How to Create the Perfect Elevator Pitch - Plus Examples | Indeed Career Tips

Introduction to Creating an Effective Personal Elevator Pitch

In this section, Jenn, a career coach at Indeed with over 10 years of experience, introduces the topic of creating an effective personal elevator pitch. She explains the importance of being able to tell a compelling story about oneself in under two minutes and how it can be useful in networking events and interviews.

What is a Personal Elevator Pitch?

• A personal elevator pitch is a concise story about one's professional past and ambitions.

• It should explain where you've been and where you're going.

• Typically, an elevator pitch should be 90 seconds or less.

• It markets you as a confident and intentional business partner or potential hire.

Benefits of an Elevator Pitch

• Elevator pitches are particularly helpful during the early stages of interviews or networking events when employers may be meeting many candidates.

• Speaking convincingly about what you bring to the table immediately signals your professional value.

Components of an Elevator Pitch

1. Introduction:

• Start by stating who you are and what you're currently doing.

• Smile, give a handshake, and introduce yourself confidently at networking events.

• For college students, mention your major and anticipated graduation date.

2. How You Got Here:

• Provide a high-level view of your recent responsibilities, professional interests, and relevant projects.

• Highlight transferable skills acquired that apply specifically to the role or industry.

3. Motivations:

• Share what motivated you to enter your field or attend the event.

• Focus on professional ambitions rather than just reciting a timeline of events.

4. Future Goals:

• Discuss what you're looking for next in your career.

• Explain why you want the role or why you're interested in the industry/company.

Crafting an Elevator Pitch: Sample Statements

In this section, Jenn provides sample statements for each component of an elevator pitch and demonstrates how they can be put together to create a full elevator pitch example.

Sample Statements for Each Component

1. Introduction:

• Example for a networking event: "Hi, I'm Sharon. It's so nice to meet you. I'm an email marketing associate at Company C, and I'm interested in learning new ways to engage with my audience."

2. How You Got Here:

• Example past statement: "When I was younger, I had a close family member who was seriously ill, and her nurses were instrumental in her treatment and recovery. Since then, I've always wanted to provide that same level of care and support to other families in need."

3. Motivations:

• Discuss what motivated you to work in your field or make a career change.

• Tie your motivations to the new career path or industry you're interested in.

4. Future Goals:

• Explain why you want the role or why you're attending the event.

• Align your goals with the company's values or industry trends.

Conclusion and Best Practices

In this section, Jenn concludes by emphasizing the importance of practicing and refining your elevator pitch. She also provides three key best practices for delivering an elevator pitch effectively.

Best Practices for Delivering an Elevator Pitch

1. Practice Makes Perfect:

• Rehearse your elevator pitch until it feels natural.

• Be mindful of your tone, pace, and body language while delivering it.

2. Tailor Your Pitch:

• Customize your elevator pitch based on the specific situation or audience.

• Highlight relevant experiences and skills that align with their needs.

3. Be Authentic and Engaging:

• Show genuine enthusiasm and passion for your field or industry.

• Use storytelling techniques to make your pitch memorable.

Remember, an effective elevator pitch can leave a lasting impression and open doors to new opportunities.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses their desire for more leadership opportunities and how they discovered a passion for leadership and mentorship in their current role. They express interest in finding an opportunity that allows them to use their industry knowledge and develop new leadership skills.

Seeking Leadership Opportunities

• The speaker is currently seeking more leadership opportunities.

• They have managed several successful projects in their current role.

• They have developed a passion for leadership and mentorship.

• They are looking for an opportunity that utilizes their industry knowledge and challenges them to develop new leadership skills.

New Section

This section focuses on the importance of including a call to action in an elevator pitch after sharing one's professional journey. It emphasizes the need to finish strong by asking for or stating what you want to happen next.

Call to Action

• After sharing your professional journey, it is crucial to include a call to action in your elevator pitch.

• Finish strong by asking for or stating what you want to happen next.

New Section

This section provides tips on keeping the conversation going during networking events or interviews. It suggests asking questions and expressing interest in learning more about the other person or company.

Keeping the Conversation Going

• During networking events, ask questions such as "Can you tell me a little bit more about yourself?" or "What brought you to this event?"

• Express openness to scheduling a follow-up meeting for further discussion.

• During interviews, ask questions like "Can you tell me more about the company?" or "What qualities are needed to be successful in this role?"

New Section

This section offers advice on ending conversations effectively during networking events or interviews. It suggests expressing gratitude, obtaining contact information, and providing a resume if appropriate.

Ending the Conversation

• If the person agrees to your request during a networking event, thank them for their time and ask for their contact information.

• Provide a copy of your resume if it is relevant.

• End the conversation with a concise and action-oriented farewell.

• If the person does not agree to your request, politely end the conversation by expressing understanding and gratitude.

New Section

This section highlights three key best practices for crafting an elevator pitch: keeping it concise, keeping it relevant, and keeping it natural. It also provides recommended lengths for different situations.

Best Practices for Crafting an Elevator Pitch

1. Keep it concise:

• Aim for 30 to 60 seconds in most situations.

• The longest recommended length is 90 seconds.

2. Keep it relevant:

• Tailor your pitch to highlight experiences, projects, and passions that are relevant to the situation.

3. Keep it natural:

• Sound authentic, conversational, and natural when introducing yourself.

• Use plain language that can be understood by all audiences.

New Section

This section discusses tailoring elevator pitches based on the amount of time available in different situations. It emphasizes having multiple versions of your pitch prepared.

Tailoring Your Elevator Pitch

• Depending on the situation, you may have varying amounts of time to deliver your pitch.

• Prepare different versions of your elevator pitch based on the time available.

• In networking events or short introductions, aim for 30 to 60 seconds.

• In interviews or longer interactions, expect around two minutes.

New Section

This section emphasizes the importance of creating one general elevator pitch while also tailoring it whenever possible. It provides examples of tailoring pitches for interviews and networking events.

Keeping Your Pitch Relevant

• Have one general elevator pitch that can be used at any moment.

• Tailor your pitch by focusing on experiences, projects, and education directly related to the role you're interviewing for.

• In networking events, highlight shared interests related to the field in general or express interest in learning from others who have made similar career switches.

New Section

This section emphasizes the need to sound authentic, conversational, and natural when delivering an elevator pitch. It advises against talking too quickly and using technical jargon that may alienate some listeners.

Keeping Your Pitch Natural

• Craft a clear and simple message for your elevator pitch.

• Deliver it with a slower speech to ensure important details are not missed.

• Use plain language that can be understood by all audiences.

• Avoid using excessive technical jargon or industry-specific terms that may alienate listeners.

New Section

In this section, the speaker shares their personal elevator pitch as an example. They introduce themselves as a career coach with experience in various career services roles. They express their interest in creating career development resources and providing guidance to those in need.

Example Elevator Pitch

• The speaker introduces themselves as Jenn, a career coach at Indeed.

• They have worked in talent acquisition, career coaching, and team leadership roles for the past 10 years.

• Through their experience, they have learned about the isolating nature of job searches and aim to provide support through career development resources.

• They ask what brings the listener there today.

New Section

This section concludes the video by summarizing the key tips for crafting a compelling elevator pitch: creating present, past, and future statements; keeping it concise, relevant, and natural.

Recap of Tips for Crafting an Elevator Pitch

• Create a present statement, past statement, and future statement in your elevator pitch.

• Keep it concise, aiming for 30 to 60 seconds in most situations.

• Tailor your pitch to make it relevant to the specific situation.

• Deliver your pitch naturally, sounding authentic and conversational.

New Section

The video ends with a thank you message from the speaker. They express hope that the information provided will be helpful in crafting a perfect elevator pitch. They encourage viewers to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more videos.

Conclusion

• The speaker thanks the viewers for watching and hopes they find the information helpful.

• They encourage viewers to apply the tips provided to craft their perfect elevator pitch.

• Viewers are invited to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more videos.