Selling your Skills in 10 Seconds
A sharp elevator pitch could open the doors to greater career opportunities. Questions like: “What do you do for a living?” could lead to the job you have been waiting for, but it all begins with a solid elevator pitch.
According to experienced Philadelphia recruiters, your elevator pitch is your personal selling statement, but to make an impact, it must be concise, interesting, and memorable.
Grab their Attention from the Start
To immediately capture the attention of your target audience, headhunters in Philadelphia suggest you should introduce yourself in a way that sets you apart from your peers. For instance, you might have a technical training in addition to a degree, which you could note while sharing your credentials.
If you have a connection, such as you went to the same school or you have read about the individual on the Internet, mention it at the start. It will ensure you have the person’s listening ear.
Spell Out Your Job Role and Experience
After the initial introduction, you should be able to describe in one line what work you are doing. Engineering headhunters suggest that if your job title is highly specialized or technical, provide a description instead.
Once the individual clearly understands your job role and experience, they would be in a better position to engage further, or perhaps connect you with someone else in their organization.
Highlight Your Qualifications
To make your elevator pitch work, it is vital to highlight your qualifications, which could be a combination of your technical skills, experience, and achievements.
Engineering staffing agencies in Philadelphia recommend that your description should answer what makes you qualified for your current job and how long you’ve been doing it. If you have a certification, or you are a member of an industry organization, let your listener know about it.
Note Your Unique Attributes
It always helps when you are during your elevator pitch that you can note to the listener any unique personal qualities, accomplishments or experiences that differentiate you from others.
Perhaps you attended a foreign student exchange program that made an impact, or you volunteered to teach underprivileged kids. IT recruiters suggest that if you have a passion for coding, web designing, animation, or another technical niche, share it with your contact.
Close with an Open-ended Question
When it is time to close your elevator pitch, you should be able to make way for further action. Staffing firms in Philadelphia suggest you could ask an open-ended question, which leads the individual to engage further.
For instance, you could ask: “Can I meet you again for a more detailed one-on-one conversation?” or “Can you put me in touch with someone in your IT department, so I can explain them how my skills will add value to your organization?” Finally, make sure to ask for their business card for further contact.
Practice Make Perfect
Once you have crafted the perfect elevator pitch, IT headhunters and other experts suggest: practice, practice, practice. Speak out loud and time your pitch to ensure it is brief. You may even practice with a friend or a family member to know their honest feedback and improvise.
