"How many of you would like to get a job?" Patrick Combs asked a crowd of graduating seniors Thursday in the Student Union Theater. "How many of you need to get a job?"
Combs, author of "Major in Success: Make College Easier, Fire Up Your Dreams & Get A Really Cool Job" and television personality for PBS's Career Advantage, provided his career-finding techniques in his motivational lecture "Success for Seniors."
"Go for a fun and exciting job. Take cool people to lunch." Combs said. "Before taking a professional to lunch, know about their background so you can impress them with all the information you know about them or their industry."
"The more you know about a person, the more they assume you know about every thing," he said. "It makes you look different and outstanding when you research about the industry or company you want to work for and present it to them while being interviewed."
Combs warned students never to be shy about pursuing the career they really want. He shared examples about students who fear what they love most, and because of that fear, they take up a job they have no interest in.
"If fear is in your way, and you're not getting the job you dream about, you're going to get creamed out there," said Combs. "The more you want it, the more scary it is."
According to Combs, most people don't pursue their passions because of fear of changing and fear of failing.
"By definition, your passion is outside your comfort zone. You have to go to the edge and beyond to discover your passion."
Combs stressed his belief that people get rewarded for their talents.
"You can do something you love and make a lot of money," he said. "Do it so well that people pay you more. Do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life."
"The purpose of your passion is to change you and grow you," said Combs. "If you are going to seek your passion, then be willing to accept and follow where it challenges you to go. Otherwise you are seeking your passion to help you remain the same."
He said a job hunter must develop a particularly keen eye to find the job to fulfill his or her passion.
"Only 15 percent of all jobs are advertised," said Combs. "Research every opportunity."
Combs encouraged graduating students to utilize all the resources UB provides, including Career Services, the School of Management Career Resource Center, the Leadership Development Center and Student Affairs.
"Get job-search coaching at the Career Resource Center," said Combs. "They have done this a hundred times, so they will really help you get there."
He recommended that students find a mentor as well.
"Someone to feed you with confidence, short-cuts and helpful tips," he said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
