An Elevator Speech? What and why?

Well let me explain first what an elevator speech is, and then more details on why and how to make it. From UrbanDictionary.com:

"[An elevator speech is] am extremely pithy description of something, prepared in advance to be used in situations where time is of the essence. The term comes from the hyopthetical situation of somebody seeing a pin or something similar on your person that arouses their curiosity while in an elevator..."

So, an elevator speech (ES) is your 30-second or so self-intro. Essentially, if you only had that much time to chat about yourself when meeting someone in an elevator, what would you say?


Having an ES ready is of the UTMOST IMPORTANCE when you are seeking a job or networking with new people, because it sets your first impression! Your ES is something good to have memorized, mostly for in-person interviews or job fairs. If you have ever been to a job/career fair, it can be overwhelming both to job-seekers and company recruiters alike! Dozens to hundreds or even thousands of people will come and go. Your goal, as a job seeker, is to STAND OUT! Even if someone does not remember your name, you want them to remember your resume, your face, or your elevator speech. You want them to remember you and be interested in you!


When crafting your ES, use strong verbiage rather than setting it up to talk too fast. The points you come up with need to be something that catches someone's interest, so that they want to learn more about you.


Examples of bad and good Elevator Speech's:
-Bad Example; Hello, I am Thurman Worcister the Third, and I am seeking a good job in my field, that I got my degree in, so that I may make a good living and start a family with a reasonably pretty girl. I like gaming, I like foreign cars, and I think that I am really smart, so that is why pretty much anyone should hire me.
-Good Example; Hi, I am Thurman, and I am really excited to apply my knowledge and skills of computer science. I did the research of what your company does and is looking for, and I really think that my background in programming as well as my internships really would help me fit right in at your company. What else can I tell you about me?


Alright, the point is, look from the perspective of the person who is looking at you; if you come off nerdy, arrogant, or talk too much about yourself, you're going to turn them off. The good example above is very well-catered to the situation, and though a typical Elevator Speech will not be this customized, the elements contained include reasons that make him sound like a positive and well-qualified applicant for this position!


Grab their attention, because sometimes, you only have a few seconds! If your first impression stinks, you are already out of the running. The same goes with dating; if your pickup line stinks or is lame or even rude, you are not getting that person's attention, or you might even get slapped! Rough!


Let's just get your Elevator Speech right to make your best first impression, and try not to get slapped by people you don't know. Seriously.


-Alex

@yngprof (add me!)

Moving forward: Expecting the Unexpected!

I came across the following piece and thought it was great:

http://www.cornonthejob.com/career-advice/expect-the-unexpected-harrison-kratz-shares-details-of-his-journey/

Basically, no matter what you do, keep your head up and work hard! Your motivation, regardless of your position, can lead you onto your next big thing.

Maybe you are not enjoying your current job or you are just about to give up in your search. DON'T STOP! There is much speculation to whether or not, "it is easier to find a job when you already have one." This is a bit tricky, and the truth lies within your own personal situation: are you financially stable? If you live check to check, losing your job can be devastating. Therefore, keep your job until you can replace it. Also, if you ended employment, it can be difficult explaining why you are no longer employed at your interviews; this can be a red flag to potential employers.

Keep working in what you do have, but look at other opportunities. There is no rule or formality that says you can't get a new job at any given time! The only reason you need to move on is that you "found a better opportunity." It happens more frequently with displaced and shifted and underpaid workers everywhere. Many companies feel that they're at the top of the food chain, and that they can pay less than before, though I do not think that is reasonable; if you underpay, that person is going to jump ship on the first good opportunity that is 5 miles closer or pays $5k more a year! Take advantage of this yourself.

Is company loyalty dead? Well, it is not a question of loyalty so much as are you getting what you are giving. If not, maybe it is time to look elsewhere.

Still on the job hunt? Don't dispair! You just need to keep looking. Also, get yourself immersed in something else, be it a hobby, side project, part-time job or even volunteering. This can help you prepare for your next step too, and employers will value your motivation and work ethic on the side, as well as your ability to have a successful and healthy work/life balance.

Also, if you're still searching and not having much luck finding interviews, its TIME TO CHANGE! Change your resume, or start a linked-in profile to begin networking with people you know or have connections with. Just do something to get yourself out there! Pretend you're a sales person trying to make the big sale, because in reality, YOU are your only salesperson, and the service you're selling are your own services!

Also, consider getting a resume professionally written. Yeah, it is somewhat pricey, but think about how much money you will make because you ramp up your job search and increase your chances at finding a better fit with a company that really hits the spot for you!

Just keep moving forward; if you're motivated, you will find your place.


-Alex
(and feel free to ask questions!)

Cover Letter Importance and How to Write Yours

Well there folks, this is a key phrase when you're searching for a new gig!: ATTACH RESUME AND COVER LETTER


What the heck is a cover letter? Well it is a sheet of paper that we could compare to the hypothesis of an experiment or summary of professional paper. An introduction, to you! More basics at wiki: Wiki - cover letter link. A cover letter is sometimes a Word Document, PDF, or just spelled out in an email (more like an introduction).

Why is this important? The cover letter is mandatory if someone asks for it, because if you do not give a potential employer what they ask for right from the beginning, there is a solid chance that you will not even get a crack at an interview!

Realistically, this leaves you with two options if you are applying to numerous jobs:
1. Make a new, unique cover letter for every job that you apply to which requires a cover letter
2. Create a form-letter style cover letter that you can change select words to fit every position applied for

Depending on your approach to finding a job, one of these could be more beneficial. Making unique cover letters shows more sincerity, and if that is something valued by the reader (Human Resources), then it will pay off to spend a few minutes, if you actually want the job. If you are "spraying and praying" and sending your resume out everywhere, then the form cover letter could work just fine. Some companies use the cover letter as an introductory requirement- don't follow instructions and they can just drop your resume in the trash and move to the next! Companies have their own strategies and methods to weed people out and the name of the game is this:

First: make yourself equal. Second: set yourself apart.


A more personal, catered, and unique cover letter is going to hit the hardest, without a doubt, if someone actually reads it. There are a few other factors here, and there will always be certain aspects of the job search that are out of your control, so remember that and don't take it personally!

There are some ways that a cover letter can make you equal and set you apart, which is truly ideal. For instance, maybe your experience, per your resume, is not directly relevant or you are lacking in experience; your cover letter can help introduce why  you are a good fit, despite what may be read in your resume, giving you a chance at an interview! Score! The more personal you can be to relate with the job and why you are interested in it could attract the HR/recruiter/reader to take an interest in you, which will benefit you when you get to the interview. Score again!

My personal experience with cover letters is that writing and customizing can be cumbersome and boring, though think about the time spent. If you spend 10 minutes on a cover letter and get to the interview for a job that you really, really want, that 10 minutes will go down in history as a significant part of your approach. No more need just to get lucky; you have the power in your hands, right from the first second you are considered as a candidate!!!

I know that a few of my cover letters got me attention in the past, and got me to the second round for one job. 400 resumes of qualified applicants were received, then the cover letters and resumes were used to get to the next step, where only 10 were chosen. I was one of the 10 because of my solid cover letter + resume combo! Score for me! And just in case you were wondering, I did end up being the top candidate, and there were just 2 hired out of 400 qualified applicants. If that does not show how vital and instrumental a cover letter can be, I am unsure how much more extreme I can go yet!

By the way, if a person looking at your cover letter and resume are owners of the company, realize that these people are much more closely linked to the company than the normal employee; the owner or president or other executive views this company as HUGE part of their life, so take the cover letter seriously, and you will be rewarded for it as your potential employer could become simply your employer.


Get out there and write some cover letters and show them who you are!


-Alex