Why Doesn't Borders Understand How Much I Love Bookstores?!

Ain't nothin' like job hunting in the face of the worst job market since the Great Depression.

I felt like I was standing in a bread line today while at a 'job fair' at Borders. They were hiring for seasonal help, for low level retail positions. And there were no less than 100 people waiting in line to see if they passed the initial screening test that was a prerequesite for the position. It was mind blowing. There were people of all types there, just wanting some shitty job at a bookstore. And the majority of them were turned away! I got an interview - which was a little reassuring. At least I know I'm somewhat competitive for a bottom of the barrel job. But they turned me away after that... no second interview for this little lady.

Maybe it doesn't help that I'm a little awkward?

Then, just to make myself feel like a total chump, I headed across the street to the mall and filled out applications at places like American Eagle and The Gap.

American Eagle Manager: 'Why American Eagle?'
Me: 'I've always really liked American Eagle, and the casual, cool style it represents.' (LIE #1)
AEM: 'And tell me a characteristic about yourself that would make me choose you or someone else.'
Me: 'I'm really flexible and easy-going, and I just like to go with the flow and enjoy the work that I do.' (Not entirely false, but hopefully the overcompensatingly enthusiastic tone of voice I had adopted for my informal interview wasn't too transparent.)

Ugh. Am I really at a place in my life where I need to grovel at the feet of lower management at chain stores in order to make a few dollars?!

I even went to Victoria's Secret, which I swore I would never resort to. I worked there for about six months when I was a sophomore in college, and while it wasn't completely hellish or anything, I have a feeling my memory is conveniently failing me and choosing to block out how mind-numbing it was.

I'm feelng really positive about my job prospects, clearly.

I have an interview scheduled at this weird, high-end pen shop for next week, and a group interview at American Eagle in two weeks. Apparently my lame answers were enough to get me an in there!

Needless to say, I do believe I left a sliver of my soul (and my dignity) at that mall, and part of me just wants to buy a pint of cheap whiskey and call it a night.

On a happier note - Obama was quite wonderful in the debate last night. My ears perked up when they began discussing women's stuff like equal pay and abortion, and Obama administered quite a body slam to McCain (in my humble opinion). John McCain was all 'I'm a federalist, abortion should be left up to the states,' and Obama was like "blam, the right to an abortion shouldn't be left up to ANYONE but the woman herself!" and I was like YEEHAW! Which reminds me, I really need to get my absentee ballot. I still have time, contrary to popular belief. And, in all honesty, everytime I remember that I haven't my ballot yet I picture Elizabeth Cady Stanton and feel a wave of gult pass over me for being an irresponsible voter.

I'm going to try to forget about my mall experiences today. It felt pretty terrible to fill out those applications, but I guess desperate times call for desperate measures. I suppose I'm not above any sort of work at this point, so I can just abandon the idea that I am. I'm going to make some dinner and try to unwind. No dessert for me, though - I filled up on humble pie already.