THE WALLSTREET JOURNAL. © 2008 Dow Jones 8 Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2008 Summer Job: By Eunuen Gena un Demet Kens fulod to land a summer internship at a big ‘company, the College of Wiliam & ‘Mary student responded to an ad in the paper for an admittedly unusual job. Now he's spending the summer traipsing through the homes of friends, neighbors and strangers—armed with éarrots and rope— selling stainless steel kitchen knives. Temnight sound ot at best, nightmarish if you're shy—and a far cry’ from an elite Internship at an investinent bank, law firm, ‘or media company. But, say many an alum of the knife-hawking business, the shills an experience you need to boost your resume and land a job postgreduation can be founel inthe quiky summer job ‘The knife company in question is Cutoo Cutlery, an Olean, N-Y., manufacturer with $198 milion in revenue, according to Sarah Baker Andrus, director of academic programs for Vector Marketing, Cutco’s Sales arm. Ms. Andrus says the company brings in Gif of its sales over the summer, when 2 force of 40,000~85% of whom are students—fan out to ply their wares. ‘These junior salespeople don't receive an Ihnurly of weekly wage. Instead they earn a commission that starts at 10% and ean elim fo more than 50% for top sellers. Ms. Andrus says students who work the whole summer fear an average of $3,000 to $6,000 But there are plenty who earn more. Students around the country earn money every summer hawking books, makeup, pet supplies and other goods via rehearsed ‘omonstrations in thelr own hornes or those of their customers. I's tough work—even ‘those who are suenassfl ati say so. 's nol for everyone, bil people who go through the process are’ better for It” says Larry Curran, a managing director for Garrett Sayer Group, a temporary and permanent staffing firm in Parsippany, N ‘who made $5,000 selling Cuteo knives in 1989, Detsreen semesters at Bastera Connecticut ‘State University. But MC, Curran and others who have done it say that it provides a more marketable experience than other fallback jobs. Nice Pay, if You Can Cut It John Wiliams, 34, who now does research and consulting in Cincinnati for a tech: nology-orlented think tank, sold Cutoo knives Jn the summer of 1982 before he entered Northwestern University. “It was a unique and, in some ways, unnatural experience,” he recalls. “You have to go into someone’ home and quickly gain their trust." But in the process, Mr. Williams says, he learned how to market himself and is product, male presentations aud respond to questions, Adjust to new and unexpected situations, and ‘quickly eonneet with people. “You also learn about Integrity and folowing through,” he notes. "These are skis Mr. Willams says he has touted in every job search he's conducted nd used every job he's worked in, What's ore, he and olers say, Ue experience has caught the eye of recruiters and inter viewers. ‘Asher Abraham also has fond memories of his Cuteo years. He sold the knives {hroughou: his four years at Queens College, in New York, and earned more than $100,008 one year, and he learned a lot in the process, he says. “The first time my (Cuteo] manager asked me to speak at a Weekly meeting, I thought, ‘Who, me? Talk to everybody? No ay,” he recalls. But he did it, and after doing it over and over, it became second nature, he says. He graduated in 2006 ant W VECTOR. Marketing Corporation eft Cutco a year later for a fob at Liberty ‘Mutual, seting commercial insurance. Enterprise Rent-A-Car, based in St. Lous, recruits several thousand new grads into its ‘management training program every year according to Marie Artim, assistant vice president for recruiting. The company has hired numerous Cuteo alumni over the years, ‘and hiring managers look for the experience. "We've found that the Job can give people the things we look for,” she says. "Things like communication skis, discipline and a work ethic, knowledge of customer service, sales and marketing, and the ability to work (on your own.” Gary Bruien, an executive recruiter with Corporate Personnel & Assoviates in Kansas City, Mo., says that the Cuteo experience gives college kids basic “real-world” skils that they often don't learn until later in ite. Assoclates get training and support during the summer, a parlular bos sce the selespeople—like Mr. Kernus, who has tend st 8200 ery ly Ot Ee yn cash and earn only commission. Mr. Kermus spends about $10 a week on supplies ‘nd S40 for gas. Salespecple also lease a set of knives for about S13 ‘Newbies lke Mr. Kernus get a three-day training session to learn telephone and presentation skills and role-play to practice them. There are weekly meetings at local sal offices to commiserate over difficulties and learn from suecesses. And there are periodic conferences with workshops that teach money management and develop busi- ness skills like public speaking and time ‘management. Staffing firm executive Mr. Curran says that he routinely loks for Culco experience ‘when searching online job boards for entry- level sales position, which can be tough jobs to fill. The Cutco experience “puts some calluses on you for dealing with rejection,’ he says, Sorat &. Needleman contributed to this article. ‘Te Pususnen’s Sate Or Tws Repro Does Nov Gonstture Ox lure Avr Exponeewenr On Srotconsue Or Any Paobucr, Sen, Cowpsny Os OnaawzArion. Gunton print (609)520-4231 PO, Box300 Prcetor, NJ. 08543-0300. DO NOT EDIT OR ALTER REPRINT/ REPRODUCTIONS NOT PERMITTED 834549 Dowsones.