Editor’s Note: I am not a personal finance or mental health expert. Please seek professional advice if needed.
If you’re actively looking for employment, you’re probably familiar with the standard resumes and cover letters. You’ve probably even gone on a few interviews and have some strong answers in your back pocket ready to go.
But there’s one major job search tool you might be neglecting, and it can make a big difference when it comes to landing a job: the elevator pitch. You may have heard the term before, but you may not know how it can help you in the job market.
What Is An Elevator Pitch?
In essence, an elevator pitch, or elevator speech, is a quick summary of your professional background. It got its name because it’s designed to be short enough to deliver in the time that a typical elevator ride takes. Think of it as a quick run-through of the highlights and key points of your educational and professional experience, skills and accomplishments. It’s a way to introduce yourself and quickly give an interviewer or a hiring manager a sense of what you might bring to a role.
Have you ever watched the TV shows Shark Tank or Dragon’s Den? If so, you are already familiar with what a pitch is. But unlike the show, you are not pitching a business idea: You are pitching yourself. A well-crafted and polished pitch can be a great way to make a strong first impression and create interest in a short amount of time. A perfect elevator pitch will persuade interviewers that you’re the best candidate for the job.
How To Create Your Own Elevator Pitch
The best way to start crafting your elevator speech is to comb through your resume and pick out the highlights of your professional career. It should answer:
- What are some key job skills and accomplishments that you think could sell you to potential employers?
- What are the strengths that make you stand out?
- What should a recruiter remember about you?
- What makes you the right fit for the position?
1. Tailor Your Pitch
You’ll want to tailor your pitch to your specific industry or career path. Don’t worry about highlighting skills or experiences that aren’t relevant to a job or company. Focus on the important information you know an interviewer will be looking for.
Ultimately, your pitch should be relevant to the position you’re applying for or the company you’re interested in. If you’re crafting a pitch for a job interview, carefully read over the job posting. The specific skills, experience and qualifications a company needs will help you decide what to highlight.
Remember, you have a limited amount of time to show the hiring team that you’re the best person for the job. If a position is more sales-oriented, for example, choose anecdotes that highlight your sales experience and accomplishments. Even if you have many years of experience with a particular skill, if that skill is in no way related to the job, you can avoid incorporating it into your pitch.
2. Your Professional Experience
Start your pitch by summarizing your professional, work-related experience. Think of this as condensing every relevant position you’ve had into a few short sentences. You don’t need to go through every individual job title you’ve held, and you don’t want to simply rehash your resume or cover letter.
This can seem overwhelming if you have an extensive work history, but this is where thoroughly knowing the job description comes in handy. Look for keywords or phrases in the description and summarize your experience as it relates to them.
If you’re planning to use your pitch at a career fair, research the companies you’re interested in and find out more about their mission. Look for job postings in their company and try to get a sense of what they’re looking for. Essentially, you’re attempting to answer the question, “What are you all about?”
3. Your Skills and Accomplishments
Once you’ve summarized your experience, add in some key accomplishments and skills. Just like with your experience, you’ll want to focus on what is most relevant to the position you’re interviewing for. If you have several years of experience as a mechanic, that won’t necessarily apply to a role in sales.
Pick a key accomplishment to include. This is your chance to show them what sort of value you could bring to their organization or what sort of problem you could solve for them. If you’re new to the job market, you may need to think outside the box. Do you have experiences from college that you can mention to demonstrate certain skills? Are there any achievements from school or your personal life that might demonstrate leadership or a commitment to growth?
4. Your Professional Goals
Close your pitch by briefly mentioning what you’re seeking professionally. Maybe you’re seeking to advance to a position with more responsibilities. Or you might be changing careers entirely. Regardless, explain why you’re seeking the position and what you can bring to it. This is sort of like an objective statement on resumes.
A key mistake to avoid is focusing on what the company can do for you. Instead, focus on what you can do for the company. In what ways can your skills and experience help the company grow and become more profitable?
Above all, a good elevator speech should be brief. Your pitch should run between about 30 seconds and one minute. Anything shorter might give the impression that you don’t have much experience; anything longer and you run the risk of boring the interviewer.
When To Use an Elevator Pitch
It’s important to use an elevator speech strategically. The best time to deploy your pitch is at networking events and job fairs where you’ll be meeting with many recruiters face-to-face and have a short amount of time to make an impression. It’s also useful in a job interview if you’re asked to tell the interviewer about yourself.
Outside of that, you can use it in more casual environments when meeting new people. Maybe you’re at a company party and the manager of a department you’re interested in transferring to asks you about yourself. You should always have your pitch ready to go.
How To Use Your Pitch
As with any other tool in your job searching toolbox, you’ll want to use your pitch selectively and strategically. When meeting someone new, don’t immediately launch into your pitch. To make a memorable first impression, common courtesy goes a long way. Start by introducing yourself by name, ask them theirs, and then naturally work your pitch into the conversation.
Remember to “read the room” when using your pitch. There may be situations where a condensed version of your speech is more appropriate. It’s a good idea to have a one-sentence version of your elevator pitch prepared that answers, “What do you do for a living?” to use in casual settings.
You may not be asked to talk about yourself during an interview, and you don’t want to forcibly inject your pitch into a conversation. But you can always pull the major bullet points from your pitch in your answers to questions or use some version of it when communicating with recruiters during the hiring process.
Tips to Keep in Mind
1. Be Concise and Professional
Generally speaking, you’ll want to avoid including personal details or anecdotes in your elevator pitch. After all, when a potential employer asks the common interview question “Tell me about yourself,” they aren’t necessarily interested in your childhood and what you love to do in your free time.
2. Emphasize What’s Relevant
Having said that, some things might be helpful to mention if they’re relevant to the job or company you’re interested in. Volunteer experience and extracurricular activities are good ways to demonstrate leadership and community service while also demonstrating that you have some experience in a given field. This is especially true if you’re a recent graduate or don’t yet have much work experience.
3. Speak Clearly
Pitching is not just about knowing what to say, but also how to say it, so try not to speak too quickly. This is easier said than done when nervous, but you should take your time and speak clearly and slowly. Remember, you are not trying to cram your answer to every interview question into your 30-second pitch.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice
Finally, you should always practice your speech out loud. This will not only help you get a sense of whether your speech is too short or too long, but it will also make you more comfortable and confident with your pitch’s content and delivery. You don’t want your pitch to sound too robotic or rehearsed, so practice sounding natural while making sure you hit all your points.
5. Include a Call to Action
Including a call to action or plans for your next steps is a great way to end your elevator pitch. Think about what you want to happen next. Will you simply exchange business cards? Set up a follow-up meeting? Send them a copy of your resume? Connect over LinkedIn? Ask for a referral to the right person? Apply for the job opening?
6. Be Polite
Not every new connection you make is going to be successful. Some people won’t be interested in hearing your pitch, or it might not be the right time. Be respectful, thank them for their time, and if appropriate, ask them if you can reconnect at another time.
Three Elevator Pitch Examples
Here’s a look at a few examples of effective elevator speeches that job seekers can use. They’re brief, persuasive and relevant.
“I’m a recent college graduate with a degree in marketing. I was President of the college’s marketing club and interned with a major marketing firm assisting with the development of materials for a major marketing campaign. I’m looking for a position in the nonprofit sector that will utilize my communication skills and experience. I would love to know more about the marketing needs of your company.”
“I’m an attorney who specializes in labor and employment law. I have seven years of experience consulting with government organizations and helped grow the clientele at my most recent firm by 15%. I’m looking to put my experience to work in the private sector and would like to know more about potential opportunities within your firm.”
“I’m a graphic artist who specializes in branded content. I’ve worked for a variety of clients in the non-profit sector, and my last for-profit client reported that their sales jumped by 7% after launching their marketing campaign using my designs. Here’s my card with a link to my portfolio if you are looking for help.”
Ultimately, there is no magic formula and no one-size-fits-all elevator pitch. If you are looking for a new job, take the time to create a pitch that will impress a recruiter, show your enthusiasm, and sell yourself as a viable job candidate. Memorize it, rehearse it and be ready to tailor your pitch to any recruiter or professional connection you come across.
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This article originally appeared on MyLifeIGuess.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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Want that job? Here’s how to land it
The 2020 pandemic shifted the way many of us think about our jobs permanently. Remote work has become a new normal for millions and doesn’t appear to be going away any time soon. According to a Pew Research study in December of 2020, 71% of individuals in fields where teleworking is possible noted that they were currently working from home while more than half reported wanting to continue working from home after the pandemic ends.
On top of this, 10 million Americans are currently unemployed, many of whom have been jobless since the pandemic started in March of 2020. As cities and states begin to reopen and COVID-19 cases decrease, competition for jobs is tighter than ever before.
If you’re looking for new employment this year, the competition is fiercer than ever, but there are a few pro tips that can help you stand out during your job search.
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With millions out of work and a new class on the brink of graduation this summer, the competition for employment is expected to be tough. Employers are likely to have more candidates to choose from, which could prevent them from selecting employees fresh out of college with little to no work experience. Of course, job selections could swivel in the opposite direction, with employers opting to hire more entry-level workers for less pay.
According to a pre-pandemic HR survey, it can take between 100 to 200 job applications for job seekers to land a position. Below are our tips for landing a job in a competitive market.
Related: Best High-Paying Jobs in 2021
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I repeatedly hear from hiring managers that more than half of the applicants who apply to an open position ignore at least one part of the application instructions when applying, which automatically excludes you from being considered. I can see how easily this can happen when you’re going through the grueling task of applying for job after job, but it’s important to double-check your application before submitting it.
Review all of the requirements and make sure you’ve fully satisfied them before clicking that apply button. A few extra seconds of review could be all it takes to move you on to the job interview stage.
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Writing a cover letter may seem daunting, but ignore any temptation to skip this crucial step. I know many hiring managers who won’t go any further with a candidate no matter how qualified they are simply because they did not take the time to turn in a cover letter. Even if it’s not a requirement, turning in a cover letter shows employers you’re very interested in working for them specifically and can help you stand apart from other applicants.
I recommend taking some time to put together a few stock cover letters (at least one per industry, but it’s even better if you can tailor it to a position). Have them at the ready when needed, but always be sure to update them to fit the specific job requirement and show off what you know and love about the company you’re applying to. Lastly, reread them for clarity and grammar before sending them off. You can also use a tool like Grammarly to ensure your cover letter is polished and error-free.
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Standing out can be difficult in a virtual pile of identical PDFs. One easy way to stand out is to direct employers to your website either in your cover letter or when applying for the job directly. A personal website allows employers to learn more about you, shows them you’re serious about your professional career and makes you a more memorable candidate.
You may think it only makes sense to have a website or portfolio if you’re in a creative field where you can display your design, video or writing skills online. However, taking the extra time to create a one-page site that highlights your brand, experience and passions is something everyone can do. You can use Squarespace, WordPress or Wix to quickly create a site using a professional template that’s easy to update and maintain.
A website allows you to showcase your accomplishments and projects you’re proud of in visually appealing ways, using grid color boxes or animations to help tell your story. Be sure to link to any relevant professional social media accounts, such as your LinkedIn profile.
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Since remote work is happening everywhere, many companies are expanding their searches to applicants across the country, and in some cases, even the globe. If you’re searching for jobs based on the distance to your home, it may be time to expand your parameters. Add remote jobs into your search filter, and be sure to scour the career pages of any national companies you may know are working remotely indefinitely.
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You’ve likely made professional contacts over the years, and now is the perfect time to check in with them. It never hurts to ask if a peer knows of any job openings. Even if they don’t, if they know you’re looking, they can keep you in mind if an opening pops up at their current company or elsewhere. Even if they don’t have any full-time work available, they might have part-time positions or freelance work you can tackle in the meantime.
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The pandemic caused many of us to look at our lives a little differently. For some, that meant realizing how much they value working with people in-person. For others, it meant looking for opportunities that empowered them to work remotely from their homes or while traveling. In addition, many of us have been rethinking what we do for work and deciding how it fits in with our lifestyles, passions and future goals.
In many cases, this might mean looking outside of your traditional job industry to find a new position that excites you and still aligns with your skill sets. Not sure exactly what you want to do? Reach out to a career coach to learn more about positions that you might be a good fit for that you may have never considered before. Career coaches can offer career advice that can help you nail interviews and stand out from other applicants.
As hiring becomes more diverse, many potential employers are looking for candidates with varying levels of experience across many different industries. Not having the traditional resume or background a specific position generally calls for could help you stand out positively.
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Another way to stand out for other candidates is by creating a quick one- to two-minute video for jobs you’re particularly interested in. Start by telling the employer your name, a quick sentence or two about your background, why you’re excited about this role and company and why they should hire you.
Be sure to leave them wanting more by adding a quick selling point or two. For instance, let them know if you have ideas you’re bursting to share with them or if you’ve read any recent studies that might have implications for the future of the role or their business overall.
Companies love to find engaging talent that goes the extra mile when applying, so hearing and seeing how invested you are in a potential position with them can speak volumes more than a black and white resume can. Like your cover letter, be sure to adjust this for each position you apply for.
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When you’re applying for a job, it’s important to highlight your best qualities and let employers know the specific skills you bring to the table. However, some of us struggle with figuring out our best skills. When you’re particularly good in an area, it can begin to feel commonplace and not worth mentioning.
For instance, if you’re particularly great at communicating verbally, you might not mention this skill because it begins to feel like something in which everyone is (or should be) adept.
To figure out what unique skills have been the most helpful to your job growth, reflect and reach out to old coworkers, bosses, friends and classmates. Ask them to send you a quality or two that they think of when they remember working with you in the past. You might be surprised at the skills you’ve been taking for granted all of these years.
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This tip may seem painstaking, but it’s extremely worthwhile. Just like you’d tailor your cover letter to suit each job position, you’ll also want to ensure your resume is updated for each role you’re applying to. Even jobs in the same industry might require slightly different resume highlights or formats.
For instance, when applying to a professional management position, you might not need to detail out your job responsibilities in creative freelance positions, but instead highlight your professional and full-time positions, while listing freelance work to showcase your ability to manage multiple projects.
Once you start using this technique to apply to jobs, it becomes easier to quickly tweak your resume for new jobs.
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Recruiters have access to a wide network of jobs, and they’re tasked with finding the right people for roles. Finding one or two recruiters who understand your background, skillset and job potential can help you not only land a job faster, but it can help you find a position that best matches your needs and talents.
You can generally find job recruiters online through LinkedIn and other job sites (Indeed, Monster, Simply Hired, etc.), but in many cases, if you show that you’re actively looking for a job, recruiters will begin reaching out to you.
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Once you’ve applied for a position, you can go the extra mile by finding and connecting with the hiring manager. When done correctly, this step can improve your chances of moving on to the next steps in the hiring process. When done incorrectly, however, it could ruin your chances of being considered for the position.
A good way to connect before or after applying would be through LinkedIn (or the social platform where they’ve posted the job). Briefly send them a message summarizing your skills (or better yet, link to your online portfolio or website) and let them know why you would be a good fit.
Ask them to reach out if they have any questions and thank them for their time. Keep this brief and be humble. Don’t continuously follow up after sending the message (unless they engage you in a conversation). Lastly, if you’ve already applied, let them know.
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This last tip may sound like a basic courtesy to some, but for many who are new to the workforce or looking for a job online, it might not be well known. During the interview process, ask the individuals you’re speaking to for their email addresses. Some might offer them, but always be sure to figure out how to reach out to them.
After an interview, it’s not only polite to follow up and thank the interviewers for their time, but it can also help you move on to the next steps of the hiring process. Sending even a quick thank you note and affirming your interest shows employers you’re serious about working with them and can help solidify a positive relationship between you and the company.
I’ve been guilty of forgetting to ask for this information before, and in these cases, I always reach out to my human resources (HR) contact for email addresses so I can send these notes directly.
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A decade ago, preparing for a job interview might entail practicing interview questions and ensuring you have your resume memorized. Today, however, this practice is a little more detailed.
Since many job interviews are being conducted online, start by ensuring you can take video interviews in a quiet, professional-looking location, with a good wifi connection. Test your webcam ahead of time to ensure it’s working well. Experiment with lighting and positioning your desk as needed.
In addition, you can do some research on the company culture and their interview process online at Glassdoor. There, you can get a good handle on basic salary expectations, the interview timeline and common interview questions by job role. If you’re often nervous speaking to new people, practice your answers, but leave room for adaptation so you don’t sound completely scripted.
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Depending on your line of work, it’s very common for workplaces to assign you paid (or unpaid) work assignments to test your actual job skills. For creative industries, this might be a sample writing task or design request, but for jobs like sales, you might be required to make a sales pitch on the spot.
Take your time on these tasks and treat them as if you’re being graded —
because you are. Landing your dream job could come down to your performance on these assignments, but they’re also a good test to see if the job is the right fit for you. If you receive a trial assignment that you’re not enjoying or that seems out of line with the role you applied to, this can help you move on to other job opportunities rather than wasting time in informational interviews down the line.
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If you’re applying to a job remotely, you might find that many companies are conducting longer interviews where you meet several potential colleagues who might not even work in a role relevant to the one you’re seeking. This is often done to ensure you’re a great fit for the company’s culture and to see how you mesh with other employees. It’s also a chance for you to ask questions about the company and find out why others enjoy working there.
If you’re extremely interested in a job, it’s important to leave a positive impression with the employees you connect with. Come prepared with questions for them. A few sample questions might include:
- How is X company different from any other jobs you’ve had in the past?
- What was the most challenging aspect of X company when you first started?
- If you could give any advice to a new hire, what would it be?
Of course, as you have conversations with employees, you may think of more specific and relevant questions to ask, which is always better than reverting to stock questions.
If you’re applying in person and meeting employees, you’ll also want to form small connections when possible. Many employers now weigh employee input when considering a new hire, so if the company’s employees have a high impression of you, that could be all that’s needed to secure a new job over another equally qualified candidate.
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Finding a job this year can seem like an overwhelming challenge thanks to high unemployment rates, remote roles hiring candidates throughout the country and the competitive job market. Be sure to stand out when applying to a new position by highlighting your unique offerings, building an online website or portfolio and taking any extra steps necessary to set yourself apart from the candidate pool.
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This article
originally appeared on JoyWallet.com and was
syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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