September 1, 2021 | Pamela E. Herring, MS (she/her/hers), Brand and University Relations Manager

Hello, WU community! I’m delighted that you are taking the time to read our blog - your support is essential to our work!

As a pandemic double-graduate (BA/MS), job hunting during COVID-19 provided me with two unique experiences that allow me to share two tips for those seeking employment in our current social landscape.

I was mid-job searching when in-person events were suspended for the remainder of my senior year at the University of Oregon. I transitioned to Zoom hoping that at least some of the 60+ jobs and internships I had applied to would still be interviewing while I finished my coursework.

With remote options available, and to my relief, I accepted an interview for a digital marketing internship in the height of initial lockdowns. When preparing for the interview, I noted that there were no statements made on the company’s website or social media accounts regarding their stances on the social movements, and I felt it important to ask. My conversation with the recruiter went extremely well, and as the interview concluded, I asked a question about the company’s stance toward the Black Lives Matter movement and protests. The interviewer’s demeanor quickly changed, and I could tell that I had opened a can of worms. Needless to say I did not get the role, and I knew exactly why. This inspired me to write about the experience on LinkedIn and explore other professional opportunities with companies that better aligned with my values.

After this experience, I accepted my invitation to the University of Oregon’s Advertising and Brand Responsibility Master’s Program to further my education. I was inspired to seek out employment opportunities from brands that were authentic, and discovered a plethora of businesses that were taking a stand on social issues. This is where I began curating my personal requirements that I needed in an employer. The most notable example was ad agency INNOCEAN and the launch of their “INNside the Agency” program, a free Zoom event for students who had previously applied to their canceled summer internship due to COVID-19. The weekly meetings were filled with job application tips, employee insights about their roles and day-to-day minutiae, and advice for entry-level professionals interested in the advertising industry. I had never even heard of a company that so clearly exemplified empathy and community, let alone experienced it first-hand!

As I reflect now on these two contradicting experiences, my LinkedIn post explaining lessons learned in my interview now has over 87,000 views and 1,400+ likes! Staying true to myself and sharing that authenticity is what got me this role at WU, as our co-founder, Caitlin, found me when my post came across her feed. This past year and a half has opened my eyes to two valuable lessons:

• Speak up; ask questions! I almost didn’t ask about BLM in my interview. If I hadn't asked, I might have worked with a company whose values don’t align with my own, and I wouldn't be working for an institution that supports my authenticity.

• Pay attention to what employers won't say, if not more than what they do say. Take note of their reactions in interviews. Place priority on making  sure you’ve found the right company.

In every professional conversation, before you sign a contract, you are interviewing your interviewer; ask questions, get to know what the company values, and see if the job environment is a good fit for you. Not only do brands have a responsibility to fuel change, but we as interviewees have an opportunity to push the companies to spark that change.