Personal Brand: Do you have a personal elevator statement?

I've had the opportunity to sit in on interviews the past few days. I've been surprised at how many applicants struggle with the simple question "Why are you the best person for this job?" Many of them have conducted themselves very well in the interview. They've been professional and personable; They've been able to talk about their relevant experience; They've been able to list their key skills and strengths. Yet, when the interviewer asks THE question - "Why should we hire you?" many of them choked.

In my career development classes I encourage participants to come up with their own personal elevator statement. An elevator statement is simply a statement that gives a compelling description (i.e sales pitch) about a service or product in the amount of time it would take to ride an elevator (20 - 30 seconds). So, if I'm looking for a job, the product or service in question is ME.

Think of an elevator question as a commercial about you. Think about your key strengths. Write down the two or three most compelling reasons why you should be hired. Write down exactly how an organization would benefit from having you on their payroll. Then use what you've written down to craft a brief (20-30 second) statement that answers THE question.

Here's an example:

"Well Mr. Lunnen, as you know, we've had several applicants for this position. Why do you feel you are the best person for the job?"

"I have consistently been in the top ten percent in sales performance for the last four years. I have been effective at building positive long-term relationships with both internal and external customers and have a personal committment to providing quality client experiences. I am a professional - in performance, demeanor and appearance and will represent your organization in the best possible light. I know that you'll find me a valuable asset to your team."

Your statment might sound much different than the one I've come up with off the cuff and that's fine - it needs to sound like you. But A statement like the one above sounds much more confident than stammering and stuttering about being a nice person and wanting to help people (not that there's anything wrong with that). The point is to have something prepared in advance so that when THE question does come up you are prepared with a well thought out response. If I have a good personal elevator statement committed to memory I will never again have the "deer in the headlights" expression on my face when the hiring manager asks me why I'm the right person for the job.