Chapter 10: Some are joyful while others are sorrowful

Additionally, a certification in accounting is required, candidates must be from a liberal arts background, must be taller than 180 cm, and must be female, among other requirements

North Entrance of Peace Street

For instance, certain positions in the Red Cross and the Cultural Bureau are restricted to applications from party members only, effectively barring others from applying

The Ministry of State Security, officially known as the Ministry of State Security, is also part of the police system and is under the leadership of the State Council. It is a ministerial-level institution with subordinate departments in various regions. Each province has a State Security Department, while prefecture-level cities have State Security Bureaus. The capital city, being a municipality directly under the central government, is somewhat special; at the city level, it is also referred to as a State Security Bureau rather than a Department, but its rank is equivalent to that of a ministerial-level department. At the district level, it is called a sub-bureau, which is an institutional level equivalent to that of a deputy department.

However, Dong Xuebin heard from others that the people from the National Security are not as mysterious as they seem; it depends on the department they belong to

Thus, Dong Xuebin weighed the pros and cons and finally persuaded his mother to apply to the Ministry of State Security, where he had the highest chances of being accepted.

Dong Xuebin rolled his eyes, who said I didn't get accepted

Xiao Dong's mood is also extremely poor, "Who knew it would be so difficult? Absolutely very few people can get it right."

Section Chief Xu exclaimed: "Don't say the questions are difficult! That's because you didn't prepare adequately!"

Let it be a misunderstanding. Even though I passed the written exam, I am not entirely confident about passing the interview. If I tell my mom that I did well on the written exam, but then fail the interview, it would be a rollercoaster of emotions, and it might raise her blood pressure. It would be better to inform them only if I truly succeed in the exam.

At the entrance of the corridor, Section Chief Xu, returning from work with a briefcase in hand, approached from the other end and asked, "Just finished the exam? The written test went well, right?"

Dong Xuebin was ultimately shocked to discover that the institutions he could apply to accounted for less than 3%. Among those few obscure street offices, although there were not many requirements and fresh graduates could apply, they only selected one person. It was evident how fierce the competition would be, and Dong Xuebin certainly had no chance.

After dinner, Dong Xuebin quietly returned to his small room, turned on the old computer with a nearly three-year-old CPU, and began preparing for the interview by searching online for past interview questions

He registered out of sheer necessity, as there were too many restrictions imposed by the recruiting organization

Because they have not yet been exposed to society, do not have complex backgrounds, and lack intricate interpersonal relationships, they are very "clean" and "innocent". People tend to prefer this. In contrast, if you have worked outside for two years, you may have gained experience, but the National Security side is actually not accustomed to hiring such individuals

Well, to be honest, it is not that Dong Xuebin yearns for this republic's only internationally recognized intelligence agency

Dong Xuebin is somewhat amusing, and it has also relieved some of his frustration

Five minutes later, Dong Xuebin, who had found no results in his search, despondently recalled that the government agency he had applied to did not even have a website, let alone publish past civil service interview questions. The textual information regarding the agency's name was also pitifully scarce.

It turns out that the National Security Agency is also recruiting. As long as there are no obvious defects or characteristics in appearance and physique, and the individual has not resided abroad for an extended period, there are no restrictions on gender, party affiliation, academic discipline, or work experience. There are no professional examinations, and anyone can apply. Moreover, it is said that the number of recruits for this civil servant examination is 4, which is already quite generous compared to other agencies

For example, most institutions such as the Municipal Political Consultative Conference and the Municipal Education Committee have a registration requirement of two years of grassroots work experience

Qu Yunxuan comfortingly patted Dong Xuebin's hand, saying, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. You can take the exam again next year. What's the big deal?"

Dong Xuebin took a taxi from No. 15 Middle School to the hospital of hetushu.com, and then took a taxi back home from the hospital. Therefore, his speed was comparable to that of Qu Yunxuan and the others who returned by bus. As soon as he turned into the community, Dong Xuebin saw his mother and Aunt Xu walking ahead. He called out to them and quickly walked a few steps to explain: "Mom, Aunt Xuan, I sincerely apologize for earlier; I was indeed caught up with something over there and couldn't pay attention."

"Speak up!" Section Chief Xu said with a stern face, "I have already made the necessary arrangements with the customs on this end!"

Xiao Dong has always had excellent grades, and this time even he did not pass the exam; naturally, Dong Xuebin would not fare any better—this seems to be a shared sentiment among everyone

I ... ... I ... ...'' Compared to the solemn vows made before entering the examination room, Xiao Dong now looks utterly dejected.

For instance, in the case of the municipal public security bureau or a district safety supervision bureau, the written examination includes not only the administrative ability test and the essay but also a specialized subject examination. Dong Xuebin could not pass even the first two subjects, so how could he possibly pass the specialized exam? Therefore, without a second thought, he decided to give up.

Section Chief Xu angrily stated: "If you cannot pass the interview score threshold, then no matter what you say, it is all in vain"

Xue Bin's mother hesitated to speak, sighed, but did not ask anything

I hope everything goes smoothly

He and the book's Dong Xuebin knew that his mother and Aunt Xuan thought that he had not performed well in the exam either, and he just touched his nose without explaining

Xiao Dong cast a gloomy glance at Dong Xuebin and then followed Section Chief Xu upstairs

Thus, in a moment of despair, Dong Xuebin happened to attend a speech given by the staff of the Municipal National Security Bureau in a small lecture hall at United University.

With a determined expression, my mother exclaimed, "... ... Let's take the exam!"

Not bad, Xiaodong. Aunt Xu quickly defended her son, saying: The questions were indeed too obscure. I heard many people outside the examination hall saying the same thing. It wasn't just Xiaodong; everyone faced the same situation. By the way, Xiaoping's family also had Xiao Bin who didn't pass either. Xiaodong fared a bit better; at least he got most of the administrative ability questions right.

When it comes to the mysterious institution of national security, everyone may be somewhat familiar with it, as it deals with intelligence matters

In front of the residential building

Aunt Xu sighed, "Let's take the exam again next year." Section Chief Xu, infuriated, took a couple of deep breaths, waved his hand, and turned to go upstairs. Aunt Xu looked at Xiao Dong, then turned to Dong Xuebin's mother and said, "In a few months, the registration for this year's national civil service exam will begin. Is your son going to take it again?"

He reported to the National Security.

Aunt Xu, with a rather poor complexion, pulled her son and said, "This time the essay and the examination questions are too difficult, and the direction of the questions is particularly off; it's simply beyond what a person can manage. I estimate, well, I estimate I only have some confidence in one question, as for the others... the other few should all be answered incorrectly, and I probably won't score much. The combined score of the administrative ability test and the essay might not even reach the baseline."

Section Chief Xu's face was dark and gloomy, "What have you done? Huh? Didn't you review well? Didn't you say there were no problems?"

For example, the municipal national security administrative department he applied to also has regular working hours, takes public transportation, holds class reunions, and can inform others about where they work; this is not a secret. One of Dong Xuebin's university seniors got into national security and jokingly mentioned that those of them in administrative and clerical positions have no opportunity to access any information from the intelligence personnel below. There is nothing particularly good about national security; one cannot drink excessively, cannot speak carelessly, and cannot casually disclose their home address, among other restrictions. The limitations are numerous, and the only advantage is that the overtime pay is slightly higher than that of general government agencies.

Later, Dong Xuebin learned that the National Security Agency generally only recruits recent university graduates

For example, most institutions such as the District Bureau of Land and Resources have a requirement for a master's degree or doctor's degree for recruitment examinations