Pick up an old job-search advice book and you will probably come across a chapter on creating an elevator speech.
The idea was to prepare a 90-second monologue that highlighted your key qualifications and selling points. If you ever came face-to-face with a hiring manager (riding an elevator down to the lobby in a professional building, for instance), you could launch into your speech with confidence.
Elevator speeches were popular when people pounded the pavement to meet employers. Job-seekers buttoned up their business suits, loaded a briefcase with resumes and traveled throughout the region to tout their skills to managers.
These days, it is more likely that you will meet your next boss through online referrals and networking than in a person-to-person meeting.
To keep up with the times, the old-fashioned elevator speech has been transformed from a lengthy monologue into a concise e-mail message. Even so, the concept is the same. Your words must contain the same confidence and appeal that they did when introductions lasted for a full 90 seconds. Describe yourself and your background in a clear, succinct manner. Capture attention. Show the employer that you will improve the business from your first day on the job.
How do you cram all of this information into a brief e-mail statement? Remember that you aren’t writing an overture or presenting a formal speech about your attributes. Instead, your message will probably be part of a larger e-mail conversation, giving you an opportunity to interject a few tidbits about your career history and talents without coming across as brash or overbearing.
The interaction may happen in this way: Your friend Jim Smith, who works for a design firm, thinks that you would be a great addition to the team. He writes a message to his boss about your background and experience, and tells her that you will be contacting the company in a few days to introduce yourself.
Two or three days later, you enter into the conversation. Your first message should be very short, but appealing and well written. Use appropriate language for business, including full sentences and correct spelling. Don’t forget to attach your resume to the message. Here’s a breakdown:
Begin your note by mentioning your referral source by name to remind the boss that you were invited to submit your information. Follow up with a self-assured but unassuming statement about the manager’s needs. Try this: “I am glad that Jim Smith told you about my design experience. He mentioned that your team might benefit from a hard-working project manager and designer.”
You can flaunt a little bit in the next sentences as long as you stick with the facts. Like this: “My projects have brought in millions of dollars for my clients in the past five years. I am comfortable working with limited budgets and always manage to exceed revenue expectations — despite economic trends.” Craft a simple closing, like this: “My resume is attached. I hope to speak with you soon.”
No monologues. No pounding the pavement. Just a short, professional e-mail message and powerhouse resume to close the deal. Remember, at this point in your job search, your objective is to land a meeting. Start with a great introduction.
Eve Nicholas can be reached at Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com.
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