The art of the elevator pitch

Each day presents us with the great opportunity to meet and interact with people. As a new graduate seeking your first job opportunity, or a seasoned pro in the industry, everyone has the potential to find career success through these interactions. Whether you’re chatting with strangers at a networking event, or speaking with a new colleague in the hallway, it’s important to make a lasting impression. But how do you sell yourself in those brief meetings? There’s no time for your whole life story, down to the nitty gritty details, but you want to make an impact and be remembered. It’s time to draft (or re-visit) your elevator pitch!

Many of us were introduced to the idea of an elevator pitch when we were in our final years of high school, or perhaps first years of college. I vividly recall drafting these pitches for business plan ideas in an attempt to win over investors. Although that’s one great use of an elevator pitch, we want to focus on our personal pitches; those that we can use to get hired, promoted, awarded, or simply to make a lasting professional impression with our peers. Let’s take a closer look at elevator pitches, their purpose, and tips to ensure yours is a winning pitch.

What is an elevator pitch? A powerful tool that highlights your unique qualities while providing a clear message of:

• Who you are
• What you do
• What you may be looking for
• Why you would be a valuable asset to peers or potential employers

Why is it called an elevator pitch? The idea is that the pitch itself should be no longer than 30-45 seconds, the typical time it takes to ride up or down a few floors in an elevator.

When do you use it? You should be able to deliver your elevator pitch at any given time; from a job interview, to an introduction to a family friend, or a cocktail party conversation with someone who may be able to help you land a new job. I find myself reiterating my pitch to my own family members when they continue to ask, “Now just what is it that you do?” Nonetheless, family members are great to practice on. In today’s connected world, you never know who they might know to help you achieve your goals.

Now that we’ve defined the elevator pitch, here are nine tips to ensure that you have a winning pitch:

1. Start off strong. – Grab your listener’s attention, peak their interest, and make them want to know more.
2. Tell what you do, not what you are. – Saying, “I’m a Student Outreach Coordinator” only gives the audience your job title. It simply allows your listener to make assumptions about what that means. Instead, you could say, “I help OT and PT students prepare for their job searches and find their first positions throughout the U.S.” This gives them a far better idea of what your position entails, and what you do on a daily basis.
3. Be interesting, but authentic. – Don’t forget to always be true to yourself. Create interest, but make sure you aren’t representing someone you’re not. Your integrity and character are two of your most valuable possessions.
4. Know your audience. – A good pitch will vary depending on the type of audience you are trying to reach. Think about this as you write your pitch, and feel free to change it based on who you’re speaking with.
5. Prioritize the contents. – Lead with the information that the listener will care about the most.
6. Keep it conversational. – Don’t sound too rehearsed, or like you’re reading from a script. Listeners don’t want to feel like they are being ‘pitched’.
7. Tell, don’t sell. – Be a storyteller, not a salesman. Focus on motivating people to act through telling a compelling and unforgettable story.
8. Make a connection. – Think of your pitch as your verbal business card. It highlights your experience and potential, and intrigues your listeners. Following your pitch, don’t forget to express an interest in your listeners. Any information you learn may provide further insight about potential opportunities.
9. Leave an open door. – End your pitch in a way that encourages continued conversation. Depending on the type of event, make sure you have a business card, resume, or even just a follow-up question ready.

If you already have an elevator pitch prepared, review it and make sure it still aligns with your current situation and goals. If this is a new concept for you, take a minute to brainstorm your best pitch, put it on paper, and practice! (As I mentioned previously, family members make great practice listeners.) Once you feel comfortable with your content and you feel confident with the delivery, put your pitch into action and set out for career success! Comment below with any tips that you have for creating an awesome elevator pitch!

Joleen Rupe joined Aureus Medical Group in May 2015 as a Recruiter in the Nursing division. She is now a Student Outreach Coordinator for the Rehab Therapy division. In her free time, Joleen enjoys spending time with family, running, cooking, and baking.