Every time you interact with people in your network, either on the phone or in person, you will want to present yourself in a memorable way. This includes, among other things, speaking clearly and with confidence and being respectful of your contact’s time.
One of the best ways to make powerful impressions on the people you contact is by using “power statements.” A power statement communicates important information about you in a short amount of time. A power statement emphasizes the value you can bring to an organization. Use the following steps to develop power statements:
- Identify a value, skill, strength, or accomplishment you want to highlight that relates to your objective.
- Give a specific example.
- Show the result (if possible, use percentages, dollar amounts, or numbers to reinforce your claim).
- Make sure your statement matches the needs or goals of the organization.
Example 1:
“I am dedicated to customer satisfaction. For example, as a territory manager I provided my customers timely product information and responded to their needs immediately. As a result, I was able to increase sales by 38%.”
Example 2:
“I have excellent planning skills. For example, I used to ride the bus 36 miles to school every day. When the buses went on strike for eight weeks, I had to find other transportation, but never missed a day of school. I feel confident I can put these planning skills to work for you.”
Good power statements highlight key accomplishments and have dramatic impact. As you develop power statements about yourself, think of them as statements of facts. If you write good power statements and practice them until you feel at ease saying them, your tone will be informative, not boastful.
Practice your power statements with a job coach or friend, and get feedback from him or her about the kind of information you should include. Also ask for feedback about the way you present yourself.
Attending a Career Workshop will help you develop additional power statements and give you the opportunity to practice them.
Find the location of the nearest Career Workshop.
