10: Chapter 10 Student Council Interview

The military training at Civil Engineering University came to an end during the last autumn rain of September. As the instructors lined up to leave the training ground, many female students quietly reddened their eyes, while the male students bid them farewell with even louder slogans.

This was the unique sense of ritual inherent to youth—passionate yet fleeting.

Before the military training uniforms had even been put away in the closets, recruitment posters for various student organizations across campus had already blanketed the area.

At the entrances of the canteens, beneath the dormitory buildings, and along the corridors of the teaching buildings, there were colorful promotional boards everywhere. Senior students were enthusiastically handing out flyers, looking exactly like vendors soliciting customers at a market.

Xu Weidong rode his bicycle through the bustling tree-lined path, his bicycle basket already stuffed with seven or eight application forms.

Senior Bai Bing had sent three text messages reminding him about the Arts and Culture Department's information session tonight.

The Minister of the Organization Department of the School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering Student Union had personally come to the dormitory to "sweep the floors," showing great sincerity.

Even the Youth Research Center of the University Youth League Committee had sent an invitation, saying they were impressed by the theoretical literacy he displayed during his speech as a freshman representative.

But Xu Weidong already had a plan in mind: the University Student Union Office.

His father, Xu Tianhua, had once said: "If you want to understand the operation of an organization, the best position is not under the spotlight, but at the hub where documents circulate."

The University Student Union Office was responsible for all the paperwork, meeting affairs, and coordination of the entire University Student Union. While it seemed trivial, it was actually the core where information converged.

"Comrade Weidong, are you really not going to the Arts and Culture Department?"

In the dormitory, Yang Liqun asked while styling his hair in the mirror.

"Senior Bai Bing is so great; if you go, you'd have a distinct advantage."

Xu Weidong was filling out the application form for the University Student Union Office and, without raising his head, replied: "The competition for the Arts and Culture Department is too fierce; I might not get selected."

"Then what are you applying for?"

"The University Student Union Office."

Yang Liqun's hand shook, and he immediately sprayed too much hairspray.

"The Office? Isn't that the place where you write materials and arrange schedules all day? How boring."

Zhang Xun poked his head out from the upper bunk and said: "The University Student Union Office is not easy to get into."

"I heard that last year during recruitment, the ratio of applicants to those accepted was twenty to one."

"That exaggerated?"

"After all, it is the department closest to the school leadership."

Zhang Xun pushed up his glasses and said: "And once you get into the University Student Union Office, the chances of staying on as a minister or vice-chairman in the future are also high."

Yang Liqun shrugged and said: "Anyway, I'm not going. I'm going to apply to the External Liaison Department; I can also pull in sponsorships and earn some extra cash."

Xu Weidong finished filling out the form and carefully checked it once.

In the "Specialties and Experience" column, he wrote that he was familiar with official document writing and had certain organizational and coordination experience.

This was the truth. Having watched his father approve documents since he was a child, he was very familiar with the format of official government documents through constant exposure.

As for why he chose this department, he wrote: I hope to understand the operational logic of large organizations and exercise comprehensive abilities by handling specific affairs.

Humble yet confident, and hitting the nail on the head.

The first round of interviews for the University Student Union Office was scheduled for Tuesday evening, at the small conference room on the third floor of the Student Activity Center.

Xu Weidong arrived ten minutes early and found that more than twenty people were already lined up outside the door.

He took a rough glance; there were half male and half female students, and most of them had obvious nervousness on their faces.

"Classmate, are you also here to interview for the Office?"

Xu Weidong nodded.

"I heard they are only recruiting ten people this year; the competition is fiercer than in previous years."

"Why is it so hard to get in?"

"Think about it, more than half of the next generation of cadres in the University Student Union presidium come from the Office."

The male student listed them like a family treasure: "The current chairman, Zhang Hongtu, and vice-chairman, Mao Yuxi, are both old ministers from the Office. Getting in here is equivalent to getting on the fast track of the University Student Union."

As they were talking, the door opened, and a senior student wearing formal attire poked his head out.

"The first one, Li Haoran."

The male student with black-rimmed glasses took a deep breath and walked in.

The interview proceeded quickly, averaging seven or eight minutes per person.

Xu Weidong listened outside the door and could vaguely hear the questions and answers inside.

Most questions were very routine, such as: Why choose the Office? What are your specialties? How do you handle the conflict between study and work?

But occasionally there would be some tricky questions, like: If the chairman and vice-chairman simultaneously make different requirements for a task, who do you listen to?

A document is due tomorrow, and at ten o'clock tonight, you find that the data is incorrect, but the responsible classmate cannot be contacted. What would you do?

Xu Weidong silently prepared his answers in his heart; these scenarios were not unfamiliar to him.

When his father was on the phone at home handling official business, he had heard too many similar dilemmas, only the level and difficulty were much higher than these.

"Next, Xu Weidong."

Xu Weidong pushed the door and entered. The conference room was not large, and three people were sitting opposite him at a rectangular conference table.

The one in the middle should be Minister Hao Yi, with a square face and a serious expression.

On the left was Vice Minister Qian Qiang, who looked more easygoing.

On the right was a female student, who should also be a cadre in the department, responsible for taking notes.

"Hello, seniors. I am Xu Weidong, a freshman from the School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering."

Xu Weidong bowed slightly and then sat down, his back straight but not stiff.

Minister Hao Yi glanced at him and opened the application form in his hand.

"Xu Weidong... from Hanzhou?"

"Yes."

"Why choose the University Student Union Office instead of the School Student Union?"

Xu Weidong had been prepared and said: "I believe that the university-level platform can provide a broader vision."

"As the hub department of the University Student Union, the Office can come into contact with work from different schools and different levels, which is more helpful for the exercise of comprehensive abilities."

"But the workload will be very large, and it may often occupy your spare time. Can you balance it well?"

"I believe that efficiency is more important than duration."

"If I arrange my time reasonably and optimize my work methods, I should be able to complete the work while ensuring my studies."

Xu Weidong paused, then said: "And I am used to sleeping early and getting up early, so my efficiency should be higher."

This answer made Minister Hao Yi slightly raise his eyebrows. Most freshmen would express their determination at this time.

Saying they are not afraid of hardship or fatigue, but this junior's answer was more practical and sounded more like something an experienced person would say.

Vice Minister Qian Qiang took over the conversation and said: "If you were asked to draft a notice for the University Student Union plenary meeting now, how would you write it?"

Xu Weidong thought for a moment and then said: "I would first determine several elements."

"Meeting time, location, attendees, main agenda, and precautions."

"In terms of format, the header should use 'Civil Engineering University Student Union Document,' the main text should be stated in points, and the final signature should be stamped. If a receipt is required, a receipt form should also be attached."

Xu Weidong spoke fluently without hesitation. Minister Hao Yi and Vice Minister Qian Qiang exchanged a look.

"Are you familiar with office software?"

The female student who had not spoken until now spoke up. Xu Weidong remained calm and unhurried as he said: "I am proficient in using office software."

"If needed, I can also learn other software."

The interview lasted about ten minutes. When it ended, Minister Hao Yi rarely showed a smile and said: "Okay, go back and wait for the notification."

"The list for the second round of interviews will be announced before Friday."

"Thank you, seniors."

Xu Weidong stood up and gently closed the door.

The few freshmen who were still waiting outside immediately gathered around and asked: "How was it? What did they ask?"

Xu Weidong briefly mentioned a few questions without chatting too much.

He could feel that this interview went very smoothly.

On Friday afternoon, the list for the second round of interviews was posted on the bulletin board on the first floor of the Student Activity Center.

When Xu Weidong passed by on his bike, he saw a group of people gathered there.

He parked his bike and walked over, seeing his name in the middle section of the list.

A total of thirty people entered the second round, and ten would be finally admitted; the competition was indeed fierce.

You have to know that hundreds of people signed up for the first round!