last, Richard asked: “ Guess where I came from?” – “USA”. – “No, Africa.” ….. “Sure?”
“Hahahaha, I am from Phillippines”. He smiled.
He just joked and with his story, and smiles as well, I was speechless.
How kind a manager was! How nice his smiles were! How much regret I recognized because of not making every effort to pass the interview perfectly! How sorry if I just had one chance to meet this unforgettable man in my life!
“ Thanks for your valuable time, Richard. Well, if – yes, if any case, may be I will be chosen or not, it’s my pleasure to meet you today! I appreciate this chance and …”
“Well, don’t be very worry! Ah, your name called Hang – Ngoc – Nguyen, right! Relax, haha, nothing to worry! I will give you the answer within a week. Thank you for joining with us. See you soon.”
Took me to the gate, Richard opened the door and said: “Thank you” – smiled again.
The time is very unforgettable that I will never forget in my life since then.
