WHEN LOOKING FOR WORK

New Zealand Tablet, 19 November 1908, Page 38

WHEN LOOKING FOR WORK

Here is the experience of one lad who is holding a high j position in a big manufacturing concern :

My first opportunity to show my ability was owning to the fact that I was not afraid to soil my clothes. I was one of half a dozen young men just graduated from scientific schools who - had entered this company's shop as students. They were expected to show that they were practical workmen ; but most of them preferred theory to practice. The manager of this company was a self-taught man. He did not have much of an opinion of scientific schools. I had a little judgment of character, so I understood this plain but unyielding person very well. What I did was to put on some old clotheY when I went to work in the shops. One day, when stretched out on my back under a heavy casting, hammer and chisel in hand, working away for dear life, the manager noticed me. I was summoned into his office a week later.

' I think that I saw you under the castings a few days ago Was it you?' he asked. ' Yes,' I replied. ' I find that we have a vacancy on our staff. Do you care to fill it?'

This was the opportunity I wanted. I took the work. I do not need to wear soiled clothes now.