The standard toolkit for job-seeking usually includes a resume, social media profile, cover letter, and of course professional development. However, have you gone over your elevator pitch? Once you land an interview your elevator pitch can help you quickly communicate your skills, interests, and even the dreaded “tell me about yourself” question.
An elevator pitch is a brief thirty to ninety-second statement centered around your brand or accomplishments – and as the name suggests, should be no longer than the time you’d have with someone on the elevator. In fact, approaching your elevator pitch from that perspective is the first step to ensuring your pitch is memorable, concise, and poignant.
The purpose of the pitch is to help you market yourself or your business, but the same strategies can be applied to job interviews, meetings, and networking environments. Here are our best tips on crafting an elevator pitch, so that you can be prepared to shine at a moment’s notice.
1. Get Clear
What is the foundation of your brand or skillset? What is the most in-demand quality you have to offer? Albert Einstein is credited with saying “if you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” That is the essence of the elevator pitch: you want to be so well-versed in your industry and offerings, that you can explain them in a few short sentences no matter the environment.
Ideally, you’ll be able to make your pitch applicable to whomever you’re speaking with. But that’s not plausible if you have to stop and think about what to say. Having a baseline to work from can save you time, so the only thing you have to think about is a call to action – we’ll talk about those later.
Getting clear on the value you provide (and how you provide it), your target audience, and your unique selling points will help you structure and commit to memory the main points you want to communicate.
Know your skill set
Once you’ve gotten down to the basics, it’s time to craft a statement that captures the essence of your brand or services. Begin with an action statement describing what you do. A wine sommelier, for instance, might describe themselves as a “dining experience curator” instead of the standard job title. Doing this is a great way to incorporate your passion(s) into your pitch, making it even more memorable!
Sales trainers also recommend not limiting yourself to a particular role, as a singular title may come with a preconceived notion of your capabilities or function. Keep your opportunities open by only describing what you do with action phrases and keywords that have to do with your industry.
If you find yourself using too much industry jargon, or scratching your head when writing it, you may need to revisit number one.
Know your impact
Once your listener has a good idea of what you do, it’s time to talk about results. If you’re interviewing for a job or talking to someone for a potential collaboration, this is a great time to establish value by discussing what you’ve already done for other companies. If you’re pitching for a business opportunity, think in terms of what you help people or businesses do. How many and to what degree have you helped?
When crafting this section of your pitch, it’s important to remember that not just interviewers but all people like numbers. Attaching percentages or numerical values to your claims, helps the person on the other end paint a mental picture of your accomplishment. Instead of saying “my clients who utilize my services achieve X” try “I’ve helped over 100 people create successful events”.
If you don’t have any numbers that you’re comfortable with sharing, shaping your impact statement from the perspective of your potential employer or prospective business partner is another value-establishing tactic. Include an industry need that your skills address and play it up to show how you could impact their bottom line.
Know what you need
Imagine running into a former colleague. You briefly catch up, and they ask you about your current pursuits. The conversation goes great, but you’re left at an impasse as the conversation closes. What next? This is where knowing your needs comes in. Preparing a one-size-fits-all call to action may not always be possible, especially if you find yourself giving an impromptu pitch. Nonetheless, knowing what can help further your goals is an important final step of an elevator pitch. What, specifically, do you need to continue the conversation or get the most value from the interaction? Whatever that is, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Collecting an email or phone number to follow up is best practice, but if it’s an introduction you need don’t be shy.
You can add as much or as little information to your pitch as you like. The key is making it short, sweet, and memorable. So mind your length and practice, practice, practice!