How to Create Your Elevator Pitch
- Jackie Vermeulen
- Oct 11, 2016
- 2 min read
You press the up arrow by the elevator and wait patiently for it to arrive. As the doors open and you step in, you see you’re the company of Robert Iger. Sheryl Sanderg. Sundar Pichai. Your professional idol.
The door closes, and you give a smile and a hello. They’re receptive and reciprocate. This is your chance. You can introduce yourself, and you have about 30 seconds to do so. What do you say?
That’s when you pull out your elevator—a short and sweet speech that sells yourself.
Here’s what to include:
Your name
Your title
What makes you unique
Your wrap-up. Repeat your name. Hand out your business card. Ask to schedule more time to talk.
Complicated? No. Intimidating? It doesn’t have to be. Keep it short and sweet. Here’s what I would say to you if we met at a networking event:
"Hello, my name is Jackie. I am the co-owner and lead writer of Career Mint. It’s a website that helps people navigate their careers, whether they’re just getting starting or moving up in—or around—the world. In addition to articles, we also offer virtual mentoring sessions so people can meet with seasoned professionals and get personalized advice."
(Handing business card) "The site is thecareermint.com and you can find some of my work by searching for 'Jackie.' I would love to speak with you further about it, and find out more about you. Do you have a card?"
Write it down. Practice it. Read it out loud. And time it; keep it to 30 seconds max talking at a nice, even tempo.
Have a few versions of it: one for professional occasions, one that pitches your idea, and another that you can pull out at social events.
Time to get started; you never know when you’re going to get into the elevator with that ever-important person who can take your career to the next level
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Jackie Vermeulen is the founder of The Career Mint. She works closely with the mentors and some off-site experts to address the hard-hitting career topics in articles like the one you’re reading now.
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