Hired, Not Fired

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/

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

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/

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

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/

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

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/

Wells Fargo: 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

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/

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

Guest: Mark Houldsworth, Vice President Executive Recruiter at Bank of America

With over 25 years of recruiting experience, and a special focus on financial services, Mark Houldsworth knows what it takes to launch a successful career in banking. But is it all high-stakes deals and number crunching, or is there more behind the scenes?

This week, Dr. Deb Samuels-Peretz chats with Mark about what banking is really like for recent grads and entry-level hires, and the skills that matter most when you’re just starting out:

• What will your first days on the job actually look like?
• What kind of career growth should you expect if you’re coachable (and what does being “easy to manage” really mean)?
• How can you spot, and get into, the fast-track programs that set you up for success?

Curious if finance is the path for you? Dive in for honest perspectives, myth-busting, and practical advice you won’t want to miss.

Mark Houldsworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-houldsworth-4bbb58/

Bank of America careers: https://careers.bankofamerica.com/en-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

Guest: Nick Smith, Recruiting & Talent Acquisition Pro (Meta, Lucid Motors, Twitch, Prime Video)

Back by popular demand, Nick Smith returns with more insider secrets from nearly a decade hiring at some of tech's most iconic companies. What actually happens after you land the interview—and how can you stack the odds in your favor with the recruiters rooting for you behind the scenes?

In this episode, Nick and Deb dig into:

• What really sets standout candidates apart (hint: it’s not just technical know-how)
• Why talking honestly about your mistakes can actually make you a stronger contender
• The feedback top recruiters wish you’d hear before walking into your next interview

If you’ve ever wondered about the mind-shifts that turn interviews from intimidating to empowering, or how to show off your “human skills” without sounding cliché, this is your episode.

Listen in and learn how to approach your next opportunity with the confidence that you belong in the room.

Nick Smith https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-a-smith/

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

Guest: Candace Lamb , Director of Career Development at Thomas Edison State University

What does it take to break through in today’s job market? In this week’s episode, Dr. Deb Samuels-Peretz sits down with Dr. Candace Lamb, a seasoned career development leader, coach, and advocate for Gen Z job seekers, to explore why resumes and technical skills are just the starting point.

Get a peek into “hidden curriculum” secrets that can truly set you apart, and discover why employers want to see more than fast coding or sharp spreadsheets.

• How can you uncover and showcase your soft skills, even if you don’t realize you have them?

• What job search tips can help you feel confident and prepared in every interview?

• What should you really ask during interviews to impress hiring managers and find a workplace that fits you?

Whether you’re prepping for your first internship or navigating early career moves, tune in to hear actionable advice Gen Z candidates won’t want to miss!

Guest: DJ Lee, Senior Assistant Director at Bentley University's Multicultural Center

What’s really going on behind the buzzword “psychological safety”, and why does it matter for Gen Z entering the workforce? In this episode, DJ joins Deb Samuels-Peretz for a candid conversation on how young professionals can show up confidently and authentically at work.

• Is your new workplace psychologically safe, or should you worry about silent meetings and defensive feedback?

• Can you figure out a company’s vibe before you even accept the job offer?

• How can new hires foster a positive environment even if they don’t have power or status yet?

If you’ve ever wondered what seasoned hiring managers notice about entry-level candidates (beyond “soft skills” on your resume), don’t miss this episode.

Tune in for actionable tips and real-world advice to help you thrive, not just survive, in your first jobs or internships.

DJ Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djl01/

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

Guest: Rex Trewin, Assistant Vice President of Early Careers at Wells Fargo

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to land a job at a leading bank, or thought a banking career was only for business majors, this is the episode for you. With over 30 years of experience ranging from university career centers to global employer leadership, Rex Trewin is the ultimate insider when it comes to recruiting early-career talent.

·        How does Wells Fargo define “career readiness” and where do students and employers sometimes misread each other?

·        What are the unwritten rules of campus recruiting that could make or break your chances?

·        And why does showing up still matter more than ever?

In this episode, Dr. Deb Samuels-Peretz and Rex Trewin pull back the curtain on what employers expect (and what Gen Z might be missing). If you’re looking for straight talk and actionable tips to level up your job search, don’t miss this conversation!