Chapitre 9: Apply to DEC Company

At around 9:25 am, Henry and Bill Gates came to the DEC Boston office to participate in the application. Sure enough, DEC sent a helicopter to pick up the candidates to the company headquarters. It can be seen that DEC emphasis on talent is strong so that no wonder that it can become the number one challenger of the blue giant IBM. In this era, IBM is the deserved king in the computer field, overlord! The share of all computer manufacturers in the world added is less than one-fourth of IBM.

There are not many applicants in the Boston office, but at the headquarters of DEC, Henry is surprised by the fact that there are more than two hundred candidates. Of course, these people have different positions. The people who applied for computer engineers were taken to a hall. Henry and Bill Gates counted and there were 37 people. Henry and Bill Gates were the youngest of the group.

In the hall, there are 50 tables with paper on top of it. After a while, the person that guides the group told them to sit.

"Good morning gentleman, you must want to apply to our company now. So to save time and resources, we decided to hold a test to eliminate a large part of you as we only need elite! The score of less than 80 will be eliminated and the one who passed it will be further examined. The time just 1 hour, you can start now." The person then explained the exam and begin to sit on the examiner table.

Quickly, many people begin to sit and start the test, Bill Gates too in a hurry as he didn't want to fail/ Henry then take a look at the test, then quickly fill it as it is too simple!

After 1 hour.

"Time is up, hand over your paper." The examiner clap his hand as he commands them

A large part of people has slight regret expression as they can tell they not going pass the test as it's too hard! So with self-knowledge, many people took initiative to leave the hall as they already know the result.

The examiner seeing it but he doesn't care as DEC only need elite. It's good they have self-knowledge so to avoid waste my time. Then he checks the paper of people remaining in the hall. And he surprised by the fact there is a perfect score! This test created to aim at the professional engineer, so it's a bit skill to perfect the score.

After 10 minute check, the examiner finished the check and tell the result to them.

"I'm sorry gentleman, it seems only 5 people passed this test as the rest of you failed it. The one who passed the test come with me." The examiner tells the result while he pointed his finger to the 5 people who passed the test, of course, that includes Henry and Bill Gates too!

Henry and the group followed the examiner to a room filled with the computer. And then the examiner speaks, "Congratulation gentleman, all of you is an elite! but there is still some little test you must do." The examiner pointed to the computer on the table and said: "There is a procedure on the top. If you can finish it in 10 minutes, we can talk about the treatment of the company!"

After 10 minutes, the first person tries it and did not complete the procedure and went out of the room with frustration.

The second person begins to try it and it took 9 minutes and 25 seconds to barely pass.

The examiner smiled and said: "Good job! You will be a member of DEC company in the future, with an annual salary of 30,000 US dollars. What do you think?"

"No problem, no problem!" The man promised with pleasure.

In 1970, the average annual salary in the United States was only $9,400. The annual salary of $30,000 is a very good income. DEC company is rich in money, pays attention to talents, and has a higher salary is also normal.

The third person took 8 minutes and 07 seconds. The examiner gave him a thousand dollars and a salary of $31,000.

Then it was Bill Gates, who only took 6 minutes and 05 seconds, and could not help but shock the examiners.

"You are Bill Gates? a computer genius from Seattle. I heard that the software of the HSD State Power Network automation and computerized TRW project has gone wrong and it solved by you and Allen?!" Examiner Jerry Phillips questioning Bill Gates.

"How do you know?" Bill Gates shocked as he concealed the matter so as not known to his parent.

"I have a friend who goes to work there and once recommended me two of you. Well? You wrote on your resume, you are now studying at Harvard University ?"

"Yes, that's right. So I can't be a full-time employee of DEC, but I can do better than the full-time staff of DEC! The school has a computer, I can use the school computer resources to complete the company arranged projects! I have a phone in my dormitory, you can call me, or send an email!"

The examiner thought for a moment and said, "Okay, but since you are working half-time, the annual salary will be less than the full-time staff..."

"It's no problem." Bill Gates agrees as he didn't short of money as his family is actually quite wealthy, so he didn't lack little money that DEC offered. He mainly came here for the experience, not the salary.

Jerry Phillips laughed and said "Okay then"

After Bill Gates signed a contract, he left the office with a triumphant smile, and several other examiners in the office praised him.

"Bill Gates is a rare computer genius! And he is very stubborn and confident!"

"Yeah, DEC company is lacking such talents. When he graduates, we must recruit him to our company!"

"The annual salary of 50,000 or even 100,000 US dollars is no problem!"

"..."

Finally, it was Henry turn.

After he walked into the office, the examiner also asked him to complete the program on the computer within 10 minutes.

Henry did not immediately solve the problem, but asked: "How much does it take for Bill Gates to solve this problem?"

"Why do you ask for this?"

"I want to know how much he used, and I solved this problem less than he used!"

The examiner shook his head and felt that Henry was too arrogant, but he still answered the question as Henry score for the test is perfect: "6 minutes and 05 seconds!"

"Then I only need 3 minutes!"

"Okay, then you start to solve the problem, we will wait and see!" Examiner Jerry Phillips couldn't help but laugh, and immediately told the assistant, "Charlie, give me a cup of hot coffee, while I drink coffee to wait for !"

"Okay!" A young assistant quickly gave Jerry Phillips a cup of hot coffee.

The coffee was too hot and Jerry Phillips didn't go drink it right away.

At this time, the sound of typing on the keyboard has already sounded in the office. This sound is like percussion, and it's smashing and lingering.

However, after a while, the sound came to an abrupt end!

"I am done!" Henry turned to look at the examiner Jerry Phillips. The examiner Jerry Phillips is holding a coffee cup, taking a sip of hot coffee. Suddenly he heard Henry saying "I am done!", couldn't help but stunned, and forgot to blow away the heat of the coffee and drink it. The result was his mouth burnt.

Jerry Phillips felt pain in his mouth and immediately placed the coffee cup on the table. At this time, he stepped forward and looked at the time.

2 minutes 49 seconds!!!

Jerry Philips was shocked!

When Henry saw that Jerry Philips was burnt by the coffee, he couldn't help but ask "Are you Jerry Examiner ?"

After Jerry Phillips returned to God, he looked at Lee to cover the sky and praised him: "Not bad, you performed very well, the best among all! The resume says You are also studying at Harvard University. Are you planning to work part-time?"

"Yes!"

"Well, whether you are working or not, if you can complete the company-designated project ahead of time, I will give you an annual salary of $36,000, which is $10,000 more than Bill Gates annual salary, but if the project is not completed in time, the company will deduct a portion of the money accordingly. Well, do you still have questions?"

"No problem." Henry promises him as he mainly came for the experience.

During the period, Henry and Jerry Phillips signed a temporary work contract. There is no personal restriction and no time limit. Henry wants to resign when he can, but there is a confidentiality agreement, and the company project should not be disclosed.　

Jerry Phillips said at the moment: "Do you live with Bill Gates?"　

"Yes, we are roommates!" Li said.　　

"In the future, you will work together to complete the projects that the company has sent to you."　

"Okay!"