You’ve probably seen the advice floating around that you should have a 30-second commercial or elevator pitch ready do go, but what does that even mean?
Basically, it’s just a self-introduction, focused on what you can bring to the employer or customer. Some people call this your personal brand (and some people feel a little like vomiting when they hear that phrase). Think of it as a quick way to answer an interview question like “Tell me a little bit about yourself.’
What should you cover?
Our temptation is often to over-disclose, but it’s best to avoid mentioning your personal life. Don’t tell them where you were born or what your marital status is or whether you’re a parent, or even that you’re allergic to shellfish. Instead, think of it as a short work biography. What do you really want this audience to know about you as a professional?
Avoid too much jargon in your introduction. You’re looking to make an impact on the person, and lots of stuff about leveraging core competencies or being on the bleeding edge just mask any real meaning in what you’re saying. Instead, spell out how you can be helpful to the person you’re meeting. For example, I might say, “I’m Emily and I help people who feel stuck or don’t like their jobs to what to do instead so they can thrive at work.”
Here’s a template to get you started:
“Hi, I’m ____. It’s great to meet you. I have a background in _____ and am excited to transition to ____. Over the course of my professional life, I’ve done ____ and ____ to accomplish ____. I have skills in ___ and ___, which I’d love to bring to the role of ____.”
Obviously you can and should personalize this so it feels natural to you and steers the conversation in the direction you want. If you’re looking for a change, for instance, focus on how the skills you’ve gained can be used in the new role, rather than focusing on your job-specific history.
Make a note of the main points you want to cover in your short introduction, and then practice a few times so you feel natural saying all of this. Avoid the temptation to memorize it—you don’t want to sound robotic or like you’re reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Just review it enough that you’re confident about capturing what you want.
