“How am I going to support myself as an adult?” This question looms large for high school students contemplating their futures.

While many teens consider college as their best path, others are discovering rewarding careers in trades and agriculture — sectors experiencing significant workforce shortages.

In Madison County, Georgia, HireSmart Cares founders Mark and Anne Lackey actively address these concerns through practical, hands-on guidance. Their nonprofit helps students develop job-ready skills that open doors to successful careers without college debt.

During a recent visit to Zach Carithers’ construction class at Madison County High School, the Lackeys shared insights about first impressions, resume writing, interview preparation, and career development.

First Impressions Matter

“You have literally less than 30 seconds for somebody to make a determination whether they want to talk to you,” Anne told the students about first impressions. “You want to give yourself the absolute best opportunity to win in that 30 seconds.”

The Lackeys walked around the room to practice firm handshakes with each student.

Anne spoke of how to dress for an interview: “You don’t have to wear a three-piece suit. But you can be clean — no stains on your shirt, have your shirt tucked in with no wrinkles. You can do many things to make a good first impression that are easy and don’t cost any money.”

Mark shared an experience where he unknowingly encountered his interviewer multiple times before their scheduled meeting — first in a parking garage, then sharing an elevator, and finally standing side by side in a restroom. Upon entering the lobby, he discovered this stranger was actually the person conducting his interview, demonstrating how impressions can begin well before formal introductions.

Resume Essentials

Anne said the purpose of your resume isn’t to tell your life story but to get a job interview.

“It is not to share everything you’ve ever done on a resume,” she said. “It is a hook, as we call it in marketing. It is a way to get them excited to meet you and talk with you. Because here’s what I know: If you don’t have a conversation with an employer, you’re never getting hired.”

Anne emphasized contact information as the most critical element: “You can have a great resume and never have them contact you if they can’t reach you.”

Interview Day Preparation

Anne advised students to arrive at the interview location at least 20 minutes early, but to remain in their car rather than entering the building immediately. This extra time allows candidates to compose themselves, calm their nerves, and mentally review what they want to communicate during the interview. The Lackeys recommended entering the building just seven minutes before the appointment to show punctuality without inconveniencing the interviewer.

Anne emphasized the value of sending a handwritten thank you note after a job interview to potential employers. She explained that this simple gesture doesn’t need to be elaborate, but it demonstrates the extra effort that can set candidates apart. These small, additional actions take minimal time but can significantly impact how employers perceive candidates.

When a Job Isn’t the Right Fit

The Lackeys explained what to do when an interview doesn’t lead to a job offer.

Anne recommended asking this networking question: “Thank you for your time today. I really appreciate it. It doesn’t feel like this is the best opportunity for either of us right now. But may I ask you a question? Who do you know that I should know that might be able to help me get this job?”

She explained that even if a potential employer doesn’t have a job for you, they have connections to others who may want to hire you.

Career Paths Can Take Unexpected Turns

Anne shared a personal story about how her early career took an unexpected direction. She failed a typing test for a teller position at her great-grandfather’s bank, but she was hired as a personnel receptionist instead and thrived at the role, learning skills that serve her well today.

The lesson she took from this: “Sometimes you have to take another job to get where you want to go, even if it doesn’t feel right, even if it doesn’t feel like that’s what you want. It’s a stepping stone to something else.”

Always Do Your Best

Anne emphasized the importance of effort regardless of the job.

“If you’re going to take a job, do your very best,” she said. “Show up, be available, be helpful. Don’t say, ‘It’s not my job.’ I took out the trash (in the bank job). I did all the different things in that job because I wanted to prove that I had a right to be there.”

Why They Started HireSmart Cares

Mark and Anne founded HireSmart Cares as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a clear mission: “equipping the next generation.” After seeing a bumper sticker that read “No Farms, No Food” while driving on Interstate 85, Mark was inspired to address growing workforce shortages in critical sectors including agriculture, trades, and healthcare.

Rather than just worrying about these issues, the Lackeys decided to take action. Through HireSmart Cares, they invest in youth development by offering time, tools, teaching, and technology to help young people find successful careers without taking on college debt. HireSmart Cares funds scholarships, educational programs, and provides guidance, such as the presentation to Carithers’ class.

To learn more about HireSmart Cares, visit hiresmartcares.org. If you have an idea about how HireSmart Cares can help local youth gain job-ready skills, email info@hiresmartcares.org.