The “60-Second Elevator Pitch” is a very useful networking tool for both potential employees and the future employer because it is short, sweet, to-the-point, and chock-full of information. The point of one of these spiels is to tell as much about yourself and your qualifications to your potential employer without boring them to death with a block of text. As implied by the title, this type of conversation usually takes place in an elevator. Obviously, this can differ, like you could strike up a discussion with the person sitting beside you on an airplane, and find out that they work in the field you’re interested in, or you could possibly bump into someone you recognize in line at the coffee shop, or . . . the possibilities are endless.
The Elevator Pitch would most benefit recent college grads and people looking for work (duh), but I think it comes in most handy when the field you are attempting to enter is highly specialized. There are generally limited opportunities in, say, special effects or animation, so getting your name out there with good things attached to it is extremely important.
Professionals’ time is money; don’t make them feel like they’re wasting it! Keeping it brief will help with the whole image thing—they probably won’t feel angry with you for taking about a minute from their day.
Do your research; it pays off big time. People who come off as informed, polite, and confident will leave a better impression than those who, well, don’t. Portraying yourself in a positive light is important; a professional probably won’t hire you if you downplay your strengths. Conversely, don’t overhype yourself. People hate nothing more than someone with an overinflated ego. Finding the nice balance in between will do wonders for the employer’s opinion of you.
Keeping in mind that you don’t want to talk the employer’s ear off, there are a few pointers that those interested in making connections should keep in mind.
–Chelsea B.
