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.

Selling Yourself - When You're A Vintage Product

Are you a salesperson? Even if that wasn't your former job position, when you're unemployed you DO have a job, it's selling yourself and finding a new job.  You are selling you.  This is the time when the phrase 'know your product' is critical in your job search.  And you ARE the product.  The good news is after 50 plus years you should 'know your product' very well.  But if you're from the boomer generation or older you need to create a need for a 'gently used' or 'vintage' product. 

If the terms 'gently used' and 'vintage' make you think 'shopping at Goodwill' it may NOT be what you're used to. So if those terms don't scare you, nothing will. 

How can you sell what's the equivalent of used or vintage products? Think about what makes these things valuable.  If you're selling a vintage dress, what makes it valuable? It's appeal to nostalgia, it's rarity? Maybe it's the appeal of the knowledge an older worker brings or the quality of their workmanship. Pride in workmanship is frequently a hard thing for employers to find in younger employees, but older workers tend to have been brought up with a different work ethic.

Evaluate your strengths and sell them during your interview.  Be sure to ask the potential employer what they are looking for in an employee and then tailor your answers to fit

Remember: whether you're at home, working for someone else or running you own business, you are a sales person. Make sure you know what you're selling, give to other people because "what goes around, comes around" and you never know if the next person you meet through someone in your network won't be you next big client or your partner in business or in life. Paying it forward never hurts.  Good luck with your job quest--follow your star and be one.  And it doesn't hurt if you have the ability to sell a bridge to someone who doesn't need one!