I thought it would be a routine job interview—dress well, arrive early, and wait. The lobby was quiet, scented with fake citrus. I sat with my resume in hand when I noticed him: a man lounging arrogantly, smirking as if the job were already his. He spent the wait belittling the process and whispering about “diversity boxes” HR needed to tick. I just smiled politely and ignored him.
Then, a woman in her sixties entered and began quietly mopping the floor. The man scoffed, mocking her work and her cleaning spray. She remained calm and unbothered. A few minutes later, she returned—transformed in a tailored blazer and heels. “Shall we begin?” she asked.
The man gasped, realizing she was the authority in the room. He awkwardly tried to charm her, even offering a cringeworthy shoulder massage. She accepted with stone-faced composure before standing up, leaving him stumbling. She turned to me and said, “You’re hired.” He left, red-faced and stunned.
Moments later, the real director, Rebecca, arrived. She explained that “the boss” had actually been Linda, the janitor, performing a character test. The company wanted to see how candidates treated staff when they thought no one was watching. Because I had been courteous to Linda, my offer was confirmed. My resume mattered, but my integrity sealed the deal.
