Courtney Summer Myers
Airing frustration
Myers didn’t mean to reignite the debate with her post.
She was laid off from her job as a graphic designer at a tech startup in December and has been looking for a job for about nine months.
Myers lived in London for work, but has had to since move back to her parent’s home after 10 years of living by herself. She is now based in Southampton, a suburban city about one and a half hours from London, but wants to independent again.
“Financially, I want to move out. I want to pay rent, which is a crazy thing to say,” she said.
Myers said she has applied to over 700 jobs since December and has heard back from less than 10% of those employers. Those who do get in touch often demand time-consuming mock projects, she said.
They often end up with ghosting or rejections several weeks later, she said.
“I am extremely frustrated with the situation because I have good experience and a good portfolio,” Myers said. She added that she has been a designer for six years and has worked on projects for Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros.
The idea for the banner came to Myers on the weekend, and she initially intended to quietly update her profile photo with the new banner.
“I sent it to my friends in a group chat and they thought it was really funny. So I just posted it not thinking anything would come of it,” she said.
Range of reactions
The post has received a range of reactions since it went viral. It’s also been reposted on LinkedIn and X.
Myers even spotted a post linking her work situation to the American economy and US politics.
“Someone in America who had assumed I was American blamed it on Kamala Harris and her poor management of the United States,” she laughed.
Other reactions came from people who were frustrated after being laid off and were inspired to be more vulnerable about their unemployment.
She also received comments from people in talent acquisition saying they love the green banner and how it flags candidates willing to work. Others seemed to play “devil’s advocate” and warn her about what signals the “desperate” banner sends, and how it may put off potential employers.
Interview offers
But the debate has also created opportunity.
Along with her “desperate” banner, Myers published a short note on LinkedIn describing her work experience.
Myers said she has received 10,000 connection requests, including some from recruiters who have arranged interviews with her, and companies offering her freelancing opportunities.
“My inbox became complete chaos,” she said. “I’ve been staying up until 3 to 4 a.m. the past few nights just trying to get through my inbox.”
While the overwhelming reaction has been a reminder of the power of the internet, Myers does not see herself turning into a LinkedIn influencer.
“I kind of hate it to be honest,” she said. “It’s not a platform I like to use. It is more of a necessity.”
As for the graphic that started it all, Myers has uploaded it to LinkedIn so others can use it, and she said she’s already seen other users update their profile photos with the pink banner.