我犯過的最好的錯 拒掉IBM面試

Best mistake I ever made? Turning down a job interview at IBM

我犯過的最好的錯：拒掉IBM面試

MPW Insider is one of several online communities where the biggest names in business answer timely career and leadership questions. This week, we ask: What’s the best mistake your ever made? The following is an answer by Gerri Elliot, board member of Whirlpool Corporation, Bed Bath and Beyond and Charlotte Russe.

MPW內部網絡是一個邀請最有影響力的商界女性及時解答職業與領導力問題的在線社區。本週，我們的問題是：你犯過的最好的錯是什麼？以下是惠而浦公司、Bed Bath&Beyond公司及Charlotte Russe公司董事格里•艾略特的回答。

The best mistake I ever made was actually a series of gaffes when I was starting out my career.

我犯過的最好的錯誤，是在職業生涯剛開始時，我幹了一連串“傻事”。

I was 24-years-old and a senior at New York University. At the time, I was planning to get a law and business degree after graduation and wasn’t even job hunting. I walked into the student center looking to grab a soda, but instead found a roomful of students wearing suits, ties, pencil skirts and holding a stack of resumes. Clearly, I had accidentally walked into a job fair. There were all these amazing companies, and there I was in denim overalls, sneakers, and a scarf on my head because I hadn’t washed my hair that morning. As I tried to slink across the hall, a recruiting executive stopped me with his hand outstretched. “Hi, my name is Donny McKenthan. Would you like to work for IBM?” I replied, ‘Uh, no thank you, I’m just going to get a Coke from that machine over there.

當時我24歲，是紐約大學（New York University）的大四學生。當時，我計劃在畢業後攻讀法律和商業學位，因此根本沒打算找工作。我走進學生中心去買一瓶蘇打水，結果發現那裏擠滿了學生，個個穿着正裝，打着領帶，穿着鉛筆裙，手裏拿着一疊簡歷。很明顯，我一不小心走進了一處招聘會現場。前來招聘的都是了不起的公司，而我卻穿着牛仔揹帶褲，腳蹬運動鞋，頭上圍了一條頭巾，因爲我那天早上沒洗頭髮。我想悄悄穿過大廳的時候，一位招聘高管伸手攔住了我。他說：“你好，我叫湯尼•麥肯森。你想來IBM工作嗎？”我回答說：“不了，謝謝。我只是想從自動售貨機裏買一瓶可樂。”

I ended up having a wonderful conversation with him about the company but I told him there was no way he could convince me. My course was set. I went out for dinner that night with friends who happened to be Cobol programmers. When I mentioned this story in passing, they couldn’t believe I was foolish enough to turn down interviewing with this amazing blue chip company! I went home that night, dug out his card from the garbage bin and called him back.

後來，我們聊了很多關於那家公司的話題，但我告訴他，他不可能說服我。我已經下定了決心。那天晚上我與朋友們一起吃飯，他們恰好是Cobol語言程序員。我順帶提到了這件事，他們都不敢相信，我竟然如此愚蠢地拒絕了這家藍籌公司的面試！那天晚上回到家後，我從垃圾桶裏找到了他的名片，給他回了一個電話。

After a series of successful interviews, an IBM manager called me to verbally extend an offer, which would be followed up in a few days in writing. I was thrilled! When I asked in passing what the salary was, he cryptically said $18. In my mind, I thought $18, 000 a year was low (this was a long time ago!), given what I had been earning for part time work paying my way through NYU. So I told him I thought I should earn more, and started to negotiate. He was taken aback and explained that the starting salary for all trainees was set in stone. I wasn’t satisfied, so I told him I’d have to think about it and call him back.

經過了一系列成功面試之後，一位IBM經理給我打電話，口頭提出了工作邀請，並表示過幾天將有書面的正式邀請。我激動萬分！當我順便詢問工資情況時，他含糊地說了一個數字：18。在我看來，年薪18,000美元並不高（這可是很多年前！），我那會兒一直在利用課餘時間打工掙學費。於是，我告訴他，我的工資應該更高，然後開始就此討價還價。他大吃一驚，解釋說所有實習生的入職薪酬都是固定的。我並不滿意，於是我告訴他我要考慮一下，然後再給他回電話。

The next day, I received the offer letter in the mail. As it turns out, I misunderstood the offer — I would earn $1, 800 a month, not $18, 000 a year. That was a great salary back then, so of course, I took the job. I never did tell my manager about my mistake, but a few months later he asked me to be placed in sales because I was the only trainee who had tried to negotiate a starting salary! That comedy of errors ended up being a wonderful 22-year career at IBM.

第二天，我收到了IBM郵寄來的工作邀請。結果是我誤解了對方的條件，我的薪酬是每月1,800美元，而不是每年18,000美元。這在當時可算是高薪，所以，我接受了那份工作。我一直沒有告訴經理那次的誤解，但幾個月後，他將我安排到了銷售部門，因爲我是唯一一個敢協商起薪的實習生！那一次頗有喜劇性的錯誤，成就了我在IBM公司長達 22年的精彩職業生涯。