Hey Sam - one of the things that stood out for me on this was that the position I had applied for was actually originally going to be a per diem part time, weekend and holiday coverage kind of job. The bottom of the barrel, so to speak.
I think the lesson I was supposed to learn was that I had to finally give up the pride I had been holding back in reserve - I had to be humbled to see the light. I was to the point where I applied just because anything was going to be better experience than nothing. Talk about planting a seed. When they called me, the position had been changed to a full time with benefits.
I guess my point is try anything and everything. No holds barred!