CREATING YOUR OWN 30-SECOND COMMERCIAL:

As a job seeker, you are in charge of a marketing campaign and the product is you. One key tool you will use throughout the process is defining who you are, what you are looking for, your skills, expertise and experience. Develop a 30-second commercial, sometimes called a positioning statement.

Communicating to employers what your goals and key strengths are in a clear and concise way is essential to your success in acquiring the job of your dreams. Do not assume that a title and the name of the company you worked for will clearly present who you are and what you have accomplished. Once you have developed your 30-second commercial you can customize it to fit any situation.

Your 30-second commercial can be used in several phases of your job search.

• Networking at meetings, school events, and even leisure activities.
• Use it in phone conversations with potential employers to introduce yourself.
• Integrate it into your resume and cover letter as a summary statement.
• During an interview use it as your point of origin for answering “tell me about yourself.”

Guidelines:

• Be specific – communicate with a defined focus.
• Make your pitch conversational, but not overwhelming with content.
• Emphasize your uniqueness through your skills and shining personality.
• Communicate enthusiasm and motivation.

What to include in your 30-second commercial:

• What are you looking for? (Describe your dream job, professional career field, fulfilling position)
• Recent education/prior relevant work experience.
• Areas of expertise/skills/accomplishments.
• Include works that emphasize your enthusiasm.

Example:

I’m looking for (an entry-level, senior-level) position to use my mechanical engineering skills. I recently completed my degree at Colorado School of Mines. During my last year, I worked full time at XYZ Firm assisting the partners in planning projects for their clients. I secured this position after I completed a four month internship. The owner was impressed with my technical skills and offered me a full-time position. Design and development is my thing. My strongest points are my ability to listen to client needs and come up with unique ways to create solutions for their project specifications. One of my main career interests is manufacturing in the XXXXX industry. What are the key qualities you firm looks for in a mechanical engineer