By Shannon L.
What's an Elevator Pitch?
In a nutshell, it’s a 30-60 second speech telling someone who you are and why they should hire you. It’s a way to share your credentials and expertise quickly and effectively with people who don’t know you, and a great way to gain confidence in speaking with company representatives.
It’s called an “Elevator Pitch” because it’s meant to represent the amount of time
you’d have to talk to someone while riding an elevator from the bottom to the top. Picture the elevator door opening and the hiring manager you are hoping to impress is right in front of you – this could be your one and only chance to “pitch” yourself and the land the job!
Your elevator pitch should explain who you are, your skills and qualifications, and
the unique value you could bring to a position. You don't need to include your entire work history, but your pitch should be persuasive and peak the listener’s interest.
Mention your goals. Don’t get too specific as you may be using your pitch in a
variety of circumstances but do say what you are looking for: “an opportunity to
build upon my previous experience in sales and customer services” or “a position
that will allow me to use the skills and strengths I acquired as an engineering
student.”
The best way to get comfortable with your pitch is to practice! You don’t want to
sound robotic, but practice until the words and speed come naturally. Try saying it to a friend or family member and have them time you to ensure you’re keeping it brief and to the point.
Elevator Pitch Script
1. Who are you?
2. What do you do? (what are your relevant skills/credentials)
3. Unique selling point? (project, accomplishment, experience, etc.)
4. What you are looking for? (what are you targeting in your job search)
Watch this video for an example from start to finish!
When to Use an Elevator Pitch
You can use an Elevator Pitch:
If you're job searching at job fairs and career expositions
Online in your LinkedIn summary or Twitter bio
To introduce yourself and break the ice at networking events
During job interviews, especially when asked, “Tell me about yourself”