There are up to 7 entries that the job seeker can populate within the WinTheView interview presentation (page 2) entitled “key hiring requirements”. The job candidate may review their understanding of these requirements with each person they interview with to see if there is consistency from one team member to the next and uncover the preferences / nuances for each team member. In sales, this is known as the needs analysis stage. The job candidates should ask questions early in the interview process (phone screen stage) to refine those key hiring requirements from the typical wish list aka – the Job description. Once they have a good basic understanding of the requirements, they can assemble (step by step via the wintheview tools) a presentation that summarizes their fit with measureable accomplishments to support their candidacy. This presentation can then be (printed and spiral bound) taken into the interview and reviewed with each interview team member (copies for each). In addition to determining whether the hiring team has their act together, the job candidate will demonstrate a professional / consultative approach, show motivation, be on point (relevant) and DIFFERENTIATE from other candidates

 It’s really not much different in job search.  Everyone in job search is ultimately a sales person or consultant representing their own brand. Job candidates that uncover the real hiring requirements or success criteria and focuses on them have an exponentially greater chance of landing the job offer.  So, how does one uncover the real success criteria?  By asking high quality questions.  Good open ended questions which get the hiring manager talking.  And speaking to the hiring manager is the key.  They are the decision maker and will determine who gets the offer.  This is also the person that will provide you with the real nuances that they desire in the right candidate.  The conversation with the HR person doing the initial phone screen will likely be different than with the hiring manager.  The HR screener will be vetting to see if the candidate should go to the next round.  If the job candidate meets most of the basics and communicates well, they will likely make it to the next round with the hiring manager (decision maker).  And here is where the golden opportunity lies to ask strong probing questions (and consultative style) to draw out the targeted challenges for the role. 

 Examples include:

1. What will I have done in the first six months to be considered an overachiever?
2. If you were to put together an action plan for this role, what would the highest priority action steps look like?
3. What would you consider the critical success attributes for this role?

 There are many other potential questions that may be asked during the interview process and can be found on line in the WinTheView workbook at www.wintheview.com.

 The job seeker should be listening to the answers to these questions and taking notes on the answers given by both the HR person and the hiring manager.  Armed with this key information, the job seeker can then articulate their skills and accomplishments as they relate specifically to the success criteria.  A creative way to do this is by making a slide deck that states the key hiring criteria with relevant skills and accomplishments.  Other supporting pages for the deck may include a brief action plan, personal success factors (personal brand), summary of top career accomplishments and a few well thought out questions for the hiring team.

 Bottom line:  the job seeker needs to understand their role as sales person and consultant representing their brand.  To the extent they can understand the potential clients’ (hiring company) needs and challenges and articulate how their experience will translate to benefits –  will dramatically increase their chances of landing the coveted offer!

Questions?   call me 215-815-8391    Ken Diamond

 It’s really not much different in job search.  Everyone in job search is ultimately a sales person or consultant representing their own brand. Job candidates that uncover the real hiring requirements or success criteria and focuses on them have an exponentially greater chance of landing the job offer.  So, how does one uncover the real success criteria?  By asking high quality questions.  Good open ended questions which get the hiring manager talking.  And speaking to the hiring manager is the key.  They are the decision maker and will determine who gets the offer.  This is also the person that will provide you with the real nuances that they desire in the right candidate.  The conversation with the HR person doing the initial phone screen will likely be different than with the hiring manager.  The HR screener will be vetting to see if the candidate should go to the next round.  If the job candidate meets most of the basics and communicates well, they will likely make it to the next round with the hiring manager (decision maker).  And here is where the golden opportunity lies to ask strong probing questions (and consultative style) to draw out the targeted challenges for the role. 

 Examples include:

1. What will I have done in the first six months to be considered an overachiever?
2. If you were to put together an action plan for this role, what would the highest priority action steps look like?
3. What would you consider the critical success attributes for this role?

 There are many other potential questions that may be asked during the interview process and can be found on line in the WinTheView workbook at www.wintheview.com.

 The job seeker should be listening to the answers to these questions and taking notes on the answers given by both the HR person and the hiring manager.  Armed with this key information, the job seeker can then articulate their skills and accomplishments as they relate specifically to the success criteria.  A creative way to do this is by making a slide deck that states the key hiring criteria with relevant skills and accomplishments.  Other supporting pages for the deck may include a brief action plan, personal success factors (personal brand), summary of top career accomplishments and a few well thought out questions for the hiring team.

Bottom line:  the job seeker needs to understand their role as sales person and consultant representing their brand.  To the extend they can understand the potential clients’ (hiring company) needs and challenges and articulate how their experience will translate to benefits –  will dramatically increase their chances of landing the coveted offer!

The WTV Elevator Pitch Builder allows the user to build multiple pitches for different situations in an easy to use format which walks them through the simple step by step process. The pitches are saved and may be printed by the user for practice. Future plans include the ability to record the pitch and generate a file that may be multi-purposed for distribution on resumes, email and social networks. WTV offers a free 2 day trial to see how the Elevator Pitch Builder works.

WTV is also available through licensing agreements to corporations, universities, resume writers, recruiters, outplacement firms and career consultants.

Ken Diamond is Founder and CEO of Digital Action, an executive search firm specializing in technology, health care, pharmaceutical and other markets. Mr. Diamond is the creator of http://www.wintheview.com career advancement tools. “Most candidates usually wing-it”, says Diamond. “I have interviewed thousands of candidates in my recruiting experience and they typically are not proficient in self-branding and struggle with confidence and preparation. Just by going through the WTV process, the candidate’s confidence is bolstered and translates to a superior individual marketing and branding campaign helping them stand out and get hired more quickly. We have used the WinTheView approach for the past several years with tremendous success!”

How can WTV be used and when? In multiple ways!  Here are some outcomes benefiting thousands of job candidates who have used WTV to date with great success:

1. Become more confident and better prepared for strong interview performance simply by going through this logical process.
2. Ask permission to share your “summary of qualifications” as a discussion guide. Hiring managers are typically impressed by such a proactive approach and demonstrated preparedness.
3. Create a lasting impression with a printed “leave-behind” WinTheView™ summary for each hiring team member.
4. Email a WTV PDF file immediately after each phone screen interview to increase your chances of earning that coveted face-to-face interview.
5. Email a WTV PDF file in advance of each face-to-face interview to facilitate discussion and demonstrate a proactive mindset.
6. Generate a “career summary” presentation, and link its PDF file on your LinkedIn.com profile via slideshare, so they can find you.

Who has used the WTV presentation approach? Thousands of job candidates in a wide variety of positions have used WTV to achieve a competitive advantage in the job search and interview process. Users have spanned professional level positions, from C-level to entry level.

For what industries can WTV be used? Virtually all. WTV has been used across multiple industries in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and other English speaking countries. 

How do I get the information needed to prepare a WTV presentation? Ask questions and take notes! Your ultimate goal is to uncover the real nuances of the position from the hiring manager. WTV offers excellent leading questions to ask any interviewer up front. In addition to information found on a job description, you’ll want to ask questions (and take notes) to get the critical details in order to build a compelling WTV presentation document. Ask questions such as: What are the “must have attributes” for this role? What does success look like after six months? What are the top 3 challenges that need to be addressed in the first 90 days? What is the desired start date for this role? WTV offers a library of questions on-line in the “key hiring requirements” section and also in the WTV workbook, which can be downloaded from the WTV Development Center.

How long does it take to develop a WTV presentation? 30-60 minutes or more depending upon how much time you wish to invest in bolstering your chances of being selected for the career opportunity. Do you really want this job? If so, it is suggested that you take a first cut at the WTV presentation, come back for a second look, edit and review. Then print it out, practice, write notes on a hard copy, practice again and tweak until satisfied. This process will likely make you the exception, standing out with a tangible document that positions you as proactive, motivated, on point and highly prepared.

Will I actually be making a presentation? Not necessarily. It is most effectively used to guide your discussion with the interviewer. Follow the lead from the interviewer once you’ve introduced the document.

How will I know if the interviewer is receptive to reviewing the WTV printed presentation? Ask! An effective way to introduce the WTV document is to ask permission to share it. Example: “I am very excited about this opportunity and have summarized how my skills match with it. Would you mind if I share this with you?” The interviewer will typically say, “Yes, go right ahead,” curious to see what you’ve put together. If “No,” don’t sweat it; the process you went through has optimally prepared you.

Should I build WTV as a formal presentation? Central to WTV is its second page summary of the key hiring requirements. By all means, review your understanding of these to make sure you are on the right track. Be sure to ask if you’ve covered the key points accurately and if any qualification points have been overlooked. You might also ask each interviewer to rank priorities and requirements, expecting different answers from different members of the hiring team.

How many interview presentations can I make? Unlimited! Customize many as you wish or need for each particular job opportunity.

Are there help libraries or tips included with the WTV Presentation Builder? Yes, there are suggestion tips and content libraries throughout the WTV program. The system is designed so individuals can complete the process on their own and does not require advanced technical knowledge. Coaching is available at an hourly investment.

How will I know if the interviewer is positive about WTV? Simply watch their body language and tone, which job candidates should do in any case. Do not attempt to force the presentation. Let the interviewer lead the interview. WTV is meant to facilitate discussion about the success attributes needed for the job. It will help you cover the points you wish to communicate and keep the discussion relevant.

Is this a reformatted resume? Absolutely not! This is a customized proposal on why you (the job candidate) are an excellent fit for the career opportunity. It includes your personalized brand identity, a summary of key hiring attributes, relevant industry skills and career accomplishments, personal success factors, a short-term action plan of what you’ll do in the first quarter, insightful questions, and a summary of why you should be hired.

How should I get it printed and how should it look? It’s most effective printed on a quality color printer and spiral bound with a clear cover. The on-line application has links to print service providers such as FedEx Office, Staples, Office Depot, Office Max and Mimeo. It could be printed on most home office printers, then taken to a facility to be bound.

Who came up with the concept of the WTV Interview Presentation Builder? Ken Diamond, a former sales management professional, sales trainer and marketing expert who is currently President of a successful executive search firm. Leveraging his “consultative sales training,” Ken used a flipchart presentation in an interview back in 1989 to “seal the deal” and was selected over numerous highly qualified candidates. His search firm (www.digital-action.com) has used the WTV presentation since 1998 with such success that Ken decided to develop the concept as a web-based tool and make it available across the Internet.

What are some of WTV’s benefits to the job seeker?

• Bolsters confidence just by going through the WTV process
• Demonstrates high level of preparation and professionalism
• Helps to gain a better understanding of the key hiring criteria
• Correlates candidate talking points directly to hiring criteria
• Differentiates candidate from competitors not likely using this approach
• Prepares job seeker for behavioral interviews via accomplishment story feature
• Makes job seeker think through qualifications carefully
• Accesses online portfolio of presentations, follow-up letters and accomplishment stories for easy future use

Does WTV offer interview coaching? Yes, through our network of career experts, typically on an hourly basis. Email kjdiamond@wintheview.com or call 215-948-3722 for more information.

Can I access my files in the future? Yes, simply renew your subscription at a very reasonable investment and all interview presentations, accomplishment stories, follow-up letters and Elevator Pitches will be available to you.

How successful has the WTV Presentation Builder been for job candidates? Great question, and one which only successful job hunters who have recently used it can answer! Here are some of their positive comments:

“Granted an in-person, out-of-state interview, I was informed that I would need to do a presentation as well. Being unfamiliar with their computer equipment, I felt uncomfortable doing a  PowerPoint presentation. So, I began searching online for “job interview presentations” and came across your website (www.wintheview.com). It was exactly what I was looking for. It seemed that the samples answered many questions that the interviewers would have. While I also found other websites offering this type of presentation, they looked less professional, like they were trying to copy yours.

“I also wanted a website that could offer me topics/suggestions and one that would set me apart from the rest. As I started putting my presentation together on www.wintheview.com, I was surprised at how easy it was. With many helpful tools, such as action words and branding examples, I quickly finished and then submitted my presentation to Mimeo to have it professionally printed and bound. When it arrived a day later, I couldn’t believe how great it looked. That week I’d spent putting my presentation together allowed me to look deeper into myself at the skills, experience, and knowledge that I offer a new employer. You get lost in day-to-day duties and don’t realize how successful you really are.

“At my job interview/presentation I handed a copy to each interviewer, keeping one for myself. Then I walked through each page, expanding topics to keep it interesting for the interviewers. When finished, I received compliments from each one on such a professional presentation, and answered the few questions they had. The best part is that I was offered the job! WinTheView was a great learning experience, one that helped me feel more confident and gave me an “edge” on the competition. It does really work! Many thanks to Ken Diamond for providing support for this great service. ”

–Laura R.

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“Thanks for the advice and, most importantly, for your WinTheView interview tool. For each interview I went on, the organization was extremely impressed with the idea of my presenting to the company exactly how I match up with the requirements of the position. On my last one, the interviewer said that out of the hundreds of people he has ever interviewed over the years, I was ‘a breath of fresh air and the most prepared he had ever seen.’ I got an offer letter soon after, and will be starting my position shortly as a Project Manager in the Print Services Division. I attribute this in part, to the WTV Presentation. Thanks again for your help.”

–Brendon N.  

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“I have to tell you that WinTheView is one of the more innovative aids in job hunting that I’ve seen in a long time. We all learn in marketing that presentation is a significant part of selling anything. So why not “present” ourselves to prospective companies? I went through the process, produced the presentation and got the job. No, it wasn’t just the presentation that got me the job. More likely it was the thought process through which WTV guided me. The entire site helped me distill my talents and skills into a marketable set of bullet points and talking points. That was really valuable to my prospective employer.
 
”You have to do the work to make the presentation successful, but I believe if you are qualified for the position and produce the WTV presentation deck with diligence and care, the process will increase your probability of receiving an offer.”
 
–Lou Ann

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“My WinTheView presentation blew away the hiring manager and the other influencers. The presentation became the interview. They could see exactly what I could do for them and how I fit. It really set me apart from the competition.”

–Director e-commerce Marketing at a major communications company.

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“Thank you for your support during my transition. It has allowed me to join a company that is positioned for profitable growth going forward and continue my career in the printing industry. Your WinTheView system was an important tool in my job search process that assisted me in selling my skills, abilities and strategies to move the business in the right direction. WTV is a great product and I am sure it will be a successful endeavor.”

–Mike D

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A career coach writes, “My clients are two for two [both case studies follow] in using WinTheView presentation materials! Thanks, Ken, for creating such a user-friendly, dynamic interviewing tool! I look forward to using it with many more clients. I am sold!”

Case #1 – “A network administrator had advanced to the third round of interviews with Force3 Technologies in the Baltimore, MD market. His assignment was to give a 15 minute presentation to a panel of decision-makers. WinTheView was the perfect fit! Through joint collaboration, using his professionally written résumé and the company job description, we created a powerful marketing document highlighting his accomplishments and interests.

“During his interview he presented each panel decision maker with a copy of his WinTheView presentation and walked them through it. The panelists were so impressed they offered him a job on the spot.”

Case #2 – “An IT Project Manager used WinTheView to supplement a day-long interview with Harrah’s Hotels and Casinos in Las Vegas. He reviewed the free demo version available on your website and then we collaborated on additional points to create a more powerful document. Once he understood WTV’s advantages and customization features, he didn’t hesitate in making the full investment. When he wrapped up his marathon day of meetings, discussions, and reviews with the hiring manager, he handed her his WinTheView presentation for her review. The next day, he received a phone call with the job offer, informing him that the hiring manager was impressed with his thorough detail and professionalism in submitting WTV documents. She had never seen a candidate produce anything like it, which sealed the deal in helping her know that she was selecting the right candidate.”

–Beth Colley, CERW, Chesapeake Resume Writing Service

What if I have suggestions for improving the WTV tools? WTV management welcomes and encourages your ideas for improving the program because you know it best. Please email kjdiamond@wintheview.com with your thoughts!

An “Elevator Pitch” is a concise, carefully planned, and well-practiced description about you or your company that your mother should be able to understand in the time it would take to ride up an elevator.

It is also a succinct statement that clarifies and communicates what makes you and your unique value proposition different and special.  It will allow you to comfortably and confidently answer that familiar question of: So, what do you do?  Or, tell me about yourself.

Whether you’re seeking a job, customers, votes, a partnership, or simply understanding, you have to know what to say and how to say it when faced with the opportunity to meet a key decision-maker. Perfecting your elevator pitch helps you explain yourself clearly, giving you an edge in all of your communications.

HELPFUL TIPS

• Make the person you’re talking to want to know more about what you have to offer – this is the most important goal, as it’s the purpose of an elevator pitch.
• What you really want is for the person to ask, “HOW do you do that?” – or, “Wow, I’d like to see!”, which opens up further dialogue.
• Be authentic. Most people can see right through you if you are trying to be someone you are not. If you are naturally upbeat, great. If you tend to be on the quiet side, that’s fine.
• Know your target. Your pitch is far more likely to be accurate if you know your target. Everything you say has to be aimed at your listener and center on what you, your service or product can do for them.
• Make sure your pitch is about them. Don’t waste time highlighting your awards, your record or other markers of your success, unless you know how those relate to what your listener needs to hear.
• Find the uniqueness of what you’re offering and be able to explain why your audience should care.
• Be passionate. People are drawn to folks who exude excitement about what they do.
• Figure out what your objective is. Do you want to tell people about a new service? Did your firm just win an award? Are you beginning a partnership that will expand your firm’s delivery time? Knowing what your objective is helps you formulate the right message.
• Be flexible enough to be guided by your listener. If he or she interrupts with questions, make sure you answer them.
• Let your listener hear the commitment in your voice and your words. Let them see your involvement with direct eye contact and confident body language.
• Develop a variety of short blurbs, and mix ‘em up so you don’t repeat the same thing every time you open your mouth.
• Dress for success! Communications is not only about what you say and how you say it. Too trendy, too sexy, or too kooky may negate anything of value you have to offer.
• Act friendly in a schmooze-free way. Add in a smile, confident handshake and direct eye contact to make a powerful impression.
• Compelling conversations are two-way streets, so say your piece and then shut up and listen. Another great thing about listening: it enables you to discover new information, great ideas and possibly valuable contacts that may be in the other person’s network.
• Keep it short and concise, powerful prose is tough, but important. People are inherently lazy and the last thing you want to do is turn a contact off because you made them work to understand your idea.
• One Size Does Not Fit All
  One last word of advice: remember that not every pitch is right for every elevator. That’s why you need more than one. Work hard to create 3-5 distinct elevator pitches.
• Give your listener something to do with the information they’ve just received. Make clear what you want to have happen and the suggestions or alternatives you are proposing. Talk about next steps, and make sure the action you want them to take is clearly understood.
• If you only have 5 seconds, just state the WHO and the WHAT.  Example:  ”Hi. I’m Ken Diamond.  I help job seekers market themselves differently to land job offers more quickly.

Multi-purposing your Elevator Pitch – Here are some additional uses for your carefully crafted Elevator Pitch:

• Your email signature line: Why not include it with every email you send out? It doesn’t have to be your full pitch, even just one or two sentences that clearly identify what you do.
• Website welcome/about page: Your home page is the first place people land, why not welcome them with your new introduction. Or, use it as an additional description in your about page.
• Backside of business card: Handing someone your card means they’ll be walking away with the introduction they just heard. Having it on your card will help them remember what you do.
• On-line networking profiles: If you’re using social networking to promote your business, it’s a great idea to have your elevator pitch in your profile so that people “get” what you’re all about right away. And if you’ve piqued their interest, will lead them to your website.
• Marketing pieces (brochures, flyers, etc): If you’re sending promotional material out into the world, you might as well tell them a little bit more about your business – even if it’s just in a sentence or two.
• Outgoing voicemail message: If your business requires a lot of phone communication, consider adding a line or two from your pitch in your outgoing message. This will reassure the caller that they’re calling the right person who can help them.
• Introduction letters/phone calls: You’re making an introduction anyway, why not start off with your elevator pitch – you can always elaborate.

Best regards,

Ken Diamond, Founder and CEO of www.wintheview.com & search firm www.digital-action.com

610-941-0700

Here’s her story: 

“I received a call for an in-person interview (out of state) and was informed that I would need to do a presentation as well.  But, because I wasn’t familiar with their computer equipment, I didn’t feel comfortable doing a powerpoint presentation.  So, I began searching online for “job interview presentations” and came across your website (www.wintheview.com).  It was exactly what I was looking for.  I looked at the samples and it looked like it would answer many of the questions that the interviewers would have.  While I also looked at other websites that could offer this type of presentation, they didn’t look as professional, and looked like they were trying to copy your website.  I also wanted a website that could offer me topics/suggestions and one that would set me apart from the rest.  As I started putting my presentation together on www.wintheview.com , I was surprised as to how easy it was.  There are many helpful tools to help you, such as:  action words, branding examples, etc…., so I quickly finished it and then submitted my presentation to Mimeo to have it professionally binded and printed.  Within one day, it arrived and I couldn’t believe how great it looked.  The overall week that I spent putting my presentation together, allowed me to look deeper into myself and help me realize what skills, experience, and knowledge that I do have to offer a new employer.  On a daily basis, you seem to get lost in the day-to-day duties and don’t realize how successful you really are.  I went to my job interview/presentation with 5 copies and handed out one to each of my interviewers, keeping one for myself.  Then I walked through each page and expanded on the topics, so that it wouldn’t be boring to the interviewers.   When I was finished, I received compliments from each interviewer on such a great & professional presentation.  There weren’t too many questions that my interviewers had after the presentation either.  The best part of this, is that I was offered the job!  I am still getting compliments on my presentation and have been telling everyone about it.  It was a great learning experience for me and helped me feel more confident about myself and what I can really do.  I would recommend this service to anyone who is looking to get an “edge” on the competition.  It does really work!!  Many Thanks to Ken Diamond for providing support for this great service. “

Thank you again for everything.  If you need me to expand further on an area that I used, just let me know.

Laura R

If you would like to see the latest version of the www.wintheview.com on-line tools, please let me know.  Our upcoming release will include an improved follow up letter function along with a NEW ELEVATOR PITCH function.

Best regards,
Ken Diamond
Founder & CEO of WinTheView.com and search firm www.digital-action.com
215-948-3722

A network administrator had advanced to the third round of interviews with Force3 Technologies in the Baltimore, MD market. His assignment was to give a 15 minute presentation to a panel of decision-makers. Win the View was the perfect fit! Through joint collaboration, using his professionally written résumé and the company job description, we created a powerful marketing document highlighting his accomplishments and interests.

During his interview he presented each panel decision maker with a copy of his Win the View presentation and walked them through it. The panelists were very impressed with his presentation and offered him a job on the spot.

 __________________

An IT Project Manager used Win The View to supplement a day-long interview with Harrah’s Hotels and Casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada. He reviewed the free demo version available on the Win The View website and then we collaborated on additional points to create a more powerful document. Once he understood the advantages and customization features of Win The View, he didn’t hesitate in making the full investment. When he wrapped up his marathon day of meetings, discussions, and reviews with the hiring manager, he handed her his Win The View presentation for her to review on her own. The next day, he received a phone call for the job offer, informing him that the hiring manager was impressed with his thoroughness to detail and professionalism in submitting the Win The View documents. She had never seen a candidate produce anything like it, which sealed the deal in helping her know that she was selecting the right candidate.

Thanks, Ken for creating such a user-friendly, dynamic interviewing tool! I look forward to using it with many more clients. I am sold!

 Beth

 Chesapeake Resume Writing Service

Beth Colley, principal CPRW, CERW, CFJST

Maryland’s first and only Certified Expert Resume Writer

phone 410-533-2457

email resume@chesres.com

web: www.chesres.com

Chart a New Course to Success

The majority of jobs secured today are discovered by networking with friends, members of your local and virtual community or people met throughout your career.  Whether by chance meeting or a specific networking event, people are constantly faced with the challenge of quickly stating who they are, what they do and what is unique about them.  To do this effectively, you (the job candidate) must understand your personal brand.  A personal brand statement is a concise communication that clarifies what makes your value proposition unique and compelling.

Even thought the pitch is crafted and rehearsed, it should sound completely natural and leave the listener with a lasting impression. The objective is to simply create interest and make your listener remember you. The time taken to develop and rehearse the Elevator Pitch will lead to productive outcomes in the form of warm introductions to people who can help you advance your career. 

Here are some of the questions you need to ask yourself in preparing your Personal Elevator Pitch:

-         What is your job target?

-         Who is most likely to make a hiring decision for this role?

-         What issues are being faced by those within your job target?

-         What do you offer that can solve these problems?

-         How are you different than others that provide solutions?

-         What benefits have you delivered for your target audience?

Once you have the answers written down, you may then start to craft your Personal Elevator Pitch.  The key to a successful Pitch is practice / modify, practice / modify and then practice until it is muscle reflex to deliver. Practice in front of someone that can give you honest and productive suggestions.  Practice in front of a mirror and remember your body language and facial expression is important.

Here is a very good example:

“You know how some career professionals miss out on really great employment opportunities, or don’t advance as quickly in their careers as they would like, or don’t get paid the compensation they deserve, all because they don’t really know how to differentiate themselves in their careers or promote themselves effectively in the job market?

Well, I am a career coach, personal branding strategist, and career marketing professional-one of just a few people worldwide with this unique blend of expertise. In my business, which is internet-based and global, I provide a mix of innovative products, programs, and services delivered to six-figure+ and aspiring six-figure+ professionals, managers, and executives. All my offerings are designed specifically to empower my clients to promote and market themselves effectively, opening doors and enabling potential to achieve their highest career ambitions and goals.

The benefits are that my clients dramatically reduce the time and money they spend job searching, rapidly advance their careers, boost their incomes, enjoy greater professional recognition, and overall, establish themselves in careers that are more professionally, financially, and personally rewarding.”

From career expert Michelle Dumas  www.distinctiveweb.com

Note:  www.wintheview.com is developing an on-line template for developing a “Personal Elevator Pitch” and will be introduced in the near future.  For information, call Ken Diamond at 215-948-3722

Many times the hiring authority will quickly spout out what they are looking for and seems to expect me to fill in the blanks for the details that they didn’t provide.  Earlier in my recruiting days, I would accept this and was happy to simply have the search to work on.  What I realized through the years was how much time I could waste making assumptions about what those “gray area” details were.  I have adjusted my approach when getting the position requirements and have a prepared list of questions that I make sure to ask to avoid fishing in the wrong pond or missing an important detail that ends up derailing the search after weeks and weeks of phone calls and screening.

Job seekers need to be asking the same questions when they are approaching the job interview process.  If they understand the nuances and the critical hiring criteria for the position they are considering, they will be in a much better position to articulate their match of skills and accomplishments  further down the interview process in the face to face segment.

Based upon years and years of recruiting and digging out the true hiring criteria, I offer the following questions to job seekers to be asked of the first person they speak with in the interview process. This could be anyone from an executive search consultant to the in house Human Resources representative.  The job seeker should be sure to take good notes upon getting answers to these questions so they may prepare their interview strategy and comments during the face to face part of the process.

Here are some examples of questions that should will reveal some of the true hiring requirements.  Note that these questions are also included in the free WinTheView Workbook that is downloadable upon log-in at www.wintheview.com

What are the primary “must have” skills/attributes a person needs to be successful in this position?

What are the skills and attributes you value most for someone being hired for this position?

What is the single most important attribute for success in this role?

What do you consider the greatest overall challenge of this position?

What are the most immediate challenges of the position during the first three months?

What are the major challenges this position presents over the next 6 – 12 months?

What are the performance expectations of this position in 6 – 12 months?

What will I have done to be viewed as a over-achiever after 6 months?  After a year?

How will I be evaluated and how often?

Who are some of the people this position requires interaction with on a regular basis?

Can you describe a typical day for a person filling this position?

What are the most important personality characteristics for a person in this position?

These questions will help the job seeker to understand the specific needs and pain points for the career opportunity and enable the development of a sales oriented presentation of why the candidate is a strong fit for the position and why they should be hired.  The questions may be asked of each person on the “interview team” to get a sense of consistency and what requirements should receive the greatest priority.