Chapter 007: Rockefeller's First Job
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This is because the heads of two companies have had discussions with him, which took a considerable amount of time
Business cards have existed for a long time, even in that era. For instance, John D. Rockefeller's father, Bill Rockefeller, had many business cards printed with various titles he had created for himself, such as miracle doctor, pharmacist, vice president of the American Cancer Prevention Association, and expert in new medicine, among others
"Yes, Dad, what do you think?" asked Scott.
John Rockefeller successfully met with this gentleman
Mr. Tuttle did not have the opportunity to discuss in detail with me, but I had already learned about the extensive nature of your company's business before my arrival. John D. Rockefeller appeared very calm
John D. Rockefeller waited on the street near this company from 9:30 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon, when he finally saw a public carriage stop near the company, and a person got out of the carriage and walked into the company
Moreover, the road conditions of this era are significantly worse than those of later generations, resulting in greater wear and tear on shoes
When he walked into the company and approached a person who appeared to be an ordinary employee and was heading out, expressing his desire to meet the owner of the company, the individual who seemed to be preparing to do something stopped in his tracks
"Did Mr. Tuttle tell you that our company's business is quite complex, involving grain, ore, as well as telegraphs and railways?" Hewitt asked John.
Hewitt is another partner of this company
However, Scott, I still do not know how much it costs to print business cards, and what do you think I should print on the cards? Hmm, a business school graduate, capable of bookkeeping, knowledgeable in commercial law—how does that sound?
"Sir, I have studied courses such as double-entry bookkeeping, clear writing, commercial law related to banking and foreign exchange, but the most important thing is still accounting," John Rockefeller quickly replied, adding, "I graduated with quite good grades"
Sir, I hope to work in your company. I am skilled in bookkeeping and have received training from Folsom Business School. I also have some knowledge of economic law, and I am hardworking and very diligent
The distances to the other companies in today's schedule are quite far. If I go there, I fear I won't be able to return until late in the afternoon, which is not a good idea to keep the future boss waiting
Ah, it seems that the golden finger is not so easy to unlock; it is better to honestly hold onto the golden thigh. Schott thought, I wonder how John's job search is going.
However, a country bumpkin is still a country bumpkin. Old Joseph merely shook his head at these designs and said, "Scotch, it seems you are truly not suited to be a shoemaker.
I heard Aunt Aleza say that you started keeping accounts for the household expenses when you were 7 years old
In the past, he could visit more than ten companies in a day, but yesterday he only visited six companies
"Alright, no problem," John Rockefeller replied happily
Can you accept it
Therefore, there is nothing in my statement that contradicts the facts. "Schroeder laughed, and John Rockefeller joined in the laughter.
So, did Tatel inform you that, in addition to bookkeeping, you might also need to take on some other tasks, such as collecting payments? Are you willing to do that?
I hope you can give me an opportunity
No, John, I am not asking you to engage in false advertising; lying over such a trivial matter is certainly not worth the cost
"I can do well, sir, you can trust me," said John D. Rockefeller
Let me think," said Scott. After a while, he asked, "Well, John, do you have a business card
Ah, Tuttle mentioned to me that someone would come here in the afternoon to apply for a job, and asked me to see if it would work out
"I do not wish to engage in false advertising." Rockefeller misunderstood the meaning of Scogin; he believed that one could not achieve great success solely through deception, as his father Bill did. "Your father is a very intelligent man; if he were a bit more upright, he would be much better off than he is now." This was the assessment of John D. Rockefeller's mother, Aliza, regarding his father.
However, "having many years of accounting experience" is not correct," said John D. Rockefeller
"Yes, I can, thank you, boss! You are truly a kind-hearted good person, and God will bless you." Then, he casually handed him a good person card
Shigaozhi knew that Joseph's assessment that these shoes would be doomed in six months was absolutely correct, as the intensity of shoe usage in this era far exceeded that of later generations
What did you learn in Folsom? Tuttle asked
I believe your job-seeking approach must change said Schowitch to John D. Rockefeller
I know that reputation is not without value; in fact, it is very valuable
Oh, do you have something to discuss, young man? I am Tatel, the owner of this company. The person stopped and politely replied.
Yes, sir, I have been recording all the financial income and expenses in my family since I was five years old. John D. Rockefeller said, "From May to August this year, I received three months of accounting training at the Folsom Commercial School.
Hey, how come I didn't think of this! My dad is the best at using this thing
I do not wish to be like him, tarnishing my reputation for such a small amount of money; if I were to do so, it would certainly be for a much larger sum.
Then what should I change? John D. Rockefeller said, "Scotch, you are quick-witted; do you have any ideas?"
The absence of any salary during the probation period is absolutely illegal in later generations, but in this era, which has not experienced a proletarian revolution and thus lacks any labor protection laws, it is indeed a common practice
For a small amount of money, he resorted to deception, quickly ruining his reputation in one place before moving on to another to repeat the same story. Although it seemed that he easily swindled money in every location, he was unable to establish himself anywhere and could not sustain any development.
Some matters, when described in different ways, yield completely different results
John Rockefeller is heading towards his first goal of the day, and until now he has not found his ideal job, but he is quite satisfied with the recent circumstances
"Ah, I only considered convenience and aesthetics," said Scott.
"The boss is back?" John D. Rockefeller thought to himself as he hurried into the company and asked a real employee, "Has Mr. Tuttle returned?"
How did you design something so ineffective
Therefore, it is quite normal for shoes that prioritize aesthetics and comfort above all else, as pursued by later generations, to be viewed as inferior products by people of this era
You arrived quite early. Hewitt said: "Are you saying that you can keep the accounts?"
Not yet
However, Mr. Hewitt is here, the employee replied
Moreover, it seems that Mr. Tuttle truly needs such an accountant, and the likelihood of him hiring John is quite high. Therefore, John decided not to try his luck at other companies today and to wait nearby instead
Therefore, John had no objections to this, and he quickly expressed to Hewitt:
John believes that his mother's statement is very reasonable; if Bill had a reputation for integrity, he would certainly be able to earn more money
Alright, you can start working here tomorrow. The probation period is three months, and there will be no salary during this period
Although in the end, both responsible parties indicated that they still needed to think it over and had not made a final decision, and John felt that the final outcome they were considering was likely not the effect she had anticipated, at least this was much better than a few days ago, wasn't it
Because this era is still one in which transportation primarily relies on walking, for instance, John D. Rockefeller, who is currently seeking employment, would walk to the company he was applying to, regardless of its location or distance.
Look, with shoes designed like this, they will start to change shape after just one month, and will be ruined in six months—how can this be acceptable? Our reputation will be ruined!
The first company John is looking for today is called Hewitt-Tatter Company
The styles of these leather shoes are all popular in later generations. According to some people's thoughts, if these trendy items from later generations were brought to that era, they would surely dazzle the eyes of those unsophisticated individuals from the eighteenth century.
"I happen to need someone who can keep accounts here," Tuttle said. "But I have an urgent matter and need to go out immediately. Can you come back in the afternoon?"
John D. Rockefeller did not wish to be like Bill; his ambitions were far greater.
In fact, perhaps the children of wealthy families would like such things, but they would not come to our store to buy shoes, and our customers are all manual laborers. Carol wanted to say a few good words for Scott, but as he continued, he also did not have a favorable view of Scott's design
"Mr. Schott, are these all new styles of shoes that you have come up with?" Old Joseph asked Schott, pointing at several designs.
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But haven't you heard that "the most deceptive thing is not a lie, but rather the truth"? As long as you can present that part of the truth in the most suitable manner
In addition, he also created a personal website and the intensity of the advertising promotion is truly... compared to what Rockefeller envisioned
Such an encounter was completely unexpected for John D. Rockefeller, which left him somewhat stunned; after a while, he recalled his words intended for self-recommendation
For example, if you say 'I can keep accounts', can't you also say 'I have many years of experience in bookkeeping and am proficient in various bookkeeping techniques'? Is this not a fact? Are there any bookkeeping techniques that you are not familiar with?
This is too ordinary. Shi Gaozhi recalled his job search in his previous life. At that time, he printed a recommendation package as thick as a book, filled with various achievements he had obtained. This included the various accomplishments he achieved while working under his supervisor (the term used by graduate students to refer to their mentors) at the research institute, as well as a catalog of articles he had published in various journals. (Although none were published in prestigious journals like Nature or Science, the sheer quantity was still quite impressive.) It also included various awards he received during his undergraduate studies, and even mentioned that he had been a second lieutenant during his elementary school years.