Life was a breeze for him. He knew it all. The latest in jazz, sports, the trends in vogue, the places to go, the works! He probably had it all going for him. With an envious academic record and an extremely well-polished persona, Sam Jones surely looked forward to a bright future ahead.

Days rolled on and Sam put himself to test in the corporate run. ?It’s going to be a cakewalk for you to get in, his friends often quipped.

Please be seated, came the deep voice of George Herington, the Hiring Manager. Swiftly, he introduced
himself, along with his colleague David Robinson. Then it all started. The usual spate of questions… from their academic achievements to what they knew about the company in question, they asked it all. And was Sam
proud of himself! He had answers to almost everything they asked and that too, he believed much better than his apprehensive-looking competitors, Wilson Brown.

This plum job is surely mine, thought Sam with a slight smug on his face. Finally, I’ll be able to buy that dashing sports bike, a tinge of happiness breezed across Sam’s face.

When we pick up guys for a company like ours, we simply want the best. Our people should be perfect in their knowledge, be dressed primly for work, and have an all round appeasing persona. That’s how Herington had briefed his staff the morning Sam was to be interviewed.

It was a shock to the hilt. After all, there was not even a single instance where he faltered. Did I have some poor recommendations? he wondered as he sipped his coffee in the pantry.

Just then, he heard that. ?Aah! Thought we’ve chosen Wilson Brown,

I think that was a compromise. Don’t you think, David? remarked Herington, as the colleagues ducked into their sumptuous cheese sandwiches.

The only option we had though! Goodness, whatever happened to those extensive grooming and personality enhancement classes they give to the students of management.?

Of course, it didn’t ring much bell with Sam at first, though he was quite within earshot. All he seemed to be doing was ponder over his loss, trying to analyze, munching a doughnut.

A few moments on and the discussion between the hiring personnel carried on in the friendly environs of the small pantry.

Actually, I would have simply loved to take on Sam Jones, who with all his skill seemed just to be the right choice. Only if the young man had taken a few lessons in the right dress sense, remarked Herington pensively. It was then that Sam caught his breath.

Jaw dropped, he listened on, Yup!

After all, who comes for an interview to a company  in baggies and sneakers and those too in a dusty, faded version!?added David, echoing his colleague’s observations.

It all unfolded in a minute. Right from his well-meaning seniors to his ever so critical dad, everyone had warned him. There was no doubt that Sam Jones made, The Personality Statement, in his high school and college. But you have to spruce up how you dress. You don’t know what you might lose on due to your extensively casual and at times, even shabby dressing – his dad would always insist.

Alas! Even best things need to change. And that’s what Sam didn’t realize. He hung on to his notions of style and now, at what a price!

After all, the position that Wilson got was meant to be his. It would have paid him like none other jobs in this arena. Sadly enough, his moment had passed. His loss was for him to suffer. There will surely be another opportunity but for now Sam would have to wait and see.