I'm Not The Praying Sort, But I'll Probably Always Have A Soft Spot For The Astronaut's Prayer

i'm not the praying sort, but i'll probably always have a soft spot for the astronaut's prayer

One of the many, many things that AI has completely fucking ruined is job hunting. It is apocalyptically terrible job hunting right now.

In 2022, I applied to 127 jobs and interviewed with 17 companies to get my previous gig - which is about a 14% interview rate.

This year (after getting laid off in April), I have applied for 83 jobs and interviewed with two companies - an interview rate of 3.6%.

And lest you think I'm doing a spray and pray, I very much am not. I'm being highly selective in what I apply to - it's just impossible to stand out when hiring processes are being flooded with AI-generated resumes. (To say nothing of the number of companies straight up posting fake jobs rn)

In the same time period I've applied to all of these jobs, I've had a higher success rate hearing back from literary agents (28%) than I have applying to jobs.

Which honestly is fucking wild. Say what you want about the accessibility of publishing, but it shouldn't be easier to find a literary agent than to get a first-round job interview.

Snippet from my queer polyamorous romance novel, Community Witch - an unapologetically trope-y, cozy, and relationship-driven romance story about the healing from trauma, found family, and joyful queer relationships. (Looking to publish next year.) ---

“My life has turned into a Lifemark movie,” Aspen groaned, flopping dramatically onto their bed. “Thirty year old enby leaves the big city, including their terrible partner and the job they hate, to move to a beautiful small town, has meet cute with beautiful stranger before running into The One That Got Away.”

There was a choking sound on the other end of the line.

“You’re allowed to laugh,” Aspen grumbled. “Even I think it’s ridiculous, and I’m living it.”

Becks didn’t laugh, but Aspen could hear the grin in her voice. “I assume the beautiful stranger is Rav, but who is The One That Got Away?”

“Remember that guy I was hopelessly in love with in high school? The wholesome football player?”

“Maybe?”

“My best friend? The one that was over all the time?”

“Oh my god, that himbo you tutored, then pined for the rest of high school? The one you wanted to smash from orbit?”

“Not a himbo,” Aspen bristled, unable to argue with the rest of Becks’ description. “Anyway. She’s Nat now. I ran into her at the gym just now when I was dropping off cards around town. And we’re going to catch up when she’s done with work.”

This time, Becks did laugh – gleeful peals that made Aspen smile despite themself.

How the media depicts the Apollo 11 mission:

Actual quotes from the Apollo 11 mission:

Me: Hey internet, how long should I wait before following up with an agent about their request for a full manuscript? The Internet: minimum 3 months Me: