Everyone should have a thirty second marketing message to describe who they are, what they do and what sets them apart. This is very useful for introducing yourself in networking situations. Here is an example: "My name is ------------. I am an attorney with ------------. I am known for zealously representing my clients in employment matters while protecting their bottom lines. A good contact for me is-------.
What does your elevator pitch sound like when you are out of work and looking? I suggest that it need not be very different than the above example. Let's break it down:
1) Your first sentence will always be a statement of your name. Deliver this with good eye contact and a winning smile.
2) The next sentence is usually about where someone works, so how do you tweak this when you are unemployed? Here are some ideas:
-My background is in---------.
-I have 11 years of progressive experience in ---------.
-In my former life I ----------. A downsizing has prompted me to look for other opportunities.
3) This next sentence or sentences should contain your value statement. What are the areas in which you excel? What do you bring to the table? For instance:
-I've developed a reputation for--------.
-As a --------------, I consistently------------.
-I'm known for ------------.
-I am passionate about -----------------.
-My boss and clients agree that --------------.
4) This last sentence should clearly state what you are looking for:
-I am looking for a position that will help me to leverage my passion for ------------ with my expertise in -----------------.
-I'm seeking to combine my -------- skills with my successes in the ------------ industry.
You can see that elevator speeches are not so different when you are out of work. My recommendation is that you break this down into the above four steps and do some brainstorming. Once you have some ideas on paper, bounce them off a trusted friend or family member. Then write your marketing message. Practice at sounding both confident and conversational. Finally, role play with someone you trust so that you can work at weaving it into conversation in a natural way.
Comments