Arleen Bradley Career Coaching

In the time it takes to go from the floor you are on now to the floor you want to be, you can land a job. But is your elevator pitch/speech bringing your job search to the next level?  Most have job searches stuck between floors.

Elevator pitches can cause to your job search to go up or down. What is yours doing for you?

However, they are called elevator pitches or speeches are meant to last about 30 seconds to 90 seconds depending what your objective is. Elevator pitches or speeches, whatever you they are called in your area, are a way to introduce yourself to someone you have never met before.  Usually it’s in a networking environment, but can be used anywhere.

They are not my favorite job search strategy.  I have seen and heard too many people give their elevator pitch/speech that are practiced, practiced and practiced.  Most of them remind me of fingernails on a chalkboard.  From the phony smile to the over-rehearsed flawless recitation of the unique value proposition to the stating the name once in the beginning and again at the end, the elevator speech wouldn’t convince me to hire you.

Memorizing the elevator speech is necessary, because carrying around a cheat sheet isn’t professional.  But then neither is reciting your value to another the same way a school age child would recite a poem.  The reason most people recite their elevator pitch/speech the way they do is because they want to get in the most information they can in the allotted time.

The elevator pitches/speeches I like are ones that sound conversational.  You tell me what you do and how you do it better than anyone else.  You use your smile to communicate confidence and sincerity.  If I ask you a question that isn’t on your script, you are able to answer it in the same manner.  If you run over your 30 to 90 seconds in this manner, I don’t mind because you are informing me about you.  And hopefully  moving me to learn more.

When you stop, I don’t feel like you just tried to “sell” yourself to me.  I feel like we have learned a little more about one another; that’s a great way to start building a relationship.  And the true goal of networking is building relationships.

If you want to stand out among other job searchers, don’t recite your elevator pitch/speech like you are selling a used car.  Have a conversation with the person; tell them everything you want them to know, and keep it fresh.  Practice with a friend so that you include all the points you want to make in a casual manner.  By having an appealing elevator pitch/speech, you will have a better chance at keep your listener’s attention through the entire speech.