Finessing your elevator pitch
Following our ‘Polishing your interview skills’ post, we’re going to focus on the popular question, “Tell us about yourself,” and how finessing your elevator pitch is the ideal way to respond. This will also help to set the tone for the rest of the interview by demonstrating your skills, strengths, and professionalism from the outset.
Elevator pitches reportedly originated in Hollywood, where screenwriters would accost film executives in elevators and have mere seconds to sell their idea, and it has now become a useful tool for networking events, trade shows and even interviews. As experienced headhunters, we know that first impressions count and elevator pitches can create interest early on, so preparing for this crucial question is definitely worth your time.
The format
Typically, an elevator pitch should last around 30-60 seconds in order to communicate clearly and effectively – any longer can become waffle or dilute the strength of your ideas and key messages. When writing your elevator pitch, this is approximately 100-200 words that you can then practice and time.
The content
The order of content, as our marketing candidates will know, should be compelling and insightful, and the following structure is recommended:
1. Your hook
As you would with a product or service, presenting yourself requires a hook – clearly outlying a problem that you and your unique skills, and experience, can solve.
2. Your strengths
The next stage is to share how and why you care about this issue. What are you passionate about? And, what personal strengths and values support this?
3. Your substance
Next, create a more vivid picture by telling your story. What have you done that can illustrate the above?
4. Your call to action
Finally, give your interviewer something to do with the information you have shared to fulfil your desired outcome.
The style
Nerves can wreak havoc on our confidence and delivery, so there is a skill to delivering your elevator pitch in an interview scenario. It is important to show confidence, particularly for senior leaders, but by focussing on the issues and ideas, it helps to avoid arrogance and breathes purpose into the pitch. Also, by breathing deeply and slowing down on your speech, it will help you to feel calmer and more in control.
If you feel ready to move towards the next stage in your career, please get in touch or connect with us/send a message on LinkedIn.
Suzie Walker Executive Search is a firm of specialist headhunters with an expert team recruiting interim and permanent senior leaders for B2C and B2B marketing, digital and technology roles in FTSE 350 and private equity-backed companies. Find out how we can support you by connecting with a Consultant below.
If you’re ready to make your next move, we regularly post new opportunities on our LinkedIn company page. If you apply for a role on the platform, it requires a 1st connection for us to respond, so please make sure to connect with Suzie Walker. Our company page is also frequently updated with the latest hiring news, expert interviews, and candidate guidance, so well worth following.
