The Art of the Interview (Humor)

XYZ Office Supply is the World's Leader in the paper clip arena.  Their motto; "We will be second clip to no one!"  This fierce competitor has employed the same Human Resources Director, Mr. Juan Perez, for over 40 years.  Perez looks a bit different than most. He was born with no ears.

Mr. Perez uses this difference to his strategic advantage when trying to determine the amount of paper clip buyer empathy a prospective new hire has.

Why just the other day, a bright young man just out of school named Howie Young arrived at his desk.  This kid had great credentials, excellent grades, and had worked his way through school in a work-study program.

At the end of what had been a rock solid interview on the Howie's part, Mr. Perez dropped the bomb.  "Son, do you notice anything different about me?"

"Yes," replied the candidate, "you don't have any ears!"  And with that, the young man was promptly shown the door.

Next, a housewife of many years who was eager to rejoin the workforce after her eldest daughter graduated from beauty school entered the room.  Mrs. Jones was a pillar of the community; a PTA member for 18 years, President of "Friends of the Library", and BOTH a band and soccer mom!  Besides, she knew the local paper clip territory like the back of her hand.  Mrs. Jones looked like a shoe-in with just one question left.  "Mrs. Jones," Perez asked, "do you notice anything different about me?"

"Why yes, Mr. Perez," she answered, "you have a very attractive hair style, but you don't appear to have any ears."  And with that Mrs. Jones was ushered from the room.

The last candidate of the day was Mr. Bill Art, a consumate sales professional for over 20 years.  Mr. Art had sold electric typewriters for 10 years, fax machines for 5, and finally telecom services.  XYZ was surely lucky to have a talent like Bill coming through the door.  As expected, the interview went exceptionally well, right down to last question.  "Mr. Art, do you notice anything different about me," Perez inquired?

"Well, yes, Mr. Perez," Art answered, "you wear contact lenses.

"Excellent, Perez thought!  What a diplomat, exactly the right man to champion the cause of the paper clip!  And with that, Art was hired on the spot.  After the last documents were signed and on their way to the Payroll Department, Perez could no longer contain his curiousity.

"Tell me, Mr. Art, how did you know I wore contacts?"

"Well, old codger," Art replied, "I know that a fossil like you couldn't see without glasses, and any idiot can see that you don't have any freakin' ears to hold them up!"

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