Business people know the importance of having a short statement that describes or explain their company or what they offer, or what is known as “the elevator pitch.” And you – as a job seeker – are in business too. Your business is presenting yourself in the best way possible and land your dream job. You, as well, need an elevator pitch.

WHAT IS THE ELEVATOR PITCH

The elevator pitch is a personal statement that is brief, concise and compelling. It should not exceed the half-a-minute to a minute mark.

WHEN TO USE YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH

Think of a time when you met someone in a networking event, or with a friend, and you have been asked the question “tell me about yourself.” In that situation, you need to rely on a well-crafted statement that summarizes all you need to say and be memorable at the same time.

HOW TO DEVELOP YOU ELEVATOR PITCH

You might think that talking about yourself for 30 seconds is not a big deal, but it is. Before you start articulating your statement, think of the purpose. Ask yourself, what exactly do I need to emphasize? My education? My experience? My skills?

Write few sentences explaining what you do (or want to do), any training you received, and problems you solved or achievements you made.

Read your pitch out loud and listen to yourself. Edit your pitch over and over until you are satisfied. Make sure that your statement is easy to understand with no jargons or terminologies that only the specialist comprehends unless this is what you are aiming for. Ask a friend or a mentor to listen to your statement and give you their feedback.

EXAMPLES

“I am an app developer; I develop mobile applications for businesses to increase the accessibility to their services and to reach more clients. I have developed more than 15 apps in the last two years, and I am searching for new opportunity to utilize my skills in Android and iOS in more sophisticated projects”.

“I am a technician in the automotive industry; I have experience for more than 15 years and well-trained in handling tools as well as safety. I am ready to move on to a new location or company”.

PRACTICE YOUR PITCH

Once you are satisfied with your elevator pitch, practice it more often until it feels natural. After a while, you might need to add more information or change it based on your current job search situation.