Craft an Easy Breezy Elevator Pitch | Template Toolbox

Idealist Guest

Apr 1, 2024 10:00 AM

Elevator pitches will always be a necessary evil of the job search. We can change the name, eliminate the elevator, and avoid the awkward intros, but that, “So tell me about yourself/what do you do?” question is inevitable.

Though everyone has different ideas on how to craft an elevator pitch, there are really only three true rules to consider:

It should be 30 seconds or less.
Your skill (or how you can benefit a potential employer) should be clear.
There should be a clear ask.

I’ve gone through countless elevator pitches (some very good and some very bad) and have narrowed down four components that you can customize to fit all your networking and job searching needs.

Question 1: What do you do well?

What you do is the foundation of any elevator pitch. While there’s no need to delve into specific job jargon, you need to be able to identify and articulate (for yourself and a potential employer) what you can deliver. Consider what you can offer by reflecting on these elements of your work experience:

Your professional accomplishments (awards, recognitions, certifications, etc).
What’s the common thread in all your jobs? Take a look at your transferable skills and identify one or two where you really excel.
Focus on your essential skill set. What abilities have you continued to strengthen in every role you’ve had?
Still in school? Use your major and assess other interests. What clubs are you in? Who do you admire? What’s your favorite subject?

Have a clear skill set but looking for new ways to talk about it? Try using these words when crafting an elevator pitch that excites the person who’s hearing it:

Adept at…
Proficient in…
Accomplished…
Prowess…
Dexterity…
Expertise in…
Savvy…

Question 2: What is your greatest strength in this area OR the best compliment you’ve ever received about your skill?

If you say that your skill set is communication, no one is going to doubt you. However, if you say that you have “a knack for persuasive storytelling,” an employer will have a clearer understanding of your value. Your concise and clear understanding of your abilities will not only lead others to believe in you but also help employers more readily identify how you can fit into their bigger picture.

Not sure what your strength in a particular area is? Think about some of the feedback you’ve received. Popular Millennial career coach Ashley Stahl advises job seekers to use testimonials. Also consider:

Where are you most assured?
The opportunity to do ____ (fill this in)____ is what drew you to your current role. (Hint: Look at job descriptions that really excite you and ask yourself why.)
This is also a space for the interpersonal—perhaps you are an amazing team player because you have a knack for seeing both sides of an argument. Feel free to include that here as well!
What is your work style? Take our quiz to find out, then make sure to communicate your strengths to a potential employer during an elevator pitch.

Looking for different ways to talk about your strengths? Try:

Have a knack for…
Talented at...
Effective
Penchant for…

Question 3: What would you like to do?

People need to know how to help you, so make sure your elevator pitch has a clear ask. Do you want a job? To learn a new skill? To pick someone’s brain about best practices in your field?

If you’re afraid to make the ask, remember that what you're seeking is also seeking you. Your elevator pitch should position you as a solution, and an open position means there’s a problem that hiring managers need solved.

Try framing your aspirations like this:

Gain exposure or credibility in the industry
Hoping to find a role in…
Suggestions as to how I can…
Opportunities for me to develop…
Looking to write for…
Insight on how I can apply…

Question 4: What’s your “why?”

Simon Sinek, Leadership Expert, helps people find the why in everything they do, which is important because it’s the why that keeps us inspired and motivates us to take action. Studies have shown that decision making, although a complex process, is really rooted in emotion.

Your emotions support your decision-making abilities. Use this knowledge to demonstrate that the reasons behind your elevator pitch isn’t just about leveling up in your career but also about achieving your long-term goals. Focus on the intrinsic motivators that really keep you moving ahead by asking yourself:

Who do I want to help or inspire?
Who benefits from my work?
Why do I enjoy the work I am doing?
How can I make an impact?

Also try using words like:

Because…
On behalf of…
I owe it to…
I’m inspired by…
I want to inspire..
I believe…

How to put it all together

You’re at a workshop and you meet Martha, a senior in college. You ask her what she does and she says…

"I’m currently studying education at [insert college]. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to make the conceptual practical, and I’m interested in securing an entry-level role at a nonprofit that allows me to teach and develop curriculum for high school students. Because nonprofit programs and fellowships were a key part of my development, it’s important for me to pay it forward and help students develop to their highest potential."

You’re on the subway and you are sitting next to James. You ask him what he does and he says…

"I’m currently working as a Human Resources Manager at [ name of nonprofit], and I’m really interested in DEI. My supervisors frequently commend me for being able to weigh and consider multiple perspectives and negotiate through conflict in the workplace. I’m seeking some advice on how I can further cultivate my expertise in this field because my ultimate aim is to help organizations develop more ethical and inclusive workplace cultures."

You’re at a personal branding conference and you bump into Katie. You ask her what she does, and she says…

"I’m a communications professional with a knack for persuasive storytelling. Considering my colleagues often compliment me for putting together thoughtful and engaging presentations, I’m looking for insight as to how I can best position myself for a role in production or videography at a social impact start-up. Because I’m inspired by documentaries, I want to help companies express their missions in compelling and relatable ways in the age of social media."