From "DEBIAS Chat" to your Dream Job?

Darina reveals the truth about the official course voice.of.diversity.

Can an anonymous chat interview really open doors to top companies? Darina put it to the test – sharing surprising insights, personal light-bulb moments, and the truth about whether joining this program is truly worth it. Spoiler: It might just change your career!

Imagine you could send a message to your ‘chat self’ from back then—what tip would you give yourself to get even more out of this unique conversation situation?

I was well-prepared for my interviews and wouldn’t change anything. Despite not being the most qualified person on paper, dedicating hours to my responses set me apart. It allowed me to showcase my strengths—my personality and writing skills—and leave a lasting impression.

The moment of truth: How was it when you finally sat face to face? Were there any funny or unexpected ‘aha moments’ during the first meeting? Which companies did you meet with?

I spoke with Hitachi Rail, UNIQA and Wiener Stadtwerke. I had initially assumed that I would have to put on an act and try to appear more sophisticated, for them to take me seriously. However, I was proven wrong. I spoke with them as I would with any other of my friends and it all worked out splendidly.

The voice.of.diversity isn’t a typical course—what were the most valuable skills you developed there that are now helping you concretely in your professional life? And is there something you learned about yourself through this program that still surprises you today?

As corny as it might sound, I learned that I can still be myself even in a professional setting.
Ultimately, the LVA taught me not to fear interviews.

Many students are initially unsure whether to apply for such a program. What would you say to your fellow students who doubt whether it’s worth the time investment?

There is nothing to lose, just do the LVA!
This interview process levels the playing field. If you have little to no professional experience it allows you to use your soft skills to compensate for that. I think this is the reason why I was able to secure an internship with one of the companies.

If you had to name three reasons why students should absolutely participate in voice.of.diversity, what would they be?

• Work/Internship opportunities
• Step out of your comfort zone
• Practice interviews