Einstein was ignored as a candidate for...

What image arises in your mind when you think about Albert Einstein? Is he a white-haired old scientist with sad eyes deep in his thoughts? Or is he a joyful senior man with his tongue stuck out? Does he have a smoking pipe in his mouth or a violin in his hands?

The image of Einstein is now absolutely iconic (and he deserves it!), but let’s think about the times when he was a fresh graduate with no job, no money. He had nothing extraordinary to boast of and make a potential employer curious about.
Albert was 21, and his CV would basically include the following:

• the son of German parents
• moved to Switzerland at the age of 16, currently based in Zurich
• graduated from Zurich University (ETH Zurich), Diploma in Mathematics and Physics
• preferred vacancies: professor’s assistant or similar, academia-related, permanent employment

Einstein’s fellow students were accepted as assistants to their former professors right after graduation. Einstein was ignored as a candidate for