by Angela Copeland | Dec 9, 2013 | Advice, Elevator Pitch, Networking, Newsletter
The holidays are officially upon us! If you’ve been wanting to find a new job, you may think the best thing you can do is wait until the new year. Not true! The holiday season presents a number of great opportunities to network with existing contacts and make new ones.
But before you venture out, you should take a little time to perfect your pitch. Many of the job seekers I’ve worked with have never heard of this concept. The idea behind an elevator pitch is this– If you had the good fortune of riding in an elevator with someone important who could potentially help you (think the head of a company or a hiring manager), what would you say in the time it takes to ride in an elevator?
An elevator pitch should be very clear and very brief (30 to 60 seconds), and should contain the following:
- Who you are
- What you do
- Why would you be good at the job you want to do
Even if you aren’t talking to a hiring manager, use this same format when you talk to friends or networking contacts who may be able to help you. It gives them a picture of what you’re looking for, so they can help you.
I recently met with a recent graduate from my Alma Mater of Pepperdine. He’s looking for a job, and although I didn’t know him, I was willing to meet with him because of the connection. He was smart with a good resume and was looking for help identifying jobs to apply for. So I asked him, “What sort of job are you looking for?” The answer he gave is one you never want to give: “I would like any kind of job. You know, in any area of business. Doing anything. I’m a really hard worker, and whatever it is, I can do it – and do it well.” In reality, this recent graduate was no doubt trying to be open to experiences. He was trying to cast his net wide to gain as many potential opportunities as possible.
The problem with this approach however is that it gives the impression that you have no direction. You don’t know what you want, and frankly, you might be desperate. Your friends and contacts have no idea which way to point you, and it could be a bit risky for them too. After all, if they find a hot job lead for you, it will probably be related to their own work in some way. They might know the hiring manager personally, or it could be at the company that they work for. Either way, they are putting their own reputation on the line when they recommend you. In the end, by casting your net so wide, you will actually find less opportunities. Your network of contacts will not want to risk their credibility on someone who can’t explain what they want to do.
With that in mind, it’s time to perfect your pitch. Here are a few tips:
- Come up with a specific idea(s) of what you want to do. If you have 2 or 3 very different ideas, that’s okay. But you will need to develop 2 or 3 pitches, and select which one to use when.
- Write down your pitch. Writing it down will help you to organize your thoughts and minimize rambling when the time does come to give your pitch. The entire thing should take up less than one sheet of paper. Typically, a typed double spaced piece of paper will take you about a minute to read. Keep it under this length.
- Ensure you are answering the three questions: a. who you are, b. what you do, and c. why you’d be perfect for this job
- Speak in straight forward, simple terms. This is not the time to display all the fancy words that you picked up while studying at that college of yours. Focus your time on answering the questions at hand, not showcasing your vocabulary.
- Be prepared to adjust your pitch. Remember, the idea behind a pitch is that you may randomly meet someone who could be very helpful. This could be in an airport, at a party, or walking down the street. You never know. Be ready to change up the contents of your pitch to fit with the other person. For example, if you have 3 very different pitches, give the one that is the most closely related to the person you’re pitching to.
Being able to customize your pitch on the spot comes with practice. Learning to pitch yourself is like learning to hit a golf ball or play the piano. The more you do it, the more natural it becomes.
When I was in graduate school, I took my own pitch practice to the extreme. My school was located near Los Angeles, and there happened to be a number of national conferences going on in LA that year. Each conference hosted a career fair, and would charge a small fee (~$40) to attend the fair (but not the conference). Each had about 300 employer booths. I would spend an entire day going from booth to booth, giving my pitch over and over to every recruiter. It took hours. It was exhausting. But in the end, I was prepared. I could pitch any type of employer on my background at the drop of a hat. I’m an introvert, so forcing myself to go through this exercise helped to build up my stamina for talking to people about my career interests for long periods of time. This comes in handy later when you find yourself in an 8-hour interview.
If you don’t have the opportunity to attend a giant career fair, there’s still hope. My first suggestion is to start with an older relative or parent who doesn’t work in your industry. I started out my career in technology, so I would often pitch my ideas to my mother, who is a musician. Our fields were so vastly different that if she could understand my pitch, I knew that I had nailed it. You will not always pitch to someone who knows what you do. As a matter of fact, it’s rare. You’ll be talking to someone who knows someone. In my personal example, I was pitching to HR recruiters at the career fairs.
Once your initial practice runs are complete, it’s time to get out in front of people you don’t know. Look up networking events in your area on sites like LinkedIn and Meetup.com. Consider a wide variety of events such as young professional events, industry specific meetups, or cocktail parties. Attending different types of events will allow you to meet different types of people, in different industries, and from different age groups.
But before you go, be prepared. Don’t be shy about giving your pitch. It’s just like introducing yourself, but a bit more advanced. After some practice, it will feel more natural. In the meantime though, fake confidence if you have to.
And, don’t forget your business cards! What’s the use of giving your pitch if the person doesn’t know how to contact you afterward? It’s easy to say, “I’d love to give you one of my cards” or “Here’s one of my cards” or “Do you have a card?”
You get the idea. Good luck, and remember – practice makes perfect!
Happy hunting!
Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach
by Angela Copeland | Dec 2, 2013 | Advice, Informational Interviewing, Networking, Newsletter
About 90% of the candidates I work with have not heard of informational interviewing. Of those who have heard of it, I’ve almost never come across anyone who’s tried it. Here’s what it is, and why it’s important in your job search.
Informational interviewing is defined as “a meeting in which a job seeker asks for career and industry advice rather than employment.” It’s an opportunity to sit down with someone who currently works in the field, or (even better) the company that you’re interested to work for in the future. It gives you the chance to learn more about the career path that you’re interested in. Its awesomeness as a networking opportunity should not be understated either.
Setting up an informational interview isn’t hard. If you know the person you’d like to talk to, simply give them a call or e-mail them with your request. If you don’t know them yet, ask a friend to introduce you or reach out via e-mail or LinkedIn. Explain that you’re trying to learn more about their industry, and they seem like a great person to learn from. Make it clear that you will only take up a predetermined amount of time. 30 minutes is fairly standard. Offer to take them for coffee or meet via phone at a time that is convenient to them.
The key in getting a meeting is to cater to the other person’s schedule. Realize that their time is valuable, and you’re getting something you need: information and face time. This is not the time to be rigid in your scheduling. If they only have availability that conflicts with something you had planned, consider reorganizing your own schedule.
When you do land the meeting, be prepared. Come with a list of ten questions that you can pull from as needed. Ask the person about their typical day, about challenges in the industry, and how they broke into the industry.
Do not ask the person if they will hire you. Do not ask how much they make. And certainly, do not ask them to find a job for you. None of these are the purpose of your meeting. You’re trying to learn more about the person, and their job. People don’t mind sharing about their own job. But, when you start to ask about a job for you, you’re really crossing the line and asking for a favor the person didn’t sign up for. On the flip side, if they voluntarily tell you about a position they’re hiring for, go for it!
I’d like to share a success story with you to demonstrate the power of informational interviewing. I recently set a job seeker, Brittany, up for an informational interview. She is interested in marketing, so I set her up for an informational interview with a friend who works at an advertising agency in Memphis.
What happened next blows me away. Not surprisingly, their meeting was successful. Then, my friend introduced Brittany to the entire advertising agency and gave her a tour of the office. Last, my friend promised to introduce Brittany to her contacts at 8 other organizations. That’s right, 8!
Can you imagine how your network might grow if you begin to reach out to professionals in your community this way? They will offer you advice that will be valuable in your search. They also may begin to introduce you to their network, or help you look for a job.
The level of success of an informational interview will be determined both by you, the other person, and honestly, how well you ‘click’ with them. Know that every informational interview will not turn out as great as Brittany’s, but you will gain something valuable from each one.
by Angela Copeland | Oct 21, 2013 | Advice, Resume Writing
Having a great resume won’t get you the job, but having a bad one will prevent you from getting an interview at all. The purpose of your resume is to quickly tell a story about your career, who you are, and what you’re looking for next. It helps potential employers determine if you’re a fit, and your network to scope out new opportunities.
If you’re thinking of looking for a new job, updating your resume is the first place you should start. Ideally, keep your resume up to date even when you’re NOT looking, so that you’re prepared when something great comes along.
Many clients that I work with are unsure of where to begin. Compiling your life’s work on one or two pages is stressful and can cause many people to avoid creating a resume altogether. The good news is that once you have a solid resume, maintaining it is fairly simple. Think of the initial painful setup as an investment (in your future!).
Here are five tips to get you started:
- Look at other resumes for samples, and then create your own. Stuffing your career history into a ready made template can often look awkward, and can be hard to update with your details.
- Include your objective or profile statement. Many candidates forget this section (or avoid it). The objective communicates what kind of job you’re looking for to potential employers. It’s essential.
- Keep your resume to one or two pages max. Beyond two pages, nobody will read it and you will look unfocused. If you’ve been working less than three years, keep it to one page. Beyond that, you can go with one or two pages.
- Do not use fonts smaller than 9 point. Employers don’t want to strain to read your resume. Cut the details down to what’s really important and you won’t need to squeeze so much onto the page.
- Include measurable results. Explain your impact in terms of quantifiable numbers. How many people did you manage? How much money did you save? How many campaigns did you work on? How much did you exceed your goals? Putting numbers alongside your experience magnifies your impact.
I hope these tips have helped you. Check back at CopelandCoaching.com for more resume tips.
by Angela Copeland | Oct 14, 2013 | Advice
You’ve probably noticed the quote on the front page of CopelandCoaching.com. It says, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Wayne Gretzky, the famous hockey star used this quote to describe sports. It’s also very relevant in your job search.
Many of my clients tell me that they often don’t apply to jobs they’re interested in because they’re not qualified. When I ask them to explain, they describe that they were a fit for 8 out of the 10 job requirements, but don’t have experience in the remaining 2. By not applying, they are automatically removing themselves from consideration. The hiring manager doesn’t even know they exist.
Unless you live in a very large city, finding the perfect job candidate can be hard work for a hiring manager. They often scour their local market for weeks if not months for a candidate who can do most of the things they’re looking for.
When a hiring manager creates a job description, they’re listing all the qualities they’d like to have in the “perfect” candidate. Hiring managers know the likelihood they’ll find someone who can meet 10 out of 10 of their requirements is quite low. And, the interesting thing is… they’re okay with that.
In reality, there may be certain requirements of the 10 that are more important to the manager than others. If you can’t fulfill the most important requirement or requirements, you may be looked over. But, if you can perform the top 5 very well, and you know about at least 3 of the others, you may be considered. The 2 things you don’t know about may be something the manager either doesn’t really need, or would be willing to teach you.
You’ll never know which of the 10 things the hiring manager needs the most. The only way to find out if you could be a fit is to apply. Let the hiring manager take you out of consideration.
If you think you can do a job and you’d like it, apply. What’s the worst that could happen? Remember, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
by Angela Copeland | Oct 13, 2013 | Advice, Business Cards
In an earlier post, I mentioned the importance of business cards. This is a point that can’t be overstated, so I want to touch on it again. Business cards are an essential part of your job search process. Not having a job is no excuse for not having a business card.
One of the most important steps to finding a new job is to network. Successful networking involves meeting new people, and meeting new people involves exchanging contact information. It is far more embarrassing to write your name and phone number on a napkin at a bar (for a potential employer) than to hand them a crisp, new, custom business card.
The card can be simple. If you’re out of work or thinking of switching careers, start with the following:
- Your name
- Your phone number
- Your e-mail address
You can also add your address, your website’s URL, or your job title (“marketing consultant” for example). Some people even create a personal logo, although I would caution you to not use too many graphics or too much color unless you have a design background. The last thing that you want is a completely homemade looking card.
Once you have an idea of what you want your card to look like, log onto one of the many sites where you can order business cards. A few that I have tried in the past are GotPrint.com, VistaPrint.com, and FedEx.com.
Even nice cards should cost you less than $50. This is more than worth the investment when it comes to finding your next job. Some sites (Vista Print in particular) offer an option to print cards for free. If you print free cards, Vista Print will put their website on the back or bottom of your card. I would encourage you to try to pull together the $50 to pay for premium cards at Vista Print or one of the other sites. They look more professional and minimize the chances that you’re going to look either inexperienced or desperate for a new job.
Once you have your business cards, TAKE THEM WITH YOU. Everywhere. Do not leave home without them. Ever. I keep business cards in my purse, my car, my wallet, my jacket, and any other place with a pocket. I don’t ever want to miss a networking opportunity, and if you are looking for a job, neither should you.
Last but not least, don’t forget to give your business cards away. Don’t be shy. That’s what they’re for. Most people will give you theirs in return. And if they don’t, it’s probably because they don’t have one and are too embarrassed to write their phone number on a napkin.
by Angela Copeland | Sep 1, 2013 | Advice, Informational Interviewing, Networking
About 90% of the candidates that I work with have not heard of at informational interviewing. Of those who have heard of it, I’ve almost never come across anyone who’s tried it. Here’s what it is, and why it’s important in your job search.
Wikipedia defines an informational interview as “a meeting in which a job seeker asks for career and industry advice rather than employment.” It’s an opportunity to sit down with someone who currently works in the field, or (even better) the company that you’re interested to work for in the future. It gives you the opportunity to learn more about the career path that you’re interested in. Its awesomeness as a networking opportunity should not be understated either.
Setting up an informational interview isn’t hard. If you know the person you’d like to talk to, simply give them a call or e-mail them with your request. If you don’t know them yet, ask a friend to introduce you or reach out via e-mail or LinkedIn. Explain that you’re trying to learn more about their industry, and they seem like a great person to learn from. Make it clear that you will only take up a predetermined amount of time. 30 minutes is fairly standard. Offer to take them for coffee or meet via phone at a time that is convenient to them.
The key in getting a meeting is to cater to the other person’s schedule. Realize that their time is valuable, and you are getting something that you need: information and face time. This is not the time to be rigid in your scheduling. If they only have availability that conflicts with something you had planned, consider reorganizing your own plans.
When you do land the meeting, be prepared. Come with a list of ten questions that you can pull from as needed. Ask the person about their typical day, about challenges in the industry, and in how they broke into the industry.
Do not ask the person if they will hire you. Do not ask how much they make. And certainly, do not ask them to find a job for you. None of these are the purpose of your meeting. You’re trying to learn more about the person, and their job. People don’t mind sharing about their own job. But, when you start to ask about a job for you, you’re really crossing the line and asking for a favor that the person didn’t sign up for. On the flip side, if they voluntarily tell you about a position they’re hiring for, go for it!
I’d like to share a success story with you to demonstrate the power of informational interviewing. As part of my coaching with the Volunteer Odyssey program, I set each job seeker up for one informational interview. I select someone in the community who works in the same field that the Volunteer Odyssey participant aspires to work in. One of these job seekers was Brittany. Brittany is interested in marketing, so I set her up for an informational interview with a friend who works at an advertising agency in Memphis.
What happened next blows me away. Not surprisingly, their meeting was successful. Then, my friend introduced Brittany to the entire advertising agency and gave her a tour of the office. Last, my friend promised to introduce Brittany to her contacts at 8 other organizations. That’s right, 8!
Can you imagine how your network might grow if you begin to reach out to professionals in your community this way? They will offer you advice that will be valuable in your search. They also may begin to introduce you to their network, or help you look for a job.
The level of success of an informational interview will be determined both by you, the other person, and honestly, how well you ‘click’ with them. Know that every informational interview will not turn out as great as Brittany’s, but you will gain something valuable from each one.
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