While looking for a job, you will need to express to others your talents, interests, values, and goals. One good way to do this is to write a “Me in 30 Seconds” statement— three to five sentences that explain who you are.
You can use this statement when calling contacts in your network or when interviewing to set yourself apart from other applicants.
Below are two examples of “Me in 30 Seconds” statements.
Example 1:
“I have always enjoyed interacting with people. As a result I became a public affairs professional and have been in the profession for the past eight years. I have managed a variety of community relations and education programs in the state. As a result of my organizational abilities, I have had the responsibility for overseeing all the public affairs programs for multimillion-dollar projects. What I enjoy most is helping small, start-up businesses find a niche in the community.”
Example 2:
“I am a dedicated person with a family of four. I enjoy reading, and the knowledge and added perspective that my reading has given me have strengthened my teaching skills and presentation abilities. I have been successful at raising my family. I attribute this success to my ability to plan, schedule, and handle many different tasks at once. This flexibility will help me in the classroom, where there are many different personalities and learning styles.”
Create your own “Me in 30 Seconds” statements by considering your goals, interests, and accomplishments. A good “Me in 30 Seconds” Statement is no longer than 30 seconds and highlights only those details that are most pertinent for the person or organization you are talking to.
After you have written your “Me in 30 Seconds” statements, practice saying them out loud until you are comfortable with them. Be sure to share your statements with others, including a job coach or other mentors, and get their feedback. No “Me in 30 Seconds” statement is ever finished. You will need to revise your statement to suit each interview.
Attending a Career Workshop will give you the opportunity to refine and practice using your “Me in 30 Seconds” statement.
Find the location of the nearest Career Workshop.
