You Dont Need to Confess You are Unemployed

You Dont Need to Confess You are Unemployed When you are introducing yourself to someone new it is not necessary to include the phrase Ive been laid off or something similar within the first few seconds of your elevator pitch. Perhaps it is instinct that is directingyou to confess this information.Perhaps you feel theneed to be honest, or maybe it makes you feel better. No matter the reason, please dont do it, for your own good. Including your employment status in your pitch is irrelevant to what you want in the future. Sharing this information too early neither makes you look more interesting nor talented. It may conjure up other thoughts in the listeners mind that would be distracting from your core message. Thoughts such as: poor thing, this is a terrible time to be unemployedwonder what they did that got them laid offhow are they ever going to find a job right nowwow, it stinks to be you Those distracting thoughts can get in the way of the listener being able to help you. Sure, empathy is a wonderful thing, but thats not the help you want from most people. (Thats why you have friends, family and a support network). The other thing to know is that many employed people are looking for new jobs right now too. They dont start a conversation with someone they dont know by saying I hate my job and Im looking for a new one, or at least they shouldnt. You dont have to be unemployed to be looking fora job or to change careers. There are many factors that lead to someone looking for new work. Especially today, more and more talented people have learned that they should always be prospecting their next job/career move. Certainly they dont confess that up front. Focus instead on why you are great at what you do and what makes you different and memorable. Summarize the value you have you added to organizations you have worked with. Remember, this is a marketing campaign, you want to create a distinct brand and message that will catch attention for the right reasons, you are talented at what you do!