Hired, Not Fired

Ep. 46 How to Stand Out and Gain Leverage in Ultra-Competitive Job Interviews with Nick Smith

Guest: Nick Smith, Co-Founder and Head of Talent for AstraPack Ready to break out of the job-hunting crowd and become the candidate that hiring managers talk about? This week, Nick Smith returns to share perspectives from nearly a decade of recruiting for the likes of Meta and Amazon Prime Video—where competition is fierce and the bar is sky-high. • Why do the questions you ask at the end of an interview really matter, and how can they make you memorable—sometimes in all the wrong ways? • How much leverage do you truly have when an employer asks what you’re looking for, and what simple shift can help you avoid leaving money on the table? • What’s the most common rookie mistake that makes you look desperate—and how do you kick the habit for a more confident, professional vibe? If you want to do more than just land an interview and actually seal the deal, this episode delivers the strategies you’ve been missing. Listen now to give yourself an edge. Nick Smith https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-a-smith/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-a-smith/] AstraPack: https://joinastrapack.com/ Hired, Not Fired is brought to you by TheRealMe.io The soft skills-first hiring solution that takes early career applicants from candidate to rockstar employee

Ep. 45 Deb Samuels-Peretz Interviews Ashli White

Guest: Ashli White, Early Career Recruiting Lead, Allegheny County Department of Human Services Ever wondered how to stand out to get that interview? Ashli White has seen it all, from students who shine in the first 30 seconds to others who fade into the background before ever submitting a resume. In this episode, Dr. Deb Samuels-Peretz chats with Ashli White about what really gets recruiters talking (and what quickly gets your name forgotten). You’ll hear: ·      What makes a first impression memorable at career fairs and networking events—and the conversation killers to avoid ·      The resume mistakes too many early-career candidates make ·      How being prepared can give you an advantage, even if you’re a rookie in the room If you’ve ever left a recruiter’s table feeling invisible, this episode flips the script. Get real, insider advice to help you get noticed from the very first “hello.” Ashli White: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashli-white-0113/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashli-white-0113/] Hired, Not Fired is brought to you by TheRealMe.io The soft skills-first hiring solution that takes early career applicants from candidate to rockstar employee

Ep. 44 Navigating Networking Events Without the Awkwardness: Real Strategies for First-Time Job Seekers

Guest: Dr. Patricia Stewart, Director and Educator, Community Engagement Specialist, Michigan State University Everyone says “networking matters” but how do you actually get comfortable walking into a room packed with strangers, or handle those painfully awkward moments where you totally blank on what to say? In this episode, Patty Stewart returns to share smart, practical strategies for networking events, especially if you’re new to job hunting or dread small talk. ·      What can you do before an event to boost your confidence (spoiler: it doesn’t involve practicing your sales pitch in the mirror)? ·      How do you spot when to join a group—and when you’re overstaying your welcome? ·      We talk about the signals that make you instantly approachable (and a small habit that gets you noticed for all the right reasons). Whether you freeze up at the thought of networking or just want to sharpen your skills, this episode is full of actionable tips you’ll want to use next week. Dive in! Patricia Stewart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattib/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattib/] Hired, Not Fired is brought to you by TheRealMe.io The soft skills-first hiring solution that takes early career applicants from candidate to rockstar employee

Ep 43 How to Turn Your Internship Into a Full-Time Offer with Wells Fargo's Rex Trewin

Guest: Rex Trewin, Assistant Vice President of Early Careers at Wells Fargo With more than three decades of experience, Rex Trewin has helped shape university recruiting from every angle: campus career centers, top employers, and industry organizations. Back for a second episode, Rex Trewin sits down with Dr. Deb Samuels-Peretz to dive into what makes some early-career candidates stand out—and why some internships turn into full-time offers while others don’t. Ready to take your internship beyond coffee runs and busywork? This episode covers: * The secret ingredient that gets interns hired even when there are more interns than open roles * Why showing up (literally) can change the outcome of your internship * How case competitions can supercharge your job search and what really happens when the phones get put away * Where to find these hidden-opportunity experiences (spoiler: your campus career center is an excellent start) Curious how to be that intern or team member managers remember? Hit play and find out. Rex Trewin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rextrewin/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rextrewin/] Wells Fargo: https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/careers/ [https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/careers/] Hired, Not Fired is brought to you by TheRealMe.io The soft skills-first hiring solution that takes early career applicants from candidate to rockstar employee

Ep. 42 Insider Tips on Thriving in Your First Job with Urban Outfitter's Olivia Gatison

Guest: Olivia Gatison, Talent Manager of Early Careers at URBN What's the quickest way to stand out—or flame out—when you're new to a job or internship? Olivia knows firsthand. After ten years working her way up from sales associate to leading early career development across Urban Outfitters, Free People, and Anthropologie Group, she’s seen where early talent shines and where they trip themselves up. Why is striving for perfection a rookie mistake? What “unspoken skills” are employers really watching for? And how can you bounce back from early fumbles with confidence? In this episode, Olivia pulls back the curtain on: * The single quality that separates those who advance from those who stall out * The real story behind “coachability” * How to leverage feedback to grow and get noticed If you want to know what gets you hired and sets you up for long-term success don’t miss this conversation. Olivia Gatison: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-gatison/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-gatison/] URBN Careers: https://www.urbn.com/work-with-us Hired, Not Fired is brought to you by TheRealMe.io The soft skills-first hiring solution that takes early career applicants from candidate to rockstar employee