Interviewee mentored by Duchess Meghan lands internship

Britain's Meghan Duchess of Sussex, visits the Mothers2Mothers organisation, which trains and employs women living with HIV as frontline health workers across eight African nations, in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019. Picture: Henk Kruger / African News Agency via AP, Pool.

Published May 6, 2020

An interviewee surprised by the Duchess of Sussex during a SmartWorks preparation session has landed an internship after their one-on-one call.

Krisi Uzunova took part in a preparation session with the SmartWorks charity - which helps women find employment with coaching tips and professional attire for their job interviews - in March when Meghan, 38, surprised her by joining the call.

In a post on Instagram, the organisation wrote: "Our patron, The Duchess of Sussex, recently surprised one of our clients during her coaching session.

"We are so thrilled that following her virtual appointment, our client got the job and will be starting her internship during the summer months.

"It was so wonderful to hear her excitement on the phone when she called to let us know she had been successful."

View this post on Instagram

She got the job ✨ ⠀ It is always a special moment when clients let us know they have been successful at interview. ⠀ For the past seven weeks we have been offering phone coaching and wardrobe parcels filled with workwear essentials to our clients. This virtual service has allowed us to bring the magic of Smart Works into the safety of our client's homes. ⠀ Our patron, The Duchess of Sussex, recently surprised one of our clients during her coaching session. ⠀ We are so thrilled that following her virtual appointment, our client got the job and will be starting her internship during the summer months. ⠀ It was so wonderful to hear her excitement on the phone when she called to let us know she had been successful. She said; “Thank you, once again, not only for this opportunity but also for the incredible work that Smart Works achieves - it was a true honour to be a part of this!” ⠀ Congratulations from the team here at Smart Works, we cannot wait to see what's in store for you next. ⠀ #successfulclient #interview #gotthejob

A post shared by Smart Works(@smartworkscharity) on May 5, 2020 at 7:23am PDT

Meghan - who is married to Prince Harry - surprised Krisi during her call two months ago, and revealed she was keeping her fingers crossed for the interview.

She said at the time: "You seem incredibly confident and prepared.

"Everyone here is so excited, so when I was reading what your interests were - you have a big focus in mental health right? I think that's excellent...

"I think you're going to be fantastic, it's just so exciting. I just wanted to call in and tell you best of luck and my fingers are crossed for you...

"There's so much going on in the world right now, so to be such a beacon of hope and focusing on getting through it and all the positivity ... I just want to send your way, to make sure you can get on the other side of this too."

Krisi was delighted to have the opportunity to spend time talking to Meghan - whose son Archie celebrates his first birthday on Wednesday (06.05.20) - as part of her preparations.

She tweeted: "At the end of March I took part in an interview prep session with SmartWorks and at the end I was surprised with their royal patron, Meghan Markle.

"It was truly an honour to speak to such a kind person about my passions - I'll never forget this!!

"And may I add, she is the sweetest, most down-to-earth person that I have ever met, a true true honour (sic)"