How to Develop an “Elevator Pitch” for Selling Yourself as a Jobseeker

An elevator pitch is a concise introduction, typically lasting no longer than a minute, that succinctly summarises who you are, what you do, and what you're looking for in your career. The term for this brief, yet impactful self-presentation comes from the idea of pitching oneself to someone in authority if, hypothetically, they only had a short elevator ride to do so.

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In live settings, an elevator pitch can typically last from 30 seconds to two minutes—and every second counts. And while most job interviews are longer and more exhaustive than that, you may be given the opportunity to do something similar to an elevator pitch in front of an interviewer or executive. If that does happen, you’ll want to make sure that you can create a lasting impression on them in the short time you have.

Think of the “elevator pitch” moment as one that will allow you to quickly and effectively communicate your skills, experience, and career goals to potential employers or networking contacts. This should also be your moment to demonstrate your professionalism, confidence, and preparedness for the job vacancy. If you learn how to deliver one to the best of your ability—and to even adapt it in writing, for example in your cover letter or resume—it can open doors to the best career prospects by capturing the interest of hiring managers and showcasing your value as a candidate.

Whether you’re looking at job hiring in the Philippines or vacancies in offshore companies, consider these steps for developing and refining an elevator pitch for a professional encounter:

1) Begin with a Stellar Introduction

Since the first few seconds of your elevator pitch are crucial, you’ll need to start with a strong introduction. It should grab your audience’s attention and set the tone for the rest of the pitch. The most common way to begin is by stating your name clearly and confidently. You may also include a brief sentence about your current role or professional background to provide some context to whoever is meeting you.

When crafting the beginnings of an elevator pitch-style introduction, limit them to a sentence or two and avoid unnecessary details that might dilute your message. At the same time, infuse energy into your introduction to engage your listener right from the start.

2) Summarise Your Specialties or Skills

After your introduction, briefly describe your key skills or specialties. When doing this, make sure to focus on what sets you apart from your peers and what makes you a valuable asset to potential employers.

Consider mentioning specific accomplishments or projects that demonstrate your expertise. You can also customise your skills summary based on the specific requirements of the job or industry you are targeting. Just avoid using jargon or overly technical language that might not be universally understood by everyone in the room.

3) Clearly State Your Career Goals or What You Want

The next step is to clearly articulate your career goals or what you are seeking in your next role. It may include a certain job role, immersion into a particular industry, or becoming part of a certain company’s culture.

In addition to stating what you want, explain why you are passionate about pursuing this particular career path or role. This strategy will help align your pitch with the specific needs of the employer and demonstrate a focused and proactive approach to career development on your part.

4) Prepare Different Variations of Your Elevator Pitch

Once you have the basic elevator pitch down, recognise that different situations may call for different variations of it. Be sure to tailor your pitch to fit the context of where you’re delivering it, whether you’re speaking with a hiring manager in a job interview or networking with industry professionals during a conference in the hopes of potential opportunities. It would be good to research your audience to understand the background and interests of the person or group you’ll be addressing.

While you prepare different versions of your elevator pitch, keep in mind that each one should maintain the core elements of who you are, what you offer, and what you’re seeking, but adapt the tone and emphasis accordingly. It will be helpful to practice smoothly transitioning between the varying elements of your pitch to maintain coherence and flow.

5) Seek Feedback and Refine Your Elevator Pitch

It’s also a good idea to seek feedback from others to help refine and improve your pitch. You can, for example, reach out to trusted peers or colleagues who are familiar with the industry or profession you want to land a job in. They can provide constructive criticism and offer insights on how to enhance your pitch itself or your delivery of it.

Aside from your colleagues and industry peers, it’s important to test your elevator pitch with different audiences to gauge its effectiveness. You can practice with friends, family members, or networking contacts to see how well your message resonates with a variety of listeners. This will be particularly good for when you’re developing different variations of your basic pitch.

When seeking feedback, ask for specifics on clarity, relevance, and overall impact. Then, use the feedback you receive to refocus or refine your elevator pitch. Focus on clarifying key points, enhancing the flow of your narrative, and ensuring that your pitch aligns with your career goals and the needs of potential employers or contacts you’ll be delivering it to.

6) Practice Your Pitch

Lastly, remember that practice makes perfect when it comes to delivering your elevator pitch confidently and persuasively. Rehearse your pitch until it flows naturally and comfortably. Consider recording yourself or practicing in front of a mirror to refine your delivery and body language.

In the spirit of the original elevator pitch, time yourself when you practice. Ideally, aim to keep it within 30 to 60 seconds, as brevity factors into the most memorable and effective elevator pitches.

An effective elevator pitch takes time and effort to develop, but it will be a valuable tool in your job-seeking arsenal. Once you master the art of introducing yourself succinctly yet compellingly, it may not be as hard as you think it is to seize opportunities and make memorable connections with potential employers and contacts. Follow the tips above to craft your very own base elevator pitch and the different variations of it that could land you your next big career opportunity.

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