An elevator pitch is a short, pithy statement about who you are and what you do that you can use to sell yourself in networking situations.
A good elevator pitch can open doors to new jobs, new careers, and new opportunities. It could be the key to unlocking a bright and wondrous future for yourself and your family.
A bad elevator pitch, on the hand, well… It could lead to embarrassment and insecurity, as you watch in horror as the Google hiring manager you’ve happened upon gets bored, excuses herself, and exits your life forever.
Ok, maybe that’s a bit dramatic. But the truth is, an elevator pitch really could be your ticket to your dream job. Spend some time on it now; you never know when you’ll need it.
Not sure where to start? Here’s a few suggestions to perfect your personal elevator pitch.
1 – Know Your Role
You can’t pitch yourself unless you know what your ideal position is. Start with identifying the kind of people you plan to use your elevator pitch on, then check back whenever you get stuck. Make sure everything you plan to say is ideal for this potential listener and the role you want them to hire you for.
2 – Trim It Down
The traditional elevator pitch is 30 seconds. That’s hardly enough time to talk about the plot to the graphic novel you self-published, the life lessons you learned on those summer childhood fishing trips with your grandfather, or the nitty-gritty details of the artificial intelligence you’ve built in your garage.
The point is, get to the point. Take a look through your resume and identify the 3 most important things that would impress your target. Then work on expressing those 3 things as well as possible, as quickly as possible.
3 – Benefits, Not Features
You might think it’s a good idea to start your elevator pitch with your experience but really, is that what hiring managers care about? They care much more about what you can bring to their company.
So instead of “I’m Brock Osweiler and I have 3 years of experience in the NFL”, consider “I’m Brock Osweiler and I’m a 6’8”, 240 pound NFL quarterback with an 82.5 career passer rating.”
4 – Practice Makes Perfect
Once you think you know what you want to say, rehearse it. First, in the mirror. Then, when you’re comfortable, try it on real people, like your mom or a significant other. Ask for feedback, then modify your pitch accordingly.
The more you practice, the easier it will be to deliver your elevator pitch when the time comes. As the old adage says, it’s not just what you say but how you say it. Deliver your elevator pitch with confidence and you’ll increase your chances of landing your dream job ten-fold.