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Experience, enthusiasm big factors in landing job

Over the next few weeks thousands of Buffalo area college students will make the big leap from learner to worker. Those lucky enough to have snagged a job will trade the pressures of term papers and exams for bright and early starting times, project deadlines, staff meetings, with the bonus of a grown-up paycheck.

Meanwhile, graduates without clear plans will face a summer of resume writing, want-ad combing, interviews and (hopefully) job offers.

“It’s a big transition period. Even if they’re starting the career they’ve always dreamed about there’s a lot to absorb, a lot of change,” said Dan Ryan, University at Buffalo’s director of career services.

While hiring rates vary by field of study, Ryan estimates only 25 to 30 percent of this spring’s UB graduates have definite employment plans. But, it’s expected 80 percent will have found jobs within six months of earning their degrees.

“It can be pretty depressing for those who don’t have anything lined up,” Ryan said. “Some of them will have to move home while they conduct their job search. It’s also difficult for parents who assumed their child would walk across the graduation stage and into a job.”

Although a post-graduation summer spent tending bar or lifeguarding while hunting for a “real” job sounds depressing, there are several national employment surveys that indicate meaningful work is out there. By some estimates, 2005 is the ripest job market in five years.

In CareerBuilder.com’s latest survey, 62 percent of hiring managers said they plan to recruit recent college graduates, and one in four said they will be increasing starting salaries over those offered in 2004.

A similar poll by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that 13 percent of companies plan to hire more new graduates than they did one year ago.

And what will attract employers to graduates? According to the CareerBuilder survey relevant experience, professionalism during the interview, fit with company culture, education and enthusiasm as the Top 5 attributes for successful job candidates.

“Twenty-eight percent of hiring managers say the candidate’s ability to relate their experience to the job at hand is the most important factor in the hiring decision,” said Matt Ferguson, CareerBuilder.com’s chief executive officer.

Fresh graduates who have made it over the hurdle of landing a job have their own set of issues to work through, according to Mike Skowronski, of Niagara University’s Office of Career Development.

“They’re entering the world of work at the same time they’re figuring out how to be on their own as adults. It’s a balancing act of learning the details of the job and critical life skills,” Skowronski said.

The career counselor said one way to ease the transition is for fledgling workers to find a mentor in the workplace.

Mike Golebiewski, Erie Community College’s director of career resources, said he urges graduates to approach their new employment “with great enthusiasm.”

“They should demonstrate an energy and willingness to cooperate and communicate with co-workers and customers. They should also be willing to adjust to the circumstances and take on responsibility,” Golebiewski said.

But, he cautions new hires to go slow about making too many suggestions too soon.

“They need to understand “The Golden Rule,’ which is “He who has the gold, makes the rules,’ ” Golebiewski said.