Elevator Speeches and Employment

I was job hunting (OK, I admit it, I'm one of those people who are always 'looking' even when I don't want to change my job. I'm just...curious what is out there.) But in the course of reviewing a job possibility I came across this info from the Rapid Learning Institute. And of course, as a blogger, I head right to their blog where I found a post by Michael Boyette titled "375-year-old Sales Wisdom.

Their first set of 'must do's' have to do with prospecting. And like any good miner you should always be 'prospecting' and seeing what's out there. If you'd been prospecting before you last job loss you'd already have had your LinkedIn profile set up, you'd have been actively networking, your resume would be up to date (and you'd always carry a copy in your car). You'd be out there connecting with people, because you just never know when that person will go from 'not very important' to 'becoming your new best friend or job contact.'

Prospecting

• In times of prosperity, prepare for adversity.
• Have the gift of discovery.
• Put yourself in the center of things.
• Do – and be seen doing.
• Distinguish people of words from people of deeds.
• Never contend with someone who has nothing to lose.

Then they talk about 'making the sale.' What too many people who are interviewing for jobs fail to realize is you are 'the product' and you are always 'selling  yourself.'  Some of their excellent points fit very well for job hunters or salesmen alike.

You want to make that sale so keep the expectation alive. Know your worth and what salary you would accept for another job. Always be prepared with an elevator speech about yourself. Include your strongest qualities and a description of your job.

For anyone not familiar with an elevator speech it's what you could tell someone in a very short period of time about yourself, hitting all the high points without overdoing it. Less is often more, and more enticing! Stop and think how you could incorporate their ideas into your job hunting. It should help you to

Making the sale

• Keep expectation alive.
• Know how to get your price.
• Know your strongest quality.
• Never exaggerate.
• Make people depend on you.
• Do not explain too much.

And as a professional you should manage your reputation. Be sure that the 'you' people meet is the one who has self-respect and integrity. So in an attempt to 'sell yourself into a job' don't lie! Be up front and honest. It pays off in the end.

Managing your reputation

• Be a person of integrity.
• Do not parade your position.
• Never lose your self-respect.

Good luck job hunting. I hope this helps.  Even if you only take a few ideas from this it should help you narrow your elevator speech and be concise when describing yourself to a potential employer.