A Commitment to Equity and Community: Tracey Lam’s Job Search Story

Meet Tracey Lam, an equity program manager at Metro, the regional government for the Portland area. In this job search success story, Tracey shares how her network, commitment to equity, and thoughtful reflections on past experiences have contributed to her career success.

What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?

I work at Metro, the area’s regional government, where I serve as an equity program manager. I support diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the Planning, Development and Research department.

What do you like best about your career?

Everything. My career has taken me on quite a ride — complete with speed bumps and detours. Still, I appreciate every moment because with each twist and turn came new lessons, both personally and professionally. The journey has made me the person I am today and allowed me to be a part of many great teams.

What resources have helped you in your career and your job searches? Are there specific tools or tactics that have contributed to your success?

Friends have been the biggest resource in my job searches. In two cases, I told a select group of friends that I was on the hunt for new opportunities, and both times, they came through with either a referral or a job link. These friends knew me well enough not to send me random jobs, but jobs they thought fit my needs, skills, and values. 

I think my successes have actually come from failures. Every time I didn’t get a job, I analyzed the process, my answers, and my preparation. I used that as feedback for my next application and refined my responses. Being patient also helps.

Throughout your career, what obstacles have you encountered when doing a job search, and how did you overcome them? 

The biggest obstacle I encountered in a job search was bias. A biased and inequitable recruitment process is a huge red flag for me. To make sure that the company’s values align with mine, I first look at the job description to check for inclusive language and the list of minimum qualifications. 

I hop online to research the company, taking special note of its equity plans and policies, as well as its leadership. During the interview, I pay attention to the process and the questions, and I always ask interviewers equity-related questions.

What piece of advice would you give to job seekers or professionals trying to advance in their careers?

I have two pieces of advice:

• Tap into your trusted network to help you find new opportunities and keep an open mind. They may have a perspective about a job or employer that you didn’t consider.
• Apply for the job even if you don’t meet all the qualifications. Just make sure you call them out and tell your potential employer why you are still the best candidate.

Everyone’s job search story is different, but each individual story can inspire and empower others who are on their own unique path. We love to hear how our readers have found rewarding careers in Portland, and we want to share these stories with you to inspire you in your job search and to help us all better understand the local job market.