Kimler Adventure Pages (http://randsco.com)

It's official. Scott did NOT make the top 50 of applicants for "The Best Job in the World". In other news, Scott's suicide is scheduled for 5 PM PST at the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge. Bring popcorn and an umbrella. Those watching from the base, may want to wear safety goggles.

It's Official: Scott Kimler not in Top 50 Candidates

Scott didn't make the 50-cut. The videos were quantitatively analyzed on 5 criteria:

What are you looking for in the top 50? What is the Selection Criteria?

(1) English is a must, as the successful applicant will be communicating to the world.

(2) Personal presentation is obviously important in such a high profile position.

(3) The technical proficiency demonstrated in the video application is an important element, as the job requires the successful applicant to produce blogs and video diaries.

(4) The applicant’s experience and knowledge/understanding of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef as demonstrated by the content in the video submission is vital in assessing whether they are the right person for the job. Like any job you apply for, it’s important to show you have researched the role and the company – or in this case the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

(5) Demonstrating motivation and a genuine enthusiasm for this position is vital. We need someone who can sustain worldwide interest for six months.

Newsy Night: Criteria & Results Come from Twitter "Queensland"

I got the Top 50 Criteria last night, when Tourism Queensland tweeted the news across. I posted it verbatim on this "hidden" blog and groaned. For the FIRST time, I realized that it was likely I wouldn't be included in the top 50. Why? Item 4.

I completely played it the other way. In fact, I told Rachel time and again, "Why would they want someone to go on with endless facts about the Great Barrier Reef in their video. They KNOW this stuff already."

I believe that it would be FAR more interesting to follow the blog of someone who's NEVER BEEN to the Great Barrier Reef! Gee, they'd be seeing things for the first time. Their posts would be filled with wonder, facts and true excitement (not some PhD type lecturing down at the masses).

I figured that the knowledge bit wouldn't come into play until the face-to-face interview process.

Well ... at least I have a clear understanding of WHY I wasn't selected. Never-mind being on the "Most Popular" and "Most Viewed" pages, eh? Gee, I'd have thought that would mean something (and maybe it did, more than I realize?)

Scott's Self Rating of his Reef Job Video

Now that the criteria by which the video were rated for the top 50 is out, Scott took a moment to look objectively at what he submitted.

• English - 10/10 (clearly, a lot failed on this alone)
• Presentation - 10/10 (subjective, but Scott got right in there with the camera)
• Technical - 10/10 (no worries here, mate!)
• Reef facts - 0/10 (*gong* sounds ... you're ooouuutta here - thanks for playing!)
• Enthusiasm - 2/10 (if they even got this far, it's a two. But hey, I have a professional demeanor and it's hard to change what you are.)

At the end of the day, Rachel is proud of me for "putting myself out there" and my (beautiful) daughter, idolizes her Daddy and that brings a tear to my eye. My family loves and supports me, so life is good. Personally, I was pleased with the way the video turned out. It was better than I anticipated and so I'm content with that aspect. I'm also surrounded by a WORLD of great friends and supporters - you know who you are and I'll be thanking each personally.

I'll be filling out the blog post on the front page of randsco.com with my video, a section giving my supporters some link love and who knows. Thankfully, it's a single (fat) post - would it be anything other than fat? - and I can put the wrap up on a very roller-coaster 2 months!

"I'll see all-y'all in the funny (web) pages!"