The Thirty-Second Spot

by Barbara
(Washington, DC)

I volunteer one night a week teaching computer classes at a community agency. Between classes, the volunteers all congregate in a lounge together. Most of us only know each other by name, and I only know where a few people work.

When I began looking for a new position, I memorized a thirty-second speech about my background and what I hoped to be able to bring to an employer in the future. I practiced it every day on the way to work and with my family.

The next time I went to the Community Center, I asked some of the other volunteers to critique my speech during our break. I gave the speech to as many people as would listen under the guise of having them critique it. I was actively pursuing my job strategy, but not actively pursuing a particular job. The second week I practiced my speech on the other volunteers, one of the volunteers said he had a contact for me! He gave me the name of a high-ranking friend in a company in our city. I called the next day and had an interview the next week. I did not accept that position, but I will use this strategy the next time I search.

This strategy worked for me because it forced me to become very clear about how my backround had prepared me for the kind of job I wanted. It also forced me to become comfortable talking about myself to strangers. The more I practiced my speech, the more I believed I was the right person for the next job I wanted! And because people often make judgements about you within the first thirty seconds of meeting you, and I was making a great impression in that amount of time.

Believe in yourself and tell them why they should believe in you too!