On March 3rd, we hosted an insightful and meaningful Interview Tips and Tricks Speaker Panel as part of our Life Beyond PAL program, aimed at career and college readiness for our youth. The panel featured five caring, entertaining and impressive professionals, including a recruiter, a lawyer, a marketing whiz, the General Manager of the W Hollywood, and an investment banker, each sharing valuable stories and advice on navigating the nerve-racking world of interviews.
Our students were captivated as the speakers shared their personal journeys to success, along with lessons learned from their own interview experiences. They discussed the importance of dodging common pitfalls, such as avoiding eye contact or being underprepared, and stressed the vital “must-dos” like arriving early and dressing appropriately for the job. A key takeaway was the importance of sending thank-you notes after an interview— even when you don’t get the job. This small gesture, they all agreed, can set you apart in a competitive job market.
One of the highlights for everyone was when each student shared some impressive accolade they could currently put on their resumes, including achievements like running marathons, leading robotics clubs, and serving as Girl Scout presidents. The panelists were impressed and in awe of the students’ accomplishments, which was a big confident booster for our youth.
A standout moment came from our HPAL board member Jamie, an investment banker, who shared a story about using her unique skill of shucking clams to demonstrate her “can-do” attitude during an interview for a Wall Street job, before she had any finance experience. Her story was a powerful reminder that while expertise matters, personality and a positive attitude can often be just as powerful in making a lasting impression and getting you the job.
A big thank you to all our panelists and a shout out to all of our Life Beyond PAL youth who are showing up despite their busy school schedules to ensure they have a bright and successful future after graduation.
If you would like to be a future speaker for the Life Beyond Program, we would love to hear from you. You can also support us by volunteering for our college and career application office hours. No expertise is required, simply a willingness to support our kids through some confusing and overwhelming paperwork. Please contact Georgia to learn more: [email protected]
