By J. Mason
Online Career Tips Staff
Talking about your professional skills should be easy. You know yourself better than anyone, and to get the job you want you’ll have to do a little shameless self-promotion. Sometimes this involves pitching yourself to a potential employer in a hallway, at a coffee shop, or through tweets on Twitter. Instead of being shy, try these tips to improve your elevator pitch.
- Break your most valuable skills into 3 talking points. Have alternates on file in your brain as well. For example, if you can tailor your skills for business, technology, or marketing fields then accommodate the differences by knowing what’s best for each.
- Keep it short. Go for 30 seconds or less with your pitch. If they’re not asking you for more information or your card after that, then you know you’ve lost their interest.
- Turn your pitch into an ice breaker. If you’re good with jokes or storytelling, spin your expertise into a relatable story to the industry, their company, or a relevant experience.
- Rehearse while you’re on the job hunt. Practice your pitch with a friend, significant other, pet, or record it on your webcam. This is especially important for those that get hives in social situations. Get comfortable with what you want to say, and make sure you’re ready to voice it.
- Practice your pitch at home in the shower. If you ever sing in the shower, then you have the gusto to talk about yourself here as well.
If you’re on the hunt, remember to keep your marketing hat at the ready. Be personable. You’ll be remembered for cracking a job as an ice breaker, and keeping them engaged after the elevator has stopped. Ideally you’ll want them to leave with your card, a date to chat more, and some takeaways on what they’re looking for.
Comments are closed.