Elevator Pitch: before you go to an interview, rehearse a short pitch to show how you can create success for the hiring company. Some people call this short pitch, “The Elevator Pitch.”
The purpose of an elevator pitch is to persuade a person to accept your proposal in a brief presentation. The best elevator pitches make even complex proposals easier to understand and accept.
~ www.jaywren.com
Here is a format that I have found effective for elevator pitches.
- If you do not know the person, introduce yourself.
- State the subject of your pitch.
- Summarize the objectives of the job.
- State a list of successful things you have done to achieve and exceed the objectives of the job. Show how the hiring company will benefit from your experience.
- State that the reason that you are interviewing for the job is that you enjoy performing the type of tasks the job requires and that you admire the company and what it is doing.
- Ask the person to meet with on one or two specific dates. In persuasive selling this is called closing on a choice.
The most effective people know how to ask great questions and to learn from listening. ~ www.jaywren.com
Introduce Yourself
If you do not know the person, introduce yourself. Let the person know that excited to meet them to discuss their career opportunity.
State the Subject
Don’t keep guessing what you are discussing. Your elevator pitch will be confusing and lack focus unless people know where you are going with your discussion.
State the Objective of the Job
Before you go to an interview, study the job description. Learn as much as you can about the company. Script how you understand the job based on the business of the hiring company. Practice presenting a short statement of the hiring need of the company.
Explain how Your Experience Shows that You can Achieve the Objective of the Job
Compare your experience with the job objective. Have a summary of the ways your experience benefits the company. Tailor your pitch directly to the company and to the specific job. Anticipate questions and objections. Have answers that direct the question back to your goal of getting a job interview.
State that You Want the Job
Let the person know that you want the job and that you will make yourself available to fit the needs of the hiring company. Do not mention income. Your goal is to get a job interview. Once you get the interview that leads to an offer, you can fine-tune the details of salary, bonus, and benefits.
Close on a Choice
Ask the person to meet with on one or two specific dates. In persuasive selling this is called closing on a choice.
Practice Giving Your Pitch so You can give it Flawlessly
When you can give your elevator pitch, take a breath before you start. Don’t let the adrenaline drive your pitch. Remember to smile. Look at the person’s face. Remember that you are dealing with a human being. Allow a comfortable three feet of space between yourself and your contact. Remember you speaking with the person to offer solutions and opportunities to the person and the person’s company. You want to join their team.