Getting ready to write down an elevator pitch is important to your job search and for interviews as it’s a fast introduction that conveys what you do, the way you add worth, and what you’re centered on subsequent.

Do you ever have somebody ask what you do and also you’re not fairly certain clarify it, actually? Or, possibly you give them a place title however it doesn’t actually do justice to what you do daily or the route you need to take your profession. Explaining what you do isn’t only for small speak or networking, two conditions the place we’re most frequently requested what we do. Having an elevator pitch ready is important to your job search and for interviews. 

I’m answering your entire elevator pitch questions and offering you with a template to create your individual elevator pitch in addition to examples that can assist you get began. By the top of this text, you’ll be prepared to write down and share your elevator pitch throughout your job search.

Why Is an Elevator Pitch Necessary?

Your elevator pitch is a fast introduction that conveys what you do, the way you add worth, and—for those who’re job looking—what you’re centered on subsequent. That is the important thing ingredient to your elevator pitch while you’re a job seeker. It’s additionally essentially the most missed. 

An elevator pitch is essential as a result of it’s a part of the primary impression you make on a brand new community contact or on the employer/interviewer. It’s essential to organize and apply in order that it’s conveyed concisely and confidently. It’s a 30-second gateway to furthering your relationship with both that new connection or that potential employer—it’s important to get it proper.

I struggled with this query for years. Regardless that I do know all these methods, generally I get caught off guard when somebody asks, and I reply with “I run an govt resume writing service.” After which they take a look at me humorous and ask what that’s. 

I not too long ago revamped my elevator pitch to raised replicate my firm’s mission and my private mission. If you happen to’re an entrepreneur or small enterprise proprietor chances are you’ll need to contemplate going that route. However at this time, I’m discussing elevator pitches for job seekers.

What Ought to You Embody in an Elevator Pitch?

One of many largest errors I see job seekers make when sharing their elevator pitch is that they go all the way in which again to the start of their profession historical past and so they inform their complete bio. That’s not obligatory and it’s not what the employer (or your community contact) is anticipating after they ask “What do you do?” or “Inform me about your self.”

Creating your elevator pitch might be so simple as 1, 2, 3: 

1 – Give them your present place title.

2 – Share three strengths or three areas the place you add worth.

3 – Allow them to know what you need to do subsequent.

Quantity three is extremely essential while you’re networking as a job seeker. You need to inform your contact the industries, corporations, or positions you’re exploring so that they know the way that can assist you. 

In an interview, you need to share what you’re enthusiastic about subsequent and why. It explains your curiosity within the function and—for those who craft it excellent—why you’re the most effective match for the corporate and place. 

I interviewed a candidate not too long ago and after I requested her to inform me a bit about herself I acquired a 15-minute response that detailed all of her jobs since she first began working. It’s not horrible to share profession development, however for those who go that route share the spotlight reel as a substitute of the full-length film. 

How Lengthy Is an Elevator Pitch?

An elevator pitch doesn’t must be lengthy. Once I ask candidates within the interview to inform me about themselves, I normally get two kinds of responses. Both I’ll hear a 20-minute dissertation and the particular person’s complete life story together with private particulars (like the instance above), or I’ll get a concise abstract of the candidate’s skilled historical past—very similar to a resume’s profession abstract. 

I strongly suggest getting ready and practising your elevator pitch upfront and utilizing it in an interview as your response to the query that you simply’re just about assured to be requested: “Inform me about your self.”

Your elevator speech ought to be about 30-45 seconds in networking conditions and a minute to a minute and a half in an interview the place chances are you’ll want to enter a bit extra element to convey your worth and background.

When Do You Use an Elevator Pitch?

Individuals don’t usually take into consideration taking their elevator pitch into the interview, however as I discussed your elevator pitch is the proper reply to the interview query, “So inform me about your self.” 

You may as well use your elevator pitch when assembly new individuals, at networking occasions, or when reaching out to request an informational interview. I additionally like to make use of elevator pitches after I’m introducing myself to somebody I’ve been referred to. Let’s say that somebody in your community is related to an worker at your goal firm and desires to make an introduction. You possibly can use the elevator pitch template to introduce your self through e-mail or in a fast name. Right here’s an instance of one thing I would say:

“Hello, I’m Jessica Hernandez, and I used to be referred to you by Suzanne Mitchell. She talked about you is likely to be a terrific particular person to talk to. I’m a (place title), with a background in (business, area of interest, space of specialization, and many others.). I get pleasure from (areas the place you add worth or ship influence) and I’m exploring alternatives in (business) as a (place title) with (firm title). Would you have got 5 minutes to reply a couple of questions on how you bought to the place you’re in your profession, and to share any ideas you have got with me about how I may create an identical profession path?”

Adapt it for what works for you. The extra you employ it, the higher you’ll be capable to make changes to it as you go.

Elevator Pitch Examples

It’s possible you’ll be questioning the place to start out relating to creating your individual elevator pitch, or possibly it’s the supply that worries you essentially the most. That is the place preparation and apply are available in. Hold it easy to start out. You may at all times add extra later. 

Begin along with your place title and business. Then, add three strengths or areas of influence. Consider the three areas most essential to you in your subsequent function and the place you’ve added the best worth with previous employers. Then, finish your elevator pitch with the place you need to head subsequent. 

“Hello, I’m Jennifer Hendy, a territory supervisor for a medical gadget producer. My strengths embrace boosting YoY income, producing new consumer accounts, and growing buyer retention. I’m most happy with the 98% improve in buyer retention I achieved this yr with Medtronic. I’m presently exploring new alternatives as a regional territory director with one other giant medical gadget producer like Stryker or Pfizer.”

“My title is Alicia Keller, and I’m an account supervisor for a monetary providers agency. My areas of experience embrace retaining new clients, nurturing key relationships over time, and values-based promoting. I not too long ago elevated new buyer acquisition 35% for the fourth quarter with Magellan Logistics. I’m trying to find a brand new function as a key account supervisor for a logistics firm like Ryder or XPO Logistics.”

Bear in mind while you’re creating your elevator pitch that the secret’s to personalize it for you, your strengths, and the route you need to take to your subsequent profession transfer. If you happen to maintain it centered on these three issues, then you definitely’ll have an impactful and well-rounded elevator pitch. Additionally, maintain it transient—don’t go into your full profession bio, use it when networking or as your response to the interview query “So inform me about your self.” 

Right here is one other Easy, Step-by-Step Elevator Pitch Template with Examples so that you can take a look at.

If you happen to’re presently mid-job search and will use a cheat sheet for tapping into the hidden job market (which additionally provides you with loads of alternatives to apply your shiny new elevator pitch), obtain my latest free information: The Best Cheat Sheet for Accessing the Hidden Job Market.

I’m excited to share it with you as a result of it contains concepts for networking and tapping into the job market while you solely have 5, 10, or quarter-hour free. (And, for those who’re working 60- to 80-hour weeks whereas attempting to job search, you’re loads brief on time.) It additionally features a goal employer record and ideas for locating alternatives that nobody else is aware of exist.