Hired Not Fired is the podcast for Gen Z job seekers who are done with vague advice from coaches and bloggers and ready for actionable tips from the ones actually doing the hiring. Real Talk. Real Job Tips. Real Jobs.
Whether you're applying for internships or your first or second real job, this podcast is your secret weapon to getting hired. The host, Dr. Deb Samuels-Peretz, TheRealMe's VP of Learning and Development, interviews talent acquisition leaders and early career hiring managers about what they're really looking for in their new hires. No corporate buzzwords. Just short, sharp, real-world advice from early career hiring managers and talent acquisition leaders who make the decisions
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
14 May 2026
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
29 Apr 2026
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
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