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CREATING AN ELEVATOR PITCH FOR HEALTHCARE INTERVIEWS To assure that you're successful in winning a job, it is necessary to master survival skills. To this end, many career experts recommend that you take inventory of your transferable skills and develop an "elevator pitch". An elevator pitch is nothing more than a quick overview of your skill sets that can be shared with another person on an elevator, usually in 30 seconds or less. Short and sweet: pitch should be 30-60 seconds Discuss who you are, what you do, what you can offer, why you should be hired, how you can be contacted Basic: use everyday language that anyone can understand This means not using industry specific jargon. Instead, generalize words into something that demonstrates a transferable ability Visual: allows the listener to mentally picture you in your work related capacity Are you a team player? Use language that allows the listener to visualize you in your job related capacity Action oriented: discuss things that you do, such as selling, producing, etc Use verbs that describes your transferable skills. Words such as "produced", "sold, "developed", and/or "created" Include a hook: Tell them just enough information to "hook" them into wanting to know more. An example of this might be a sentence or two on how you can create results. A good "hook" is to offer your business card In today's challenging economy, skills should be viewed as commodity. Companies buy results and are less impressed when a candidate ticks off a laundry list of skills. Instead, discuss the many ways that your transferable skills from your past and present jobs have been assets to your employers. Finally, be sure to speak in a results oriented manner and make sure you have an elevator pitch ready to go - you never know when you will need to sell yourself.

Ace Your Medical Assistant Interview: Prepare an Elevator Pitch - Allen School

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Do you know how to sell yourself? Get your interviewer interested in what you have to say within the first few minutes of meeting you with a fine-tuned elevator pitch describing exactly what it is you bring to the table.

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Page 1: Ace Your Medical Assistant Interview: Prepare an Elevator Pitch - Allen School

CREATING AN ELEVATOR PITCH FOR HEALTHCARE INTERVIEWS

To assure that you're successful in winning a job, it is necessary to master

survival skills. To this end, many career experts recommend that you take inventory of your transferable skills and develop an "elevator pitch". An

elevator pitch is nothing more than a quick overview of your skill sets that

can be shared with another person on an elevator, usually in 30 seconds or less.

Short and sweet: pitch should be 30-60 seconds

Discuss who you are, what you do, what you can offer, why you should be hired, how you can be contacted

Basic: use everyday language that anyone can understand

This means not using industry specific jargon. Instead, generalize

words into something that demonstrates a transferable ability

Visual: allows the listener to mentally picture you in your work

related capacity

Are you a team player? Use language that allows the listener to

visualize you in your job related capacity

Action oriented: discuss things that you do, such as selling,

producing, etc

Use verbs that describes your transferable skills. Words such as "produced", "sold, "developed", and/or "created"

Include a hook:

Tell them just enough information to "hook" them into wanting to

know more. An example of this might be a sentence or two on how you can create results. A good "hook" is to offer your business card

In today's challenging economy, skills should be viewed as commodity.

Companies buy results and are less impressed when a candidate ticks off a laundry list of skills. Instead, discuss the many ways that your

transferable skills from your past and present jobs have been assets to your employers. Finally, be sure to speak in a results oriented manner

and make sure you have an elevator pitch ready to go - you never know when you will need to sell yourself.

Page 2: Ace Your Medical Assistant Interview: Prepare an Elevator Pitch - Allen School

Here is an example of an elevator pitch:

Hi, my name is Stephen and I am a software sales specialist with over 15

years of results oriented experience. I am accustomed to working in dynamic, goal oriented team environments. My strengths include the ability

to generate million dollar sales, relationship building and strong customer service. I can bring these abilities to your organization. May I give you my

card?

Tips & Warnings Write down your elevator pitch on paper

Use the following template from Allen School to help you compose your pitch.

Practice saying it several times until you have it committed to memory

Page 3: Ace Your Medical Assistant Interview: Prepare an Elevator Pitch - Allen School

ELEVATOR PITCH TEMPLATE

Who you are:

My name is ____________________. I am a (n) ____________________ (Tip - This can be your actual job title or a descriptive term for your

occupation. Examples include biologist, research scientist, microbiologist, etc.)

Specializing in: ____________________________________________

(Tip - This is a short phrase that makes your title or occupation more specific)

What you do:

(Tip - Write a single sentence that describes what you do. For example, I

work with ... and discover mechanisms that.... Try to be specific so that

people can really picture what you mean)

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________

Why you're the best, unique, and talented; or what you do especially well (Skills):

(Tip - Write a sentence that expresses your best strength(s). For example,

my cutting-edge techniques and collaboration with other researchers allows me to... Provide a concrete example of something that sets you apart from

others in your field)

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________

What contributions (values added) are you looking to make:

(Tip - Tell what you are looking for, in terms of what problems you will solve for the employer or for the world. For example, I'm looking to continue

research to discover new ..., make break-through in ..., provide results that

can lead to cures for...)

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 4: Ace Your Medical Assistant Interview: Prepare an Elevator Pitch - Allen School

WHEN AN ELEVATOR PITCH IS APPROPRIATE

When is an elevator pitch appropriate?

I. In an informal social setting: A way to introduce yourself or to start a conversation, or to

II. At a networking events

III. During the job interview (on the telephone or in person):

“So, John, tell me a little bit about yourself.” - If you have done your homework, you will know what kinds of

things to highlight. If you haven’t done your homework, you can

still try a basic personal statement, or you can attempt to ask them about their particular needs and interests before you launch your

pitch, and try to address their needs and interests.

IV. In your letter of introduction or cover letter: - It can provide an excellent basis for your second paragraph

Helpful Hints:

Develop your personal statement/ “pitch” quickly by writing it out first, and then talking it out. Make adjustments until it sounds and feels right for you.

You may develop several different pitches in order to address specific

situations and specific targets.

Practice out loud in front of a mirror, in the shower, or in the car. Practice

with friends and colleagues.

A positive personal statement (“pitch”) will enhance your professional presence and stature, boost your self-confidence, and

reduce your anxiety. It helps you establish your identity as a professional scientist, and it opens doors for connection and

collaboration.

Take the initiative. Make eye contact. Smile. You belong here. You

have much to contribute.

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The Allen School has been changing people’s lives for over 45 years. More than 60,000 women and men have trusted the Allen School with their Medical Assistant and Nursing Assistant educations. Plus, only the Allen School offers the Fast-Track to Success program that lets you complete your studies in 9 short months versus 15 months at other schools.