The Elevator pitch: How to Create Connections in 30 Seconds

There is a saying, "It's not what you know, it's who you know", that really captures the career journey.  The elevator pitch is something that helps increase the number of people you know and when done right can lead to people feeling invested in your career and success.  Read on to learn the tips on how to do it right.

​The way to a new job is clear.  At least 70% and maybe even as many as 85% of new jobs are secured through networking like networking events, informational interviewing, reconnecting with your current network and even social media networking. 
 
You know what that means, you need a great elevator pitch as anytime you talk to someone new or reconnect with someone you haven’t spoken with in a while you will need to tell them a bit about yourself and what you are looking for.  You want to hook someone in, someone who either wants to hire you or feels invested enough in your future to advocate for you within their own network.  They won’t feel that way if you don’t create a connection with a good elevator pitch.
 
Are you in a role and company that you love and think that this doesn’t apply to you?  Well I have news for you, it does!  I have heard about CEOs who literally get into the elevator every day and ask a different person for their elevator pitch.  I know one who points to someone and says “elevator pitch – go!”  I know another who is a little more subtle, “so what do you do here?”  Think about wowing the head of your company and what sort of opportunities could arise from that, simply from having an elevator pitch.
 
So what is an elevator pitch exactly?  It is a quick, compelling short story about who you are, what you are looking for and how you add value.  You are selling yourself as a product right?  Think of the pitch as your “commercial” and remember that it allows you to create a lasting impression leading to stronger connections with individuals.
 
Things to ponder:
 
Before crafting your pitch there are a few things that I want you to keep in mind about the perfect elevator pitch:

1. Like a commercial you want it to be about 30 seconds long (maybe up to 60 seconds) which is about 80-90 words or about 8-10 sentences.
2. A good pitch is dynamic so write it down but just use that as a guideline
3. Don’t sound a like a robot, people make connections not robots!
4. Make sure your personality shines through.
5. Who is your target audience?  How would you say it to a peer, hiring manager, etc
6. Showcase your superpower!
7. BE AUTHENTIC.

 
Some Tips for Success:

1. There are four main questions you want to answer during the pitch.  Who Are You? What do you do? What do you want to do? What makes you different?

 

1. Don’t just write down one answer to each, if you write down a couple of answers it will prepare you to change it up to make it more relevant to the person you are speaking to and also ensuring your personality shines through.

 

1. There are a lot of sample ideas out there and while it is nice to have some guidelines I find the best pitches are ones that don’t stick to the traditional template so focus while you can lean on them for ideas make sure you are using a tone and words that show you off.

 

1. Don’t be afraid to be let your uniqueness shine – if you are passionate about something that is relevant bring it up!

 

1. If you can, deliver your elevator pitch after asking them some questions, this allows you to really tailor it to your audience.

 

1. Use your pitch as a way in, don’t just say it and leave it.  Ask for some advice, hand over your card, ask to keep in touch – find a way to leverage your pitch into a relationship.  That is key for networking your way into a job.

 
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