Elevator Pitch: Not Just For Sales People

The “Elevator Pitch” is traditionally used by Sales People for chance (or not-so-chance) encounters with current and/or potential clients. Using a clear and concise delivery, the Elevator Pitch is used to help sell products and/or services.

Ultimately, labor is a market; you are the seller and employers are the buyers. Employed properly, the Elevator Pitch can be very helpful in selling your labor to potential buyers. Below are a few tips on developing your own, job search Elevator Pitch…

WHAT IS AN ELEVATOR PITCH?

An “Elevator Pitch” is a concise, carefully planned and well-practiced description of the value you bring to a company. The pitch should be easily understood by a layman and last 30-45 seconds; the typical time it takes to ride an elevator.

WRITE IT OUT

Write a summary of your experience, skills and accomplishments. Include everything you would want a potential employer to know about you. Narrow this down to about 3 bullet points to use as the basis of your pitch.

EMPHASIZE VALUE

Companies trade money for labor. Employees trade labor for money. Put emphasis on how your labor (experience, skills and accomplishments) will provide value to the employer.

PREPARE TWO VERSIONS

Craft one pitch for interviews and another for social settings. For the latter, it is acceptable to include information about your personal life. For the career fair, use the social version when networking with other attendees.

TAILOR THE PITCH

The biggest complaint we hear from recruiters is that job seekers do not take the time to learn about their company. If you think you might be in a professional or social setting with someone from a company at which you want to work, tailor your pitch to show that you are knowledgeable about that particular company.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Rehearse your pitch. Practice on friends, in front of a mirror or into a video recorder. Repeat it (out loud) over and over until reciting it is second nature. Assume there will be follow-up questions from the recipient of your pitch and be prepared to answer them in a clear, concise manner.