Perks and Programs

We asked Walker & Dunlop to share a few programs they feel really capture what's unique about their workplace. Here is what they had to say.

• How can I help: Walker & Dunlop offers employees a variety of ways to answer the question: How can I help? The company sponsors volunteer events during regular work hours, including opportunities at the Children’s Inn at NIH, food banks, and Habitat for Humanity. Employees are also given four hours/month of paid time off to volunteer at organizations of their choice. With a focus on ending homelessness, W&D holds an annual company-wide fundraiser. All proceeds, over $120,000 in 2015 alone, go to two charity partners: LIFT and Community Solutions. W&D has a Matching Funds Program where employees' donations to charitable organizations, up to $500 per year, are matched by the company. In 2015, W&D contributed a match of $25,380 to employee selected charities.
• YES to success: Walker & Dunlop’s Women’s Initiative (WI) is focusing on 'A Year of Saying Yes’. The WI is encouraging women to say YES to stepping outside of their comfort zone, YES to professional challenges, YES to achieving a greater sense of accomplishment, and YES to success! The WI has built momentum through the efforts of its 19-member planning committee who have organized a number of events, including a Career Vision Boarding session. The WI has also arranged for speakers who inspire the YES. Gregg Renfrew, CEO and Founder of Beautycounter, spoke about transparency in the personal care industry. Jamie Woodwell and Gail E. Griffith of the Mortgage Bankers Association were invited to speak about the state of the CRE industry and education opportunities.
• Time for fun: Whether it’s company-wide, departmental, regional, or office specific, Walker & Dunlop organizes fun, team building events and activities for its employees. At a happy hour to welcome summer interns in Bethesda, MD, the “Who Am I?” game was played as a creative and entertaining ice breaker. An ice cream truck delivers tasty treats to the Needham, MA office during the summer months. And in October, a company-wide Halloween decorating and costume contest is held. Between baseball games, boat rides, golf, bowling, opportunities for friendly competition, and various team celebrations - you are guaranteed to find fun at W&D!
• Thank you!: Service awards emphasize the importance of Walker & Dunlop's employees' contributions and thank them for their hard work and dedication.  Employees who have been with the company for three, five, ten, twenty, thirty and forty years receive Service Awards ranging from $2,000 cash to trips valued at $25,000. 
• What do you do: Walker & Dunlop’s Shadowing Program offers employees the opportunity to learn what their co-workers do in different departments across the organization. The six-month program partners employees, based on their individual career interests, with a mentor in a different business unit. This allows the shadowing employee to learn what their colleague does and how they do it. For example, in this year’s class, an employee in the Servicing department is shadowing someone on the Underwriting team. They will observe their mentor’s day-to-day, which includes on-site inspections and client conference calls. The program provides a vehicle for employees to explore different career paths while also enhancing stronger relationships across departments.
• Let’s get together: Each year Walker & Dunlop sponsors several events that bring employees together in celebration. One of these events is the holiday party held in Washington, DC. The company pays for regional employees’ travel and lodging to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to attend. In 2015, the holiday party was held at the National Portrait Gallery. Despite the delicious food, great conversation, and dancing, the party is really just the cherry on top of an exciting three days. Leading up to the party, employees participate in various professional development activities, team building events, and attend an all company meeting. During this year’s meeting, Walker & Dunlop’s CEO announced a generous employee equity award. Just one more reason to celebrate together at W&D!
• Leaders unite: Walker & Dunlop’s LEAD program unites ten employees each year in a common goal: to develop their leadership skills and leverage professional growth opportunities. LEAD offers action learning activities, tools for increased self-insight, and partnerships with senior management. The 2016 class first united as a team when they participated in the High Altitude Leadership program at Earth Treks Climbing Center. They learned to trust each other, and respect different communication styles, when they had to climb a rock wall blindfolded with only instructions from their team members on the ground to guide them. They have continued to build on this foundation and have since participated in Executive Presentation Skills training and identified corporate initiatives to tackle, including a go green project.
• Do you have what it takes: We challenge our managers to ask themselves: Do you have what it takes to be an inspiring and supportive leader? If you’ve participated in Walker & Dunlop’s Stakeholders Manager Training Program, the answer is yes! This year-long program provides participants with a toolkit of engaging and creative management resources to help them motivate their employees and facilitate collaboration, which ultimately leads to team productivity. The focus of this year’s program was learning the nine traits of ground floor leaders, enhancing the manager’s ability to lead with integrity and appreciation.
• What’s Walker & Dunlop’s SCORE: W&D’s intern program is awarded high SCOREs! With a focus on Supporting Career Opportunities in Real Estate, the program offers a dynamic environment for students to learn aspects of the commercial real estate finance industry through hands-on training, including going on a tour of a multifamily construction in progress. They receive training on composing resumes, interview strategies, and creating LinkedIn profiles. Senior management actively contributes to their education. 2016’s interns took part in “Underwriting 101” training with the Chief Credit Officer and attended lunches with the General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Human Resources. Additionally, interns participate in a wide variety of team building and networking activities, including zip lining, city tours, socials, volunteer events, and baseball games.
• Work it: Walker & Dunlop wants employees to work it – and not just in the office! To motivate employees, and support their personal health and happiness journeys, W&D maintains a robust wellness program. With Fitbit giveaways, on-site yoga, wellness challenges, ping-pong tables, and the flexibility to work out during the day, employees are given the tools and the time to take care of themselves. They’re also given the money. Based on the number of wellness activities they participate in, employees can earn up to $50 per month in wellness subsidies. In 2015 the company paid $87,000 in wellness reimbursements to its employees. W&D considers this money well spent, and encourages everyone at the company to take advantage of this meaningful perk.

Demographics

How to Get Hired

We asked Walker & Dunlop for some inside information on how to get hired at the organization. Here is what they had to say.

What key characteristics tell you a prospective employee will be a great fit for your company?

The most critical characteristics that prospective employees must exhibit are the deep collaboration and teaming skills that have enabled our company to be successful.  Additionally, candidates that possess an entrepreneurial spirit, unquestionable ethics, passion, and resourcefulness are a great fit for Walker & Dunlop.  We look for candidates that display our core competencies: Teamwork, Communication, Customer Focus and Accountability. They must also be inquisitive, solution oriented, and thrive in a fast paced environment.  

What can prospective employees do to get your attention?

We target candidates that excel in their field or class, and who are able to bring relevant and diverse skills to the position.  First, prospective employees can get our attention by submitting a detailed but concise resume highlighting relevant skills and experience.  Next, during the interview process, candidates should be able to articulate how their skills and past experiences will assist them in being successful in the position.  Candidates should be prepared to participate in panel interviews and answer competency based behavioral interview questions. Displaying genuine interest in Walker & Dunlop, especially regarding our company culture, is key to standing-out among other applicants.  

Are there any positions or types of candidates you are particularly focused on hiring in this coming year?

We continue to focus on hiring employees who complement our corporate culture and exhibit relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities.  We often recruit for entry level candidates in our Asset Management, Servicing, and Underwriting departments. Additionally, we have a strong focus on adding loan originators to our team.

What should interested candidates do to find out more and get started?

Interested candidates should go to the Careers Page on our company website for more information about career opportunities and internship programs. We encourage candidates to attend our networking events and career fairs. In addition, they can follow us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn).  Candidates should gain a full understanding of the commercial real estate financing industry, the life of a loan, and the variety of loan products that are available to our customers.