Escape attempt No. 3

[Antisocial_Worker]

I've been trying to extricate myself from behind this hotel front desk for months now. Nothing has worked out and perhaps against my better judgement, I'm going to try again. Already have as a matter of fact, and I suppose now there's nothing left to do but wait for fiery doom to rain down on us all.

I say this because the rejections have been getting exponentially worse each time I am not chosen to be hired. The first time, back in the winter, I applied for work at the bookstore where I used to work, called a dozen times over the next few weeks and then was told in a cold but polite voice, "I've already hired all my staff."

That was the end of that.

The next attempt came in the spring when a friend of mine who worked at a mental health provider founded and run by another of our friends informed me of job openings up there. I went, I impressed, I was hired. The next day they called me back and told me they'd gone over the budget and really couldn't hire anyone at the moment but they would keep me in mind.

After that, the place lost its license, tried to regain its license, was bought out by another company, was dissolved, everyone lost their jobs, and my friend who tried getting me on up there may have to move out of state because her boyfriend also lost his job and he wants to be back in the miltary.

So basically, the answer to my first attempt at escape was a quiet "No." The answer to my second attempt was "NO! DEATH, DOOM DESTRUCTION, DAMNATION, DESOLATION AND DESPAIR!!! ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US, WRATH, RAGE, AND RUINATION!!!!! YOU HAVE NO CHANCE TO SURVIVE MAKE YOUR TIME."

This is why I am afraid that I might have called down even greater destruction by applying for a position as a receptionist at my doctor's office. The pay is between $3 and $5 more per hour, and it offers health benefits. Surely this will infuriate whatever power it is that keeps slapping me back down into this job that has more or less taken away my will to live. Having not learned my lesson the first two times, I fear that the power of "No" will only escalate. Perhaps Mt. Pisgah will erupt, obliterating everything between Knoxville and Charlotte and damning Atlanta to nuclear winter, or a doomsday asteroid will score a direct bullseye on Pack Square downtown, wiping out all life on earth. It's got to be something along those lines, I'm sure.

If so, let me apologize in advance. In my defense, all I can say is that I just wanted health benefits, and maybe a little more money.

[Pedersen]

Personally, I'm prepping the popcorn, and keeping the TV on CNN. Something good has gotta come out of it

Seriously, though, good luck with it. Even though I'd miss the stories you post, I do hope you get it (and they stay in business!).

[ArenaBoy]

Join the club HH, I've been bugging the coffee siren made fun of by Lewis Black and I WAS FREAKING interviewed by them. Things will get better, don't worry.

[Broomjockey]

Well, either you get the job, or all life on Earth ends. Looks like you're finally rid of that job either way.

Seriously though, good luck, and keep us updated!

[Becks]

Best of luck...

[Antisocial_Worker]

Thanks, everyone.

As you can probably imagine, "desperation" barely begins to cover how badly I want out of this place. I know the doctor's office is keeping the application period open until next week at least. At what point do I start calling to ask if they've had a chance to look things over, and how do I call without betraying the fact that I am honestly desperate?

[wagegoth]

HHNC, don't call until two or three days after they've finished taking the applications. Just tell them you were calling in to check on the status of your application. Leave it at that.

Now, after your recitation of destruction, I'm glad I'm 3,000 miles from you, although I'd dearly love to meet you some time. If you ever come out to SF, let me know.

It sounds like you need a really serious physical and spiritual cleansing. Can you afford a day or two at a spa? Do they have any massage or holistic schools nearby that you can get some treats at at a discount? Sage all your jewelry, especially the silver; it's a conductor. I know it's hard, but don't dwell on your desperation; it comes through when you're interviewing.

Your new jobhunt mantra: You're more than qualified; you'd do an awesome job; they'd be lucky to have you.

Keep us updated.

[BookstoreEscapee]

No real words of wisdom, though NJ is close enough to NC that I sincerely hope there are no eruptions. I'm getting to like the sun this week

Good luck, though! Keeping my fingers crossed

[Antisocial_Worker]

Now, after your recitation of destruction, I'm glad I'm 3,000 miles from you, although I'd dearly love to meet you some time. If you ever come out to SF, let me know.

It sounds like you need a really serious physical and spiritual cleansing. Can you afford a day or two at a spa? Do they have any massage or holistic schools nearby that you can get some treats at at a discount? Sage all your jewelry, especially the silver; it's a conductor. I know it's hard, but don't dwell on your desperation; it comes through when you're interviewing.

Your new jobhunt mantra: You're more than qualified; you'd do an awesome job; they'd be lucky to have you.

Keep us updated.

Thanks very much. I can't afford a day at a spa, I'm sure, and the only jewelry I ever wear is a hematite ring that I bought a couple of weeks ago.

This is really just a frustrating mess all around. I mean, that job wasn't just denied to me -- the whole place closed down, and the friend who suggested it is being... well, it's almost like she's being punished for trying to help. Her boyfriend will be shipped off to some military outfit in Oklahoma, then to another one in New Mexico, and then they're hoping they'll end up at Ft. Jackson in Columbia, SC, because it's the closest to home and she doesn't want to leave but will have to now.

This in addition to the fact that my last relationship fell apart spectacularly last month too. It's been another bad summer, and I'm really just hoping I can climb out of the rubble of it all and find something decent past the ruins. I'm trying for this new job, I'm trying for another place to live, and I'm trying to get myself together enough to write a novel.

[Pedersen]

It's been another bad summer, and I'm really just hoping I can climb out of the rubble of it all and find something decent past the ruins.

Something I've told people in the past is that I had no regrets. I now have one, and that's that my now wife and I spent five years apart that I would do anything to get back.

Aside from that, though, I wouldn't change a single thing about my life. I was a geek in school. I was viewed as worthless by all my peers. I fathered a child which I had to give up for adoption. I've been divorced. I've been so broke that dinner for a month was hot dogs every night. If you read my posts about Dyslexic Schizophrenics, you'll see whole bunches of crap that I've gone through that people should want to change about their lives. I could go on for a while, but you get the point, I think.

I would only change one thing about my life: The five years I spent removed from the person to whom I am now married. I like who I am. And all of those experiences, both good and bad, have shaped me into who I am today. I wouldn't get rid of them.

Take a look at who you are: From what I've read of you here, you're a good person. And all those experiences, the good and the bad, including the ones you're having right now, have helped to make you who you are today.

You're a good person.

I'd wish you luck getting the job, but you don't need it. They need some luck to get you.

[Crazeyal]

Well if it IS in FT Jackson, let me know. I do the security cameras for the hospital there. Nice people!

[Knightmare]

All I can say is: Don't give up!

I was in your exact situation and was about to just give up on the whole thing. I thought I was resigned to working at Lowe's part-time for the rest of my life. "The Man" was keeping me down.

But here I am, two months later, working for the city, excellent benefits, more pay, a cool uniform that makes me look like a park ranger, great hours and nifty rubber boots for when the shit gets too deep (literally).

[Antisocial_Worker]

Escape Attempt Number 3 has failed. I called today and was told the position has been filled, and I plan to spend the next few days in a self-loathing, self-pitying mood wondering exactly how worthless and unqualified I am to have been turned down for three jobs in succession, including one retail position and a clerical position. I expect that for the next few hours I will also actively wish I was dead because I hate this job, hate every second that I am forced to spend here, and frankly I would rather be on welfare than working here another second. I do not like what this job has done to me, who it has turned me into, and yet... I cannot escape. I am too unqualified to work at anything else other than putting up with tourists' abuse and a greedy, cheap boss who will cut every possible corner while expecting me to wheedle every last penny out of these people that I can possibly get.

I hate my job, I hate my life, and at the moment, I wish I could just die.

It will pass in a day or two, so don't worry.

[Horsetuna]

Good luck. I have about the same problem. Three times this year I've been hired at 4-5 dollars MORE than what I am making now (Which is crappy), and almost TO THE DAY of my three month trial period, I am let go.

No warning, no reason (which they dont have to give, really), just let go.

Its very disheartening. I dont ask for much, just enough to live comfortably. But it seems the fates hate me as well, though they seem to take a venegance against you.