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27
Oct/2008

I have been bombshelled by my former college
So with times getting tight I put in an application at my former college where I graduated from. I was applying to tutor for writers. The response by e-mail was a bombshell. Summed up this person wrote this:
Now that I've had a chance to review them, I don't think that you're a good fit as a writing center tutor at this time.  To be quite honest and blunt, your cover letter contains a number of comma errors and is poorly organized, and your resume needs more parallel verb constructions. 

My wife and I went over my cover letter and found one possible spot where a comma might go, but it was a toss up. And parallel verb constructions? Man I feel stupid. I guess I should feel blessed. The last person who bombed me like this got fired....

So where do I go from here? Nowhere. I'll keep teaching those working class students and forget about trying to go back to academic intellectualism that my old college is known for. But I still feel stupid. It was just a reminder of how I am not as smart as my fellow graduates.

At least I have my art and game design.............. Argh!
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Viewing 1 - 4 out of 4 Comments

From: crazycongirl
10/28/2008 18:57:14

Ouch, that does sting but please do not take it to heart.  It is one opinion of many, I am sure.   Also, unquietsoul is quite right. Practical and techinical applications in any field can be two very different things!!  You may just need to brush up on the more techinical aspects of writing. It has nothing to do with being stupid.  We all forget the minor details (and some major) from classes taken years ago.  It's a matter of loosing what you don't use to make room for more important every day stuffs.   

Also, if that particular college is that demanding, it might not be the right place for you.  Especially if the first indication of how they run their college is to send out letters that are rude and makes people feel belittled.  There is a delicate line between offering constructive advice and being a know-it-all.  This person doesn't have the tact that a good personnel manager needs.  

If you ever want another set of eyes as a proof-reader, please feel free to ping me.  I am horrible at proof-reading my own stuff (my inner dialog does me in every time) but I have helped many others.  Its one of the few talents I have...the knack to know good writing when I read it.  Also, I know about parallel verb constructions.  It has nothing to do with smarts, seriously.  I only know because I had it drilled into me very recently in a business writing for professionals class last semester.  

Good luck!  Don't give up!

From: Darkforce
10/28/2008 14:27:31
Thank you for the kind words. Needed it...lol


From: unquietsoul
10/28/2008 13:43:31
Just remember that most academic writers can't make it in the
commercial writing market as they are not in touch with the actual
state of the language today, nor what is of value to publishers and the movie market.


From: Jashyr
10/28/2008 12:56:52
DF, don't feel stupid. You received a rejection letter from someone who believes it's their duty to belittle people and thinks that by using buzz phrases straight out of a grammar text book it makes him (or her) look smarter than they are. Seriously, if people working there have that kind of attitude it says a lot about the working conditions you would have had to put yourself through if you'd got the job. Think of it as a lucky escape and go onto applying elsewhere with a lighter heart.
Jash



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