How to write an elevator pitch that supports your job search

You may not spend a lot of time on elevators, but if you’re looking to ace a job interview or make new connections, a well-crafted, brief elevator pitch is an essential tool for your professional toolbelt.

It can help you build your network, prepare for interviews, market yourself to new connections, and so much more. If you’re looking to put one together for the first time (or want to tweak your existing one), we’re sharing everything you need to know below.

What is an elevator pitch?

In a nutshell, it’s a brief prepared statement that you can use to introduce yourself to a new contact whether it be at a networking event, job interview, in a professional development class, or on an elevator – of course. The key feature is brevity. It should take no longer than a typical elevator ride (less than 60 seconds) to say your pitch (hence the term).

Why you need an elevator pitch

An elevator pitch can help you no matter what phase of your career you’re in, but it’s especially critical for job seekers because you will deliver it during every interview you have.  

Most interviewers will start by asking something like, “Tell me about yourself,” or “Tell me something about yourself that I wouldn’t find on your resume.”  

Having a well-crafted elevator pitch is essential in a modern job market and is one of the most effective tools to promote your personal brand.

Tips to help you write a strong elevator pitch

Think about capturing your audience, creating a quick connection, and making a positive, memorable first impression.

What to include

• Introduce yourself. Use your full name and your specialty (if you have one) or your aspiring specialty.
  • i.e, Recruitment professional, aspiring marketing/sales professional, etc.
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• Share a snapshot of your story. What led you down your current professional path. Was it a specific event or a love of the industry?

• Highlight your expertise. Include one to two highlights about your recent experience.
  • If you recently graduated, you could mention your education along with your school and program or any volunteer work you’ve done.
  • If you have professional experience, mention the company or industry you work for and your role/title.

• Share what makes you special. Include something unique about yourself that someone wouldn’t know just by looking at your resume. Use these prompts to get your creative juices flowing
  • Where does your passion stem from?
  • What drives you?
  • What do you bring to a team?
  • What are you most proud of?

• Make your goal known. If you’re hoping to land an interview or open the door to a new opportunity, tell them you’re a fan of their organization and would love to make an impact as part of their team.

• Finish strong. Don’t leave them walking away guessing or wondering about your interest or intention. Let them know you’re excited to learn more and stay connected. Tip: Make sure to ask if you can connect with them on LinkedIn.

Delivering your pitch: Key reminders

• Don’t wing it—practice makes perfect! Being unprepared can result in uncomfortable pauses, unwanted “umms” and “ahhs,” and can leave you walking away realizing you either left something out or could have told your story better.‍

• Be careful not to over-prepare. Rehearsing too much could make you sound scripted or unnatural, so finding the balance between prepared and scripted is important.
  • Remember: You want to come across as genuine and thoughtful rather than robotic.
  

• Be clear and concise. Keep your elevator pitch under 1 minute. Cramming in too much information will make you speak faster and seem disorganized, so ensure that all information is relevant and lands in a meaningful way. Leave out details that are not pertinent, such as your age and marital status. And don’t feel like you must include every detail about your employment or education history. Leave your audience wanting to learn more.

• Keep it positive and motivating!

• Smile while speaking. Even if you’re delivering your pitch over the phone, the energy from your smile will come through.

• Have fun with it! This is your chance to share your story in an authentic way.

Tip: Providing too many details could lead to information overload for your listener. Think about the key points you need to get across and the details that will resonate with your audience, whether it’s during an interview or at a networking event.

Sample pitch

After walking through the above steps, you should have an elevator pitch that sounds something like this: “Hi my name is [XX], I started working in the [INDUSTRY NAME] five years ago and since then I’ve proudly [SHARE ACCOMPLISHMENT]. I’ve always been passionate about this field of work because [SHARE SHORT STORY]. I’m drawn to the work your company does and would love to hear more about it.”

~Ding~, you’ve arrived at your floor and you’re ready to step off and make great connections with your new elevator pitch!