“Between twenty and forty-five years old, taller than 1. 7 meters, in good health and strong.”
“Experience in the same position is preferred. Veterans and police academy graduates will be prioritized.”
“Monthly salary of $4, 000, with excellent performers receiving a raise every six months, not less than $500 each time. Those with outstanding performance will receive company shares.”
The morning after the banquet, the official website and various bulletin boards displayed a recruitment announcement.
Darnell’s Elite Force was hiring 200 security personnel from the community.
Arthur and Vance set up recruitment stations at the two entrances of Woodsea, each accompanied by three others. They were straightforward and blunt, with tables piled high with cash.
The use of cash to attract applicants proved highly effective, drawing the attention of many unemployed individuals and piquing the interest of many reporters.
Within half a day, news about Woodsea’s recruitment for security personnel spread widely online, complete with eye-catching headlines.
There were also critical comments from various commentators, condemning the phenomenon and arguing that the money-centric attitude should be curbed.
“Tsk, I’m just hiring a few security guards,” Darnell said, reclining on the sofa in Darnell’s Elite Force’s office, sipping fragrant tea while browsing the news on his computer.
“Do these people really need to make such a fuss? They’re actually criticizing me?”
Garrett, who was sitting at a nearby desk checking the security list, chuckled in response. “Boss, don’t pay attention to those experts. They love to blow things out of proportion.”
“The more noise they make, the more our visibility grows. Look, in less than half a day, over 200 people have already applied.”
He picked up the list of applicants sent by Arthur and Vance, walking over to hand it to Darnell. “By this afternoon, we’re likely to surpass 400 applicants.”
“$4, 000 isn’t too high a salary, but we have great opportunities for advancement and good benefits. With a raise of 500 every six months, they could earn $7, 000 a month after three years of dedicated work.”
“Even without the incentive of company shares, this salary is quite attractive.”
Earning over $10, 000 a month had once been Garrett’s dream, and now that it was coming true, he couldn’t help but feel emotional. However, he soon expressed his concerns.
“Mr. Halford, while the salary and benefits we offer are great for applicants, won’t it put too much pressure on the company?”
“In a few years, employee salary expenses could exceed one million a month.”
“That’s over ten million a year. Woodsea only gives us a budget of nine million.”
Although Garrett was happy that the company could offer high salaries, he was more concerned about its future. He remained as down-to-earth as ever.
Darnell glanced at the list, stretched, and replied, “The nine million is just this year’s budget. As long as we do a good job with security and ensure the people of Woodsea can live safely and without fear, the village will increase our funding.”
“Noemi and the others are smart. They know what to do.”
“There’s a qualitative difference between a $2, 000-a-month security guard and a $4, 000-a-month bodyguard.”
Garrett nodded, slightly confused. “Oh, I see.”
“Don’t worry about the company losing money,” Darnell reassured the straightforward man. “Just focus on recruiting without any concerns. Besides the nine million budget, don’t forget I also own half of Woodsea’s shares. Just from the dividends alone, that’s several million.”
“Moreover, Darnell’s Elite Force isn’t just about protecting Woodsea. We can also take on jobs when we have the chance.”
“For instance, sending someone to act as a bodyguard for a wealthy individual for a few days or transporting goods for the influential. These can all increase our revenue.”
“Of course, the prerequisite is that we must be excellent for the business to come our way.”
Garrett’s eyes lit up at Darnell’s words. “Got it!”
By five in the afternoon, the number of applicants had reached 500. Darnell instructed Garrett to notify these 500 people to gather in Woodsea’s hall the next morning at eight.
Before 7:30 the next day, 500 burly men had gathered in the grand hall, all beaming with excitement.
They discussed whether the salary and benefits were as good as advertised, speculated about how the interviews would go that day, and even discussed what they would do with their salaries.
At exactly eight o’clock, Darnell took to the stage with Garrett and the others, standing on a platform that had once seen bloodshed, with stains still faintly visible in the floor cracks.
“Listen up, everyone!”
Darnell wasted no time. He grabbed a bag of cash and poured it onto the table with a loud clatter, immediately catching the attention of many with wide eyes and swallowed breaths.
Standing at the edge of the podium with a stack of cash in hand, Darnell straightened his back and declared, “Getting through the interview is simple. Just stand like I am. If anyone can’t hold out, feel free to leave at any time.”
“Those who can endure will become employees of Darnell’s Elite Force and will be eligible to share in the $200, 000 on the table.”
The 500 men were momentarily taken aback, then their eyes fixed on the pile of cash. They hadn’t expected money to be involved in the interview. $200, 000 was no small sum.
Soon, however, they glanced at Darnell with a hint of disdain. “What’s the big deal about just standing at attention?”
“Think it’s easy, huh? Then let’s see how you do,” Darnell said, waving his hand. “We’ll all stand together. Whoever can meet my requirements or if I fall, will pass the interview.”
At his command, the 500 men lazily stretched their necks and then stood upright at a leisurely pace, looking quite unimpressed.
Initially, some were whispering to each other, but they were quickly pulled from the ranks by Arthur and Vance and kicked out of the hall.
“Stand straight! Chest out, stomach in, and don’t move!”
Darnell set an example for this unruly crowd, while Garrett and the other seven leisurely patrolled around.
Their eyes were sharp and vigilant, wielding sticks as they walked back and forth, occasionally swinging them through the air with a whooshing sound.
The piercing gazes and strict evaluations made the applicants feel as if they had truly entered a military camp.
As time passed, sweat gradually drenched everyone’s clothes.
By nine o’clock, fifteen had been eliminated.
By ten, fifty had been eliminated.
By eleven, the initial 500 applicants had dwindled to 400, but the line showed no signs of breaking up.
Thud!
Without any warning, a sweaty man silently collapsed from the ranks.
“Quitter!”
With Garrett’s cold shout, the fallen man, standing at 1. 8 meters, was immediately dragged away and tossed outside the line.
The dragged figure left a long trail of moisture on the ground, his clothes marked with sweat stains.
Before long, another person collapsed and was quietly taken away. As time went on, the frequency of collapses increased.
By three in the afternoon, only 300 remained standing. Of course, those who left received $100 from Garrett.
Standing on the stage, Darnell focused his gaze on the remaining half of the line, which looked much sparser than at the beginning.
Yet, each person stood upright, exuding a formidable aura that commanded respect.
Darnell waved his hand lightly. “You’ve all held on remarkably well so far.”
“However, there’s one last round to go, with a target of six o’clock. I hope you can endure.”
“Those who hold on not only get to stay as security but will also share in the $200, 000 on the table.”
Darnell added coldly, “If you lack confidence and can’t hold on, you can leave now!”
At that moment, a man with a hooked nose stepped out from the ranks, wiping the sweat from his face as he declared, “I quit.”