Ain't that a kick in the head?

I just graduated, and now I'm searching for jobs. I've applied for many jobs in the past, even including several that I knew I wasn't qualified for but I applied for anyway since I thought they would be cool. Usually, I apply for a job, and then I never hear anything again. Or, I get a rejection letter 3 months later (after I've already found another job.) So today, I sent in some job applications. One job, at a not-too-distant university, looked totally awesome. It was doing exactly what I wanted to do, it had awesome benefits, and it included working with students (which I love.) The only problem was that it listed 5 years of experience (including supervisory experience) as a qualification. I happily ignored the qualification, and went on to write a cover letter filled with why I am fabulous and experience? who needs experience? look how great I am! I fully expected to never hear from these people again. (insert foreboding music here.)

So, of course, I did hear back. I got a very nice, professional email from the person to whom I'd sent my application. Except, it wasn't the usual, "sorry, no dice" email. Well, the gist of it was, but the way it was put across was so strange. It's like they thought I was a grown-up or something. The part that really got me was when he said, "As I hope you will understand, these experience and supervisory credentials cannot be waived by the search committee. Therefore, I will not be passing your resume on to the committee." Search committee?!?? Every job I've ever had included one idiot reading resumes, calling me for an interview, and having their socks knocked off because I can speak in complete sentences without an overwhelming Southern drawl. (I like to think without a southern drawl altogether, but I guess that's debatable.) So now, I'm super self-conscious about sending out my cover letter and resume. There are committees people! Whole groups of people to say, "Tsk tsk, what a waste of our time. I hate this girl" or, "Maybe if we all will it together we can get her heart to explode in her chest for sending us this crap application." Bet ya didn't think that could happen while job-hunting. It's risky stuff. I'll keep you posted. Laters!