Around 9:25 AM, Li Zetian and Bill Gates arrived at the DEC Boston office to participate in the recruitment.
Sure enough, DEC sent a plane to pick up the applicants to go to the company headquarters.
From this, one could see the importance DEC attached to talent; no wonder it could become the blue giant IBM’s number one challenger.
And in this era, IBM was the well-deserved king and overlord in the computer field!
The combined market share of all computer manufacturers in the world was less than a quarter of IBM’s.
There were not many applicants at the Boston office, but when they arrived at the DEC headquarters, Li Zetian was extremely surprised.
There were at least over two hundred applicants.
Of course, the positions these people applied for were different.
The people applying for computer engineer were all taken to a large hall.
Li Zetian counted 37 people, and he and Bill Gates were the youngest two among everyone.
Subsequently, the examiner distributed a test paper to everyone for an on-site written examination.
Those who scored 80 points could enter the interview stage.
When the papers were handed in after an hour, Li Zetian and Bill Gates both got perfect scores.
Another 5 people scored over 80 points and also entered the interview.
Those who didn’t pass waited outside.
After the recruitment ended, the company would uniformly arrange for them to leave.
At this time, whosever name the examiner called, that person would go to the adjacent office to accept the interview.
The first person was soon called into the office.
The examiner pointed to the computer on the desk and said: “There is a programming problem on it.
If you can complete it within 10 minutes, we can talk about the company’s treatment issue!”
10 minutes later, this person did not complete this programming problem and walked out of the office dejectedly.
After the second person entered the office, he barely passed in 9 minutes and 25 seconds.
The examiner smiled and said: “Good job!
You will be a member of DEC from now on, with an annual salary of 13,000 US dollars.
What do you think?”
“No problem, no problem!” This person agreed happily.
In 1970, the average annual wage in the United States was only 9,400 US dollars.
An annual salary of 13,000 US dollars was a very good income.
DEC was wealthy and imposing, and valued talents, so a slightly higher salary was very normal.
The third person then came to the office, but unfortunately, failed to complete the task within the specified time.
The fourth person took 8 minutes and 07 seconds, and the examiner added a thousand dollars for him, making it an annual salary of 15,000 US dollars.
The fifth person was even more formidable, taking 7 minutes and 45 seconds.
However, the examiner likewise offered him an annual salary of 15,000 US dollars.
Then it was Bill Gates’ turn.
He surprisingly only took 6 minutes and 05 seconds, which couldn’t help but shock the examiners.
“You are Bill Gates?
Worthy of being a computer genius from Seattle.
I heard the software of the TRW project for the automation and computerization of the Washington state power grid had a bug, and it was you and Allen who solved it?!” The chief examiner Jerry Philemon, sitting in the middle, spoke up.
“How do you know?”
“I have a friend working there who once recommended you two to me. Find the original chapter at g.com.
Hm?
Your resume says you are currently studying at Harvard University!”
“Yes, that’s right.
Therefore, I cannot be a full-time employee of DEC, but I can do better than DEC’s full-time employees!
The school has computers, and I can use the school’s computer resources to complete the projects assigned by the company!
Also, my dorm has a telephone installed, you can call me, or send an email!”
The examiner thought for a moment and said: “Alright, however, considering you are working and studying at the same time, the annual salary will be a little less than full-time employees…”
“Mr.
Philemon, although I still have to study, I guarantee that I can do better than most full-time employees, therefore, my salary should also be higher than theirs!” Bill Gates interrupted.
Jerry Philemon laughed and asked: “How can you guarantee that?
Do you have enough ample working time?”
“But my programming speed is faster than theirs!”
“Sure, if you can complete the projects we specify ahead of schedule, you can also get the same salary as them!”
“Mr.
Philemon, it’s a higher salary than them!” Bill Gates corrected.
“Okay, no problem, as long as you have this ability, our DEC company can still afford to pay this money!”
After signing a contract, Bill Gates left the office with a victorious smile.
Several examiners in the office were full of praise for him.
“Bill Gates is really a rare computer genius!
And very stubborn and confident!”
“Yeah, DEC lacks such talents exactly.
When he graduates, we must recruit him to our company!”
“Even an annual salary of 20,000 US dollars is no problem!”
“…”
Finally, it was Li Zetian’s turn.
After he walked into the office, the examiner also asked him to complete the programming problem on the computer within 10 minutes.
Li Zetian did not immediately go to solve the problem, but opened his mouth to ask: “May I ask how much time Bill Gates took to solve this problem?”
“Why are you asking this?”
“I want to know how much time he took, and I will take less time to solve this problem than him!”
The examiner shook his head, feeling that Li Zetian was talking too big, but still answered this question: “6 minutes and 05 seconds!”
“Then I only need 5 minutes!”
“Sure, then start solving the problem.
We will wait and see!” Chief examiner Jerry Philemon couldn’t help feeling amused, and immediately instructed his assistant, “Charlie, pour me a cup of hot coffee.
I’ll drink coffee while I wait!”
“Okay!” A young assistant quickly brewed a cup of hot coffee for Jerry Philemon.
The coffee was too hot, so Jerry Philemon didn’t drink it immediately.
At this time, the sound of typing on the keyboard had already sounded in the office.
This sound was like percussion music, crackling continuously.
However, after a short while, the sound stopped abruptly! This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“I’m done!” Li Zetian turned his head to look at chief examiner Jerry Philemon and said.
Chief examiner Jerry Philemon was holding the coffee cup, blowing a breath of hot air, and taking a small sip of coffee.
Hearing Li Zetian say “done” suddenly, he froze for a moment, actually forgetting to blow away the hot air of the coffee before drinking, and as a result, he burned himself.
Jerry Philemon felt a sharp pain in his mouth and immediately put the coffee cup on the desk.
At this time, he stepped forward and glanced at the time taken to solve the problem.
4 minutes and 21 seconds!!!
Jerry Philemon was immediately shocked!
Seeing that the other party was burned by the coffee, Li Zetian couldn’t help but secretly smile, “In ancient times, there was Guan Yu slaying Hua Xiong while the wine was still warm.
Today, there is me, Li Zetian, shocking the examiner while the coffee is hot!!!”
After Jerry Philemon recovered his senses, he looked at Li Zetian and praised: “Not bad, not bad, your performance is very good, the most excellent among everyone!
Your resume says you are also studying at Harvard University.
You plan to work and study at the same time, right?”
“Yes!”
“Let’s do this, regardless of whether you are working and studying at the same time, as long as you can complete the projects specified by the company ahead of schedule, I will offer you an annual salary of 24,000 US dollars.
But if you fail to complete the project on time, the company will deduct a portion of the money accordingly.
Alright, do you have any more questions?”
“No problem, however, I have a request!”
“Speak, what request?”
“Can I receive one month’s salary in advance?
I am completely broke right now, almost unable to afford food!”
“No problem!” Jerry Philemon nodded and agreed without hesitation.
Talents must be roped in.
Immediately, Jerry Philemon waved and instructed his assistant, “Charlie, bring two thousand dollars over!”
“Okay, Supervisor Philemon.”
A few minutes later, Charlie brought over a stack of US dollars.
During this period, Li Zetian and Jerry Philemon signed a temporary employment contract.
There were no personal restrictions and no time limits.
Li Zetian could resign whenever he wanted, but there was a non-disclosure agreement prohibiting the disclosure of the company’s projects to the outside.
“Two thousand dollars, count it!”
Li Zetian nodded and took the two thousand dollars handed by the other party, but he didn’t count it, putting it directly into his clothes pocket.
The other party couldn’t possibly deceive him over this little money.
Jerry Philemon then said: “Do you live with Bill Gates?”
“Yes, we are roommates!” Li Zetian replied.
“From now on, the two of you are a team, completing the projects assigned to you by the company together.”
“Mhm, okay!”
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends.