The lost art of professional self-introduction

What is it?30 second elevator speech is an introduction

speechEmphasizes your current/desired position

rather than positions that you hold previouslyUsed mostly during formal business

introductionUsed during interviews (answers to question:

“Tell me about yourself?”)

Why to have it?Well rehearsed speech

Give you a focus what needs to be saidPuts you in the right mind setBuilds your confidence

Sets tone for the conversationSpeaks volumes of your professionalismGives the listener awesome 1st impression

Two types of 30 second pitchNormal length:

Anywhere between 20 and 45 seconds: Too short – unrehearsed and uncaring Too long – boring and lacking focus

Extremely short:One sentence speech based on the audience:

For Executives – what makes the speaker exceptional

For others (interviewers, etc) – what the speaker does

Normal length speech parts• Introduction

– Name– Position

• Job that the speaker does (or aspires to do)– Don’t just say the job title

» If it is high on business ladder you look condescending

» If it is low you’d seem insignificant• Years of experience in this job and related subjects• Exceptional value sentence (if speaking to Executive)• List of personal/professional characteristics• Closing statement

– Thank for listening and/or opportunity to connect– Ask for what you want

Exceptional Value SentenceThink what makes you exceptionalThink what would make you exceptionalThink what listener considers exceptional

Use above knowledge to combine it into one sentence

List of personal/professional qualities/values• Perform self-assessment:

– What you do best– What you seek to achieve in life (vision statement)– What you consider highest qualities/values

• Write them down• Research their meaning

• Unless you really know what they mean:– You won’t know what you are talking about who you are– you won’t be able to go to the next point

• Expand each quality into one sentence

Sample of short speech– For CEO (Executives)• Hi, my name is ……... I deliver exceptional results in

projects.• This likely will lead to the listener’s question how you do

it• Your answer would be: I deliver results because for the

past 7 years I have used proven project management methodologies to resolve business problems

– For interviewers and others:• Hi, my name is …………… I am a Project Management

Professional with over 7 years of experience in IT Administration, Networking and Operations management.

• The interviewer will likely try to go into specifics of your statement

Sample of normal length speech• Hi, my name is …….. I am a Project Management

Professional with over 7 years of experience in IT Administration, Networking and Operations management.

• I deliver exceptional results because I have used proven project management methodologies and led teams to resolve business problems with on-time and under budget projects.

• My three personal values are LEADERSHIP, INTEGRITY and PERSISTENCE.– Leadership because I inspire excellence and lead by

example– Integrity because I believe in honesty and sense of duty– Persistence because I am a leader with clear goals and a

vision• Thank you for taking your time and I would appreciate if

we could schedule a job interview.

ChallengeComplete the following excercisePractice it aloneRun it through your mentor, spouse or a

friendRefine and polish itUse oftenUpdate when necessary (your priorities or

desires might change over time)

30 seconds elevator speech exercise

Hi, my name is ____________________________________________. I have been working as

______________________________________________________ for the last _____________

years (or months) in ___________________________, ________________________________,

and __________________________________ (capacity, job roles, job descriptions, positions).

I ________________________________________________________ (say what you do best)

because I _________________________________________________________________ and

___________________________________________ (explain why you do it better than others).

My three _________________________________ (personal/professional) values are

______________________________________(1), ________________________________(2)

and ___________________________________(3).

(1)____________________________________________________________________ (Explain

why number 1 is your most important value)

(2)____________________________________________________________________ (Explain

why number 2 is your second most important value)

(3)____________________________________________________________________ (Explain

why number 3 is your third most important value)

Thank you for your time and I would like to ______________________ (ask, give, invite, etc) to

__________________________________________ (job interview, business meeting, etc)