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clarissehlopez · 7 years

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Baby's First Suspect Craigslist Experience

You never know what you are getting into when you respond to a Craigslist advertisement. Craigslist posts always seem to leave out some kind of key information- price, location, establishment name. You use Craigslist with precaution, but can usually look past it with consideration to the "good" in people.

Entering my second month of unemployment I am using any and every online outlet for job listings- Indeed, LinkedIn, Snagajob, a host of key words punched into the Chrome search bar, and more than I would like to, Craigslist. Braving the sea of unnecessarily vague and, more often than not, CAPS LOCKS listings, I sometimes find a hit.

"This job sounds cool"... but where is it located and what is the business called? There is an artistry to shrouding your job listing in mystery. I am desperate at this point, so I give them a go, sending out resumes and cover letters to undisclosed businesses.

The call-backs I receive are usually from smaller fashion brands, always located in DTLA near the Fashion and Toy District. With previous bad experience in that area, I have declined a few job opportunities. Recently, I got an offer from a DTLA business I was willing to make an exception for.

Before I divulge, I would like to point out that in retrospect (in this context, retro was only a couple hours ago) my decision to accept the job interview was dumb and in haste.

"A vintage clothing store looking for someone to inspect, measure, and write descriptions of their clothing." I am in! For more than minimum wage? Sign me up! I email them my resume, a short introduction, include my LinkedIn and active eBay account. I want this position, it is something I have no hesitation saying I have expertise in.

On Monday I receive a reply email saying they feel that I am a good fit and that their office is located in DTLA, asking if I am free Wednesday or Thursday for an interview. I respond immediately saying that Wednesday is great, I ask for time and location. I do not receive anything back for another day, and they respond that Wednesday at 4 is also good for them. Still no business name or address. "Chris" did not seem very helpful.

The job offer was just too tempting to me, I respond great, I can meet you on Wednesday at 4, could I please have the business name and address. It is Tuesday. On Wednesday morning, I send out the same question. I finally get a response back from Chris and he finally gives me a name and address, "shopexile" on Maple St.

I look up the brand, "Shop Exile" and I think, "Hey, they are pretty cool, I would not mind working here". At this point I am just blinded by my own unemployment to really think things through. I get ready for my interview, and knowing traffic, I leave an hour early. I drive towards my location, I hate this area. I arrive at my location, I REALLY HATE this area. I park at a meter near my destination, I am on Maple, surrounded by fabric shops. It reeks of piss. It is not even 3:20 yet, so I take a walk around the block.

No signage for Shop Exile anywhere. The email disclosed that they were located on the second floor of a building. I could not find any publically accessible stairwells from the street. I find it odd, a weird feeling grows in my chest, and I go back to my car.

I look up "Shop Exile" once again, and yes, they are a Los Angeles-based vintage retailer... located in Echo Park. I am super weirded out now. I check their website hoping for a contact number and find nothing. I go back to my emails and see that Chris has provided his number for me to call in case I needed directions. It is a 520 area code. I look it up- Arizona?

I am sitting in my metered parking spot and I realize, I am a fucking idiot. The email responses were always late and sent at random times. The grammar and formatting of them not at all professional. I did not receive a business name or address until DAY OF. I am a fucking idiot. I turn my car on and drive back home.

I may have just missed the job opportunity I was waiting for. I may have also just missed getting abducted. Either way, I hate Craigslist.

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clarissehlopez · 8 years

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