As some of you already know, I've been going through an employment application process at Biola for about two months. I was applying for the position of Undergraduate Admissions Counselor.
I've worked in the admissions department before as a student so I knew exactly what I was getting into. And I must say, the times that I was called in to interview, as a member of a group, and as an individual, were pleasant. The people who work in department are so nice and I felt like we were communicating well with each other. I also took a clerical test twice, which was expected, and I entertained a number of phone calls which I tried to be very helpful and make their job easier as they tried to pick the right person for the job.
I get a letter in the mail on Wednesday from Biola and I knew immediately that they chose not to hire me. To be honest, I was sad and bummed. That soon passed because things like that happen all the time and I've gotten so use to rejection from a number of other opportunities.
The letter states:(With typos intact)
Thank you for interviewing for Undergraduate Admissions Counselor position here at Biola University. We appreciate the time you spent with us. However, it has been determined that other candidates more closely meet the needs of this position.
Again, thank you for your communication with us and we wish you the very best as you consider a change in your employment situation.
Sincerely'(name withheld)
Now, I was expecting a letter like this. It's fine. Life goes on. I'm meant to be somewhere else.
Fast forward to Friday afternoon and I get a call on my cellphone from the head of the admissions department. She's calling to say thank you and pretty much tell me why they didn't hire me.
As a person who has been through many, many interviews, I thought this was excellent. An employer was going to give me constructive criticism and I was going to find out what I didn't have or what I did wrong as to prevent me from getting the job.
Please forgive me for not knowing exactly, quote for quote, was said but the statement went something like this.
Head Admissions Lady:
I was silent. I managed to thank her for calling me but a fire was soon growing in me.
After I hung up, my initial thoughts were of anger.
You mean you're not hiring anybody? I drove from Burbank to La Mirada for nothing? Are you saying I never had a chance in the first place? And that not only did you waste my time but the time of 12 other people applying. And also the monetary loss that was wasted on this "non-application process." I wonder how much student money is wasted like that on a yearly basis at old BU? Who decided to not hire at the position after wanting to before hand?
It took me awhile to come out of that anger ball I was in. In fact the anger that I had almost ruined my weekend with my girlfriend.
So another story for the books. Another bad Biola experience. They seem to be more frequent now. That University.......
You know what? Biola is not a University. In name only, maybe. From here on I'm calling it the Institute. That's what it is. It's run like one.
Though the one great thing that came out of this fiasco is the fact that I was saved from working at a place that I probably would have hated. I also contacted a place in which I interviewed at before hand and got another interview that took place on Friday. A place were they help people out of debt and NOT rip them off. In La Mirada. A place I would love to work at because I would be helping people. Helping people is my passion.
So hopefully I may be employed again very soon. Or maybe not. God only knows.
Anyways, if you want to go to Biola, email me and I'll tell you why you shouldn't. And this is coming from someone who was "Mr Biola." I was VP, did mission trips, produced the news programs on campus, did radio, spoke in chapel, and found out what really goes on behind the scenes.
*UPDATE*
I got the job at the Debt consolidation place. I start work Monday.
