Transit Systems recently had the pleasure of hosting a groupof Clontarf Foundation students for a dynamic, hands-on workshop focused onresume building and interview preparation.
While the day was filled with laughs and even aChristmas-themed bus ride, Transit Systems NSW Managing Director Rino Matarazzosaid the core mission was serious: equipping these young people with theconfidence to enter the workforce.
“We wanted to give these young people more than just aglimpse into the workforce; we want to give them a distinct advantage.
“By sharing our internal recruitment insights and givingthem an immersive interview experience, we have hopefully given them theconfidence to stay ahead of the curve as they begin their professional journeys,”he said.
Resumes, reflections, and a little bit of celebrity fun
The day kicked off with a deep dive into resumes. TransitSystems NSW Recruitment and Training Manager Marcela Lucas said that for manystudents, this was their first time seeing how a professional profile isconstructed.
“To keep things light and relatable, we used a sample resumefrom a well-known celebrity to help guide them step-by-step through buildingtheir own.
“By the end of the workshop, every student walked away witha completed resume and a list of identified personal strengths,” she said.
Putting Skills into Practice
After an ice-breaker game of "Two Truths and aLie" (which revealed some impressive hidden talents and plenty oflaughs!), Transit Systems guided the students into Mock Interviews.
“We didn't just talk about interviews - we did them.Students analysed "what went wrong" in mock video exercises beforepairing up to interview for a real bus driver job advertisement.
“Despite this being a first-time experience for most, the calibreof the students was exceptional. They tackled questions on availability,safety, and customer service with maturity and insight,” she said.
A festive finale
To wrap up a fantastic day of learning, the group boarded aspecially decorated Christmas bus from Smeaton Grange to Bradbury.
“We celebrated their hard work with a BBQ Christmas lunchand distributed prizes like cooler bags and Aboriginal art plates to recognisetheir engagement and effort. We were really impressed and proud of them all,”she said.
The top tips for career growth
Ms Lucus Mrs Lucas sharedher key takeaways for confidence building career growth:
- Preparation is key: Know the job ad and align your skills to it.
- Focus on soft skills: Even if you haven't driven a large vehicle, your experience in retail or school projects can prove your customer service and reliability.
- Be yourself: Authenticity helps you connect with the interviewer and proves you can connect with passengers.
Mr Matarazzo said the students were a credit to themselvesand their community.
“We can’t wait to see where their new resumes take them andwe wish them well on their adventures,” he said.
