I found a listing for Campaign Researcher in Chicago and submitted my resume and a thoughtful cover letter. Two weeks later, I was invited to have a phone interview, and I felt like it went really well. I was told that I would hear about their decision by next Wednesday regardless. I heard nothing, despite having reached out with a thank you and follow up information. On Monday of the following week I recieved an email asking me come to meet this Wednesday. I said yes, and asked for more information, excited that they decided to continue me in the hiring process, since it seemed like an important and exciting organization. However, when he called me he told me that I did not have enough campaign and research experience for the position, but wanted to meet me about a apprenticeship program. I expressed gratitude for his honesty and interest in connecting me with the program. I told him was hesitant at the word apprentice as I am looking for full time professional work, but wanted to hear more in advance. He revealed that as a “campaign apprentice” I would work get a hospitality job and organize my coworkers, basically being a low-wage plant with two jobs, one of which is extremely risky and the other which seems to be unpaid labor. To me, this feels like a total bait and switch. I regret the time that I spent learning and writing about Unite Here. While I enjoyed my phone screening, this is a manipulative and hypocritical recruitment tactic. Just be honest about what you are looking for! At least from the beginning of the phone call. This was very disappointing, and gives me a less hopeful view or the organization.

It was pretty straight forward and they really asked a lot of questions about my organizing experience. I knew they weren’t serious about me when they asked about how I felt about salting. Such a disappointment because UNITE HERE does great work, but I think they use these interviews of candidates they don’t see as good fits as a means for recruiting salts.