Having a strong elevator pitch is crucial when meeting recruiters and hiring managers at job fairs, networking events, and interviews. Your elevator pitch is your 30-second sales pitch that summarizes who you are, what skills and experience you have, and what type of job you’re looking for. Here are some tips for creating an effective elevator pitch to impress recruiters:
Keep it Short and Concise
You only have about 30 seconds to make an impression, so keep your pitch short, usually 2-3 sentences. Don’t ramble or go into too much detail. Stick to the most important and relevant information you want to get across.
Focus on Your Skills and Value
Tailor your pitch to highlight the specific skills, achievements, and value you can bring to the company. Communicate how you can help solve their problems and meet their needs. Show what makes you stand out from other candidates.
Have a Clear Objective
State the type of job, company, or opportunity you’re pursuing. This gives the recruiter context right away and helps them understand if you might be a good fit.
Practice and Refine It
An elevator pitch takes practice to master. Write it out, time yourself, and continue refining it until you can deliver it smoothly and confidently. Have a friend listen and provide feedback.
Customize for the Company
Research the company you’ll be meeting with and incorporate details that show your interest in them. Mention projects, values, or goals that align with your background.
Examples of Elevator Pitches
Here are some examples of elevator pitches for different types of job seekers:
Recent College Graduate
“As a recent computer science graduate from UC Berkeley, I’m looking to secure a software engineer role at a company where I can apply my skills in Java and Python to develop innovative solutions and quickly advance in a technical role.”
Career Changer
“After 5 years in marketing, I’m looking to transition into a sales role. I’m pursuing opportunities where I can leverage my expertise in digital marketing and building customer relationships to drive business growth and revenue.”
Internship Seeker
“I’m a junior at Northwestern University majoring in finance, and I’m seeking a summer internship in investment banking. I’m interested in gaining hands-on experience analyzing deals, modeling valuations, and learning what it takes to succeed in this competitive field.”
Industry Switcher
“With 8 years of management experience in retail and a track record of improving store performance, I’m looking to transition into operations roles within the tech industry. I excel at process improvement, relationship building, and driving results, and I’m excited to bring my skills to an innovative tech company.”
How to Deliver Your Pitch
Here are some tips for delivering your elevator pitch smoothly and effectively:
- Maintain good eye contact and posture to engage the listener.
- Speak slowly and clearly so you’re easy to understand.
- Use a confident, enthusiastic tone to show your passion.
- Smile and be personable to make a connection.
- Bring energy to your voice and avoid sounding robotic.
- Close with a call to action, request, or next steps.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When delivering your elevator pitch, be sure to avoid these common errors:
- Rambling or talking too long
- Using too many filler words – “um”, “like”, “you know”
- Sounding desperate or entitled
- Badmouthing past employers
- Over-exaggerating or lying about your skills
- Poor body language – slouching, lack of eye contact, fidgeting
Follow-up After Your Pitch
Your elevator pitch is meant to be an introduction that sparks further discussion. After delivering your pitch, have some follow-up questions or comments prepared to continue the conversation, such as:
- “I’d love to learn more about your recent projects in [insert area]. Could you tell me about those?”
- “What qualities does your ideal candidate for this role possess?”
- “I’m very interested in your company’s mission and growth plans. How do you see this role contributing?”
- “I noticed on your website you have initiatives around [insert detail]. Could you share your strategy for that?”
This shows your interest and keeps the discussion going in a productive direction.
More Tips for Successful Elevator Pitches
- Bring copies of your resume to share after your pitch.
- Collect business cards to follow up with personalized thank you notes.
- Connect your pitch to current events or news about the company.
- Highlight awards or testimonials that back up your claims.
- Share specific measurable results you achieved.
- Remember names and use them to strengthen connections.
Conclusion
A strong elevator pitch is an essential tool for making an immediate positive impression with recruiters. Focus on conciseness, customize your message, practice smooth delivery, and follow up effectively after your pitch. With preparation and practice, your 30-second pitch can open doors to exciting new job opportunities.