The Joy of Job Applications: A Six-Month Wait for Nothing

If you receive an offer, you can politely inform your top-choice company that you have another offer on the table and are looking to make a decision by a certain date. This might speed up their process if they are truly interested in you. However, only do this if you actually have another offer.

Ah, the job application process. It’s a bit like waiting for a bus that never arrives, combined with the thrill of opening a box of chocolates—only to find that every piece is filled with that weird, chewy stuff nobody likes. You think you’re getting a degree in something valuable, but really, you’re just getting a ticket to the world of disappointment.

Let’s talk about our friend from Reddit, who, after six long months of anticipation, finally receives an email about an application they submitted. Spoiler alert: it’s not the email anyone hopes for. Instead of a job offer, it’s a gentle reminder that they exist in a digital void where their carefully crafted cover letter has been gathering dust along with their dreams of adulting.

Six months! That’s half a year of wondering, “Did they lose my application? Did my resume fall victim to a paper shredder? Or, worse yet, did they read my cover letter and think, ‘Yikes, we’re going to need a stronger coffee for this one’?” The suspense is real, folks. And it’s not the good kind of suspense, like waiting to see if your favorite character survives the season finale. This is the kind where you’re left staring at the ceiling at 2 AM, contemplating your life choices and whether you should have pursued that degree in underwater basket weaving instead.

Now, let’s sprinkle in the fact that our friend has a Bachelor’s Degree. This is an important detail. It’s like having a shiny new car but being stuck in traffic behind a herd of goats. You’ve got the qualifications, you’ve put in the time and effort, and yet here you are, still stuck in limbo. It’s almost as if the universe is playing a cosmic joke on you: “Congratulations on your degree! Here’s a complimentary six-month wait for a rejection email!”

And let’s not forget the irony of it all. You apply for jobs, thinking, “This will be the one!” only to find out that your application is treated like that forgotten sandwich in the back of the fridge—eventually tossed out without a second thought. Meanwhile, companies are out there complaining about a talent shortage, while perfectly qualified candidates are left hanging like a bad sitcom cancellation.

So, what’s the takeaway from this mildly infuriating experience? Well, for starters, if you’re in the job market, learn to embrace the waiting game. It’s like a new hobby, only less fun and devoid of any actual rewards. Maybe take up knitting or birdwatching while you wait; at least then, you’ll have something to show for your time.

In the end, our Reddit friend isn’t alone. We’re all in this together, navigating the treacherous waters of job hunting, one rejection email at a time. So, the next time you receive an email about an application you forgot you even submitted, just remember: it’s not you, it’s the system. And maybe, just maybe, it’s time to send out a few more applications and hope for better luck next time. Because who knows, the next email could be the one that changes everything—or at least leads to a decent cup of coffee.


Inspired by: “This application was done 6 months ago. I have a Bachelor’s Degree. Just got this email today.” (r/mildlyinfuriating)