Elevator speech? 30 second commercial? The dreaded interview question "Tell me about yourself". Here are a few guidelines to help you prepare.
Start by asking yourself: 1) What are my key strengths? 2) How do my instructors and supervisors describe me? 3) What do I want to let others know about me? 4) Why am I interested in this person or his/her company or industry?
Next, outline your 30 second commercial. 1) Who am I? What do I have to offer? 2) What are the main contributions I can make? 3) What do I want the listener to do as a result of hearing this?
Now, finalize your 30 second commercial. 1) Take each note you made and write a sentence about it. For example: "I have good leadership skills and people seem to look to me for answers." 2) Take each of your sentences and connect them, adding words and phrases to help them flow. For example: I'm an international business major at Wichita State University and will graduate in December. I have good leadership skills and people seem to look to me for answers. I'm excited about what I've heard about your leadership development program and would like to know more about it." 3) Go back through what you wrote and cut out any long or unnecessary words and any jargon. 4) Finalize your speech making it no longer than 30 to 90 seconds.
Here might be the hardest part. Memorize as much of your speech as you can, but focus on making it sound spontaneous and fresh each time you use it.
There you go. The next time you have the opportunity to do some networking or the next time an interviewer says "So tell me about yourself", you're ready.
So. . .tell me about yourself! Email me at jan.mead@wichita.edu to try out your 30 second commercial on me.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Follow up!
How to follow up with an employer you met at last week's career fair, or at any networking opportunity, may seem like one of life's great mysteries. The same holds true when you submit a resume. If you follow up are you going to be annoying and destroy forever your chances of being hired by a particular company or recruiter? On the other hand, if you don't follow up do you risk going into that deep dark hole, never to be seen again? What is that so called happy medium?
One thing I learned from an employer is don't call and say "I'm calling to follow up on my resume (or the career fair last week)." As this recruiter put it, "if you're going to take my time, be ready to play" -- in other words be prepared to tell her why it would benefit her to look at you as a viable candidate for employment.
Follow up requires preparation. This is a time when your 30 second introduction will come in handy. Prepare your own script, but here's an example:
“Ms. Smith, I was referred to you by Adam Long, of your recruiting team, who I met at the career fair at Wichita State last week. I will graduate in December with a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering. My cumulative gpa is 3.7. I have worked two summer internships with other aircraft manufacturing companies in Wichita. As President of Engineering Council at WSU, I've demonstrated strong leadership skills. I have applied online and I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself to you, as Mr. Long recommended. Your organization is at the top of my list of places I'd like to begin my engineering career because of your excellent reputation and innovative products. Thank you for your time today. May I provide you with any additional information?”
It's scary to follow up. It puts you right out there. On the other hand, follow up transforms you from an electronic record or paper resume to a real person. Now, that's a good thing.
One thing I learned from an employer is don't call and say "I'm calling to follow up on my resume (or the career fair last week)." As this recruiter put it, "if you're going to take my time, be ready to play" -- in other words be prepared to tell her why it would benefit her to look at you as a viable candidate for employment.
Follow up requires preparation. This is a time when your 30 second introduction will come in handy. Prepare your own script, but here's an example:
“Ms. Smith, I was referred to you by Adam Long, of your recruiting team, who I met at the career fair at Wichita State last week. I will graduate in December with a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering. My cumulative gpa is 3.7. I have worked two summer internships with other aircraft manufacturing companies in Wichita. As President of Engineering Council at WSU, I've demonstrated strong leadership skills. I have applied online and I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself to you, as Mr. Long recommended. Your organization is at the top of my list of places I'd like to begin my engineering career because of your excellent reputation and innovative products. Thank you for your time today. May I provide you with any additional information?”
It's scary to follow up. It puts you right out there. On the other hand, follow up transforms you from an electronic record or paper resume to a real person. Now, that's a good thing.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Are you ready for the Fall Career Fair? Come on. . .are you really ready?
Do you have lots (as in 30) copies of your recently critiqued resume printed on bond paper and ready to hand out? Do you also have lots of your business cards to hand out to employers who can't accept resumes? Have you researched the employers of interest to you and are you ready to offer your 30 second commercial to them?
Is your suit pressed and your shoes shined? Don't forget your shirt -- it needs to be pressed also.
Do you remember your manners? Employers paid a chunk of change to come to the Career Fair to meet you. Be sure and say thank you to them for coming and for taking time to talk with you. Remember, although some recruiters may not have immediate openings they will attend the career fair knowing their situation may change and they may have openings tomorrow -- or next week -- sometime in the future.
We'll see you Thursday at the Career Fair. We're looking forward to it. Hope you are too!
~jan
Oh. . .just in case you forgot to get your resume critiqued, we'll be doing walkins tomorrow and Wednesday morning.
Do you have lots (as in 30) copies of your recently critiqued resume printed on bond paper and ready to hand out? Do you also have lots of your business cards to hand out to employers who can't accept resumes? Have you researched the employers of interest to you and are you ready to offer your 30 second commercial to them?
Is your suit pressed and your shoes shined? Don't forget your shirt -- it needs to be pressed also.
Do you remember your manners? Employers paid a chunk of change to come to the Career Fair to meet you. Be sure and say thank you to them for coming and for taking time to talk with you. Remember, although some recruiters may not have immediate openings they will attend the career fair knowing their situation may change and they may have openings tomorrow -- or next week -- sometime in the future.
We'll see you Thursday at the Career Fair. We're looking forward to it. Hope you are too!
~jan
Oh. . .just in case you forgot to get your resume critiqued, we'll be doing walkins tomorrow and Wednesday morning.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Dress to Impress
"Dress to impress!" What does that mean? Let's start with what it doesn't mean: wrinkled clothing, trendy outfits more appropriate for a Friday night out than for meeting employers (think too much skin showing as in low cut tops or short shorts or skirts--or too tight to be comfortable items), the distressed look, t-shirts, workout clothes, flip flops, any kind of smell other than bath soap.
Show me a job seeker in a well pressed business suit and shirt, dark socks (neutral color hoisery for women), polished and shined dress shoes--I get so excited I want to capture the moment with a photo for our website. Say cheese!
Business style trousers or khakis, a dress shirt and tie for men; dress shirt or blouse for women along with trousers or a skirt no shorter than knee length--that's almost as good. Nice trousers or khakis and a polo style shirt also works.
Bottom line -- you want to impress employers . . .in a positive way. That might take some effort. Good things do.
~jan
Show me a job seeker in a well pressed business suit and shirt, dark socks (neutral color hoisery for women), polished and shined dress shoes--I get so excited I want to capture the moment with a photo for our website. Say cheese!
Business style trousers or khakis, a dress shirt and tie for men; dress shirt or blouse for women along with trousers or a skirt no shorter than knee length--that's almost as good. Nice trousers or khakis and a polo style shirt also works.
Bottom line -- you want to impress employers . . .in a positive way. That might take some effort. Good things do.
~jan
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