The “elevator pitch” is just a buzzword-y way of saying “snapshot of important points, stated briefly and to the point.” An elevator ride is typically short, so that’s why it makes a good namesake. In a career context, it means a quick overview your best points and your goals. But in general, it can really be about anything you’re trying to sell to the listener.
Basically, the elevator pitch is a brief, snappy couple of sentences that tell the listener what they need to know—or, more specifically, what you want them to know. The goal isn’t to be a dry source of facts, but rather offer a few curated points that show the highlights. Here are a few ways to write an effective elevator pitch; you’ll surely see the difference capable executive recruitment gets when your talent is thoroughly acknowledged.
Know Your Audience
Fine tune your presentation depending on whether you are talking to a banker or investor, a potential customer or a future partner. Your speech should be worth their time, attention and money. Keep in mind the needs of the person in front of you. Show that you know what they’re looking for and that you can meet their needs. State whatever differentiates you from the competition. Think of an “only statement” such as: “We are the only business in the city/country/world that does X.”
Keep it short
People have short attention spans. Keep your pitch under one minute, or a couple hundred words if you are writing it. Focus on the key points. You can expand and fill in the gaps later during future conversations.
There are times when you will have a chance to expound on your resume, your experience, or your point of view. When asked for an elevator pitch, make sure you’re including only a few main points, and keep the sentences short and straightforward.
Be Ready to Get into the Nitty-Gritty
No matter how good your presentation is, not everyone will be immediately impressed. Assess the weak points and identify potential objections the audience might make. That way, you will have the right answers at hand.
Detail Company Culture
Give candidates a taste of what it will be like to work for your company. Are you innovative? Do you offer flex time? What do your current employees love most about working for you? What are the perks of the job? Outline vacation time, health benefits, and other perks such as flex time that will get them interested in learning more about the company.