By Daniel Collins

On a transition mentoring call, I always start with “What’s going on with you?” That’s your opening to give your elevator pitch. On today’s call, I had a new mentee and he did not understand what I was asking, so I told him to give me his “Elevator Pitch.” He said, “What does that even mean?”

Well, I am glad you asked. Elevator rides normally take on average 30 seconds a piece. The elevator ride is also an enclosed quiet space. Now, imagine, your next elevator ride, Bill Gates stops the elevator door from closing and asks, “Do you mind if I ride up with you?” What do you do with your 30 seconds of undivided attention with the most influential man in the world? No matter what you do, I bet your life will be changed forever. You will remember the time you told Bill Gates what you were passionate about or you will remember the time by kicking yourself in the pants for freezing up like a bumbling idiot and whiffing on a golden opportunity that could have changed your life!

Now let’s dial it back a bit. When I was in Government, I used to ride in elevators with Senior Executives all the time. I made a point of knowing who these people were and what they looked like so that if I ever got the opportunity, I would always be ready to passionately tell them what I was working on. Over time, these numerous elevator rides, were establishing my reputation as someone who gets things done and these Senior Executives would remember me, support my projects, and even consider me for future key assignments.

Now to break it down for transitioning veterans, one of the first questions in an interview will almost always be some form of “tell me about yourself” or as I would say, “tell me, what is going on with you?” You will have approximately 30 seconds to impress us that you are the man/woman for the job. Your response to this opening establishes your first impression and sets the tone for the remainder of the interview. The following are the minimum items to share:

• Tell us your name
• Tell us what you want to be when you grow up (it’s okay if you have not decided) (Do not say you are willing to do anything)
• Tell us when you will be transitioning
• Tell us if you are looking into internships/apprenticeships
• Tell us where you want to land geographically (Do not say you are willing to work anywhere)
• Tell us something unique about you that we can remember you by

While you start by writing your pitch down on paper, it is imperative that you practice it to the point that you can give the pitch from memory. Only then, will we be able to hear what you are passionate about. It’s that passion that is going to make a prospective employer more inclined to want to hire you.

So, the moral to the story, develop and always have ready, an enthusiastic/memorable elevator pitch. Practice it daily on anyone who will listen. Then, finally, deliver it with passion every time as if you are talking to Bill Gates!

Daniel Collins, MBA, PMP, the author of this article is a Marine and a retired government employee