You’ve Got 90 Seconds

A lot of what you will accomplish in life is anchored on the connections you make. Much of the connections and networking you will engage in come from the impressions you leave with people. Thus, your success and how quickly you can reach new heights in your career can very well depend on first impressions alone. Therefore, my friends, you are here, reading my take on how to make a first impression indelible to your audience.

For the sake of keeping the focus on career advancement, let's discuss why first impressions are so important for recruiters and hiring teams. You have about 90 seconds to wow people who are complete strangers and convince them that you're qualified for the job. That means you must master being brief and impactful. This is difficult, even for the most experienced and high-ranking professionals. Trust me, the 90-second rule is centered on a few key points, and you will need to have a compelling answer ready for each point.

First, who are you? This question requires some self-reflection as you condense your accomplishments over the years. I recommend adding a few adjectives to make it vivid and dynamic. After all, personality is essential in making a strong first impression. This is also the perfect opportunity to share your "why" – why you pursued a career in X field.
Second, what are you currently working on? Your answer should align with the job you're interviewing for or the one you're interested in. Talk about what you're currently doing, whether it's working at X job, taking classes with a focus on X, or backpacking across the country. Just be sure to mention it.
Third, what are you looking to do in your next move or why are you interviewing for the position in question? This is where the interviewer gauges your interest in the role and why you're interested in it. Here, you have an opportunity to share the skills and experience you believe will add value in your next step.
Lastly, close strong. Connect the dots for your interviewer by summarizing why you are a qualified fit for the job at hand. And when I say close strong, I mean leaving the recruiter, hiring team, etc. with a compelling statement of who you are, what you're working on, what you want to do, and how you will add value in your next step. I suggest writing down your elevator pitch and rehearsing it until it sounds natural. This pitch will come in handy at networking events, career fairs, and meetings. Keep it authentic and make it work for you.
Good luck and take care!

-E