Develop a Powerful Opening Statement
By Cord Harper, CEO of Endeavor Agency
Create a Memorable Opening Statement to Set Yourself Apart From Other Candidates
A recent client that partnered with Endeavor Agency told us that their opening interview statement (also known as a branding statement or personal statement) wasn’t working. “There’s just nothing exciting about it,” they stated. “I know you’ve said this statement is the most important part of the entire interview. How can you help me make it more memorable?”
Our client’s thoughts were correct. Their previous opening statement was bland and could have been used by any finalist for any C-suite or upper management position. In its current form, the statement would not help set our client apart from the other invited candidates. It also looked backwards and did not define who our client is presently nor paint our client into the role they were seeking.
Endeavor recommended they highlight three strengths in their opening statement (also known as a branding statement). The strengths they selected at first were undefined and general in nature. Endeavor’s coach helped this client develop the verbiage needed to make our client’s strengths be of great benefit for what that employer needed and helped our client differentiate themselves from the other finalists.
Through back-and-forth conversations, Endeavor and our client had developed a much more personalized, powerful opening statement and value proposition. Now, our client could nail the first part of any interview, whether in-person or video, and have a great first impression.
About Endeavor Agency
Endeavor Agency is the nation’s leading company helping individual executives, VPs, senior managers, professionals, and physicians find the jobs they truly want. Our additional resources, expertise, and career change specialists help our clients uncover more and better job opportunities than what they could access on their own.
Endeavor Agency helps rebrand clients to effectively communicate their value throughout the interview process and increase their odds dramatically of winning offers. Additionally, Endeavor Agency helps clients achieve better results in negotiating the terms of their employment agreements.
Endeavor Agency also provides executive coaching, outplacement services, and business consulting services. Endeavor can also help guide executives focused on the private equity and venture capital market segments.
