The name elevator pitch comes from the time it takes for an elevator ride - that's how long your pitch should be. Elevator pitches can be difficult to nail, but if done correctly, can leave a big impression on your prospective employer in a job interview. A good elevator pitch example will help make sure you stand out and give job seekers an even better chance of securing the job.
The following article will go into what exactly an elevator pitch is and provide an example of how to construct your own successful elevator pitch.
What Exactly is an Elevator Pitch?
An elevator pitch or elevator speech is a brief summary of your professional self delivered in approximately the same time it would take to ride an elevator. Generally, elevator pitches are geared towards finding a new job but they can also be given at a networking event, or at the beginning of a sales relationship.
This is your chance the grab someone's attention and set the tone for how they perceive you in a professional capacity. Clearly, this is an important pitch, and as such, it needs to be prepared, delivered, and executed properly.
Example of a Good Elevator Pitch
Assuming you are looking for a new job or attempting to expand your network, there are a few main features you should include within your elevator pitch. Job seekers will need to answer three main questions with an elevator pitch in their job interview questions:
1 - Who Are You And What Do You Do?
The first question that needs answering is a fairly self-explanatory one. You want to inform people of exactly who you are and what you do.
The first thing you say should explain what you are all about. This can include your background, your previous experience, your skills, and your interest. Tailor your response to whoever you are speaking to and what you aim to achieve.
Make sure to drill home the important areas you want people to focus on. If you specialize in a particular area of work and want people to remember that, make sure you open with that and place an emphasis on it.
An example of this first section would be something along the lines of "Hi, I'm James. I'm a writer with a background in sports journalism. I specialize in football."
2 - Why Should They Take Any Notice?
The next phase is to be more specific and get your elevator pitch to stand out. One way you can do this is by mentioning a recent accomplishment or briefly explain what you are working on right now.
An example of this would be "I have recently published a book and am currently working on a new project in collaboration with x due to go live next month." Note that elevator pitch examples should never be copied word for word though because you want yours to be unique to you. However, elevator pitch examples can be helpful in figuring out how to approach it.
So, assuming the person you are speaking to has a vested interest in your field, they will now be engaged in what you have to say. Make sure to focus on the most relevant parts of your job in your elevator speech and anything the person you are speaking to will find notable.
Try not to overload your audience with too much information. Pick the most impressive or salient aspects and focus on those.
Too much information in your elevator pitch will lead to key things being forgotten or overlooked and an altogether weaker elevators pitch. The more things you mention, the less they'll be able to remember.
3 - What Do You Want to Get Out of This?
Wrapping up your elevator pitch without tailing off into nothing isn't always easy. You want to end in a coherent and memorable way. This is your opportunity to tell your audience what it is you want from them and make the purpose of your elevator pitch clear.
Conclude your elevator speech with your goals and leave the person you are speaking with a clear view of what you want. If you are at a career fair, end with an expression of your desire to find new work. If you're at a networking event, conclude by saying that you are looking to meet with likeminded people from different companies.
If you can offer something in return, even better. Offering the chance to exchange ideas would be mutually beneficial at a conferencing event or job search fair.
Offering your skill set as a potential employee is an obvious route in a job interview, and offering your services is a good way to round off a casual elevator pitch to an interested party. If you have a business card, that can help with your job search, so be sure to give them that after your elevator pitch.
In Summary
Elevator pitches are a great way to sell yourself and build bridges in the working world if you're on a job search. In many ways, they are a verbal cover letter to employers, stating your interest and work skills and how you would be an asset to their company.
Familiarize yourself with the example above and learn each step when devising your elevator speech. It is a good idea to plan one out beforehand and rehearse some of the key points you would like to cover before delivering it to someone.
While on a job search, the more familiar and comfortable you become with your elevator pitch, the better chance it has of being successful. Make sure to properly answer the three questions above and leave your audience engaged, informed, and wanting to take the conversation further. Pass them your business card as well if you have one.
An elevator pitch can be an excellent way to answer an interview question for a company or simply introduce yourself in the professional world. Start working on yours today because you never know when it will be useful. If nothing else, an elevator pitch will be an easy way to answer what it is you do without sounding, unsure, and uninteresting.
