- Who you are: Introduce yourself, offer a firm hand shake and a resume.
- Objective: Tell the employer why you are there and what sort of employment you seek.
- Summary: Summarize your education and experience.
- Closing: Reiterate your interest and thank the employer.
And here are some tips for making it great.
Keep it short
The optimal EP is 60 seconds. That is why you want to get to the point as fast as possible. Brevity is of the utmost importance. You want it to be short and concise so you can give the person time to respond and ask follow ups. That is why you want to get to the call to action as fast as possible.
Know it by heart
Though you want to sound genuine, it doesn’t hurt to practice it…A LOT. But you want to know it so well so that you don’t sound like a robot reciting it. And if you practice with family and friends ask for feedback!
Avoid annoying buzzwords
Cut all the annoying junk out. Just stick to the point.
Show them you care (and then they will care)
You have to show them the passion or they really won’t give you the time of the day. According to Career Services at UCSB, some of these topics will help:
- Who am I? What do I offer? What field or industry am I interested in?
- What does the employer need and what problem can I solve?
- What are the main contributions I can make? What benefits can employers derive from my skills, based on my proven accomplishments?
Inject a little humor
A little joke or funny anecdote can make a cold pitch all that much better. And a personal anecdote they can relate to is always super helpful in getting them to really care.
Follow up
If you do it right, then the elevator pitch is really just the beginning. You need to be prepared for follow-up questions and be sure to make a plan to reconnect. To get that next conversation going try asking: How can I get a spot on your interview schedule? Can we set a phone appointment to discuss the issue of…? Can I send you my resume?
