Episode 170: How To Craft The Perfect Elevator Pitch To Level Up Your Networking
We live in a pretty unforgiving world: According to research, people will form a solid impression of who you are within the first seven seconds of meeting you, and in less than a second they can start to determine traits like trustworthiness. The best way to guarantee a good first impression? A tried-and-tested elevator pitch.
We live in a pretty unforgiving world: According to research, people will form a solid impression of who you are within the first seven seconds of meeting you, and in less than a second they can start to determine traits like trustworthiness. The best way to guarantee a good first impression? A tried-and-tested elevator pitch.
Whether you realize it or not, you’ve given someone an elevator pitch about yourself at some point in your career. Or maybe even on a date. But if you’re not intentional about it, you’re missing out on opportunities.
A solid elevator pitch is key for networking, pitching yourself or your business, and speaking confidently about yourself in social situations. So in today’s episode, we’re tackling the best practices you need to capture your best self, and pitch what you do with confidence in any networking situation.
Tune in as we chat about:
The purpose and use cases for a good elevator pitch
Gill’s elevator pitch crisis — and how everything changed when she nailed it
Using the four “C”s to frame what you do and who you are
The importance of focusing on what you’re building towards
Confident body language tips
How Cailyn is framing her industry pivot
How your mindset determines a successful pitch
PS: If you’ve been toying with the idea of launching a podcast but aren’t sure where to start or how to grow, check our consulting services at teachmehowtoadult.ca/howtopodcast!
If you have a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you want us to interview, comment or DM us on Instagram:
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Episode 73: Teach Me How Beat Burnout And Find Balance| Summer Rewind
For the rest of the summer, we’re doing a Summer Rewind, re-releasing some of our must-listen episodes as we ramp up to the launch of season two. See you in September friends!
One of the things we’ve been hearing most for the last while (outside of “unprecedented times” and “You’re on mute!”) is that our friends and families are feeling hella burnt out right now.
And even though our lives have slowed down and become more minimal in some ways, life is picking back up again and there’s a lot more stress, expectation and pressure overall.
For the rest of the summer, we’re doing a Summer Rewind, re-releasing some of our must-listen episodes as we ramp up to the launch of season two. See you in September friends!
One of the things we’ve been hearing most for the last while (outside of “unprecedented times” and “You’re on mute!”) is that our friends and families are feeling hella burnt out right now.
And even though our lives have slowed down and become more minimal in some ways, life is picking back up again and there’s a lot more stress, expectation and pressure overall.
Listen along as we dive into:
What burnout really means
The signs you might be burnt out
Why we’re all feeling it more than ever
How social media can contribute to burnout
How boundaries can help you take back control of your time, energy & wellbeing
The importance of prioritizing sleep and wellness
Why you need to slow down and ask for help when you need it
Mastering your mindset and re-thinking how you measure success
How to fall in love with your life again and find joy everyday
Incorporating self-care daily, and not just on #selfcaresunday
Knowing when it’s time to say “thank you, next!” to your job
We hope this episode helps you prevent or recover from burnout, because you are more than your job and productivity, and you deserve a balanced life. Sending you all lots of love.
If you have a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you want us to interview, comment or DM us on Instagram:
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Episode 51: How To Get Out of A Rut
Winter is coming… and with almost two years of the pandemmy under our belts and the sun now setting before we even get a chance to see it (who is daylight savings ACTUALLY saving?), it can feel like we’re living in Groundhog Day. If you’re feeling stuck and stagnant, and running low on energy like us, you’ve come to the right place!
Winter is coming… and with almost two years of the pandemmy under our belts and the sun now setting before we even get a chance to see it (who is daylight savings ACTUALLY saving?), it can feel like we’re living in Groundhog Day. If you’re feeling stuck and stagnant, and running low on energy like us, you’ve come to the right place!
We’re done with languishing. So, in this week’s quickie, we’re talking how to break the cycle of being in a rut and bring the joy back into life – and from changing our mindset to creating moments of inspiration and spontaneity, we’ve got the expert-backed strategies to get you back on track.
Join us as we discuss:
How to know if you’re in a rut
Finding the source and identifying limiting beliefs
Getting out of your own way and taking responsibility
Checking in with your emotional bank account
Setting manageable goals that will create momentum
Finding inspiration through creativity and spontaneity
The life-changing effects of practicing gratitude
Why falling in love with change is the antidote to getting “stuck”
We hope this episode inspires you to make positive change and kick those ruts to the curb!
If you have a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you want us to interview, comment or DM us on Instagram:
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Episode 19: How To Bounce Back From A Layoff
Businesses of all sizes have taken a ROUGH hit in 2020, and unstable employment is a stressor for everyone right now. So today we’re talking about how to bounce back from a layoff and what to do if it happens to you, with the help of Latesha Byrd, a certified career coach, talent development consultant, Google Digital Coach, and CEO of Byrd Career Consulting.
Businesses of all sizes have taken a ROUGH hit in 2020, and unstable employment is a stressor for everyone right now. So today we’re talking about how to bounce back from a layoff and what to do if it happens to you, with the help of Latesha Byrd, a certified career coach, talent development consultant, Google Digital Coach, and CEO of Byrd Career Consulting.
Whether you’ve been laid off due to COVID, industry shifts, or company restructuring, remember that you are not to blame, and you’re so much more than what you do from 9-5. The best way to bounce back is with a solid strategy: You can start by identifying your purpose, getting intentional about job applications, and as Latesha says, “staying ready so you don’t have to get ready.”
Listen to our chat with Latesha to learn more about:
👯♀️ Our experience with how to handle a layoff: 2:40
👩🏾💻 Latesha’s journey to Byrd Career Consulting: 17:27
🔑 3 key things to do after you’ve been laid off: 19:00
🙌 How to mentally bounce back from job loss: 21:59
💃🏽 How to gain your confidence back: 24:18
💼 Why you need a “Career Readiness Toolkit”: 26:36
💻 How to grow your network: 28:44
😬 How to address your layoff in an interview: 32:01
✅ 3 important traits that all top talent have: 34:37
🤔 Important questions to ask in an interview: 37:18
🤝 How to ask companies about their diversity & inclusivity policies: 40:14
🗣 Using LinkedIn to build your personal brand: 41:11
We hope that this episode motivates you to bounce back and find your next dream career!
If you have a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you want us to interview, comment or DM us on Instagram:
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Episode 17: How To Pursue A Career You Love
This week we’re mixing things up with a solo deep dive into some career #RealTalk! Some of you have asked us how we got our start in the Media and Entertainment industry, so we’re bringing you the good, the bad and the ugly of how we got to where we are today, and our biggest tactical career takeaways.
This week we’re diving into some serious career #RealTalk! Some of you have asked us how we got our start in the Media and Entertainment industry, so we’re bringing you the good, the bad and the ugly of how we got to where we are today, and our biggest career takeaways.
We know it’s a really tough time in the job market right now, and these days, just having a secure job is a blessing. But we hope this happy hour chat helps inspire you to always keep working towards what you’re passionate about, even if that just means networking more, listening to career advice podcasts, or starting to build up your side hustle.
Gillian’s biggest lessons:
Never play small and always be yourself. Being unapologetically yourself in a role will allow you to grow and make a huge impact at a company.
Always leave a company with grace and on a good note. You never know where you’ll end up or who you might need to call up for a job. The best thing you can do is leave with dignity, hard work, and solid relationships, because it will open up networking opportunities for the rest of your career.
Pursue your hobbies even if they aren’t directly related to your career. Passions create balance and help to make you a happier, more fulfilled person. Plus, all of those skills and qualities you learn from your hobbies will end up helping you in ways you never expected in your day job!
Learn when to say yes and when to say no. It’s okay to say yes to opportunities that aren’t your dream job if they will align you with the future that you want (Think: networking opportunities & new skills!). And on the flipside, saying no to the wrong opportunities (especially any soul-sucking bad fit offers) frees up space to say yes to the right ones when they come along.
Don’t take advice from people who haven’t been there. Everybody and their Aunt Sue will have opinions on your career, but if they’re not aligned with where you’re heading and what you’re trying to do, then they are in *no* position to weigh in. If you’re going to seek advice, pick credible, supportive sources who are in your industry and can help you along your path.
Work towards finding your purpose. The world and workforce is changing at an unprecedented rate, and that “dream job” you’re chasing may not exist by the time you get to it. Pursuing a purpose or a vocation instead of a “dream job” allows you to find the WHY that’s behind that “dream job”. Ask yourself what it is that you truly value about the position you are striving for. For example, if you want to be the Editor-in-Chief of a magazine, is it telling incredible stories that fuels you the most? If so, find ways to pursue storytelling opportunities in any industry you enter. This small yet impactful mindset shift will keep you resilient, nimble, adaptable, and always working towards your underlying WHY.
Cailyn’s biggest lessons:
You’ll never feel qualified for your next role or promotion but trust us, you are. It is totally normal to feel uncertain when starting a new role or taking on a new project, but remember that you were hired for a reason! So kiss that Impostor Syndrome goodbye and step into your new position with confidence!
Don’t let work become your life. No matter how much you think that promotion, title, or company will give you the validation you are looking for, it is likely going to be short lived and never worth your whole life. We’re both guilty of putting way too much importance on our career as the main source of our happiness and identity. But we now realize that true validation and happiness comes from yourself and all the stuff that happens outside of your job. Besides, what’s the point of working 24/7 when you can’t enjoy the life you’re working for?
People are everything. People are crucial to an organization and the more you empower your peers and team to thrive both at work and in their personal lives, the better results you are going to see for your business. It is also VERY important to treat everyone with respect, no matter what title they have, because you never know where people will end up and who you might need a favour one day.
Negotiate! Negotiate! Negotiate! You have to negotiate your salary and prove your worth when you are first coming into an organization, because it is so much harder to ask for more money once you’re in. We’ll be releasing an episode on negotiation in the future, but in the meantime, DO NOT LEAVE MONEY ON THE TABLE! And remember that you can negotiate more than just your salary: If they won’t budge on your pay, negotiate more vacation, additional benefits, or a signing bonus. Fight for what you deserve.
The best career advice Gillian ever received:
Therapy helped Gillian learn to prioritize herself and never allow her identity and worth to be completely tied to a job. She was so passionate about previous jobs, that she put them before her own life and health and had no balance. So when she was laid off, her identity crumbled because she hadn’t focused on who she was without her career. Finally putting herself first allowed her to find her purpose and have the conviction to leave positions when she was in an environment that wasn’t a good fit for her.
The best career advice Cailyn ever received:
Cailyn’s career coach, Trevor Timbeck, gave her this advice when she was hesitant to go from being a people manager to an individual contributor in a new role: You don’t have to be a VP or manage a team to be a leader. Every day is an opportunity for you to show up as a leader whether you are managing a project, a campaign, an area of the business, or just a task for your boss. Take it as your opportunity to show what you can bring to the table. It’s like that Rachel Hollis quote, “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else's middle”. Shine in your own lane.
We hope you liked this solo episode and that it inspires you to keep pushing yourself to find the purpose behind your career journey!