Chapter 248: 249: Job Fair
This was Chen Cang’s first time entering a job fair as a recruiter.
The feeling was still somewhat surreal.
The venue was still crowded with people, not only graduates looking for jobs, but also some parents who came on behalf of their children to apply or to inquire about the situation.
The two representatives from the Second Provincial Hospital who came for the recruitment were both young women. The head of the personnel department had also arrived in the morning, but she didn’t stay long—after all, the main purpose of the job fair was to collect resumes.
Leadership roles were merely symbolic here, and as for high-end talents, they wouldn’t even consider a small-scale job fair like this one.
Regardless, the Second Provincial Hospital was still a provincial-level, Grade III-A hospital renowned for its departments such as oncology, neurology, nephrology, cardiology, hepatology, and infectious diseases—all of which were national key specialties.
Many came to submit their resumes.
The two from the personnel department weren’t old either, both in their thirties. Seeing Chen Cang, a young and spirited guy, they were energized—after all, a mix of men and women in a team could make work more passionate.
In less than ten minutes, Chen Cang was already calling them “Sister Zhao” and “Sister Cui” like they were close friends.
In fact, both of them had heard about Chen Cang—how could they not have just a few days after the Song Qiang incident? Everyone knew it was because of Chen Cang that Song Qiang had been brought down.
The administrative departments of the hospital were only busy a few times a year; other times, they could literally be bored into causing mischief—usually gossiping.
So they were most knowledgeable about Song Qiang’s downfall and were somewhat puzzled by Chen Cang.
In just over a month, Chen Cang had accomplished quite a bit: he had transferred to a new position, started postgraduate studies while working, and brought down Song Qiang. Such impressive achievements made it difficult for him not to become famous.
From time to time, people came over to ask questions, but the job posting made clear what was needed—if suitable, they just left their contact information.
Chen Cang originally thought it would be an exciting and heartfelt job, but it turned out to be just a chat with two sisters.
But that was fine, too, as it helped him build a good relationship with the personnel department staff, which could be very convenient for many things.
It was like enhancing his positive reputation!
Chen Cang managed to charm both women with his youthful looks, sensual lips, and flowing eloquence, gaining their favor to a score of seven or eight.
Flattering them any more would be pointless.
…
…
Dong Jia led Luo Zhou to the entrance of the gymnasium. “Let’s go, have another look. Maybe there’s a new hospital?”
Luo Zhou wasn’t in the best of spirits. He had handed out all the resumes he could, but the lukewarm response from the recruiters left him feeling quite discouraged. There weren’t many positions open in general surgery this year, and only a handful of hospitals could be applied to.
Luo Zhou sighed, “I’ve gone around several times this morning. I’ve applied to all the places I could! There’s a city nearby that seems okay, though. It’s a contract position, but it’s not bad, and the pay is quite good too.”
Dong Jia looked at Luo Zhou, “I still want you to stay in An Yang.”
That single sentence made Luo Zhou feel a pang of sadness.
But… getting into the provincial capital was not that simple, was it?
However, seeing Dong Jia’s hopeful eyes, Luo Zhou smiled, pinched her cheek, and said, “Let’s go and see.”
For a man, who doesn’t want to fulfill his girlfriend’s wishes!
Even against great odds, one wants to do their utmost.
It was true that there were some new participants in the afternoon, but they weren’t really enticing. While both were busy handing out resumes and writing down contact information, Dong Jia suddenly spotted Chen Cang!
“Luo Zhou, look quick, isn’t that Chen Cang?” Dong Jia said with a curious face, tugging at Luo Zhou’s clothes and pointing in the direction of the Second Provincial Hospital.
Luo Zhou turned to look and indeed saw Chen Cang sitting there.
His curiosity piqued. “Isn’t Chen Cang supposed to have just started his postgraduate studies this year? What’s he doing here?”
Dong Jia shook her head, “Maybe he’s here to scope things out in advance. Let’s go over there and say hi.”
As they spoke, the two made their way to the Second Provincial Hospital’s booth.
“Chen Cang! I knew it was you. What are you doing here?” Luo Zhou asked with a smile.
Seeing Luo Zhou, Chen Cang also broke into laughter and handed over the brochure for Provincial Hospital No. 2: “I’m here for the job recruitment. Take a seat, classmate, and learn more about Provincial Hospital No. 2.”
Luo Zhou scoffed, “Scoff! You, just call me senior brother honestly. By the way… are you here for a job too?”
Chen Cang shook his head. He suddenly remembered that Luo Zhou was probably in general surgery, so he said, “That’s right, Luo Zhou, you’re in general surgery, aren’t you? Provincial Hospital No. 2’s emergency department is recruiting a grad student in general surgery. Don’t you want to sign up?”
Luo Zhou smiled, “I’ve already registered, but… I reckon they’re only hiring one person, and so many have signed up!”
Chen Cang hummed in agreement, “Prepare well then. The emergency surgery department at Provincial Hospital No. 2 is quite good, with a great working atmosphere. I think it’s worth putting up a good fight for, and if you can get in, it’s really nice.”
Luo Zhou was dumbfounded by Chen Cang’s earnest words, “Come on… Cang Er! You’re not actually from Provincial Hospital No. 2, are you?”
Human Resources Sister Zhao from the side laughed, “Is there any doubt? Little Chen is indeed in the emergency department. If you get in, you’ll be colleagues.”
These words left Luo Zhou and Dong Jia dumbfounded.
“I knew you were at Provincial Hospital No. 2, but… you’re studying for your master’s now, right? I thought you had resigned…” Luo Zhou said.
Sister Zhao laughed, “Little Chen is a staff member with tenure. How could he resign for a graduate degree? Besides, the hospital itself sent Little Chen to further his education while on the job—it’s considered in-service training.”
The hospital had marketed Chen Cang’s master’s studies as in-service education, but in reality, it still held the value of full-time study.
It was simply because doing so made it easier for the hospital to explain, and for the HR department to communicate externally; otherwise, it would be more troublesome.
“Tenure?” Luo Zhou and Dong Jia exchanged glances, finding it hard to believe. When did Chen Cang secure a tenured position at Provincial Hospital No. 2? Wasn’t he an undergraduate?
But could the HR staff be lying?
Suddenly, Luo Zhou realized that he didn’t really know Chen Cang anymore.
Three years after graduation, Luo Zhou had thought that Chen Cang had worked for a while and then left to start grad school. Little did he know, Chen Cang had already solved his tenure issue, and now the hospital had sent him to enhance his qualifications for future promotion—it was essentially gilding the lily!
At this, Luo Zhou couldn’t help but feel a pang of emotion and envy!
He knew Chen Cang’s situation well: in college, he had applied for grants and loans, his family was from the countryside, and he was always hardworking and ambitious in his studies.
Yet this undergraduate managed to carve out his niche in Anyang City, the provincial capital.
Thinking about this, Luo Zhou couldn’t help but admire him.
HR Sister Zhao said, “Young man, prepare seriously, the exam at Provincial Hospital No. 2 is quite fair this time.”
Chen Cang didn’t say much, since he was simply here to look around, not to exercise any influence. Just because he was a staff member at Provincial Hospital No. 2 didn’t mean he had much authority; after all, he was just one of the 1400 regular employees there!
But in the spirit of encouraging a classmate, Chen Cang still advised, “Luo Zhou, the emergency department at Provincial Hospital No. 2 is continuously developing and places a lot of importance on training personnel. This time it’s an opportunity. Prepare well, and if you do get in, it’s a great position with good income and most importantly, a positive department atmosphere.”
Upon hearing this, Luo Zhou nodded and smiled, gratefully saying, “Thanks, Cang Er, I’ll go back and prepare well, aiming to become your colleague.”
After Luo Zhou and Dong Jia left, they were filled with mixed emotions.
Who could have imagined such a scene?
Upon exiting the gymnasium, Dong Jia’s eyes widened, unable to hold back, she said, “Luo Zhou, should we invite Chen Cang out for dinner tonight? After all, he’s a doctor in the emergency department, and now he’s here for recruitment. Maybe he can have a say?”
“Besides, we could probe for information; if there’s any news, we could find out in advance. It would benefit you, right?”
Luo Zhou pondered for a moment, then shook his head, “Let it be, wouldn’t that just put Cang Er in an awkward spot?”
“Everyone knows Chen Cang’s situation. Hasn’t he achieved what he has today entirely through his own efforts? Bothering him now would be obviously indecent.”
“Moreover, everyone has their difficulties. Let’s not delay him because of us, right?”
Dong Jia sighed; she had these thoughts for Luo Zhou’s sake, “I’m just worried…”
Luo Zhou smiled at Dong Jia, “Okay, darling! You have to trust me, I’ll definitely pass the exam. It’s better for us to get in on our own merit. Why should we trouble others?”
Seeing the resolution in Luo Zhou’s eyes, Dong Jia said no more, “All right then, you have to give it your all!”
Luo Zhou nodded.