Examples of elevator pitches for job seekers

Imagine this: you are at a table with the founder of a startup who could get you your dream job, and you have just five minutes to put yourself out there. What would you say?

That's just one out of the many possible scenarios where the term, "Elevator Pitch" comes alive. A short moment in time when you can sell yourself to a potential employer, partner, investor, or someone who would contribute to your business and career goals.

I was at lunch when I had my own Elevator Pitch experience over a call. A recruiter reached out to me and asked that I pitched stories and storytelling processes I would use for a project if I came on board. And even though I wasn't expecting the call, I pitched, and it earned it another call to discuss further. For some others, these meetings happen at events and career conferences places. And for others, it pops up in the most uneventful places.

And don't get overwhelmed, the need for an elevator pitch can come up in a casual conversation where you only have to tell the other person about yourself and not necessarily aimed at an opportunity. But who knows, that could be the route to your next big thing.

Elevator pitches are not outdated, and they are just as important —maybe even more effective— than a formal conversation with a panel of recruiters. In a world of incessant conflict between hiring managers and job seekers, they come in handy.

For the hiring manager/ founder/ employer, this is a chance to meet a high-value candidate without the cost of the conventional recruitment process. And for the job seeker, it's a chance to avoid the stress of the conventional interview process. In fact, you may want to ask: are job interviews really as effective in knowing all the nitty-gritty about job seekers and employers as they used to be?

The point is: networking is now a big tool for getting opportunities, and the concept of the Elevator Pitch is the shortest but very vital form of networking.

So, what should you know about them? How do they work? and what are some examples of elevator pitches for job seekers?

It's simply selling yourself on the spot to place yourself at a vantage point for an opportunity.

An elevator pitch does not necessarily earn you a job or an opportunity on the spot, however, it registers you on the mind of whom you are pitching to and earns you a second contact.

You have limited time to tell your story, show what you can do, and make a great impression. It's not exactly the time to negotiate benefits or ask questions about the person and their company, rather, it's about putting yourself out there in the very raw form.

Of course, it doesn't have to be in an elevator. You could meet a potential employer in a taxi, in a queue at the ATM, the mall, anywhere! And trust me, many people got their jobs this way, without having to go through formal interviews.

The thing is; recruiting is stressful and expensive for many employers already, and they are looking at every opportunity to hire good hands without hassle and cost. So, why not prep yourself for one?

Here's how to prepare for and craft an elevator pitch

1. Have a story you can tell about yourself anywhere and anytime. The pitch is basically a story; your story, with a "clickbait" attached to it. Even when you are not in conversation with a potential employer, you should have a story about yourself to tell and know how best to tell it.

2. Know the kind of people you want to work with. Know specific people or companies if possible. Research them well and think of questions they can ask. There are some experiences and skills you have that may not matter to what they can offer you and you may just want to leave those out when pitching because you have a short time. On the other hand, there could be unpronounced qualities that matter to them; you should dig those out and add them to your story.

3. Build your networking skills. It's not just your mastery of oration, but your social and behavioral skills, as well as body language all matter when pitching.

4. Be nice and polite to everyone. It's called an "Elevator Pitch" because it happens in the most unusual of places, and you may never know who you may come in contact with each day.

5. Visit elevators! Errrrr... That's just a figure of speech, but here's what I mean: go to places where you can meet these potential employers, either virtually or physically. Follow them on socials, and attend conferences, webinars, and job fairs.

So, where do you find your next "elevator"?

A good place to start is the CareerBuddy Fest this October!

One of the event's major highlights is speed hiring, where several recruiters will be around to fish new talents. In fact, company founders who are not exactly looking to hire are coming around and you'd get full access to them!

Get your tickets now.

So, are you pitch ready? Here's how to present one

1. Hook them from the start with your name and your goal: Begin with a bang. Your name and your ambition should kick-start the conversation with enthusiasm. Are you revolutionizing the way people cook at home? Or maybe you're changing how businesses manage their finances? Your goal is your magnetic north, so make it shine.

2. Keep it simple: Avoid jargon jungles. Remember, your audience might not be familiar with technical terms. Speak in a way that a non-expertise could understand while being professional and sound. Instead of "leveraging synergistic paradigms," say "finding smart ways to work together."

3. Share the "Wow" factor: If you are a sales expert, trust me, you are just one of the thousand sales experts in the world. So what makes you THAT ONE? What makes you special? Is it your lightning-speed customer service or is it as crazy as having some magical powers? Highlight what sets you apart in a sentence that's impossible to forget.

4. Back it up with Proof: People love results. Whether it's gaining a certain number of users or increasing revenue by a certain percentage, show that you're not just talking.

5. End with a question or call to action: Invite engagement. Ending with a question encourages a dialogue. It's not just about talking; it's about starting a conversation. A call to action tasks your audience to either give a yes or no or schedule a second meeting.

Bonus tip: Time It Right. Remember, it's an elevator pitch, not a marathon. Aim for around 30 seconds – the ideal time for most elevator rides. Be concise but impactful.