Picture this. You’re at a networking event (as part of your job search strategy) and someone says to you, “what do you do?” Or, you’re in an interview and the first question is, “tell me about yourself.”
How do you respond? If nothing immediately comes to mind, then it’s time for you to prepare a personal “infomercial” or elevator pitch – a concise, informative statement that describes your key competencies and tells the listener what you’re looking for. You can use it when you’re looking for a job externally, or even when you’re looking for a new opportunity internally.
Your infomercial should include a brief summary of:
- Your profession/level
- Your capabilities and unique qualities
- The type of opportunity you’re seeking
If you’ve done the job search inventory work that I talked about in an earlier post, you should have this information readily available. The key is to shape it into three or four short sentences that you can state in about 30 seconds. Here’s an example:
I’m an experienced learning and development professional with expertise in leadership and communications training. My particular strengths are curriculum development and facilitation. My career has spanned a number of industries. Right now I’m looking for contract opportunities in companies that want to enhance their leadership development.
As you create your infomercial, think about your potential audience. What are some key words that will resonate with them? Use visual, descriptive words that paint a picture of who you are and the unique value you bring to an organization. Be specific. The clearer you are about what you want, the easier it will be for someone to help you.
You may need to create multiple versions for different audiences. Practice each version until saying it is as natural as stating your name. Then get out there and use it! You never know where you might meet the person who has the perfect opportunity for you.
Going up?
Till next time,
Karen
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