The term “Elevator Pitch” – which is sometimes called a 30-second summary – is a self-introduction intended to pique the interest of someone who could help you in your career. Although there are many theories about its origins, the idea is what you might say to someone who could be an important contact during a brief elevator ride.
Your elevator pitch should be a brief summary that outlines your skills and experience, shares interesting or important information, and presents you as a potential contact, colleague, or even candidate. Like TV commercials these are persuasive pitches intended to generate interest in the product . . . you! And like commercials, or short elevator rides, they should be brief.
Elevator pitches are important tools in any job seeker’s toolkit. They can be used at career fairs and networking events and for all those informal conversations that happen at the bus stop, in grocery store lines, or during flights.
Here are a few guidelines to get you started:
Be CONCISE. Although some say your pitch can last anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, 15 seconds is better. Once you’ve prepared it, rehearse it a few times and time yourself. Edit it down if it’s too long.
Be CLEAR. Use language that comes naturally to you, and that everyone will understand. Avoid jargon and words/phrases that aren’t part of your day-to-day vocabulary.
Include a HOOK. This is the part that literally snags your listener’s interest and makes them want to know more. Pique their curiosity! Get them to ask you for more information.
Any good elevator pitch will have fairly common structure that:
States WHO you are. Introduce yourself by name and add some context such as being a current student, recent graduate, or even aspiring professional. For example, I’m an aspiring Project Manager.
Outlines WHAT you do. Keep it simple and focus on one statement rather than giving a laundry list of skills.
Shares something UNIQUE about you. This could be a specific skill or talent or a statement about the benefit you bring to an employer.
Concludes with an invitation ENGAGE. Remember that many opportunities open up when you learn how to access the hidden job market and it all begins with building important relationships with industry contacts.
Here are a couple of examples:
“Hi, I’m Jesse. It’s great to meet you! I’m currently completing a Graphic Design Diploma at Toronto Film School. I’ve excelled in learning how to create digital video and visual effects for corporate websites. Eventually, I’d like to help my clients with their internet marketing and promotion and help them incorporate e-marketing into their overall marketing plan. I’m curious – who designs and maintains your website?”
“Nice to meet you! I’m Quinn. I think of myself as ‘Career Transition Recovery Specialist’. I work with people who are struggling with uncertainty about their future. I help them restore equilibrium in their careers and personal lives by teasing out who they are when they’re at their best. I prefer to work with career changers. What do you do?”
“Hi there, I’m Sam. I recently graduated from Yorkville with my Bachelor of Business Administration, specializing in energy management. I’m interested in helping small businesses become carbon neutral by investing in green technologies. I am exploring what’s out there in the market so that I can find an opportunity to use the skills I developed during my program. I’m curious to know what you do, and what you know about the green technologies space.”
Use this template to begin working on your own elevator pitch.