Unfiltered Story #344532

I was three months out of college and looking for my first job with my new degree in computer science. A friend I had met online during college recommended a position at his company that I was not familiar with but one that he and I both felt I would be good for. I submitted my resume, and the company offered to fly me about 500 miles to interview in person.

I wore a professional outfit on the flight, but, not wanting my sport jacket to get wrinkled in the process, I brought a hanger and hung the jacket in the coat “closet” on the plane. When I landed and was waiting for the taxi that had been arranged, I put on the jacket and went to put the hanger in the briefcase I had also brought. Then I learned that, while the hanger was not larger than the outside of the briefcase—I had checked beforehand!—it did not actually fit into the interior of the briefcase.

Well, what could I do? I arrived at the interview, briefcase in one hand and massive plastic coat hanger in the other. I went through the gauntlet of interview rounds dragging that hanger with me.

Apparently, it made an impression. Not only did I get the job, but I’ve been working for the same company for over two decades and they still occasionally tell the coat hanger story!