Got 30 seconds?

by Michele Allen | Jul 7, 2009 | Job Seekers, Recruiters | 0 comments

Whether you’re a job seeker looking for a new position or a recruiter seeking your next potential new hire, be prepared to sell yourself! Effectively selling yourself or your business is a key component in successful networking, and there’s no better way to get the job done than with a well-written (and well-rehearsed) Elevator Pitch.

What is an Elevator Pitch and why do I need one?

An “Elevator Pitch” is a very thorough, yet concise statement that sums up your business and professional objectives in the amount of time it would take you to ride an elevator and answer the ever so complicated question, “What do you do?”

A one word response will typically be attacked with follow up questions, and there simply isn’t enough time on an elevator to volley bits and pieces of information back and forth. This entire interaction will be over in 30 seconds or less, so get to the point already!

How to Write an Elevator Pitch

What do you do?
Where do you do it?
Why is what you do important?
How will this person benefit from keeping in touch with you?
Open the lines of communication

Example: I am a Recruiter for Company XYZ, a Non-Profit organization based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. For more than 25 years, we’ve provided housing and support services to homeless and at-risk families so that they can make transformational changes in their lives. I’m very interested in partnering with local businesses, as well as finding qualified talent right here in our own community to fill some of our open positions. Here is my business card, and I really look forward to keeping in touch!

That’s all it takes! Short and sweet, yet thoroughly informative. It will take several drafts before you settle on just the right verbiage, and you’ll definitely have to shorten it a few times before it’s within the 30 second time frame. Once you’ve written your EP, practice it over and over again. Record yourself saying it so that you can hear how it will sound to others. You want to be sure as to not come off as too salesy, and you’ll want to sound conversational and relaxed.

The EP may also function as the introduction to a telephone cold-call or even as the response to the infamous “So tell me about yourself” question that recruiters love asking during interviews. If executed properly, it is the best way to make a great first impression! Once you’ve perfected the language, memorized it, and can recite your pitch as a seamless part of a brief conversation, you will be well on your way to making a long-term business connection.

image credit: stock.xchng