If you got on an elevator and only had two floors to impress the CEO
with who you are and what you’ve accomplished, could you do it?
Before you think this is hypothetical, let me tell you the story of a former
colleague who actually had this happen. We both were in town for a business
meeting and were working out in the hotel fitness center early in the
morning. We also saw my former company’s CEO working out every day
that week, but we had no interaction. I had an early flight Friday morning,
but my friend went to work out again. When he was done exercising,
he was just walking onto the elevator when the CEO stuck his hand in to
keep the doors open so he could enter.

An interview is a similar situation when you’re under pressure and
only have a finite amount of time to influence and impact the conversation.
If someone says, “Tell me about yourself professionally,” are you
ready? Will your answer take two minutes? Ten? Fifteen? Can you adapt
it to meet the needs of the interviewer or person with whom you’re networking,
so that your past translates into solving that specific company’s
business challenges? An elevator speech hits the high notes both personally
and professionally. How much you incorporate in relating your personal
answer depends on the circumstances and the person with whom
you’re speaking. However, on the professional front, your elevator speech
should be a clearly laid out map relating to your recent work, your key
accomplishments, and your future goals. I recommend writing out a
two-minute version and a five-to-ten minute version, and then know
both versions inside and out. Be careful to remember that this is not a
script; you can deviate as needed. The pitch should be a base to begin a
confident discussion. Having a foundation will allow you to modify your
elevator speech as needed. If you don’t know yourself inside and out, then
who will? More importantly, it goes beyond just knowing—you must be
able to clearly articulate it. If you can’t confidently tell your own story,
what kind of impression are you leaving?

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only) purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

When teaching how to interview effectively, I emphasize the need to
practice, or mock interviews. Here are the keys to make the most
of the experience:

• Don’t let the word “mock” throw you off—treat it as a real interview
and maximize the experience. Real practice turns into real success.
• Set it up now—it’s best to do it before you need it, but if that time
has passed, still set them up before the next big interview is on the
horizon.
• Make it a regular event, not a one-time shot—cramming becomes
obvious. Mock interviews are practice, thus need to be done more
than once.
• Understand it is a learning experience—be willing to make mistakes.
• Meet with multiple people with different styles. Talk with someone
you do not know well.
• If you are currently employed, use your manager in the process, but
understand that he or she does not count as a mock interview. I’ve
found that when I worked with managers, the questions tended to
be slanted to my strengths or weaknesses, which took away from
the feel of a real interview. Broaden your scope to find the most
effective interview partner.
• Use the exercise as a networking opportunity or a way to get your
foot in a door that might otherwise be closed.
It’s important to understand what mock interviews are not:
• An attempt to kiss up
• An attempt to predict questions
• An attempt to articulate answers you think the interviewer wants to
hear
• A working session or brainstorming session focusing on your
strengths and weaknesses—this should be done far ahead of a mock
interview.

Understanding the power of mock interviews ensures that you are
more comfortable in pressure situations, and keeps you sharp for the day
when you need to make the intended impression.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only) purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

You should work for this company because I’ve heard…” or, “You
shouldn’t work for this company because…” I heard once at my
former employer that a company up the road, constant competition for
new hires, would tell prospective candidates that our company was going
to close down in the next year or two, so it was best to apply now, while
opportunities were still available. I don’t know if there was any truth to
that rumor, but I do know the need to corroborate stories and separate
fact from fiction. The rumor mill can be a scary place on which to base an
important professional decision that could impact you and your family.
As you pursue potential companies, make sure you have multiple sources
of information, including people who currently work there, people who
used to work there, news media, and social media sources to help formulate
your opinions using facts. You may not want to dismiss hearsay so
quickly, but you do want to do your due diligence prior to making any
rash decisions.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only) purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com