Elevator Pitch

The Elevator Pitch or Elevator Speech are terms that refer to a brief overview or pitch of a product or service, that can be delivered in say, 30-45 seconds. See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elevator_pitch

The concept is critical to candidates as well, in that studies have repeatedly shown that you often have less than a minute to make your point when trying to influence someone. Whether introducing yourself at an interview, a social event, or writing an intro on a cover letter or resume, you must be clear, concise and to the point about what you want, what you offer, and how you can help someone solve a problem.

It amazes me that so many people in the midst of a job search cannot quickly articulate even the basic parameters of a job search.
What type of role?
Where? (relo or no, and if so where)
How much travel?
What type of money?
What type of company? (big, small, culture)

I receive dozens of resumes a day without any basic information concerning these questions, and often inquiring about positions for which the person has no obvious qualifications.

A candidate without the sense to be able to do the above in an initial communication, already has two (maybe three) strikes against them with respect to their communications skills and common sense.