When you meet people in your job search, talking about yourself can feel awkward. What are you supposed to say?! But it’s a great opportunity to share your goals, and to ask for their input or contacts. So, let’s jump in.
Start by developing a strong “elevator pitch”. This speech should be so short and to the point that you could ride up an elevator with someone, and by the time they get off, you’ve told them everything they need to know about you. Aim for between 30 and 60 seconds.
Here’s how to create your own:
Introduce yourself: your name, and—if you’re employed—where you work.
Then share a short description of your best strengths. This could include skills, personal qualities, special training, or a credential, like a certificate, or degree. Be sure to include something unique about yourself.
Let the person know what you’re looking for—the kind of job, and the type of organization. If you want to work in a specific location, add that too.
Finally, end by asking for specific help, like job openings they know of, a contact in your field or at a particular company, or how to improve your qualifications. End with a question so your contact has something to respond to.
Here’s an example:
Hi, I’m Alex. I’m a lab technician at MedLabs with a recent certification in hematology. I specialize in combining high-precision sample processing with patient-focused care. I'm looking to move to a hospital or clinic downtown where I can apply my skills and learn more about AI diagnostics. Would you know of any upcoming hiring or know someone in the major healthcare systems I might connect with? Thank you!
You can use an introduction like this when you meet a networking contact, or in email or social media connections. And if you’re asked to “Tell me about yourself” in a job interview, you're all set.
Talking about yourself in your job search is this easy. And when you prepare an elevator pitch, you will feel more confident in your networking and achieve better results.
For more ideas about networking, visit CareerOneStop.org