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The Personal SummaryA personal summary is a series of statements, communicated either verbally or in writing, that summarize who you are, your strengths and passions, your goals, and your unique value. It is adapted from the term ‘personal pitch,’ which was first used during the early days of the internet explosion when web development companies needed venture capital. Finance firms were swamped with applications for money and the companies that won the cash were often those with the best pitch. The best were those that could sell a business proposition to the occupants of an elevator in the time it took them to ride to their floor (30 seconds or less.) The personal summary (aka elevator pitch, 30 second pitch, or personal statement) can provide an excellent framework for answering the “Tell us about yourself?” interview question. You can also use a written version of your personal summary as an opener for your Linked In page or to introduce yourself when requesting an Informational Interview.Important to keep in mind:Tailor your personal summary to your audience. For example, during a job interview, make sure you know what the company is looking for and how you can provide it. Read the job description, and know something about the organization. If you are asking for an Informational Interview, know something about the person you want to interview. You will be much more likely to succeed if your personal summary is clearly targeted for the individuals you are speaking to. Rehearse your summary in front of a mirror or record yourself, so you can see and hear how you sound. When you give the summary, look the listener in the eye, smile and deliver your message with a confident, upbeat delivery. If you are responding to an interview question, don’t ramble - make a summing-up statement and then stop talking.How to write the summary:To prepare your personal summary, jot down answers to the following questions. Then join the statements together, and try to keep the resulting paragraph under 200 words by eliminating any language that is not absolutely necessary to get your message across.Who are you? What is your current situation?What are you passionate about?What are your key strengths? If you’re not sure, take an assessment, ask your friends and family, look at your background and experiences, or look at the job description (if appropriate) or the career description (if appropriate) to identify what is sought and where your skills match up.For job interviews or cover letters: What is your unique value, or, what are the main contributions you can make? Base this on prior experiences, whether form work, school, or extra-curricular activities. What are you looking for? Why are you interested in the company or the industry the person represents? Know something about the company/person, e.g. vision, mission, research activities, or other information that show you did some research. Be as specific as possibleIf you’re having trouble, try filling in the blanks and preparing a summary paragraph with your answers:Step 1My name is and I am a year student at university, with a [plan to] major in or . Step 2I am interested in this major because I am passionate about and hope to pursue a career in or . ORI am applying for this position because I am passionate about .OR (for Informational Interviewing)I am hoping to meet with you to discuss because I am passionate about .Step 3I am good at/talented in/able to and . (List two things you are good at that match the situation.)OR I am and . (List two personal characteristics that match the situation.) OR (for Informational Interviewing)I am hoping to learn more about whether my skill in _____ and _____ are a good match for this field. Sept 4 (excluding Informational Interviewing)I have a background in . (Provide brief list of related work experiences including internships, volunteer work, course projects, conferences, nonprofit experience that relate to the skills or characteristics you mentioned in Step 3.)Sept 5 (excluding Informational Interviewing)I am able to . (Your unique value; give a specific example of when you used a skill or highlight something special about yourself that relates to the job/interviewer/audience.)Step 4I have applied for this position because I ______ (believe in the company’s mission statement/see a good match between my skills and your requirements/possess unique attributes required for this position/looking for new challenges) etc. ORI would like to meet with you to discuss because (you are a recognized expert in the field/I admire the work you did on XYZ) etc. Examples of Personal Summaries:Personal Summary Requesting An Informational InterviewMy name is Fatima Student. I am a third year student from Georgetown University majoring in international economics. I am exploring options and career fields for people with economics majors, and I’ve specifically considered doing an MBA or working in the banking sector. I have had a strong interest in finance since I first enrolled in college and have taken any available courses on the subject. I have maintained a 3.4 GPA while also participating in extra-curricular activities including the Business Society and Student Government. I learned through our Tawjeeh program that you might be available to meet with undergraduate students to offer insights and advice. I would appreciate the opportunity to give you a call and/or meet with you in person to discuss your experiences as an MBA graduate working in Doha. Personal Summary During Job Interview – IPOL MajorI am a senior at Georgetown University majoring in International Politics. My career goal is working in the human resources field for a multinational company in the international recruitment and training department. I love working with people from diverse cultures and being a resource. I currently work part-time as a local recruiter for SFSQ, representing the university at recruitment and informational fairs. I am also on a work team responsible for developing an orientation program for college transfer students. My strengths include designing orientation programs, marketing research for college age students, and fluency in Arabic. From my research, I’ve learned that your company has experienced rapid and sustained growth over the last ten years, including the opening of offices in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. I would welcome the opportunity to work for a growing and international company.Personal Summary During Job Interview – CULP MajorI am a senior at Georgetown University majoring in Culture and Politics. Currently I am completing a thesis on the relationship between low calorie diet and educational performance in early childhood. I am interested in joining a research team where I can use my research skills to study the impact of poverty on children in the Middle East, while gaining further experience with policy development. I believe I am well prepared for this position because of my leadership, research and foreign language skills. I grew up in Iran, and I’m fluent Farsi, English, and Arabic. As the President of the Student Leadership Council for two years I have developed strong leadership skills. In addition I have served as the student liaison for the Zones of Conflict Program at SFSQ and have a strong commitment to volunteerism. I am a fast-learner with a strong ability to work both independently and with a team. I feel that my communication and organizational skills will be of great use in this organization. Personal Summary for Linked In -IPOLCurious, connected, high achieving and well-traveled international politics major with keen interest in African politics. History of volunteer work and compassion for people who are challenged by mental illness and poverty. Recognized for successful recruitment efforts in several organizations. Familiar with Microsoft Office and statistical software. Would ideally like to work in an NGO that assists third world countries.Adapted from: ................
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