RP
re so u r c e PA R T N E R S
CAND I DATE Qu estions What is a Career Elevator Speech? Sales professionals know and understand what the “Elevator Speech” is. An elevator speech is a concise and carefully worded statement used by sales professionals to: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Describe their product or service . Outline the intended market or customer. Describe what problem it resolves. How it benefits the person they are speaking to.
For sales professionals the theory goes something like this: If you get on the elevator at the ground floor with a potential prospect, you must be able to communicate your “sales message” briefly and effectively. By the time the sales prospect reaches their destination, they have a strong snapshot of you, your product/service, and why they should consider doing business with you.
PHONE 702.248.1028 FA X 702.367.4802 EMAIL Info@CareerInsider.co m WEB www.Care erInsider.com
Employment surveys state that networking is the most likely means of discovering a new job opportunity. It would definitely pay for job seekers to develop their own “career elevator speech”. Job seekers must see the similarities between the traditional sales person’s elevator speech and their own career elevator speech. Recently, we interviewed a senior level executive. He was also interviewing with several key competitors of our client. He admitted that he simply had stumbled onto one significant potential opportunity as a result of meeting their CEO in line at Starbucks. Career opportunities can appear when you least expect them. Knowing and understanding the elements of your career elevator speech are essential.
The traditional elevator speech elements may be modified as follows: 1. 2.
3.
4.
Describe yourself (You are now the “product or service”.) Be able to outline your benefit statement to the particular industry or company. Describe how you have solved a specific problem or detail a significant career accomplishment. Tie this problem solution or accomplishment into a current problem or challenge faced by the target company.
This may take a bit more finesse and practice. You may have to tailor it more specifically in certain cases, but the results will be the same. A concise and well rehearsed career “elevator speech” will always be an excellent entry point in discovering new employment opportunities. William (Bill) A. Werksman is the Managing Partner and Principal Shareholder in Resource Partners. A skilled professional recruiter and advocate for his clients, Bill has personally completed hundreds of searches while managing a staff of full time recruiters. Bill is experienced in all facets of executive search including compensation analysis and executive development training. Mr. Werksman has built strong relationships within the local and national gaming community based on his respect and understanding of the recruitment process and its core importance to corporate development. Bill understands that leadership and intellectual capital are the prime source of competitive advantage.