The Questions That Built a Dream

As the old clock on the office wall ticked steadily, Ayan Malik stood outside the interview room, clutching his folder so tightly that his hands were turning pale. The office was quiet, and Ayan could even hear the faint hum of the ceiling fan. He had spent months searching for work, practicing answers late at night, and dreaming that someone somewhere would finally say, “You’re hired.”

Ayan came from a small neighborhood where promises were easy to make but hard to fulfill. He had lost hope many times, especially after hearing, “We’ll contact you soon,” which never happened. Yet here he was again, hoping once more. It felt like his future stood on the other side of the wooden door.

Suddenly, the receptionist called his name. “Mr. Ayan Malik, please enter.”

Ayan wiped his hands on his trousers, took a deep breath, and stepped inside. Sitting across the table was Mr. Rehman, a middle-aged man whose serious face showed years of experience but also a trace of kindness behind his glasses.

“Good morning, sir,” Ayan greeted softly.

“Good morning, Ayan. Please sit,” Mr. Rehman said, examining Ayan’s résumé. “Tell me about yourself.”

It was a familiar question, one Ayan had answered dozens of times in practice. Still, his voice trembled at first. Yet he spoke honestly: about his love for learning, his challenges, his passion for doing work that mattered. He didn’t decorate his words with fancy sentences. He spoke simply, sincerely.

After listening patiently, Mr. Rehman leaned forward. “Why do you think we should hire you?”

Ayan paused. He could say what most people said: “Because I am hardworking.” But instead, he said something that even surprised him.

“Sir, I don’t know if I am the best candidate. But I know that I’ll learn faster than anyone else. I won’t stop until I become useful for this company. If you give me a chance, I will prove myself. Not because I want a salary, but because I want a purpose.”

The room fell quiet. Mr. Rehman looked at him, not like a businessman looking at a candidate, but like a teacher seeing honesty in a student. He asked more questions—some difficult, some simple—and Ayan answered each with sincerity, even when he didn’t know the perfect words.

After the questions ended, Mr. Rehman closed the file gently. “Ayan, do you know why interviews exist?”

Ayan shook his head.

“They’re not just to test knowledge. They help us understand a person’s character. Skills can be taught. Character is harder to find.”

Ayan listened carefully as Mr. Rehman continued, “We need people who can grow, who won’t quit, who show honesty even when they don’t know everything. You may not have the highest qualifications, but you have something more valuable: you want to grow.”

Ayan felt his heart pounding. Was this a good sign?

Mr. Rehman smiled slightly and extended his hand. “Welcome to the team, Ayan. The job is yours.”

Ayan’s eyes widened. In that moment, all the struggles, all the failures, all the disappointments felt worth it. A single chance had changed his path. He shook Mr. Rehman’s hand, feeling stronger than ever.

Outside the office, the same clock ticked on, but everything looked brighter. The world hadn’t changed—Ayan had.

From that day forward, he believed something powerful: interviews are not just about impressing someone; they are about revealing who you truly are.

And sometimes, the truth is exactly what a dream needs to begin.