Presented by: CPCC Career Services Sarah Wilson, Career Counselor 60 Seconds to Success Presented by: CPCC Career Services Sarah Wilson, Career Counselor Hi, my name is Sarah Wilson and I am a Career Counselor at CPCC. I would like to take the next few minutes to tell you about one of my favorite networking tools – the 60 second commercial.

60 Second Commercial AKA… Employers want YOU! Showcase your skills “The Elevator speech” Employers want YOU! Showcase your skills Employers at the Career Fair are looking for qualified, professional applicants, with a variety of skills – in other words, they are looking for you! It is your job to showcase your skills and help the employers see what you have to offer. The 60 Second Commercial helps you to convey this information in the time it takes to ride in an elevator.

How can it work for you? Sell your skills Get the interview So how will this work for you? The 60 Second Commercial is a short introductory speech that gives the audience information about you. At the Career Fair, or in other encounters with employment recruiters, it can help you get an interview by highlighting what you have to offer and initiating a request to meet. Let’s talk about how you can get started creating your Commercial!

Two Parts Message Request for action There are two main components to the 60 Second Commercial: The message, and the request.

Message Describe yourself… Name Program at CPCC Experience Skills The message is usually between 150 – 225 words; your pitch should go no longer than 60 seconds. Keep it short and simple! Things to include in the message of your Commercial include your name, the program you are in here at CPCC, a bit about your experience especially if it is related to the position you seek, and your skills that you could use on the job. Remember to focus on the information that is the most relevant to the position you seek.

Request for Action Ask for something… Business card Interview Referral The second part of the Commercial is your request. You must ask for something at the end of your pitch – what do you want to gain from the encounter? Do you want to get the recruiter’s business card? Get a referral? An interview? Let your audience know!

Example “Hi, I’m Jane Miller, and I’m seeking a position as an administrative assistant. I am currently a student at CPCC in the Office Systems Technology program and I will graduate in May. During my time at CPCC, I have become proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel and familiar with many other software programs. I am organized, detail oriented and I genuinely enjoy helping people and providing excellent customer service. I want to use these skills to make your company more successful and I would love to get your business card and contact you to arrange an interview.” Let’s look at this example: Hi, I’m Jane Miller, and I’m seeking a position as an administrative assistant. I am currently a student at CPCC in the Office Systems Technology program and I will graduate in May. During my time at CPCC, I have become proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel and familiar with many other software programs. I am organized, detail oriented and I genuinely enjoy helping people and providing excellent customer service. I want to use these skills to make your company more successful and I would love to get your business card and contact you to arrange an interview.

Tips to remember Now I will share with you my top three tips to remember when using the 60 Second Commercial.

Show your enthusiasm Be passionate. Employers expect energy and dedication from their prospective employees, and this is a great time to show that you have these qualities. Remember that your 60 Second Commercial is your chance to make a great first impression!

Make it interesting Make it interesting and “hook” your audience! How, you ask? Employers want to hear from people who can meet their needs. Do your homework ahead of time to find out about the company and the types of positions they hire for. Then target your Commercial so you are telling the employer about the skills they seek. They’ll be all ears!

Practice, Practice, Practice! Practice makes perfect! You DO want your Commercial to sound natural and you DO want to remember all of your attributes. You DON’T want the Commercial to sound forced or like you are reciting it. Memorize your Commercial first, and then practice saying it out loud until it sounds natural. Remember, it is better to overprepare because you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Need more help? career.services@cpcc.edu Central: (704) 330-6551, CH 122 Levine: (704) 330-4247, Rm 2139 West: (704) 330-4622, Rm 1236 Harper: (704) 330-4422, Rm 342 We’ve gone over a lot of important information in the past few minutes. If you would like more information about the 60 Second Commercial, or if you would like additional help preparing for the Career Fair, please contact your Career Services location for assistance. We’re here to help. Best of luck at CPCC’s 2007 Career Fair!