The format is simple. I suggest you write out your personal commercial, using the following points:
- You introduce yourself. Hello, my name is….
- Tell the person who you are by function, not by title. Perhaps use an adjective to describe yourself in this function. For example, “I am a trend-setting web designer…” So begin by using the words, I am….
- If relevant, say why you are no longer working for your prior firm or why you are thinking of leaving your current firm. (You will be asked this at some point by friends or during an interview, so get comfortable with stating this.) Make it brief and non-judgmental. You might refer to my earlier blog on the Leaving Statement to see how this works
- Say something interesting about your experience or successes that will hook the listener.
- Say what you are looking for in a new job and how the listener can help. This can include where you want to work.
Once you have written the words, it’s time to practice the commercial. Call your voice mail to record it and then play it back to see how it sounds to you. Try it out on family members and friends and ask for feedback. When you are happy with your personal commercial, practice it until you can give it gracefully whenever needed. Practice in front of a mirror. Record it without your notes and listen to how it sounds. Re-record until you can deliver it smoothly.
As a side note, you might find that you will also use portions of the personal commercial in e-mails to contacts to let them know how they can help you.
SOME NOTES:
- Express your value.
- Speak with confidence. If you are sure of your value, your listener will believe in that value.
- Make it short. This is not a history of your life.
- Do not improvise. If you do, you will talk too much.
- Be professional and upbeat. Don’t let this be about the sadness of what you may have lost.
- Once again: practice, practice, practice.
AN OFFER
I will help polish, at no charge, the personal commercials of the first three readers who contact me at jill@careercoachjill.com. This would be for a session of no longer than 55 minutes. To be considered, you must include in your e-mail a copy of your rough draft and your contact information.
MY PERSONAL COMMERCIAL
My personal commercial follows and I would be remiss if I didn’t ask you for help in achieving my goals:
Hello, my name is Jill MacFadyen. I am a certified life coach who specializes in helping my clients find satisfying careers, jobs and lives. My clients are given support in all aspects of career search from “what do I want to do when I grow up” to how to be successful in their next position. One client even reported an improved golf game, a surprise. I would appreciate your referring to me those who might be less than satisfied with their job, work or life.
PLEASE COMMENT
Once again, I would appreciate any experiences, comments or questions that will help other readers. I would particularly enjoy some humorous experiences and success stories. Once a month, I will choose one commenter to contact for a free coaching session.
HOW TO REACH ME
www.careercoachjill.com for career coaching
www.limitlesshorizon.com for personal life coaching
www.leadercoaching.org for leadership coaching
QUOTE
“Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired.” Martha Graham
RECENT POSTS
If you are recently laid off, start with the bottom listed blog, Ouch—Job Lost—How to Get a Fulfilling New Job, and then work your way up to the top.
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- Are You Sure I have to Network?
- The New Year has Arrived
- As the New Year Approaches
- How to Manage the Holidays
- The Resume—Text Version
- The Resume—Putting it All Together
- The Resume—Work History
- The Resume—Summary
- The Resume—General Comments
- The Resume—Your Ticket
- Get Rid of the Rocks
- Reinventing ourselves
- But I don’t know What I want to do When I Grow Up
- How Much Do You Like Yourself?
- The Leaving Statement
- A Continuation of Perspectives
- Change your thoughts and you can change your world
- Harder to get a job while “in transition”?
- Ouch–Job Lost–How to Get a Fulfilling New Job
Thanks to tech guru David Behrens (http://neptunestudios.net), and editor M. C. Pastoret.
Very informative text. I’ve found your site via Yahoo and I’m really glad about the information you provide in your articles. Btw your blogs layout is really broken on the Kmelon browser. Would be great if you could fix that. Anyhow keep up the good work!
Good stuff. I’ve thought about that myself at times. Thanks for writing.