“Tell me about yourself.”
Have you ever been caught off guard by those four little words? Whether you are at a party, networking event or just taking a ride in the elevator, there are plenty of opportunities to come across someone who may ask about your professional background.
“At any given moment, you never know who you may be talking to or who that person knows, so when asked about yourself and what you do, you really want to intrigue your ‘audience’,” says Anne Lynch, Kforce National Sales Champion.
The key is to have your elevator pitch prepared.
Elevator pitch (noun) \ˈe-lə-ˌvā-tər\ \’pich\
- An individual value proposition
- A short, impromptu conversation that highlights the high points of an individual’s professional career, including benefits provided to a company and values an individual can bring to an organization
Takeaways:
Whether you are looking for a job or just an opportunity to network, Kforce has mapped out the basics of delivering an elevator pitch. By following the steps below, you can begin to craft your own elevator pitch:
Step 1: Provide your name and title (or previous job title).
Step 2: Name the company you work(ed) for.
Step 3: Explain your role and the benefits and value you bring (or brought) to the company.
Step 4: Provide any unique elements of your role, outstanding accomplishments or skills.
Step 5: Prepare a call to action. Always have business cards on hand, and in certain situations, you may even ask someone if they would like a copy of your resume. If you are networking for a job, ask if there is anyone else you could speak to that may be interested in your background
Don’t get caught off guard – it is essential to prepare and practice your elevator pitch, as well as, remain self-assured in describing your accomplishments.