Half a year before graduation from college, my son began to seek a job. Due to the financial crisis, fewer companies would like to employ new staff while potential employees were flooding the job market. Therefore, the competition was ever-fierce. My son targeted a company that was located in a coastal¹ city. It was intended to employ only one person while there were more than twenty candidates filing their resumes, among whom was my son. I said to my son, “It is more difficult to get into this company than take the college entrance exam. You should not harbor too much hope for fear that you would feel terribly disappointed when you fail.” He said to me, “I am not afraid of disappointment. As long as I try, there will always be hope!”

儿子离大学毕业还有半年,便开始找工作了。由于受金融危机的影响,招工单位少,招聘人员少,应聘人员多,所以竞争异常激烈。 儿子看好了沿海城市一家不错的单位,招工名额只有1人,投简历的却有20多人,儿子是其中之一。我对儿子说:“比考大学还难,别抱什么希望,免得没被录取而失望。”儿子说:“失望也不怕,只要参与总有希望。”

My son’s words seemed to come true and he was informed to be interviewed. There were only 6 people to receive interview after the company reviewed all the people’s resumes. After the interview, there would only be 3 who could enter the final round, which would later decide one person to be employed. Everything seemed to go quite well and my son passed the first round and entered the final round in a week. My son and other family members were excitedly and nervously² looking forward to the coming of the final interview.

儿子说准了,希望还真来了,他接到了面试通知。经过初选,参加面试的只有6人,面试后要淘汰3人,胜出的3人参加复试,最终录取1人。 希望升级了,经过面试,儿子再次胜出,进入3人组,一周后进行复试。儿子和我们一家人都在激动和忐忑中等待着复试的到来。

On the day of the final interview, my son and other two candidates arrived at the interview venue³ promptly⁴, waiting for the decisive harsh test. Unexpectedly, the interview was unbelievably simple, during which the interviewer only chatted with them for a while. The interview strategies my son prepared were not utilized⁵ at all. The interviewer said to them, “All of you are very super. Please go home and wait for our notice. We will tell you the result in 3 days. Good luck to all of you!” On the morning of the third day, my son received the text from the company shortly after breakfast that he was not employed. My son felt dreadfully disappointed. In order to soothe⁶ him, I pretended to be relaxed and said to him, “It does not matter! I believe you will have more opportunities in the future!”

复试那天,儿子和另外两人准时来到了复试现场,等待决定命运的严峻考验。没想到,复试很简单,只是招聘负责人与他们闲聊了几句话就结束了,儿子准备的方案一点也没有用上。招聘负责人说:“各位都很优秀,回去等通知吧,3天后告诉你们结果。祝各位好运!” 第三天上午,刚刚吃过早饭,儿子接到了招聘方的短信:“很遗憾地通知你,你没有被录取。”儿子失望极了。 为了安慰他,我轻松地说:“没关系,以后会有希望的。”

In nightfall that day, my son suddenly told me excitedly on phone, “Dad, I am telling you a good news! I have been employed!” Greatly surprised, I could not wait to ask him, “What’s the whole matter?”My son told me that he received another text saying that he was employed. My son felt very confused about it, so he made a call to the company for inquiry⁷. Actually the first text sent to my son was also part of the test in the interview. Three men received the same text this morning and only my son’s reply was satisfying to the company, so he was employed. I asked my son, “How did all of you reply?” My son said, “One did not reply. The other said “goodbye” and I said “thank you”.”

傍晚,儿子在电话中兴奋地说:“爸爸,告诉你个好消息,我被录取了。”我一阵惊喜,忙问:“这是怎么回事?”儿子告诉我,他刚刚又接到了“你被录取了”的短信,很激动,但莫名其妙,就打电话询问。原来这些短信也是复试的一个步骤,参加复试的3人上午都接到了同样的短信,只有儿子的回复让招聘方满意,所以就录用了。 我问儿子:“你们都是怎么回复的?”儿子说:“一个没有回复,一个回复‘拜拜’,我回复了‘谢谢’。”

nly then did I know that my son’s “hope” came in that way. That is, when you feel disappointed, do not forget to say thank you to the one who disappoints you. Actually, it is a piece of cake to say thank you. But whether you are willing to say it in a peaceful and grateful manner does count. Saying thank you shows respect for others’ work and demonstrates your grand generosity⁸. Therefore, while under the same condition, you will get the upper hand in terms of opportunities compared with others!

儿子的希望原来是这么来到的。就是在你失望的时候,别忘了向让你失望的人说声谢谢。其实,说声谢谢很容易,就看你是否愿意说出口,能否以平和、感恩的心态说出来。一声谢谢,既尊重了人家的劳动,又体现了自己的心胸,同样条件,机会的天平就会向你这边倾斜。