Developing your Elevator Pitch

Recently I was made aware of a great free site offered by the Harvard Business School which helps you develop your elevator pitch: www.alumni.hbs.edu/careers/pitch.

Everyone needs an elevator pitch, whether you are looking for a new job, starting a business, applying for college or in an existing role where you need to promote yourself or your brand.
This site guides you through developing your pitch with 4 rules:

• Who are you--what would you want the listener to remember about you?

• What you do--your tag line; helps the listener understand how you or your company would add value

• Why you are unique--what you or your company does that is unique or better than others

• Describe your immediate goal--clearly explaining what you are asking the listener for

Elevator pitches should be approximately 60 seconds in length. This site lets you craft your pitch and then it analyzes it based on number of words, approximate length of time and how many words were repeated multiple times. You are also provided with suggested word choices to keep it interesting. Once you review and edit your pitch, you can then email it to yourself to practice, practice, practice!

If you need help with your pitch--check this out!

Get out of your bubble and blog!

Here I am....blogging! Who would have thought months ago I would be doing this? I was working full time and in a bubble.....work/home/life; --repeat--work/home/life--repeat--not at all aware of what was going on outside of my little life bubble. Then a change occurs and you have time to open your eyes and see what you have been missing.

Most of those working full time for a company don't have time to attend networking meetings, volunteer with organizations or to blog. They get sucked in to the daily life of working for a company and trying to manage all the internal drama that goes with it. You become focused on what is in front of you and you become isolated from the world around you. Especially when you work for a larger company and you lose control of your own schedule. It is what happened to me---what a mistake!

I was downsized, and now I have the time to research and join groups and associations I want to get involved with while searching for a job. I am enjoying the freedom to explore and learn new things and meet some great people who are sharing their knowledge. It is refreshing to meet people who are doing what they want to do and are happy doing it! They are controlling their lives. It inspired me to begin blogging to tell my story and share my knowledge. Blogging is a great way to become an expert in an area you have interest and grow your personal brand, and while searching for a job become noticed for what you can bring to the table of a future employer.

This is the lesson--don't lose control of yourself when working for someone else. It is very easy to do when trying to climb the corporate ladder and do "the right thing". Stay true to who you are and continue to network even when working full time. It keeps you in touch with the outside world and you will be inspired to keep growing and learning. Start a blog and share your knowledge and story. All the information you can share will help you grow your business and your own personal brand, and keep you connected (even from your bubble.)

Protect Your Brand(s)

Who would have thought we need to worry about our personal brand? Most people don't realize they even have a brand, but we all do. Everything we say or do, or tweet or text represents our brand. It is our reputation and how others remember us. In this digital world, it is always with you (and it doesn't go away), so we all need to be conscious of how we are branding ourselves.

Companies also need to be aware of how their employer brand is reflected. From selling a product or service to attracting or repelling the targeted candidates, the employer brand has a huge impact on a business' success. Bad press or a bad experience on a company website may lose a customer or top talent for good. I know when I visit a website and have a great experience I am more apt to re-visit the site and tell my friends about it. When I visit a site as a job seeker and the process to apply for a job is clear, and the description reflects the company culture, I am attracted to the company and am more inclined to apply and be excited about the opportunity. If I have difficulties getting through the process or find it cumbersome or unclear, I question whether this is a company for me.

Blogging is a fantastic way to promote both your personal and employer brand. Personally, a blog reflects what you are thinking and is a way to get your message, ideas, and personality out there. In a job search is an effective way to promote your skill set and expertise. A great marketing tool! By reading company blogs I get an immediate feel for the culture and gain more respect for the company. We get insights on how they operate, what they are thinking and what it is like to work there. Also an effective marketing and recruiting tool! A company that blogs is putting their brand out there and isn't afraid to reflect who they are and gain followers who can easily find them through search engines. A necessity for any company that wants to compete.

With social media taking off, personal and employer branding are key components to future success. We all need to be aware of how our brands are represented and make sure we are managing and protecting them. Take the time to think about your brands, those who do and make it a priority will have an advantage in this digital world.

The Social Networking Piece of the Job Search Puzzle

As someone who has entered the category of job seeker, it has been an interesting few months re-learning how to look for a job. Granted, my background is in recruiting, so I am more aware than most on job searching, but when put in the situation to look for a job yourself, (and you haven't done it in awhile) it is a bit different. What I have learned is social networking needs to be one piece of the job search puzzle--either as part of your job search strategy, or as your only strategy.

When you begin a job search there are different approaches you can take. Some go the more traditional, conservative route: put together a resume, look for and apply to positions on-line, and maybe contact an executive recruiter to help you in your search. Previously, this may have been enough for you to find your dream job. Very little social networking is involved in this approach---it is more of send out lots of resumes and hope one sticks. Even today, there are many industries where this is how you find a job.

Another approach is a combination of using the traditional resume and the on-line job boards, as well as doing more networking both in person and on-line (social networking). More and more companies look for candidates outside of the normal channels. It may be a referral from a current employee or through a connection on linkedin. I believe linkedin is the most important social networking tool you can use in your on-line job search. Making connections and having your profile reflect who you are and what you are looking for is key to being noticed. Attending networking events is also a great way to make connections-- you may connect with someone who can refer you to a company that is hiring. We all know it is an "employer's market"---lots of high quality candidates available for fewer open positions. Getting your resume in front of the hiring decision maker through an employee referral,a linkedin referral or from a trusted member of a professional network is an advantage. All in-house recruiters love referrals---especially employee referrals from a well communicated program where employees understand the open positions and what skill sets are needed.

Lastly, job seeking can be done primarily through social media. Having a complete profile on linkedin, a facebook page, a twitter account and a blog are just a few pieces to the social networking job search puzzle. More and more companies are using these channels to post their job openings and search for candidates. By searching on keywords, companies can find candidates that have the skillsets they are seeking, and candidates can do the same when searching for companies or openings in their field of interest. A win/win for both parties and a more cost effective approach as well.

When looking for a new position, you need to integrate a piece of social networking into your job search strategy. I have, and it has allowed me to connect, learn and begin developing relationships with leaders in the employer branding world---people I never would have had access to in a traditional job search. I admit, at first it was a bit overwhelming, but once you jump in and begin using social media, you will see the benefits and actually enjoy it. It is a necessary piece of the job search puzzle that will help keep you motivated, connected, and even entertained throughout your search and beyond.

Social Networking---Six Degrees (or more) of Separation

In just a few short weeks it seems like everyone is becoming more aware of social networking and how it can add value in their life. Maybe it is because I have become more aware that I am noticing it more, but I can't imagine now living without it.

I am re-connecting with college friends and past co-workers who I haven't heard from in years. It is great to hear from them and have a brief catch-up----many of them I spent hours of my life with and shared many good memories. Yes a bit nostalgic, and yes, maybe I won't hear from them again in the near future, but it is nice to know they are out there and living life just like I am. You never know as life goes on when your paths may cross again or who they may know that you would like to know. It is also amazing to me how many people I know that know the same people I do. (The real six degrees or more of separation.) In a normal conversation the connection wouldn't even come up, but when you have access to people's on-line connections through social media sites like linkedin or twitter, you can see the commonalities and use them to strengthen your relationships. Also, the people I have met through social networking have been incredible--both supportive and helpful and interested in how they can help me. Total strangers a few months ago and now people I can turn to for advice and who I can also help. Social networking is a community of people who want to help other people, or they wouldn't be putting themselves out there.

No matter what you do in your business or personal life, get involved in social networking! It may seem like a huge time commitment without knowing what the actual results will be, but it will add value to your life as a person and most likely as a professional --whether it be re-connecting, making a new connection, or just helping someone out with advice or support who needs it. If used frequently and in the right way , you won't remember life without it.

Web 2.0 Recruiting--Get on Board

You would think that most job seekers today have it easier than ever. Can you imagine looking for a new job without the internet? without linkedin, facebook or twitter? without a laptop, iPhone or a blog? If you are reading this, you are obviously a Web 2.0 geek and "get it". Companies who use these tools for recruiting also "get it." They are branding themselves as a Web 2.0 employer and their strategy is attracting the right type of candidate.

Social media is the future of recruiting and companies need to begin integrating it into their branding strategy. Our future workforce knows no different. They are connected on-line and on their phones, and they conduct their lives virtually. As they move into the business world they will bring it with them. It will be used in all industries, not just those that are technology driven and forward thinking. That is the difference. For companies to compete for top talent they are going to have to change how they recruit and where they recruit. Now is the time to re-group and to strategize for the future. It is also the time to watch how others are doing it and to learn from them.

Those that are Web 2.0 savvy are jumping in and testing the waters. Using twitter, facebook and linkedin to find both candidates and jobs. It is a great way to connect and network with those who have similar interests. It may take some time to get everyone there, (and some may never get there), but those companies and candidates that "get it" are way ahead of the curve.