The Pursuit Of Happyness: Job interview

Binge Society

29 Aug 202004:15

Summary

TLDRIn this inspiring script, Chris Gardner arrives at an interview dressed inappropriately due to an unexpected arrest for unpaid parking tickets. Despite the setback, he impresses with his honesty and determination, showcasing his quick wit and desire to learn the business. His persistence and positive attitude win over the interviewer, Jay Twistle, who promises to call him back, indicating a potential opportunity despite the challenging circumstances.

Takeaways

😅 Chris Gardner is introduced as a character who humorously explains his disheveled appearance due to an arrest for unpaid parking tickets.
🏃 Chris ran to the interview from the police station, showing his determination and eagerness for the opportunity.
🎨 Chris was painting his apartment before being arrested, indicating his multitasking and responsibilities outside of work.
🤔 Jay, the interviewer, is intrigued by Chris's persistence and intelligence, despite his unusual appearance.
📚 Chris has been proactively learning about the business on his own, demonstrating initiative and a strong desire to succeed.
🏆 Chris was first in his class in high school and the navy radar class, highlighting his competitive nature and academic excellence.
🤝 Chris values honesty and admits when he doesn't know something, promising to find the answer, which shows his commitment to learning.
👖 The humorous exchange about a hypothetical interviewee without a shirt but with nice pants lightens the mood and shows Chris's wit.
👔 Despite the unconventional attire, Chris manages to impress in the interview, suggesting that substance can outweigh appearance.
📞 Jay promises to call Chris back, indicating a positive outcome for the interview and a potential job offer.
💰 Chris is surprised to learn there's no salary, which adds a layer of complexity to his decision-making process.

Q & A

Why was Chris Gardner at the interview dressed inappropriately?
-Chris Gardner was dressed inappropriately for the interview because he had been arrested for failure to pay parking tickets and had to run to the interview from the police station.
What was Chris Gardner's initial plan before his arrest?
-Before his arrest, Chris Gardner was painting his apartment.
How did Chris Gardner demonstrate his determination to Jay?
-Chris Gardner demonstrated his determination by waiting outside the building with a 40-pound gizmo for over a month and by running all the way to the interview from the police station.
What does Jay appreciate about Chris Gardner's approach to learning the business?
-Jay appreciates that Chris Gardner is eager to learn the business and has already started learning on his own.
How did Chris Gardner respond when asked about his educational background?
-Chris Gardner mentioned that he was first in his class in high school, which had 12 students, and also first in his radar class in the Navy, which had 20 students.
What is Chris Gardner's approach when he doesn't know the answer to a question?
-Chris Gardner's approach is to admit that he doesn't know the answer but assures that he knows how to find the answer and will do so.
What was Jay's hypothetical scenario about hiring someone without a shirt?
-Jay asked Chris what he would say if a guy walked in for an interview without a shirt on and was hired, to which Chris humorously replied that the guy must have had on some really nice pants.
How did Chris Gardner manage to impress Jay during the interview despite his attire?
-Chris Gardner impressed Jay with his honesty, determination, sense of humor, and his proactive approach to learning about the business.
What was the significance of Chris Gardner's statement about being the type of person who knows how to find answers?
-The statement signifies Chris Gardner's resourcefulness and problem-solving skills, which are valuable qualities in a potential employee.
What was the outcome of Chris Gardner's interview with Jay?
-The outcome was positive, with Jay expressing his intention to call Chris Gardner the next day, indicating that he might be offered a position.
What was the condition Jay mentioned about Chris Gardner's potential job offer?
-Jay mentioned that there was no salary for the position, and Chris Gardner needed to be certain that he could manage under those circumstances.

Outlines

00:00

😅 Embarrassed Interviewee

In this paragraph, Chris Gardner arrives for an interview with Jay, the interviewer, in an inappropriate attire due to an unexpected arrest for unpaid parking tickets. He candidly admits to his predicament and explains his desperate run from the police station to the interview location. Despite the awkward situation, Chris displays his determination and eagerness to learn the business, which impresses Jay. The conversation also reveals Chris's background, including his academic and military achievements, and his commitment to finding solutions when faced with questions he doesn't know the answer to.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Earnestness

Earnestness refers to the quality of being sincere and showing a genuine and serious interest in something. In the video script, Chris Gardner attempts to demonstrate this quality by trying to come up with a story that would reflect positively on him. It is related to the video's theme of perseverance and determination, as Chris is earnest in his pursuit of a job despite his challenging circumstances.

💡Diligence

Diligence is the quality of being hardworking and taking care to accomplish tasks thoroughly. The script mentions that Chris wants to demonstrate diligence, which is a key trait in his character as he is determined to succeed in his job interview despite being dressed inappropriately due to his recent arrest. His diligence is shown through his willingness to run all the way to the interview from the police station.

💡Team Playing

Team playing is the ability to work cooperatively with others as part of a team. Although not directly exemplified in the script, it is implied as a quality that the interviewers might admire. Chris Gardner's situation and his approach to the interview could be seen as an attempt to show that he can be a team player, despite the unusual circumstances.

💡Arrest

An arrest is the act of taking someone into police custody. In the script, Chris Gardner was arrested for failure to pay parking tickets, which led to him being late and disheveled for his interview. This event is a pivotal moment in the narrative, highlighting the adversity he faces and his determination to overcome it.

💡Parking Tickets

Parking tickets are penalties issued for illegal parking. In the context of the video, Chris Gardner's inability to pay these fines leads to his arrest, which in turn creates a humorous and humanizing anecdote about his character's struggles and the lengths he goes to in order to secure a job.

💡Determination

Determination is the firmness of purpose and resolve. Chris Gardner's character is defined by his determination to succeed, as shown by his actions such as running to the interview from the police station and his insistence on learning the business despite the odds.

💡Smart

Being smart in this context refers to having quick intelligence or being able to think and learn quickly. Jay, the interviewer, comments that Chris seems smart, which is an important trait for the competitive business environment he is trying to enter. Chris also mentions his academic achievements, reinforcing the idea that he is intelligent and capable.

💡Learn

To learn in this context means to acquire knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught. Chris expresses a strong desire to learn the business, indicating his willingness to grow and adapt, which is essential for success in a new field.

💡Radar Class

Radar class refers to a specific training course related to radar technology, likely part of Chris Gardner's military service. Being first in his radar class in the navy demonstrates his ability to excel in technical and specialized fields, which could be valuable in a business setting.

💡Salary

A salary is a fixed regular payment made by an employer to an employee. In the script, Chris is surprised to learn that there is no salary for the position he is interviewing for. This revelation adds to the challenges he faces and underscores the high stakes of the opportunity.

💡Circumstances

Circumstances refer to the conditions or facts that make a particular situation the way it is. Chris mentions that his circumstances have changed, hinting at the personal and financial struggles he is dealing with, which adds depth to his character and the challenges he must overcome.

Highlights

Chris Gardner's humorous admission of his disheveled appearance due to being arrested for unpaid parking tickets and running to the interview.

Gardner's attempt to demonstrate qualities like earnestness and diligence despite his predicament.

Chris's candidness about his arrest and the truth behind his tardiness for the interview.

Gardner's determination showcased by his willingness to wait with a 40-pound gizmo for over a month.

Chris's self-assessment as smart and eager to learn the business.

Gardner's proactive approach to learning about the business on his own.

Chris's academic achievements, being first in his high school class of 12 in a small town.

His additional accomplishment of being first in his radar class in the Navy with a class size of 20.

Gardner's philosophy on admitting when he doesn't know something and his commitment to finding the answer.

A light-hearted moment in the interview where Chris jokes about a man without a shirt but with nice pants.

Chris's successful interview despite being dressed as a garbage man.

Mr. Twistle's (later referred to as Jay) initial skepticism and eventual appreciation of Chris's performance.

Chris's persistence in seeking a definite answer about his potential employment despite the lack of salary information.

The revelation that there is no salary for the position, which was previously unknown to Chris.

Chris's urgent need for certainty in his employment due to changed circumstances.

Jay's promise to fill Chris's spot and his humorous warning about the consequences of backing out.

The closing of the interview with an assurance of a callback and a shift in the relationship to a more informal tone.