They're creative, I'll give them that.

I received my official FOD letter from Dart Container over the weekend.

Pretty standard, really - "we are unable to offer you employment at this time", "good luck with your job search" - except for what they included with the letter.

A magnet. Specifically, a cup-shaped magnet with the company name and job hotline phone number on it. To them, it's a way to keep their phone number and company name in front of the person, and I'm sure it goes over like gangbusters at career fairs.

But this is where you need to think before acting.

You're sending out a rejection letter. Do you really want to add insult to injury by enclosing a cheap chotchkie item as a reminder? Something that will be displayed where it will be seen several times a day?

I'm certain that they were thinking "hey, you didn't get the job but here's a way to check up on other jobs at the company." To me, it said "not only aren't we giving you the job, but here's a way to check on other positions we'll turn you down for."

Maybe I'm being overly sensitive, but I've been out of work for a month now. I don't need magnets or false sympathies.

I need a job.

The times, they are a-changin'...

For a little over three weeks now I've been sending out resumes and making phone calls and applying to any and every job that I'm remotely qualified with bugger all to show for it.

Apparently it's time for a bit of a change.

Today I interviewed at ITT Tech (don't laugh) for an adjunct instructor position in their visual communications department. Tomorrow I go to "test-teach", meaning they want to make sure I can engage students. The person I interviewed with told me that I pretty much aced the interview, and that my work was spot-on. They just want to make sure that I can actually teach.

When I got home, I received a call from Dart Container. Weeks ago I had submitted two applications to them - one for a graphic designer position; the other for a design supervisor position - and gotten no response. Well, until today. Apparently I was passed over for the graphic designer position, but they want to interview me for the supervisor position.

Currently I'm also working a few hours for the Social Science department at U of M, doing graphic & web design. I'm also expecting to pick up a web design job for one of the art & design professors as well.

By next week, I could conceivably be one very busy critter. That's not a complaint, mind you. Three weeks of not working is driving me a little insane, and it'll be nice to not have financial freak-outs every five minutes.

For now, I'm putting my teachin' face on for tomorrow. After that, I'll be putting my designer face back on for final logo revisions; then prepping myself for an interview for a position that'll definately be worth my while.

More details as they happen.