Startup Fiance

I have been scouring Craigslist for contract gigs/part-time employment opportunities that would allow me to maintain the flexibility I have come accustomed to in my schedule, while utilizing some of my newly developed content writing/SEO skills. I find that my background in medicine is often a draw for these sorts of jobs, so I usually first look for writing opportunities within the medical area before branching out to other sectors. So far I have had a number of positive responses (in the medical spectrum and otherwise) to my cover letter and resume, and had a few phone interviews last week that seem promising.

Yesterday, while I was being un-American and not taking part in any sort of 4th of July festivities, I was looking through the part-time jobs on Craigslist, just to see if there was anything I may have missed during the week. What do you know, I saw an ad for a Radiology Transcriptionist. I knew that medical transcription was one of the professions advertised on those ‘train at home’ commercials I see on the rare occasion I watch TV, so I clicked on the link just to see what the requirements may be for the position. The ad read as follows:

Seeking a part-time Radiology Transcriptionist to work from home. Must be detail oriented, and proficient in Microsoft Word, copying and pasting, naming and saving documents. Experience with FTP a plus. Two years Medical Terminology experience with heavy emphasis on MRIs, CTs, and ultrasounds. (Contact info removed for privacy)

The job really seemed to be too good to be true, I could work from home and I would be able to use the medical terminology I had spent so many painstaking years memorizing! As a detail oriented person that is proficient in copying and pasting, naming and saving documents, well-versed in FTP and using Microsoft Word, I figured I had a good shot of at least getting an email back about the position. What do you know, not even 12 hours had transpired before I had an email in my inbox from the woman posting the position. So, at 8 am this morning, I groggily, and somewhat excitedly checked my email, only to find this well thought out and insightful reply from Carol regarding the Radiology Transcriptionist position.

I swear I think some of these people just like writing about how awesome they are!

I wanted to be mad, I wanted to be hurt, but all I could do was chuckle:) How had she figured me out?! I gave up a real job months ago just so I could sit here and send out cover letters/resumes to people I do not know, in hopes of one day being recognized for my awesomeness! I knew I had to respond to the misguided email, and my reply went as follows:

Dear Carol,

Perhaps you should check who the recipient of your email is before hastily typing such an ignorant comment. I was sincerely interested in this position; not using my resume submission as some sort of soapbox for proclaiming my “awesomeness”. I apologize if there was any misunderstanding, and I sincerely wish you the best of luck in finding someone of “lesser awesomeness” to fill the position.

Best Wishes,
Amanda

And that was that. Or so I thought… Turns out that Carol apparently has a conscience under that thick veil of expert awesomeness detection, and felt she should make right on her error by emailing an apology. A few moments after I sent off my well-wishes in their hunt for awesomeness, this appeared in my inbox:

Dear Amanda:

I am sorry and you truly are awesome. I obviously did send it to you in error and you did not deserve the sarcasm. Please accept my apology and I am sure you will do fine no matter what job you seek.

Again, I apologize.

Carol X

I can appreciate sarcasm, but an inability to properly use email is inexcusable. How dare you require that your prospective employee knows how to proficiently use Microsoft Word, FTP, and be skilled in basic computer tasks before even being considered for the position you are offering when you are completely deficient in forwarding emails! I also take issue with the fact that you somehow intuitively deduced that my resume submission was just an attempt to brag about my experience and qualifications. Since when are people supposed to be humble and un-awesome in their attempts to gain employment? I mean, isn’t the whole point of having a great cover letter and eye-catching resume to make people stop and think, “wow, this person seems like they would be AWESOME at this job!”?

Lucky for you, I am not one to hold grudges. I will gladly accept your apology, as long as you promise to take a bit of a refresher course in email management; this really is for your benefit. I can only assume that you are already on your way there, as I would find it unbelievable to think that you did not forward my second message to any of your pals. In addition to accepting your apology, I would like to use this public forum to thank you for confirming something I have been unsure about for many years, that I truly AM awesome!