Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

Okay...i dont know if you remember from way back when, but i applied for this EMT job at UCSB. Here is the letter they sent me back:

Dear Rescue Seven EMT Applicant,

This year the Rescue Department was afforded one of the best hiring's in its history with over 20 highly qualified applicants. Although your qualifications were most impressive, unfortunately we will not be able to offer you a position for the coming year.
The field of Emergency Medicine is constantly changing and I encourage you to keep abreast your skills and re-apply next year. Should any openings surface in the year to come, I will keep your resume and application on file and contact you at that point.
Once again, on behalf of myself and the entire Rescue Department, I would like to extend to you our thanks and appreciation for applying this year.

Sincerely,

XXXX XXXX (i dont know if id get in trouble if i posted his name)
Rescue Operations Supervisor


Okay. I was totally confident about my application, resume, references, and the skills assesment test. I even figured i aced the test because i knew all the answers. wtf.

Anyways, i find a striking resemblence to the rejection letters i received last month. They didnt even personalize it with my name! But since it DOES look like a college rejection letter....i wanted to write a letter of appeal. just kidding. or do you think that would work?? I REALLY wanted that job, like you dont even know. I am totally crushed that i didnt get it. i was counting on having that freekin job. oh dear. im so miserable now. they might as well have rejected me from the college.

Do you guys have any suggestions on what i should do? Im so lost......

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Saturday, May 01, 2004 - 06:43 am: Edit

Call the person, emphasize that you really want to get in. Ask for suggestions about similar programs that you could apply for, and how you could strengthen your application to boost your chances. Emphasize that if anyone rejects the current program, you'd be happy to take their place.

And remember this as a lesson: No matter how good you are, never assume you'll get into a program. Give yourself more options than one.

By Starchybean (Starchybean) on Saturday, May 01, 2004 - 09:41 am: Edit

No offense to you, man, but it was awfully arrogant and presumptious to assume you could get the job without any problems at all. Just try again next year. Good luck.

By Britbrat8604 (Britbrat8604) on Saturday, May 01, 2004 - 12:01 pm: Edit

Okay. I'm not arrogant. Seriously-I'm one of the shyest people with a total lack of self confidence you will ever err...meet (you know what i mean). My EMT training stuff is the ONLY thing i am/was confident about. I had such a passion for prehospital care and i worked so hard studying for the test (i studied harder for that test then like ANY of my school classes...combined-i know, its sad) and preparing the application and resume, that i figured all my hard work would pay off. Havent you ever been confident about a job application or a try out for a sports team and you were shocked to hear you didnt make it/get? They sort of led me on too, feeding my confidence by saying stuff like "oh we'll call you for an interview".

Northstarmom-I had wanted to go in and express my desire for the job again, and to tell them to please keep me in mind if someone rejects them and what how i was inferior to the hired people so i could work on it and all the other things you said. However, im not going back to santa barbara until May 22. Im terrible on the phone. Do you think it would be better to wait the 3 weeks or call now? (thank you)

By Purerealm1 (Purerealm1) on Sunday, May 02, 2004 - 02:26 am: Edit

im sorry you didn't get in, perhaps they wanted people with prior experience. you could trry getting a job as EMT in your area or continue training for better qualification

By Starchybean (Starchybean) on Sunday, May 02, 2004 - 01:44 pm: Edit

No, I agree with you Britbrat. I've assumed I'd get a job before but haven't. Personally, I think that was presumptious of me.

Couldn't you send them a letter as an alternative to calling them on the phone?

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Sunday, May 02, 2004 - 01:53 pm: Edit

I think that you should call now. Rehearse with your parents or trusted friends before calling.
You are far more likely to get a helpful response if you call. By calling, even if you seem shy, you will become a real person to them -- a real person who clearly cares a lot about getting into their program.

Your establishing a real connection with them will make them think of you if any openings come up. Frankly, it is very rare for all people who are accepted into a program to also accept the program's offer. Typically, there are people who decide not to attend, and who make such a decision at the worst possible time for the directors. The directors won't have time then to pore over all of the applicants to find qualified applicants. They also won't want to pick someone who may want several days to make up his mind, and then will only reject the program.

Thus, if you've called, and emphasized that you'd definitely be willing to go, you'd be first on their list.

After calling, it would be good to follow-up with a thank-you note for any advice they gave, and to also emphasize your continued willingness to come to the program even with short notice.

When you call, ask to speak to the program director. Try to speak to the highest person possible because that person could make a decision about accepting you into the program. Try hard to talk to more than the secretary. Be nice to the secretary, however, because secretaries know lots of useful information and also have more influence than most people recognize.

Get the names of everyone whom you talk to, and follow-up with thank-you notes.
Remember, when you call, also ask them what you could do to produce a stronger application, and ask them if there are alternatives programs that you might be able to get into now. If you pursue any of those alternatives, let them know.

By Mominva (Mominva) on Sunday, May 02, 2004 - 02:17 pm: Edit

Brit,
Listen to Northstarmom's advice.

But I would also suggest inquiring about volunteer and/or ride along opportunities at Rescue Seven and in the community at large. If you can volunteer, do so. You will become a known entity when reapplying for any open positions in the future.

Good luck!