Turned Back At The Gates

Yeah, yeah. Ghosts of Job Searches Past. Gotta blog about it. Yadda yadda yadda...

One time there was an ad for some sort of a position that sounded like a half-step above vacuuming the farts out of the cushions at the local Greyhound Station. Let's call the company in question SwillTekInc.

It was 35 miles away, in Lillington, NC, but I had applied (twice, unsuccessfully) to a business out there so I knew where it was.

I put on my suit and tie and went down to the staffing agency to apply.

I walked in the front door to find a reception area with one of those "office windows" in the wall.

I walked up to me window, and ventured a meek, "Hello?"

A young woman, who was standing near a desk in the rear of the area behind the window replied with a frosty, "Can I help you?"

Me: Yes, I'd to apply for that SwillTekInc position.

Her (not bothering to come to the window): Huh. That's in Lillington, you know.

Me: Oh, yes, I know. It said so in the newspaper ad.

Her: That's kinda far away. Do you have a car?

Me: Oh, yes I do. In fact I drove it here!

Her: Because it's kind of far.

Me: I've been out to Lillington before. Believe me, I've had longer commutes.

Her: Well, you'd have to fill out an application and watch a video. It's usually a three hour process.

Me: That's fine. I'm unemployed and I was expecting to have to fill out some sort of paperwork.

Her (still not coming to the window): Well, that job's been filled.

Me: Oh. Well, my unemployment benefits are contingent on applying to at least two employers a week. Could I maybe fill out one of your applications for you to keep on file. That would really help me out.

Her: Yeah, that would help you, but not us. Sorry.

Me: Oh. Well, thanks any way.

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Could she have been any more dismissive?

If the job had truly been filled, then what was all that BS about needing a car and spending 3-1/2 hours filling out an application?

What is it about me that inspires such hatred amongst the nation's employment gate-keepers?

I can only hope Ms. MegaFarce ended up with that gig down at the bus station.