The Tribune

The young ladies of PACE (Providing Access to Continued Education) recently got the chance to ask an expert about the ins and outs of career advancement in today’s world. CIBC FirstCaribbean hosted a resume and interview workshop for the students at the PACE centre, led by Head of Human Resources Antionette Turnquest.

Mrs Turnquest guided the girls through the “dos and don’ts” of finding and landing a job, breaking the process down into three crucial stages: preparation, interview, and post-interview follow-up.

She urged the girls to use the internet and popular social media to their advantage during the job search by researching companies and openings online.

She stated that the keys to making a good first impression are preparation and a display of knowledge about the company and/or the field. “Getting the resume right is vital,” she said, as she outlined the correct structure of the resume, giving the students tips on avoiding grammar pitfalls; how best to highlight their accomplishments, and how to make their resumes stand out from the pack.

Mrs Turnquest noted that at the interview stage it is about attitude first and foremost. “I can train for skill, I hire for attitude,” she said. The HR expert emphasised that a positive disposition, confidence, and a team player attitude would get a candidate far in banking and finance.

She coached the girls on how to answer common interview questions and gave tips on how to impress the interviewer, including details such as the best colours to wear, the trick to an impressive handshake, and the importance of being punctual.

The workshop comes as a follow-up to CIBC FirstCaribbean’s International Women’s Day celebrations. The bank made a donation to PACE and another organisation aimed at nurturing young women, the STRAW Centre for Young Women, and treated the members of STRAW to an introductory session on personal finance and fiscal responsibility.

CIBC FirstCaribbean Managing Director Marie Rodland-Allen said the bank selected PACE because it hopes that by stressing job readiness in mothers-to-be, both mother and child can be positively impacted.

“CIBC FirstCaribbean has a long history as an ongoing corporate sponsor of PACE and we admire the organisation for its work educating young women who need it most,” said Mrs Rodland-Allen. “Young mothers are often forced to interrupt their education, reducing their ability to provide for themselves and their children. Through our donation to PACE and our mentorship of the young ladies on career and professional development we hope to do our part in providing these teenage mothers with the support, tools and opportunities needed to equip themselves better for the future.”

“There are many things that we hope to achieve as an organisation that we could not without the participation of corporate Bahamas,” said Judy Munroe, director of the board at PACE, as she thanked CIBC FirstCaribbean. “We are very grateful for donations like those from CIBC FirstCaribbean; they help us to create a better Bahamas. And their participation is every bit as important as their donation. Having persons come in to talk to, encourage, and mentor the girls goes a long way in building their confidence and character.”