Before the word “crickets” became a common way of expressing silence or a non-response, there was the oft repeated “Bueller? Bueller?” from the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Ben Stein played a teacher calling the roll and hearing silence when he called out Bueller, repeated his name. This scene comes to mind today as I tread the nebulous online job search. Does anyone hear me???

The repsonses I am receiving – when I receive one – are polite email rejections. Is it odd that they all use exactly the same wording? I have the feeling that I am being rejected (while wishing me luck) by a bot. Chances are that my resume was not reviewed by a human and that I am not being rejected by one either.

I continue to submit applications and have created a veritable portfolio of cover letters. I have seven covering the variety of jobs I am actually qualified for. What all of the jobs I have had have in common is customer service so I apply for jobs titled Customer Retention, Customer Support, Customer Engagement, Customer Advocacy, Customer Satisfaction, Client Success and Client Satisfaction. There are even more variations on a theme, but you get the idea.

I have worked remotely very successfully for a number of years. Job descriptions I am finding online tagged as working from home include confusing responsibilities such as extensive travel, offering guests a drink and vaccination requirements. HUH?

Some opportunities on the endless number of  online job sites are actually one click away from selling male body part enhancements. Others take several clicks to get to being asked for way- too-personal information. And while I appreciate not being required to list my gender or disability status, I cheerfully volunteer that I am a healthy girl.

I feel like Willie Loman from Arthur Miller’s play, Death of a Saleman.  He drags his sample cases until he is bent over and cannot find a buyer. My resume is beginning to feel heavy as well.

So I will keep blogging and editing my perky cover letters. If there is a bot out there reading this, I am searching for an admin support/copywriting/customer  service/content writer/communications/hospitality/research job. Try to reject THAT you Artificial Intelligence robot!