The famous baseball executive Branch Rickey once observed that "luck is the residue of design." You have probably heard of many chance encounters that led to an unexpected opportunity or a perfect job. It can happen anywhere and anytime, so you need to be ready.

If you do not want your career to be a matter of "luck," you need to build your professional network. Having a great "elevator speech" is an important way you can prepare for any opportunity that may come your way, expected or otherwise.

An elevator speech is a brief, convincing "impromptu" talk that conveys your uniqueness and professionalism in the time it takes to ride an elevator to your floor-because you never know who you may meet, or when.

Furthermore, your elevator speech can contribute to your online professional profile on social networking sites, where you can expand your networking opportunities.

For this week's Discussion, you craft an "elevator speech" that highlights your personal brand and consider opportunities for networking
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To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review this week's Learning Resources pertaining to elevator speeches.

• Review this week's Learning Resources pertaining to networking and branding.

• Post your unique 150-word elevator speech. Then, explain how your elevator speech reflects your "personal brand." Finally, provide one example of how you can use your elevator speech in networking.

Professional Networking and Building Your Brand

In his celebrated book What Color Is Your Parachute, author Richard Bolls observed that in the current economy, the majority of jobs are secured through the "hidden job market."

This means that most people will not obtain a job through the traditional approach of filling out an application or sending a résumé in response to a help-wanted advertisement.

Instead the overwhelming majority of jobs today are secured through networking or employee referral. As the saying goes, "who you know" is often as important as "what you know."

Branding is also important. Although you may not associate branding with getting a job, it is an essential piece of the employment puzzle. "Branding" refers to your reputation-what makes you unique. It is a way of distinguishing yourself in a crowded field of applicants, attracting the attention of employers.

This week, you write what is known as an "elevator speech" and begin writing your Literature Review.

Reference:

Bolles, R. N. (2012). What color is your parachute? Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.

Learning Objectives

• Formulate an elevator speech

• Evaluate elevator speech for personal brand

• Analyze networking opportunities

• Evaluate resources for Literature Review