Close...

... but not close enough.

Oh, I heard lovely things said about me: committed, knowlegeable, enthusiastic, great rapport with students, humorous, laid-back, versatile, positive, impressive, forward-thinking...

- But somehow, when someone speaks on the phone and you hear the flat tone and downward inflection in their voice, the slight tightness in their throat, you know before they've even got past "hello" that the news isn't good.

It was close...
Someone else was more experienced...
You interviewed well, but...
Wouldn't want you to think that...
Blah blah blah.

So, I'm still looking for a job.

Bugger.