Landing your first job after college may depend more on what you did between
classes rather than in school, suggests a recent survey. Nearly half (47
percent) of executives polled rated professional experience as the most
important quality in hiring new graduates - more than the type of degree
earned (18 percent) and grade point average (17 percent).

The survey was developed by OfficeTeam and conducted by an independent
research firm. The poll includes responses from 150 executives with the
nation's 1,000 largest companies.

Survey respondents were asked, "Which one of the following do you consider
most important when hiring a recent college graduate?" Their answers:

• Experience in the profession, such as internships or temporary work - 47%
  
• Type of degree earned - 18%
  
• Grade point average/academic performance - 17%
  
• University attended - 7%
  
• Involvement in campus/community organizations - 7%
  
• Personality, attitude and motivation - 2%
  

Many graduates face a 'Catch-22' situation in their search for their first
full-time position - they can't get a job without experience, but they can't
get experience without having a job," said Diane Domeyer, executive director
of OfficeTeam. "Working as an intern or temporary allows students to build
their skills and business network, thereby enhancing their marketability to
prospective employers."

Domeyer offers the following tips for emphasizing on-the-job experience in
your resume:

• What's in it for them? - Don't rely simply on the names of previous
  employers to impress the interviewer. Instead describe your accomplishments,
  the skills you applied and how these abilities make you the best match for
  the open position.

• Make the connection - Many college students have job experience that on
  the surface may not seem to apply to positions they may be seeking after
  graduation. The key is to focus on transferable skills. If you've worked in
  food service or retail, and seek a corporate position, for example,
  emphasize any experience supervising others, managing inventory or handling
  customer service issues.

• Close the gap - If your resume lacks hands-on job skills, don't panic. The
  summer months post-graduation are an excellent time to build your abilities
  through temporary work or internships. In doing so, you'll keep busy during
  your job search, open the door to networking opportunities and perhaps land
  a full-time position.
  

-- Article courtesy of OfficeTeam, which has over 250 locations worldwide
and offers online job search services