Professionalism & the Elevator Pitch Capstone

Professionalism Online Online Offline Offline

Professionalism Online Manage Your Online Persona Manage Your Online Persona –Digital fingerprint  Persistent archive –Contribution, not necessarily status or position title –Presentation of self

Professionalism Online Digital fingerprint Digital fingerprint –Paper trail has become the persistent archive –What should be written versus what should be spoken –What should / should not be accessed on company hardware? –Surveillance  Self  Employer  Peer / co-worker

Professionalism Online Contribution / not title or status Contribution / not title or status –Virtual or hybrid teams  Side conversations / out of the loop?  Content + communication  If home-based what is the etiquette? –Should the contribution be public or private? –If communicative, then a social aspect to it as well

Professionalism Online Presentation of self Presentation of self –Did job application give authority to look at listed profiles? –Should you link your social media accounts to your professional? –Should you provide live status updates when inside certain meetings? –When is it appropriate to use employer name when representing yourself online?

Professionalism Offline Avoid missing work. If you must be absent, request permission from your supervisor in advance. Avoid missing work. If you must be absent, request permission from your supervisor in advance. Be timely when arriving for your internship hours. Be timely when arriving for your internship hours. –This is complex and changing

Professionalism Offline Meet deadlines and keep your commitments. Meet deadlines and keep your commitments. Take only the specified break-time for lunch and/or coffee. Take only the specified break-time for lunch and/or coffee.

Professionalism Offline Dress for success by using cues from coworkers, or by asking about the dress code. Dress for success by using cues from coworkers, or by asking about the dress code. Understand that some general office work is part of the job. Understand that some general office work is part of the job. Introduce new ideas gradually and avoid trying to change too much too soon. Introduce new ideas gradually and avoid trying to change too much too soon.

Professionalism Specifically Regarding an Internship Shape Your Experience! Don’t underestimate your power to influence an internship. Don’t underestimate your power to influence an internship. –You do not have to be a passive participant. –You selected this internship opportunity with specific goals in mind. –So, at the beginning of your internship, meet with your supervisor and have a conversation about expectations.

Professionalism Specifically Regarding an Internship Over the course of the internship, ask for more responsibility and actively look for things to do. Over the course of the internship, ask for more responsibility and actively look for things to do. Consider your goals and look for opportunities to meet them. Consider your goals and look for opportunities to meet them.

Professionalism Specifically Regarding an Internship Build a Portfolio Build a Portfolio –Journal about your days at the site –Record your various projects –Keep professional souvenirs

Professionalism Specifically Regarding an Internship Capitalize on Your Contacts Capitalize on Your Contacts –Conduct informational interviews –Ask people if they will serve as a reference for you in the future. –Ask for copies of performance reviews or letters of recommendation.

Professionalism Specifically Regarding an Internship 1. Meet and Greet with Everyone You Meet 1. Meet and Greet with Everyone You Meet 2. Do Your Research 2. Do Your Research 3. Set Personal Goals and Keep Yourself Busy 3. Set Personal Goals and Keep Yourself Busy 4. Read Professional Trade Journals & Magazines 4. Read Professional Trade Journals & Magazines 5. Be Prepared to do Some Grunt Work 5. Be Prepared to do Some Grunt Work

Professionalism cont. 6. Ask Questions 6. Ask Questions 7. Find a Mentor 7. Find a Mentor 8. Be Professional 8. Be Professional 9. Develop Professional Relationships 9. Develop Professional Relationships 10. Be Enthusiastic! 10. Be Enthusiastic!

Elevator Pitch Ideally 30 seconds (maximum = 2 min.) Ideally 30 seconds (maximum = 2 min.) 1. Clarify your job target. 1. Clarify your job target. 2. Put it on paper. 2. Put it on paper. 3. Format it. 3. Format it. 4. Tailor the pitch to them, not you. 4. Tailor the pitch to them, not you.

Elevator Pitch cont. 5. Eliminate industry jargon. 5. Eliminate industry jargon. 6. Read your pitch out loud. 6. Read your pitch out loud. 7. Practice, practice, practice (then solicit feedback). 7. Practice, practice, practice (then solicit feedback). 8. Prepare a few variations. 8. Prepare a few variations. 9. Nail it with confidence. 9. Nail it with confidence.

Elevator Pitch cont. 1. Identify your goal. 1. Identify your goal. 2. Explain what you do. 2. Explain what you do. 3. Communicate your USP. 3. Communicate your USP. 4. Engage with a question. 4. Engage with a question. 5. Put it all together. 5. Put it all together. 6. Practice. 6. Practice.

Elevator Pitch cont. Keep it fresh Keep it fresh Have energy / upbeat Have energy / upbeat Always be prepared Always be prepared Make them care Make them care Be natural Be natural Leave them wanting more Leave them wanting more

Elevator Pitch cont. Have a “hook” Have a “hook” Keep it short Keep it short Pitch yourself, not your ideas Pitch yourself, not your ideas