The Guide to Crafting a Winning Elevator Pitch

The Guide to Crafting a Winning Elevator PitchThe Guide to Crafting a Winning Elevator Pitch40Youre standing in line waiting to order your Chocolate Chai Tea Latte when you spot in front of you a very influential staffer who works for the company youd like to work for. Are you ready with a winning elevator pitch?Should you politely tap her on the shoulder and strike up a conversation, or pretend to be engrossed in your Candy Crush Saga game instead? The difference in potentially getting a job interview or not getting an interview can largely rest on what you have to say in this moment.Heres how to craft a winning elevator pitch.Know what an elevator pitch is. An elevator pitch is essentially a 20-30 second overview of who you are, what youre interested in doing for work, and why youre qualified for the position that youre seeking. Its called an elevator pitch because you should picture yourself serendipitously sharing an elevator ride with THE person who can help you get whatever it is you want- a new job, a promotion, or a job interview. What would you say to them on that short elevator ride to get them to help you? Thats your elevator pitch.Know what to include.From the moment you take a deep breath and utter your first syllable, the clock is already ticking. Every second counts when you start your elevator pitch, so make each one noteworthy. Your elevator pitch should include a very brief introduction of yourself- your name, where you currently work or your career field, and what youre really passionate about doing.You should conclude your pitch with a request, which entails what you would like the person to do, such as accept your resume/business card, allow you to follow up with her in a week, help you find a position within her company, etc. You can even mention your remote job experience and how youve telecommuted for the better part of your career, too.Know how to get people interested. A winning elevator pitch should be practiced, but shouldnt sound li ke youve rehearsed it for weeks either. You should speak slowly and steadily, but with enthusiasm. You know that its crucial to find a job that youre passionate about, so youll need to convey some of that passion while youre speaking as well. After all, the person youre speaking with cant get excited about you (and want to help you) if youre not excited about yourself and what you have to offerKnow how to be specific.Lets say youve captured your targets attention for a full five minutes. Youll need to make sure that your pitch is specific. Stating that youre looking for a job in marketing is not enough. Instead, you should opt to be as detail-oriented as possible, saying instead, Im really interested in marketing coordinator positions because I enjoy XYZ about that type of work. By being specific, it can help you focus your entire job search so that its much more clear to employers.You never know when youll bump into the next person who can help take your job search to the next leve l. And dont think that elevator pitches are only relegated to elevators you can deliver a winning elevator pitch in the grocery store, on an airplane, or anywhere else that you might potentially meet someone whos able to take your job search to the next levelReaders, do you have a winning elevator pitch? Let us know if youve used one and how it went in the comments section below