Knowing what to say when you have little time to say it
Once you've conducted a personal assessment, created a skills inventory, defined your market, and formed a job search strategy, you're well on your way to executing your job search. One of the first things you should do with all this valuable information you've compiled is develop a brief and focused message you can share with others. It will be the essence of how you present yourself.
This message will be your 30-second introduction. You want to fit all the important aspects of your background, skills, motivations, education, etc. into a short but effective message for your audience. Thirty seconds is about the right amount of time to get someone's attention and enable them to view you as a viable job candidate.
You never know when this 30-second introduction will be needed. It’s a great response during the beginning of the interview when they ask you to introduce yourself – often they’ll say “tell me about yourself.” You can also use this message in networking situations. It could also be useful while on an elevator, in a restaurant, on an airplane, at the grocery store, etc. Job opportunities and influential contacts come from a variety of sources, so you always want to be prepared.
It can be very helpful to create a one-page personal profile so you are sure to capture all the important aspects of your skills and experience. Start by addressing why you are looking for a job and sharing your job objective. Next, think about what a potential employer might want to hear if they were seeking job candidates with your general background. Then use the information you've compiled via your personal assessment, skills inventory, etc. and craft the best possible message for this potential employer. All of this information will ultimately become the script for your 30-second introduction. Here’s a sample:
“My name is John Hancock. For the past 8 years I have been an advertising assistant with ACME Corporation. Recently my position was downsized and I am taking this opportunity to apply my outreach and writing experience to pursue a career in marketing. My strengths include developing strategies to increase awareness, implementing high-impact plans, and launching new product rollouts, campaigns and promotions. I am looking for information that may help me find marketing jobs or employers in the manufacturing or technology sectors who could use these skills.”
Practice delivering your 30-second introduction so it stays fresh in your mind, but don't memorize it. You don't want it to sound like a "canned" speech. Also, you may have to adjust it a bit from time-to-time, depending upon the particular circumstances or needs of the person you are talking with.
Things to Consider