| Maybe you're just out of College or High School, | | | | Everything you say, and how you say it, should |
| looking for your firstfull-time job. Maybe you're | | | | convey self-confidence. |
| looking to change careers after years in thesame job. | | | | Awkwardness is in your own head. What are your |
| Maybe you're just curious about what's out there. No | | | | accomplishments? Make a listof things that you've |
| matter. | | | | done that set you apart from others and then |
| There's only one place to start your search - | | | | beprepared to talk about them. |
| When you're looking for a job, no matter what form | | | | Practice this pitch, preferably in front of the mirror, |
| of communication you use,you have only 30 to 60 | | | | to get connected toit and believe in it. |
| seconds to really grab someone. You need to get | | | | This will allow you to feel confident, comfortable in |
| tothe point: Why should a hiring manager hire you? | | | | your own skin. Peoplewho are unemployed or |
| Hiring managers are looking for people who make | | | | struggling in their careers often have a lack |
| things happen. Focus yourpitch on your | | | | ofself-esteem. You need to feel confident that what |
| accomplishments and results. | | | | you have to offer someoneis important. |
| Examples include: | | | | Be Prepared |
| · In my current position with ABC Company, | | | | When selling yourself, prove that you're a |
| I put together a team to developnew sales | | | | well-prepared, smart, no-nonsenseperson from the |
| strategies and ultimately increased sales by $100,000. | | | | get-go. |
| · I implemented a new process to handle | | | | Ask well-thought-out, specific questions. (It's helpful |
| customer service complaints thatimproved customer | | | | to write them downin advance, so that you don't |
| satisfaction by 50 percent. | | | | forget them under pressure.) |
| · I landed a client that my company had | | | | · What's your organization's biggest |
| been courting for five years. | | | | challenge? |
| Your results are what give your pitch the critical | | | | · If you could find a star performer, where |
| edge, recent grads shouldfocus on educational | | | | would you put her in theorganization? |
| achievements and/or internship successes. | | | | · Of all the people you've ever hired, who |
| Be Confident | | | | was the best and why? |
| To get a job offer, you must convince hiring | | | | Be prepared to interview the interviewer. Sometimes |
| managers that they need you. | | | | all it takes to get thehiring manager's attention is |
| Attitude is key: Focus on the positive. If you're out | | | | asking the right question or, better still,the right |
| of a job or have beenfired, don't bring it up. | | | | question that no one else has asked. |