An elevator pitch is basically a 15- to 30-second soundbite that explains to people who you are, what you do and what kind of position you’re seeking. The idea is that you can deliver your pitch to someone in the amount of time it will take an elevator to get you both where you’re going.
Even if you have hirable skills that you could talk about for days, no hiring manager has time for that. That’s why elevator pitches are so important. They seem easy enough to master. You just confidently and concisely summarize your skills and experience, right? What could be so difficult?
Elevator pitches are like noses — everyone’s got one, and some are longer than others. But what should you say? How will you stand out? How long should it be? Here are some advices to keep in mind.
Highlight why you’re valuable
Human capital is the biggest investment companies make, so they want to get it right every time. Hiring managers will think about the return on investment they’ll get from each candidate — that’s why getting right to your skills and experience will serve you well.
Give supporting examples
One of the best ways to demonstrate your experience is to include within your pitch specific, concrete examples of how you can apply your skills to improve the employer’s business. If your pitch is rooted in example and emphasizes what you as the candidate can offer the employer, you’re going to appear prepared, driven, and experienced. Research the company you’re interviewing for, and write down ideas for how to improve their business as it relates to the position you’d be working in.
Keep it short
Should your pitch be one sentence? One paragraph? A minute long? Less? Experts say 100 to 200 words is ideal, or four to five sentences. The key is to think about the amount of time you spend in an elevator, which is usually a 15- to 30-second time frame. Candidates should keep their speeches short and to the point and be able to expound upon any details that an employer wants to hear more about.
Add your personal spin
In the end, you just have to be yourself. If you aren’t, your counterfeit speech will stink like an old sock, so let your personality come through. Hard-working and personable are not contradictory traits. Ultimately, knowing how to craft and deliver an elevator speech will serve you well beyond interviews.
Source: Business Insider