Think fast: Everyone should have an elevator pitch in their stockpile
You have 30 seconds, go!
That’s about all the time you’ll get if you want to make a quick pitch for yourself, whether it’s for new clients or a new job.
Thirty seconds, that’s it. That’s enough time for one television commercial on one of the networks or a quick elevator ride — hence the name — from the lobby to the 14th floor.
Think of your elevator speech as a condensed, strong, caffeinated answer to “Tell me about yourself.” You want to sum up your strengths, your skills, your experience and your accomplishments in 30 seconds — and close out by sharing your goals.
The elevator speech comes in handy during a quick exit speech during a job interview, at networking events, career fairs, in cover letters and anywhere else you want to share your best assets in a short period of time.
Studies have shown that most people have an attention span that lasts eight or nine seconds, tops, so it’s important to engage your audience right away. “You don’t have to open with a joke or something shocking — just try to say something memorable,” says Joseph Strickland, an executive coach in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “And if you can’t do it right away, you better do it within those 30 seconds or you’re not even going to have a shot.”
When you prepare your elevator speech, break it down into four sections:
1. Introduce yourself.
2. Talk about your experience, whether it’s in school or with your current employer.
3. Pitch one of your strengths or skills. Make sure it’s one that’s coveted by the employer, and mention how it helped you score a major accomplishment.
4. Describe your employment goal, both short-term and long-term, and explain how you can benefit the potential employer.
It’s important to rehearse your elevator pitch in front of a mirror and in front of others. You’ll want your tone to be casual yet serious and you’ll want to use clear, concise language as well. “The most important thing is that you have to stay focused and relaxed,” says Michelle Brown, a career coach in Boston. “If you stammer and stumble through your pitch, you’re going to make a bad first impression — and bad first impressions are hard to overcome.
Before you finish your pitch — or that elevator door opens — be sure to ask if you can send a resume or if you can get the person’s contact information. Don’t be too pushy but don’t sneak away without a solid takeaway from the speech. “It’s the most natural way to close things out,” says Brown. “Most people, when asked if they can contact you afterward, are likely to say yes. And then, wait a day and follow up with a reminder of who you are and the pitch you provided the day prior.”