First Impressions - How To Deliver A Professional 30-Second Elevator Pitch (Page 5 of 6) in pdf

Ivy Tech tips: Again, this may require more than a sentence but no more than three sentences.

Specifically describe what makes you different from other people with your education and experience

and what makes you the best at what you do. Think about how you would answer the following

interview question, “Why should I hire you?” Another way to think of this is how will you do the job

better than anyone else? What is the single most important attribute (skill, ability, experience,

education, characteristic) that sets you apart from others? If you are able, quantify it. For example,

“My education provides me with a thorough knowledge of current accounting practices and computer

accounting programs. Serving as the Student Government Treasurer has given me the opportunity to use

that knowledge to manage our $40,000 student program budget.”

Step 4: Your Call to Action

Write a single sentence that lets people know what the next step is that they need to take in order to work with

you. Our Financial Advisor might say, “Contact me to arrange a complimentary one-hour consultation to

discuss your retirement goals and talk about how you can finally achieve financial security.

Ivy Tech tips: You might want to indicate that you are interested in working for the person you are

speaking with and offer your resume. For example, Step 4 might look like this, “I am interested in

working at your organization and would like to share with you my resume that further highlights my

professional skills and accomplishments, along with my educational achievements.” Or, if you have

printed networking cards, you might offer the card with your contact information as a means to reach

you. Further action ideas: Ask an engaging question, such as “What advice do you have for me?”, “Do

you know any employers I should be contacting?”, “Will you provide me three other contacts in the

field so I may obtain further advice?”, or “May I call you for an interview?”. BE SURE TO ASK FOR

A BUSINESS CARD! Step 4 could also look like this, “Please accept my resume. May I have your

business card and may I call you for an interview and recommendations for other employers to

contact?”

Putting It All Together:

“I am Jenny Jobseeker, an Accounting student at Ivy Tech Community College where I have completed

coursework in Income Tax, Payroll, and Cost Accounting. I am presently employed part-time as a

customer service representative at XYZ Company where I practice strong communication skills daily. I

also carry a 3.8 GPA and am active in the Student Government Association at Ivy Tech where I serve as

the Treasurer. My goal is to begin my career as a staff accountant to make the best use of my skills and

education. My education has provided me with a thorough knowledge of current accounting practices

and computer accounting programs. Serving as the Student Government Treasurer has given me the

opportunity to use that knowledge to manage our $40,000 student program budget. I am interested in

working at your organization and would like to share with you my resume that further highlights my

professional skills and accomplishments, along with my educational achievements. May I have your

business card and may I call you for an interview and recommendations for other employers to

contact?”

Useful Internet Sites:

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First Impressions - How To Deliver A Professional 30-Second Elevator Pitch Page 5