Society & Politics

It's not what you know, it's who you know: The elevator pitch that changed my life


For all job hunters and career driven people in the professional world, there’s an old saying that goes, “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” There's also the Elevator Pitch. Where you have 15 seconds or less enlighten someone about your skills sets and knowledge. Elevator pitches are useful tools for mass networking events and social gatherings.


I would like to share with you all a true story on how a happenstance elevator pitch drastically improved my professional life forever.


It's not what you know, it's who you know: The elevator pitch that changed my life



Utilizing my creative talents and abilities I went to design school to pursue a career in product design. I studied hard and gave it my best. I worked tirelessly revising my portfolio over and over again. Upon graduation I searched endlessly for work. I did not realize how competitive the design industry really was until after completing school. No design firm was interested in hiring me. Discouraged, I took any job I could find to survive. So I got a job as a security guard working long 12-hour night shifts outdoors during the cold winter of inner city construction sites in sketchy neighborhoods. Most of the time nothing ever happened and I had the night all alone to myself, but when things did happen it got scary trying to deal with people breaking in. There was even one night I had a gun pointed at me. This job was not something I ever envisioned myself doing. Despite this I kept this job and worked hard for my employer in hopes they would be a good job referral for a future employer. For a whole year I was a talented artist trapped in a security guard’s body, yearning to be freed.


It's not what you know, it's who you know: The elevator pitch that changed my life



Then one day, on a ride down the elevator of my apartment I spoke with my neighbor who I did not know too well, but we often made small talk. He asked me how work was going.


It's not what you know, it's who you know: The elevator pitch that changed my life



I literally gave an elevator pitch right then and there on the elevator. In a few short words I told him, “Work is work. I’m stuck in a job that doesn’t utilize my skill sets and education. And I’m tired of it.”


Then he asked, “What are your skills and education?”


“Product design.”


His face lit up, “Really? Like architecture for products? Do you know CAD?”


“Yes”


“Hey I could definitely use someone like you! My company is working on a new product that blocks malware and data transmission for computer and mobile devices, and we need someone who can design the exterior body for it so it can sell in the retail market.”


Down in the lobby we exchanged business cards and contact info. Later that week he took time to meet with me and discuss the project, evaluated my portfolio, and he hired me to do freelance work for him right then and there!


Success!


It's not what you know, it's who you know: The elevator pitch that changed my life



Today, I’m no longer a security guard and I am now working as the one and only designer at his company! I also have another part time CAD drafting job at another company at the same time. The product he hired me to design back in the elevator is now in mass production and sales are increasing. We are now developing a new product that will revolutionize cyber security and hacker prevention, and I’m very excited to be a part of this project!


So I guess the moral of my true story is that it’s more often the people who you know that will land you career opportunities. It’s also very important to be kind and respectful of those around you, as they could very well become your future employer. My neighbor lived and I lived in the same apartment complex for more than 2 years before that incident in the elevator. In those 2 years I never thought I’d ever be working for him. Had I not been kind and sociable with my neighbor, my opportunity to work in his company never would have happened.


Build your life.


Had I not worked this dreadful security job, I would not have had the chance to continue living at the apartment where I met my neighbor; I couldn’t afford this apartment without working. Every job and every life experience I had made me the person who I am today. If I gave up and quit my scary security job after having my life threatened at gunpoint, there’s no telling where I’d be today; I most likely would not mentioned my complaints about work in the elevator that led to a job offer from my neighbor. There is nothing wrong with accepting a job most people won’t desire for extra earnings and improving your work experience, because with jobs like these you are building your life toward a more fulfilling future ahead. Ashton Kutcher explains this very well in this speech he gave at the MTV awards a few years ago:





Do not deprive yourself of life experiences. Be polite and network with as many people as you can. Opportunities are often found when you least expect them. Perhaps there is someone you already know who may be a great job lead.

It's not what you know, it's who you know: The elevator pitch that changed my life
Post Opinion