“Don’t judge a book by its cover”
It’s a phrase we are all well aware of, however, as Human Beings we do it all the time.
It’s a natural reaction and not necessarily a conscious one. So, when you are networking, engaging with recruiters, or meeting prospective employers what are their first impressions of you?
Those initial 30 seconds could effectively be what progresses you to a referral, a connection or even an interview.
So how should you present ‘you’?
Welcome to the 30 Second Commercial, otherwise known as the ‘Elevator Pitch’.
It’s the best way of putting across key information to your audience within those first 30 seconds of meeting.
You want to cover these main areas:
- Who you are – introducing yourself.
- What you are – clarifying your current or most recent role or what you do.
- Your Why (your value, impact) outlining your key skills, strengths and qualities.
- What next – explaining your potential career objective or direction.
Think about how you present yourself; how do you look? Do you look engaging and do you sound confident and articulate?
Consider what are your key strengths and which ones are most relevant to your audience. What will get their attention?
Remember, communication is only 7% of what you actually say!
The way you say it, how you say it and how your words match your body language makes up for the rest.
Make sure you know your audience. Have you done your research and are you demonstrating what you want to do and why you want to do it in line with their needs?
Consider the Problem vs Solution model.
If you understand the problems they are facing, how can you present your value as solutions in your Elevator Pitch? Of course, you may not know what they are yet, so adjust your language to highlight broader expertise rather than narrowing it down too early. Always tailor your elevator pitch to the situation and audience.
To do this well consider opening with your Why first, then highlighting the What and What Next!
Practice Practice Practice!
ALWAYS practice out loud because what you think and hear in your head will not be the same as what you actually say and sound like!
Your 30 second commercial won’t come naturally straight away, so ensure you practice it and feel confident on pitching ‘you’.
- Practice in the car.
- Practice in the shower.
- Practice when you’re on a walk.
- Practice when you’re making a cup of tea.
By the time to get to introduce yourself and use your Elevator Pitch you will have a version ready to deliver with confidence.
However, be careful about creating the perfect pitch which you’ve learnt word for word. A scripted pitch may sound stilted and inauthentic and is more likely to trip you up or not sound genuine.
