[quote=scaredycat]well, do they get 50o remotely qualified applicants, or 475 wackos and 25 people whoa re actually in the running. I know in my line of work, people fire off resumes like there’s no tomorrow, and sometimes even get interviews for, jobs which they ahve no particular interest in …[/quote]

And I know that my very very good friend from HS spent 3 years, AFTER college, trying to get into the fire acadamy. He finally did it, but only after spending 18 months as either an unpaid volinteer, or a poorly paid “relations officer”. He has great everything, especially contacts, and it still took that long. If it takes 3 years to be hired, there isnt a shortage. (FYI, he was in CA, and got accepted in 2007.)