[ID:0335] Imagine that you are full-time job hunting. You are continuously coming into contact with employers through e-mail and phone conversations, during face-to-face meetings at conferences and chance meetings in lobbies or hallways, and perhaps even at dinner parties with friends. Potential employers will most certainly say to you, "Tell me about yourself." On a moment's notice, you must be prepared to say who you are and what skills you have. Time is short and you have to make an immediate impression.

For all of these job-hunting situations, you need to have a pre-arranged two-sentence and two-paragraph description of your professional self. The message has to be short, clear and articulate. This is your "elevator pitch," a short marketing message about yourself — short enough to be delivered during one elevator ride.

Unless you are prepared with a personal elevator pitch (and most young professionals are not), you will miss out on the many door-opening opportunities that come up when you are searching for a job.

Imagine now that you...