A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student has won $1,000 by giving the best 60-second pitch about what she has to offer a company hiring a sales executive. 

Claire Herman, a sophomore economics major from Bigelow, came out on top of the Sold in 60 Seconds competition on March 8, beating out nearly 50 other UA Little Rock students who participated in the event.

“Business has always fascinated me,” Herman said. “It’s the way that I think I will be able to help people the most. I want to bring people products and services of value so they are better able to succeed in life.”

The second-place winner, Derrick Flowers, received $300 while Carlton Smith received third place and a $250 prize.

The UA Little Rock Professional Sales Program hosts this competition to inform students about the opportunities that exist with a professional sales career while fine-tuning their interviewing and networking skills. Students prepare a one-minute pitch about how their qualifications meet the job qualifications for a sales representative job. Recruiters from local and national corporations participate as judges.  

Liberty National representatives, the presenting sponsor, judge the final round and select the winners. There is also a career networking event with recruiters that occurs while scores are being tabulated to determine the semi-finalists.  

“In today’s world, you have seconds to grab someone’s attention,” said Dr. Lenita Davis, chair of the Marketing and Advertising Department. “In a hiring situation, you have to be able to hold their attention by quickly relating your skills and experiences to the hiring needs of the company. Sold in 60 Seconds is a great way for students to demonstrate that skill.”

Herman, who gave her 60-second pitch nine times during the competition, caught the attention of the judges by using the acronym A.C.E.

“I wanted to articulate the theme of bringing value to people,” she said. “I had a little fun and brought in an ace and said I wanted to be the A.C.E. in their company, which stands for Achieve, Challenge, and Excel. It’s difficult to articulate yourself in 60 seconds to a potential employer, but as I said in my speech, I am always up for the challenge so that I and others reach maximum potential.”

Herman’s plans for her prize money are reminiscent of a pop culture reference to Professor Albus Dumbledore, fictional headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in the Harry Potter book series. When Dumbledore looked into the Mirror of Erised, which shows a person’s greatest desire, he saw himself holding a “ pair of thick, woolen socks” and sagely said  “One can never have enough socks.”

“I love my funky socks, and they are getting holes in them, so I need a new investment in socks,” Herman said.

Sold in 60 Seconds would not happen without the support of corporate sponsors. Sponsors included Appetegy, Aptive Environmental, Arvest Bank, Arkansas Business Publishing Group, Bathfitter, Federated, Flex 360, Gartner, Insight, Liberty Mutual, KARK, Morgan Stanley, Mutual of Omaha, United Rentals, and State Farm.

“The competition showcases to hiring managers the experience and talents of UA Little Rock students,” Davis said. “Most students who participate in Sold in 60 Seconds get an interview by the end of the morning. Participating seniors often get a job after graduation. The other classification of students competing in Sold in 60 often receive offers for part-time employment or internship positions. Alumni have told me that the Sold in 60 competition inspired them to pursue a career in professional sales.”