Comments on: How to pitch for what you want http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/ Kontrary is a different take on careers, tech, marketing, start-ups, and life for creatives and professionals by Rebecca Thorman. Sat, 19 May 2012 14:40:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Successful networking requires answering one simple question « Courting Your Career « ANDYWERGEDAL http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4586 Successful networking requires answering one simple question « Courting Your Career « ANDYWERGEDAL Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:23:41 +0000 http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4586 [...] reach out to a potential networking contact and ask if he would be willing to meet you for a cup of coffee. He accepts your invitation. In [...] [...] reach out to a potential networking contact and ask if he would be willing to meet you for a cup of coffee. He accepts your invitation. In [...]

]]> By: Successful networking requires answering one simple question « Courting Your Career http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4585 Successful networking requires answering one simple question « Courting Your Career Mon, 09 Aug 2010 23:59:42 +0000 http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4585 [...] Leave a Comment Tags: informational interviews, job search advice, networking You reach out to a potential networking contact and ask if he would be willing to meet you for a cup of coffee. He accepts your invitation. In [...] [...] Leave a Comment Tags: informational interviews, job search advice, networking You reach out to a potential networking contact and ask if he would be willing to meet you for a cup of coffee. He accepts your invitation. In [...]

]]> By: John R. Sedivy http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4584 John R. Sedivy Fri, 02 Apr 2010 04:32:54 +0000 http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4584 Recently I attended an entrepreneurs' weekend sponsored by our local chamber of commerce. At this event in one of the lectured there was a mention of the 'ask.' Then it clicked for me - how will anyone know what you want if you don't ask? The ask can, and often is, uncomfortable - yet essential. I find it incredible that you worked in five asks in a single phone call - I would really be curious on how the conversation would typically go! Recently I attended an entrepreneurs’ weekend sponsored by our local chamber of commerce. At this event in one of the lectured there was a mention of the ‘ask.’ Then it clicked for me – how will anyone know what you want if you don’t ask? The ask can, and often is, uncomfortable – yet essential.

I find it incredible that you worked in five asks in a single phone call – I would really be curious on how the conversation would typically go!

]]> By: Become an expert quickly | Modite http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4583 Become an expert quickly | Modite Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:54:10 +0000 http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4583 [...] you do something like send a pitch, for example, you’re learning. You’re testing your ideas and theories through the reaction you [...] [...] you do something like send a pitch, for example, you’re learning. You’re testing your ideas and theories through the reaction you [...]

]]> By: How to get a raise in the recession | Modite http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4582 How to get a raise in the recession | Modite Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:19:02 +0000 http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4582 [...] Negotiate. Negotiating for a raise is incredibly hard, made even more so by the fact that your boss has probably just finished a glowing review, and it [...] [...] Negotiate. Negotiating for a raise is incredibly hard, made even more so by the fact that your boss has probably just finished a glowing review, and it [...]

]]> By: J Sandifer http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4581 J Sandifer Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:51:32 +0000 http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4581 Terrific post...I have just stumbled on your blog. Recently I read an article about Alice and so glad that I have found someone with a voice inside of this startup! Couldn't agree more with your points: 1) Know who you are pitching and what they need. In my current position I looked up everything I could on the top 5 exec's at the company(of 15 at the time). I knew that the CEO and I had the same alma mater, IU. I mentioned this before he did and got immediate cred. I knew that the company was growing but needed another vertical to take them to the next level. 2) I ended up interviewing with all 15 people at the company over a couple month period! They were not convinced on what I was pitching them at first...now it is 30% of our revenue. Good companies hire good people! 3) Yes...even when your busy contact doesn't get back to at the specified time, give them another. Be specific in what you can bring to the table. 4) Way to important to forget! Take a card with you and send as you leave the interview. Send something specific to the industry that will be memorable as a gift. I have had two instances that this has happened to me: one as the current company grew(and contracted) we did have to lay someone off, so I called a friend at a well established company and set her up with an interview---she got he job and I learned about it on your facebook page---never heard a thank you. Another person I recommended to a position at current company and found out that he didn't send a thank you or even follow up...just makes me crazy! 5) Adding this one...Make sure that you are getting pitched as well! If you really have something to offer and they see that in you...they will pitch their position! My past couple positions were not ones that I answered a want ad...I approached and pitched. Yes, both start-ups. Terrific post…I have just stumbled on your blog. Recently I read an article about Alice and so glad that I have found someone with a voice inside of this startup!

Couldn’t agree more with your points:
1) Know who you are pitching and what they need. In my current position I looked up everything I could on the top 5 exec’s at the company(of 15 at the time). I knew that the CEO and I had the same alma mater, IU. I mentioned this before he did and got immediate cred. I knew that the company was growing but needed another vertical to take them to the next level.
2) I ended up interviewing with all 15 people at the company over a couple month period! They were not convinced on what I was pitching them at first…now it is 30% of our revenue. Good companies hire good people!
3) Yes…even when your busy contact doesn’t get back to at the specified time, give them another. Be specific in what you can bring to the table.
4) Way to important to forget! Take a card with you and send as you leave the interview. Send something specific to the industry that will be memorable as a gift. I have had two instances that this has happened to me: one as the current company grew(and contracted) we did have to lay someone off, so I called a friend at a well established company and set her up with an interview—she got he job and I learned about it on your facebook page—never heard a thank you. Another person I recommended to a position at current company and found out that he didn’t send a thank you or even follow up…just makes me crazy!
5) Adding this one…Make sure that you are getting pitched as well! If you really have something to offer and they see that in you…they will pitch their position!

My past couple positions were not ones that I answered a want ad…I approached and pitched. Yes, both start-ups.

]]> By: Career Corner « Marywood Alumni Online http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4580 Career Corner « Marywood Alumni Online Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:43:51 +0000 http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4580 [...] How to Pitch for What You Want [...] [...] How to Pitch for What You Want [...]

]]> By: Johanna http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4579 Johanna Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:22:26 +0000 http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4579 Really good advice, Rebecca. These tips can apply to many forms of human interaction, in addition to pitches. JO Really good advice, Rebecca. These tips can apply to many forms of human interaction, in addition to pitches.

JO

]]> By: How to ruin business network in one step | Cube Rules http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4578 How to ruin business network in one step | Cube Rules Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:27:04 +0000 http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4578 [...] you think saying thank you doesn’t make a difference? Try this, from Rebecca at Modite in How to pitch for what you want: My last job was all about keeping young professionals in the city. So when a candidate said she [...] [...] you think saying thank you doesn’t make a difference? Try this, from Rebecca at Modite in How to pitch for what you want: My last job was all about keeping young professionals in the city. So when a candidate said she [...]

]]> By: Andrew http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4577 Andrew Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:49:20 +0000 http://kontrary.com/2009/06/04/how-to-pitch-for-what-you-want/#comment-4577 Rebecca- Thanks for this post. I learned from it and had some follow-up questions, which I posed and responded to in a post over at <a href="http://phdetails.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow">Sumology</a>. Hope you swing by to check it out! Talk soon- Andrew Rebecca-

Thanks for this post. I learned from it and had some follow-up questions, which I posed and responded to in a post over at Sumology.

Hope you swing by to check it out!

Talk soon-
Andrew

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