Credits: Indeed.com
What’s an Elevator Pitch
The elevator pitch is a quick summary of yourself. It’s named for the amount of time it should take to deliver it—the duration of a short elevator ride (roughly 30 to 60 seconds or 75 words). Elevator pitches are sometimes thought to be specific to an idea or a product, but you can also use it to sell yourself as a professional.
Why is it important
A good elevator pitch is important because it’s an effective way to demonstrate your professional aptitude, strengths and skills. You should always have some talking points about yourself prepared (so you’re ready to take advantage of unexpected opportunities), but an elevator pitch is particularly helpful during a job search.
You can use your pitch to prepare for an interview. From phone screen to in-person interview, you’ll be asked to provide a summary of who you are, your background and what you want from your next job. The elevator pitch can be a good framework as you’re planning your answer to the popular interview question “tell me about yourself”.
Crafting the Perfect Elevator Pitch
Use these steps to craft the perfect elevator pitch.
- Start with who you are.
- Explain what you do.
- Identify who you serve.
- State what makes you different.
- Include an attention-grabbing hook.
- Now put it all together.
1. Start with who you are
Start your elevator pitch with one sentence about who you are. For example, you could introduce yourself as a sales representative for a specific company or a consultant for small- to medium-sized business owners.
2. Explain what you do
Write one or two sentences about what you do and, specifically, the problem you solve. You may want to refer to your mission statement and what your ultimate goal is or review your product or services. Focus on the benefits that you provide and how you impact the lives of others.
3. Identify who you serve
Write one or two sentences about who your ideal clients are. You may want to write down how your products or services help this group of people.
4. State what makes you different
Write down your unique selling proposition (USP) and what sets you apart from your competitors. If you’re a job seeker, you could write about the experiences or skills that make you unique as a candidate.
5. Include an attention-grabbing hook
Add a hook at the end, a statement that is specifically designed to get the attention of your audience, such as how your product or service can impact their life right away. You could also use a question that will grab their attention instead of a statement, such as one that addresses the problem that they may be experiencing.
6. Now put it all together
Once you have identified each of these pieces separately, combine the statements, starting with the fifth step. Add transitions and edit the pitch so that it flows conversationally and focuses on the most important information. You may want to create different variations based on who you’re talking to as well as different lengths.
Action
In the comment box below, write your elevator pitch. Feel free to make a video of you delivering your elevator pitch.
Also, be prepared to present your elevator pitch to the group.
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