Elevator pitches are vital to your professional growth, as opportunities for employment are likely to arise when you least expect them. If you’re prepared with a memorable yet brief 30-40 second elevator pitch, you’ll be ready to approach any employer with composure and confidence.
Here’s a helpful list of what to include in your elevator pitch:
- Define Who You Are
Always begin your pitches with a concise statement defining who you are. Describe where you work, what your experiences are in that field, and what your interests are. It’s important to state whether you’re continuing work in a similar field or plan on diverging into unfamiliar terrain.
- Share Your Skills
This is the moment where you can differentiate yourself. Be thoughtful, honest, and decisive about your skillset - especially those that align with the targeted person’s area of interest. Avoid the most commonly listed skills; you may indeed be organized and motivated, but those descriptors are over-used and rather generic. Brevity is crucial, so be as specific as you can using as few words as possible. It’s tricky, but with practice, you can certainly construct a great elevator pitch.
- Mention Your Goals
Employers want to know that you’re focused and that your long-term goals agree with their company’s mission. You’re probably not the best choice as a candidate if in a few years’ time you plan on starting a business in the same field, ultimately becoming their competitor.
- Be Relatable & Avoid Jargon
If you’ve composed your elevator pitch with care and practice ahead of time, there’s no reason to fill it with long, complicated words. Likeability is a crucial factor when it comes to appealing to an employer, and it’s easy to come across as pretentious if you use a lot of technical jargon. This is first and foremost a conversation; talk to them with confidence and you’ll find you won’t need complex vocabulary to win them over.
- Read Your Audience
This elevator pitch is not for you - it’s for your audience. If you understand their motivations and the work that they do, you can tailor your pitch accordingly. Know their business’s services and explain how you can add value to their specific line of work.
