Adventures In Job Hunting

The job search continues.

I'm tired. I'm worn out. I'm seconds from losing it.

I signed up on this website called "Snagajob.com" a couple weeks ago. They had a whole bunch of ads from legit businesses, so I had no problem thinking it was safe. But this week I had a phone conversation that sounded like this:

*Really heavy, obviously fake Chinese accent* "Herrow... you appry for job?"
"Um... yeah... Who's this?"
"You appry for job at Dairy Queen?"
"Yes, yes I did."
"You want to set up interview?"
"Ok... what day?"
"Satahday?"
"What time...?"
"2:00."
"Ok... are we just meeting at Dairy Queen, then?"
"Yes."
"Ok, thank you very much..."

When I hung up the phone, I was very confused, but had this growing sense of accomplishment. I actually have a job interview. Or do I...?

The call was sort of sketchy, and I got sort of a weird vibe from it. We missed a call from him earlier in the day, and called the number back to see who it was. When he first answered, his voice was kind of raspy and he didn't have an accent. Then, thinking they called the wrong number, we apologized and hung up.

Then he called back with a Chinese accent and set up an interview with me. O_o

He sounded really unprofessional, and at first didn't even sound like he knew why he was calling me.

After thinking it over a while and making a couple attempts to talk to the Dairy Queen manager to see if it was the same guy, I gave up and cancelled my "interview" (if that's really what it was...)

But tonight I got this message from Dairy Queen.

"Dear Kaylee Beutler,

We've completed reviewing the application you recently submitted to work at DQ - Hillsboro Dairy Queen.
Unfortunately, at this time our hiring managers have determined that the position you've applied for is not the best match for your skills and experience. We encourage you to explore our other open positions and wish you the best of luck in your job search." 

Um... what??? 

I have several thoughts about this email, but two of the most predominant thoughts are like this:

Oh my gosh I'm not even good enough to work at a fast food restaurant now??? How the heck to they ever expect me to get a freaking job??? Apparently you need experience to flip burgers and make ice cream cones now. 

And they've just completed reviewing my application? Didn't they set up an interview? I don't think that was them... but who is it if they knew who I was and where I was applying? Is there some psycho out there who knows all my info now? O_o 

So I'm currently jobless with no hope of finding anyone who would trust me enough to pull a soft serve lever, and on top of that have some sort of creepy pseudo-Chinese man stalking me. 

So that's been my week. 

How's everyone else's week been?

Memory Monday: The Sleeping Game.

I'm convinced that at some point, every little kid plays "the sleeping game." They think it's just hilarious to pretend to be asleep convincingly enough that their parents believe them. You get to conciously lie there and listen to adults ooh and ahh about how cute you are when you're sleeping. But the best part is, you're really not! It's the passive-agressive way of pulling one over on your parents without getting in trouble because really, it's not that big of a deal. But if you could pull it off, you were a genius.

There were several times I attempted this when I was little. A few times it worked; other times, it backfired like an old car engine. Like at my sister's second birthday party.

I was five, and I think it was Christmas. We had my uncle and probably some other family members celebrating Karissa's birthday that evening. My memory fails me a little, but I know there was a box. It was a beautiful box. It was used to hold the new "Little People" parking garage that Karissa got as a birthday present, and it was the perfect size for me to crawl into and play the sleeping game.

It was going to be hilarious. People were going to see me.... and they're going to think I'm sleeping! IN A BOX! This is genius...

So I nestled into my carboard sanctuary, huddled into a cute little faux-unconcious ball. I faithfully kept my eyes forced shut, although they wanted to eagerly snap open and see if anyone noticed yet.

Soon enough (or was it eons?), I heard something.

"Hm, look at that box over there," a voice announces.

Footsteps. I keep my eyes shut and force my facial muscles to uniformity. I could hear my dad and my uncle standing over me.

My dad picks up the box and my excitement mounts. He has to see me now and think I'm asleep!

But then his voice proclaims, a little too loudly, "I think we should put this box outside!"

That's not what I was expecting.

Why isn't he pining over how cute I look?

As he walked to the door, I panicked a little. But I kept those eyes shut like my life depended on it. I couldn't just give up on the game! But... does he even notice I'm in here...?

I felt the box being lowered, and the light that poured from the house slowly faded as the door closed. I opened my eyes and blinked a little. I stared at the cold, dark world around me and felt all hope escaping. In hindsight, I wonder why I didn't just knock on the door. I just sat there, stunned and afraid.

I remember the thoughts running through my head at that moment.

Oh, no... I guess I'm going to have to sleep out here. I'm going to be bitten by mosquitos!

Forget about kidnappings, wild animals, or psychos with guns-- I might get bitten by mosquitos! The very thought surfaced tears in my eyes. What am I going to do?!

Suddenly, like sweet sunlight coming over the dark horizon, I saw the door open. I don't really remember who was standing there, I just remember hugging them and crying like I'd been stranded on our front porch for days.

It was a very traumatic minute and a half, but I soon forgot about it once we started eating cupcakes.