JOB APPLICANT ARRIVES SOAKED AND COVERED IN MUD — HR FIRES HIM, UNTIL THE CEO STEPS IN, HUGS HIM, AND SAYS, “YOU’RE HIRED.”
Carlo had been unemployed for a long time. This interview at Omega Corp, the largest company in the city, felt like his final chance.
From the trunk of his car, he carefully pulled out his only suit—the last decent outfit he owned. He adjusted his tie, hands trembling.
“I need this job for Mom’s medicine,” he whispered.
As he stepped outside, a sudden downpour began. Within minutes, the road was flooded.
Halfway to the office, Carlo noticed an elderly man struggling to push a stalled car through the water. Rain poured down his face. Cars sped past, horns blaring, no one stopping.
Carlo checked his watch.
Thirty minutes left.
He looked down at his suit. If he helped, he would ruin it—and likely lose the interview.
He hesitated.
If I stop, I may not get the job.
If I don’t, this man could collapse.
Carlo’s heart made the decision for him.
“Sir! Let me help you!” he shouted into the rain.
He stepped into the flood. Mud and oily water splashed onto his white polo and black slacks. His shoes were soaked through as they pushed the car to a sheltered area beneath a roof.
“Thank you, son,” the old man said, breathing heavily. “You came out of nowhere. What’s your name?”
“Carlo,” he replied quickly. “I’m sorry, I really have to go. I’m late for a job interview.”
Carlo ran—wet, muddy, and exhausted.
When he arrived at Omega Corp, employees in the lobby stared. Mud stained the marble floor behind him.
“Excuse me,” the receptionist said with clear disgust. “Are you a delivery boy? The service entrance is in the back.”
“N-no,” Carlo said breathlessly. “I’m an applicant. I have an interview with Mr. Go.”
Inside the interview room, the HR Manager, Mr. Go, scanned Carlo from head to toe.
“What is this?” Mr. Go barked. “This is a corporate office, not a pigsty! You show up to an interview looking like that?!”
“I’m sorry, sir,” Carlo explained. “I stopped to help an old man whose car broke down—”
“Excuses!” Mr. Go snapped. “I don’t care why. All I see is someone sloppy, undisciplined, and unprofessional. Get out. You’re rejected.”
“Please, sir,” Carlo pleaded. “I’m qualified. At least look at my résumé.”
Mr. Go tossed it into the trash. “Security! Remove him.”
Just as the guard stepped forward, the door to the executive office swung open.
“WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?”
A deep voice echoed through the room.
Don Eduardo Omega—the CEO and owner of the company—walked in.
Mr. Go straightened instantly. “Good morning, Sir Eduardo. Apologies for the disturbance. We were just escorting out an unpresentable applicant.”
Don Eduardo looked at Carlo.
His eyes widened.
Carlo froze.
It was the same old man from the flood—now dry, clean, and impeccably dressed.
“Unpresentable?” Don Eduardo repeated calmly.
He walked toward Carlo and, to everyone’s shock, wrapped him in a hug—mud and all.
“Carlo,” he said warmly. “I told you earlier you were in a hurry.”
The room went silent.
Don Eduardo turned to the staff. “This man is covered in mud because he pushed my car through floodwater today. He chose to help a stranger instead of protecting his appearance for an interview.”
He faced Mr. Go.
“We’re looking for employees, aren’t we?”
“Yes, sir,” Mr. Go stammered.
“Skills can be learned. Intelligence can be trained. But compassion and integrity? Those are born.”
He retrieved Carlo’s résumé from the trash.
“Carlo, you don’t need an interview,” the CEO said.
“Sir?” Carlo whispered.
“You’re hired,” Don Eduardo smiled. “You start tomorrow as my executive assistant. I want someone I can trust beside me.”
Carlo broke down in tears. “Thank you, sir… thank you so much.”
“And you, Mr. Go,” Don Eduardo added coolly, “pack your things. You’re fired. I don’t want people here who judge only appearances and lack heart.”
That evening, Carlo returned home still soaked and muddy—but carrying the best news of his life for his mother.
Because true professionalism isn’t measured by how clean your suit is,
but by how you treat others when no one is watching.