Elevator Pitch
An "Elevator Pitch" is a carefully articulated, clear and concise overview of a company, product or service. The pitch has been dubbed "Elevator Pitch" because it should be delivered in the amount of time it takes to ride an elevator (Free Career Search suggests tailoring your Elevator Pitch to last no more than 30 seconds). From a job-seeker's perspective, you should develop an Elevator Pitch for every interview you attend. You are providing a service to the company you are appyling for. You should be able to sell yourself the same way an entrepreneur is selling an idea to a venture capitalist.
In an interview setting, an Elevator Pitch can most aptly be used to answer the familiar question, "Tell me a little about yourself."
Begin with a "hook": A statement or question that piques the interviewer's interest to want to hear more. Make sure your hook disseminates the message that you are a passionate, driven and attentive candidate. Employers expect energy and dedication. You might explain how you initially decided to work in the specific field; have anecdotes for all broad statements you make. You need to encapsulate the highlights of your career, education and personal life in a quick storyline.
After the hook, expose your knowledge about the company you are interviewing for. Voice the company's goals and explain how you fall in a position to enhance and drive those goals to greatness. This might sound crazy, but do not be specific. Bank on broad words such as "determined, motivated, knowledge-seekers, self-starter" to support your claims of success. You do not have time to touch on the details - if they are interested in hearing your specific ideas, they will ask.
The most important part for an interview Elevator Pitch is the transition. You want to make an interview as unscripted as possible. You want to create a dialogue. Have a list of intelligent questions that you can ask to ignite a business conversation. Be sincere with your questions and self-assured with your delivery. Your Elevator Pitch has set the state and planted the seed for the rest of the interview - speak with confidence and preparation, and you are well on your way to great interviewing prowess.
