The right attitude

’Sorry guys for being late, an endless phonecall from France’.

The three people around the table nodded with understanding, waiting for Ken to sit down. – ’Did you manage to draw up a shortlist ?’ PKD Communication was looking for a qualified sound engineer, a search that had been more complicated than expected. – ’Yes, three of the eight candidates are still in the run, one woman, two men’. The answer came from Robert Lane, the HR director who waved a paper as if to applaud his words. – ’Then let’s have a closer look at our final selection’. Kenneth Dawson who was the owner and CEO of PKD, looked around the table in the big meeting room with view on Hyde Park. Ken had always been proud of his company’s location in Central London. – ’Christopher Bayle would be my choice, 44, a lot of experience, a lot to say’, said a deep voice belonging to a tall dark man sitting at the end of the table, – ’I like his way of expressing himself’. Robert interrupted him – ’What do you mean Rohan, we are not looking for a cynical talkative chap. The blond woman facing him took off her glasses, – ’Do we want a man or a woman ?’ Sound engineer herself,
Betty Taylor was known for her somewhat blunt statements. – ’At this stage we can say that the three candidates have about the same level of motivation’, Robert Lane continued, ’which can’t be said about their experience. Our cynical chap has got the longest one, for sure, but I don’t like his nervousness’, he said looking straight in the eyes of Rohan Kumar, the calm Indian Vice-President of PKD. Ken agreed immediately, – ’ What about our female applicant ?’ — ’A lot of experience, a good CV, she could be the one,’ came Betty’s reaction. — Fine Betty, but my preference goes to that young French guy, what’s his name, Pierre Beauchéne, even with less experience’. Ken knew what he was talking about, -’ the only one to have shown a real positive attitude towards the company and the job. A real challenge for him, this job abroad’. — ’What do you think ?’ Rohan was the first to answer -’ You may be right, why not hire that young ambitious Frenchie after all ? The others were quick to agree that Pierre had had the right attitude, his enthusiasm but also his commitment had been noticed by all. And doesn’t he have his Diploma from that famous National School of Image and Sound Professions, la FEMIS in Paris, after all ? -’I like his mindset, let’s call him with the good news’. Ken jumped out of his chair and was gone.

In the UK, employers often value a positive attitude over perfect skills to hire someone. Commitment, honesty but also adaptability and loyalty are considered essential attitude qualities that may convince an employer to override the lack of experience, specially with younger candidates. Pierre Beauchéne is a good example of a well-educated young man, his positive behaviour will be particularly appreciated in the UK.