4:28 p.m. This is a no news phone call.

Interestingly, the day I send off a thank you note to RIM, I get a call from the recruiter saying he hasn't heard from the manager one way or another about filling the position. There are two more candidates to interview in the new year.

I'm hoping that the manager receives my card the day he returns from vacation, just before he meets the other candidates.

Last week my mom and I talked about our 2nd best trend when applying for jobs. Mom said she was second choice for the position she currently has. And I'm sure her boss is more than happy that she works for him.
The guy that was first choice? He never showed up for the interview.

In my case? Day camp. I initially applied in grade 12. The process was rather intense. It was a huge group interview that involved actual camp scenarios and campers. While you were answering questions and showcasing your knowledge, a group of adults watched your every move and rated you based on some gride. I wasn't offered the job, but I was first on the waiting list.

Weeks before the camp season, I get a call. Someone had quit and the job was offered to me. At the party to celebrate the camp's end of season, my boss told me that she thought I was one of the strongest leaders on the team but couldn't understand why I scored so low during the application. I remember shrugging without an answer.

Similarly, when I applied to Seneca in university, I thought I gave a good interview. I wanted the job and I'd hope that my passion and enthusiasm showed without being overly obnoxious. So when I saw that I wasn't offered one of the 8 jobs available, I was stunned.

Against the orders of UW's coop advisors, I wrote the interviewer. It was a polite email asking what I can do to improve my skill sets and once again expressed my sincerest appreciation for any advice.

He wrote and said that the other candidates were more experienced. I impressed him with the email and he said to apply again next time there was a posting. Still disappointed, I took his advice to heart.

A day or two into continuous round, I get a call from Seneca offering me a position. Thrilled, I accepted.

So, while I don't expect the RIM manager to hire me because of the note I sent, I do hope it leaves an impression. Just enough to keep me in the back of his mind while he interviews the others.

And if job fate goes my way, he won't be disappointed.

n@s