Steering career success at Transit Systems
TRANSIT SYSTEMS HELPS STUDENTS DRIVE CAREER SUCCESS WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS
Transit Systems recently had the pleasure of hosting a group of Clontarf Foundation students for a dynamic, hands-on workshop focused on resume building and interview preparation.
While the day was filled with laughs and even a Christmas-themed bus ride, Transit Systems NSW Managing Director Rino Matarazzo said the core mission was serious: equipping these young people with the confidence to enter the workforce.
“We wanted to give these young people more than just a glimpse into the workforce; we want to give them a distinct advantage.
“By sharing our internal recruitment insights and giving them an immersive interview experience, we have hopefully given them the confidence 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. Transit Systems NSW Recruitment and Training Manager Marcela Lucas said that for many students, this was their first time seeing how a professional profile is constructed.
“To keep things light and relatable, we used a sample resume from a well-known celebrity to help guide them step-by-step through building their own.
“By the end of the workshop, every student walked away with a completed resume and a list of identified personal strengths,” she said.
Putting Skills into Practice
After an ice-breaker game of "Two Truths and a Lie" (which revealed some impressive hidden talents and plenty of laughs!), 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 before pairing up to interview for a real bus driver job advertisement.
“Despite this being a first-time experience for most, the calibre of 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 a specially decorated Christmas bus from Smeaton Grange to Bradbury.
“We celebrated their hard work with a BBQ Christmas lunch and distributed prizes like cooler bags and Aboriginal art plates to recognise their engagement and effort. We were really impressed and proud of them all,” she said.
The top tips for career growth
Ms Lucus Mrs Lucas shared her 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 themselves and their community.
“We can’t wait to see where their new resumes take them and we wish them well on their adventures,” he said.