A few folks here know that I applied for a job, got an interview, had one of my references called and then waited. Hundreds of us know the routine -- apply, wait (I received an email response in four hours). Sweat it out for 24 hours prior to the interview then have a good interview, wait. I had a request for references within 19 hours. Sweat, wait. I had a call from a reference within 4 hours who told me he received a call and it went well. Sweat, drink, sweat, drink, wait. Over 24 hours passed and my reference called back to say: "If you haven't heard anything by now, I don't think you got the job." I knew that already.
I was overqualified educationally, and underqualified specifically.
Three day pity party for me -- the most important person in my universe (not really). It was miserably hot so I thought it would be a good idea to focus intellectually on something else -- so I soaked a wash cloth and wet down one of my suffering cats. He loved it. Hmmm, great distraction. Then I looked for the cat who sent me to the ER (no insurance) because of a lethal cat bite. I soaked her down as well. She liked it. That's nice but there was still -- "poor me."
Late this afternoon I received a call from the main attorney who interviewed me. He said he had hired someone else. Ok, I figured that out already despite all the white wine. But --- huh? He called me. He said he and the associates who interviewed me really liked me but . . . I filled in the blanks for him (overqualified and not a real specialty fit) and he said yes -- but -- they all felt bad because they liked me and he would keep my resume on file. Ok, my resume might (or will) be forgotten. That's not the point.
I -- like hundreds here -- have interviewed for jobs. We've done everything we can think of to put our best personhood forward. We've even had a reference or two called -- and then nothing. Over and over and over again.
For me, this is the first time I have ever had someone who is hiring call me back to say he isn't offering me a job. Actually, it is the first time I've gotten any response about not getting a job. The norm is to ignore the interviewee -- because we are a number rather than a person.
I didn't get the job. I had a three day period of self-indulgence and then I got a call from a decent man -- a man who really didn't have to call me because it is an awkward thing to do. That one phone call -- a rejection -- made me realize that there are truly good employers out there who do care that they can't hire for whatever reason -- and offer just one person the respect of a reply. Why is that astonishing?
So, thank you, Attorney . . . . Because of your graciousness and consideration, I can try again. You, sir, deserve a good employee, and I hope the person you chose realizes what a great opportunity he/she has been afforded.
Rejection by a decent human being can be a blessing. It has been for me because I've been knocked out of my self-pity by a 5 minute phone call by someone who didn't need to press the buttons on his phone. He accepted me as someone worth a call.