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The workplace fable of the Smiling PA and the Job Applicants

Remember to smile like your career depends on it  - Credit: studiomode / Alamy Stock Photo
Remember to smile like your career depends on it - Credit: studiomode / Alamy Stock Photo

Mark Price, former managing director of Waitrose, shares his workplace fables - true stories from the business frontline that can teach us lessons about career success...

It was the day of the big interview for the most sought-after job in the company.

One by one, the candidates trooped into the office building.

They were met by the managing director’s smiling PA, who was waiting in reception to take then to the boardroom for interview.

The smiling PA asked each of them the same questions. “Where have you come from?” “How was the journey?” “Have you had a holiday this year?”

When I asked him a question, he could barely be bothered to look at me - or answer

And finally, on arriving at the board anteroom, she asked if they would like a hot drink while they waited.

After all the applicants had all been interviewed, the managing director called the smiling PA to the boardroom.

“I am thinking of offering the job to so and so,” she said. “What do you think?”

“Not for me,” replied the PA with a firm shake of her head.

“When I asked him a question, he could barely be bothered to look at me, or answer.

Former Waitrose and John Lewis boss Mark Price - Credit: JAY WILLIAMS 
Former Waitrose and John Lewis boss Mark Price Credit: JAY WILLIAMS

"The only thing he asked me was whether you were in a good mood. And he didn’t say please or thank you, when I got him a drink.”

“Thank you,” said the managing director. She then went on to offer the job to someone who had engaged professionally with the smiling PA.

 

Moral of the tale

Everybody matters.

 

Workplace Fables: 147 True Life Stories, by Mark Price, is published by Stour Publishing. To order your copy for £8.99 plus p&p, call 0844 871 1514 or visit books.telegraph.co.uk

Share your Workplace Fables and learn more about Mark’s mission to improve workplace happiness at engaging.works/ideas