PASIG CITY—Kingsman, the latest spy action comedy by Kick-Ass and X-Men: First Class director Matthew Vaughn, is the story of Eggsy played by British actor Taron Egerton, the son of a former spy candidate who died during a mission in the Middle East 17 years ago.

With his father dead, Eggsy and his mom struggle to make ends meet. Things are made worse by the mom’s abusive boyfriend and father to his baby sister.

Eggsy gets in trouble with the police when he “borrows” a car. Agent Harry Hart played by Colin Firth (Pride and Prejudice, Bridget Jones’s Diary), the Kingsman who trained Eggsy’s father, bails the troubled young man out of jail.

In an attempt to make up for Eggsy’s father’s death, Harry asks Eggsy to try out for a recently vacated spot in the secret organization.

During his training, Eggsy is schooled in the ways of spies—and gentlemen.

Learn how being a gentleman (although not necessarily a spy) can help you find that dream job, and you might just save the world (or yourself from joblessness).

Manners maketh the man

While Harry is trying to convince Eggsy to join the Kingsman, they are approached by a group of hooligans who have a beef with Eggsy.

Harry nonchalantly asks them to settle their scores some other time. But when provoked, the veteran spy locks the door and shows them some manners—much to Eggsy’s (and the hooligans’) surprise.

“Manners maketh man,” says Harry before displaying his fighting prowess.

Many HR managers bemoan applicants who literally have no manners, just like Eggsy at the start of the movie.

Uncouth applicants text during interviews. Some don’t even bother putting on deodorant or making sure their breath doesn’t reek. Others don’t smile or get up to acknowledge the interviewer.

Proper etiquette may be the norm for aristocrats or nobles, but you don’t have to be rich to know how to be respectful, especially if you’re interviewing for a job.

Learn a thing or two from Harry lest he go Emily Postal on you.

Silver spoon

According to Harry, “The lack of a silver spoon will set you on a path, but you need not stay on it.”

At the tryouts, Eggsy struggles to blend in with other competitors from well-off families. Most of the guys bully him, taking shots at his humble beginnings.

This, of course, does not stop Eggsy from acing every single test. But it does get on his nerves.

Eventually, Eggsy outlasts his fellow competitors, thanks to Harry’s words of wisdom.

Privileged people often take it easy, just like some applicants from the top schools in the country. While coming from a top-tier university will give you an advantage, it will not guarantee long-term success.

Shoot the dog

Eggsy and his fellow competitors are given puppies at the start of the tryouts. They are tasked to train and bond with the dogs.

[SPOILER ALERT] After passing every test with flying colors, two competitors remain: Eggsy and Roxy. Both become good friends, and a romance is hinted at.

They are called in separately to different rooms and given guns to shoot their respective dogs.

Eggsy is unable to do so, storming out with his pug. Roxy does, and succeeds in becoming a Kingsman.

Eggsy is confronted by Harry, and an argument between the two ensues with Eggsy asking Harry how he could have killed his (Harry’s) dog when he was a Kingsman candidate.

Harry reveals that the gun actually contains blanks.

While it was honorable for Eggsy to spare his dog at the cost of a dream job, it did show a lack of commitment.

Sometimes, it pays to sacrifice something good to get something more valuable. You don’t necessarily have to compromise your morals.

Many applicants are especially picky. You get the offer, you come in on your first day, but you quit the week after because of the long commute.

Word of advice: Shoot the dog.

Kingsman: The Secret Service opens February 18.