Week 4: The Elevator Pitch
Let’s get to work! We’ll start this week to focus on bringing your career story to life in a few sentences that you can use to answer the big question — “what do you want to do?” — and then tweak based on feedback and new ideas. You’ll also partner up.
+ TASKS
WRITE YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH
Now that you’ve spent the previous weeks honing in on what you’re good at or what you want to do, let’s get an elevator pitch down on paper. This is the statement you’ll use in person and online or in email when anyone — friends, family, in networking situations or with potential employers asks you, “what do you want to do?” Or better yet, “what do you do?” Follow these expert tips to prepare and execute with a smooth delivery! Read the Do’s and Don’ts Of Crafting An Effective Elevator Pitch. And we suggest saying it with a smile.
FIND FREE PLACES TO PRACTICE YOUR PITCH
Practicing your pitch out loud is critical and will also help you refine your pitch. If it needs work, start by testing it on a partner or spouse or your kids, vs the person who can connect you to the job you want. Otherwise, get comfortable saying it out loud. We recommend sharing it with friends over coffee or dinner, going to free job fairs or alumni events. Join a professional women’s group like Ellevate or Watermark. We loved learning about the “Creative Mornings” meetups. Wherever you have an opportunity to tell people what you’re interested in doing.
GET AN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER
Many of the coaches we work with highly recommend finding someone in your network to keep you accountable on your path back to work. Someone you can check in with for feedback and advice and to share wins or to commiserate with. How does it work? How often should you meet? Here’s how to make it most effective. Want to find an accountability partner on Après? Try working with one of our coaches.
+ READS
A Mother’s Return to Work at Facebook
Jacinta Chadwick took her elevator pitch to Facebook, and landed a job… at Facebook.
7 Aptitude Tests You Can Take Online
Hubspot put together a list of FREE aptitude tests you can take online if you’re looking for more ways to focus in on what you want to do.
Three Questions to Ask When You Don’t Know What to Do
If you’re stuck at all on if you want to make a change, we love this exercise by career coach Julie Houghton.
+ ON-DEMAND WEBINAR WORKSHOPS
The Elevator Pitch and Personal Branding in the Age of Social Media
Week One: Reconnect with Your Professional Self
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