A Great Positioning Statement Helps You Network Effectively
Overview:
Updated: 5/2/11
Develop Your Positioning Statement
Your positioning statement is used in conversations throughout your search. You’ll use it in networking meetings, on phone calls, and of course, on interviews. It is the response to the question, "Tell me about yourself."
Your Positioning Statement contains these elements:
- Profession – state your professional identity in the present tense. “I am a marketing executive.”
- Expertise – state the competencies and skills that qualify you for that kind of work.
- Types of Organizations – summarize the environments or organizations in which you have worked, such as “Fortune 100 company,” “small consulting firm,” “not-for-profit organization.” You might also mention other types of activities, such as teaching, participation on boards, or other leadership roles.
- Unique Strengths – Articulate the qualities that help you stand out from others in your field, such as exceptional problem solving skills, unique technical knowledge, or specialties.
Craft a brief statement that conveys your professional objective, key qualifications, and uniqueness for use in conversations. Practice it aloud, so that you can call it up whenever you want to. There are additional instructions in the “A” book of Managing Your Search Project.
Description:
Positioning Statement Examples
Here are two examples of good positioning statements.
I am an information systems specialist focusing on the application of technology to business functions in the areas of marketing, sales, manufacturing, logistics and accounting. My field of experience is diverse. I have worked with a Fortune 500 firm as well as a small entrepreneurial business. My strengths include data administration, strategic planning, data warehousing, and relational database design, development and implementation.
I am a senior corporate officer with extensive expertise in operational responsibilities, including P&L, strategic planning and financial management. I have been particularly effective in increasing profitability, growing revenues and managing costs. My organization showed solid incremental gains in market share and still maintained operational efficiencies. One of my strengths is building management teams that value cross-functional working relationships.
Working from the above examples, it’s time to craft your own! Remember the four parts:
Profession – state your professional identity in the present tense. “I am a marketing executive.”
Expertise – state the competencies and skills that qualify you for that kind of work.
Types of Organizations – summarize the environments or organizations in which you have worked.
Unique Strengths – articulate the qualities that help you stand out from others in your field.
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Date added:
Wednesday, 24 Jun 2009
