Author, speaker, and consultant Marisa D’Vari suggests starting the Elevator Story process by writing down three key points about your product (you, in this case) and telling stories about how these points will benefit an employer.

Here’s a story-based variation on a formula suggested by Certified Professional Virtual Assistant Jean Hanson:

1. Who am I? (introduce yourself)


2. What field or industry am I in?


3. What position am I in and what position do I want to be in? In what capacity do I serve or want to serve?


4. What is my USP (Unique Selling Proposition)? What makes me different from the competition?


5. A brief story that illustrates the benefits that employers can derive from my skills, based on my proven accomplishments.

Example:

1. Who am I?

   Hi, I’m Thad VanIderstine.



2. What field or industry am I in?

   I’m a strategic operations executive in the cable-TV sector.



3. What position am I in and what position do I want to be in? In what capacity do I serve or want to serve?

   I want to add value to an organization in a senior position by being involved in many facets of operations and how strategy translates into increasing the bottom line.



4. What is my USP (Unique Selling Proposition)? What makes me different from the competition?

   A successful manager must be able to provide valuable feedback in timely fashion while allowing employees to be independent and coaching them on both their strengths and opportunities for development. I’ve been a successful manager because I lead by example.



5. A brief story that illustrates the benefits that employers can derive from my skills, based on my proven accomplishments.

   For instance, when I was asked to manage a field project, one team was struggling to get the program off the ground. One of the issues they had was the ability to effectively manage outsourcing. So I showed them how to take charge of meetings with the outsource vendors, hold them [meetings] less frequently, and ensure that everyone was accountable. The result was the successful management of the program, and my gaining the respect of the team, rather than potential resentment for my taking over the project. Senior management recognized the entire team for launching the program.

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Tell Me About Yourself: Storytelling that Propels Careers, Quintessential Careers Press, ISBN-10: 1-934689-00-9. Find out the ways you can own the entire book.

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Tell Me About Yourself: Storytelling that Propels Careers, Quintessential Careers Press, ISBN-10: 1-934689-00-9. Find out the ways you can own the entire book.