For quite a while now, I have come to the conclusion that there are more mean people in the world than nice people. Although I do not want to believe this – because I still foolishly cling to some sick hope that kind and humane people still exist – life has shown me that my hope is indeed for naught. While it saddens me that this is true – what makes me feel even worse is that I cannot for the life of me accept this as the truth – even though it unfortunately is.

What made me discover this sad fact is my recent and vigorous search for a new employer. During my search, I have contacted many an employer via craigslist, monster, yahoo, newspapers, hotjobs and any other available means. After sending out well over 60 resumes, cover letters, salary requirements and sample articles – I have received only a few responses – and those responses have only been for commission sales jobs that were falsely presented as salary positions – which in layman’s terms means free labor.

In one particular instance, I applied to a company that was looking to fill a “Marketing/PR” position. In the ad, it read, “Our New San Diego Marketing Firm is seeking talented graduates to train from an entry-level marketing position into a career management role. We are a young, growing firm providing our Fortune 500 clients with personalized corporate promotional marketing in the San Diego market. We are hiring IMMEDIATELY !!! This is a full time paid position. No experience necessary.”

Please remember that last line – for it is important later in this column.

The ad continued. “San Diego Marketing provides employees with full training in sales, marketing, leadership and management from the top leaders of our organization. What San Diego Marketing, Inc. offers is opportunity for growth and an accelerated advancement program, travel opportunities, and major medical benefits. Send your resume (cut and paste – no attachments) to…”

Eagerly, I applied and got a callback hours later. The woman I spoke to said that my resume and experience was very impressive – and they would like to meet me to discuss my joining the company. She also said, after I asked her whether or not this was a “commission/sales job,” that it was not. In fact, as she reminded me, the ad said that the salary was, “$38,500 and up depending on experience.” Until my scheduled appointment, I was telling everyone I knew how excited I was that I had set up a “very positive interview” with this company – and when the day of the interview finally came, I couldn’t wait to meet with them.

During my interview, which was going very well, the woman said that, if hired, I would be trained to be a marketing manager with a six-figure income. All I would have to do is complete the “training program” required by the company. She also said that based on my prior supervisory skills – that I would be an ideal candidate for the management position…

…and all I would have to do is do commission sales for the first six months.

If memory serves, I asked prior to our meeting if this was a commission/sales job, to which I was told that it wasn’t. That said, I ask, why would a company lure a person to a job interview who does not want to work for free only to tell them to work for free? How could someone actually think that this is ok? And most importantly – why would they think that once I was lied to from the outset – that I would actually want to work for her and believe anything else that she said?

It is not just this job that has led me to the conclusion that soulless and conscienceless people are all that is left in this world. It is also that fact that the 50 or so other jobs I have applied for have not answered – and the fact that I actually cast for three different television shows and was again lulled into a false sense of belief that they would call me back – even though they did not.

Simply incredible.

When I was editor-in-chief of The Brooklyn Baron, I interviewed dozens of candidates for our open reporter position. When I finally hired someone – I, as the head of the paper – took the time to call each person I interviewed but chose not to hire back and tell them that we were not going to hire them. Although I did not have to do this – I did it because I could not bare the thought of those people sitting at home staring at the phone hoping that I would call them back. You see, common human courtesy compelled me to let them know not to trust a hope – and to go on with their job search.

Wow, what a concept.

So as I continue my search for a job and a decent soul, I pray that there are still people in this world that consider potential employees people – people who are worthy of a callback – whether they get the job or not.

Do these people still exist? Is there anyone out there that still has a soul and a conscience?

Anyone?