WorkWise BlogTip: Outcome

After Ford Myers (careerpotential.com) sifted to two the list of candidates for a trainer and seminar leader at the global career services firm where he worked, they came ready to deliver a presentation.

Facing the senior staff, the first put on an unexpectedly lackluster performance lacking engagement and dynamism. “The second candidate, who was actually my favorite,” Myers recalls, “did an outstanding job. His presentation was highly professional, polished and exciting.”

However, the man went above and beyond in the excitement category, launching into “a severe case of the hiccoughs.” They were loud. They were constant. They kept coming.

“At first, this was extremely embarrassing for him and uncomfortable for the rest of us,” Myers says. “But then, we all started laughing hysterically!”

Imagine how the guy must have felt in a roomful of people laughing at him. Nonetheless, he took his emergency in stride. He continued to get points across.

Did Mr. Lackluster get the job? Not on your life.

“We stopped (Mr. Hiccoughs) near the end of his talk,” Ford says, “let him get a glass of water and relax, and offered him the job.”

Don’t tell anyone. Sometimes employers do the right thing.

Dr. Mildred L. Culp welcomes your questions at culp@workwise.net. © 2010 Passage Media.