Have you Got your Elevator Pitch Ready?
Networking is a critical part of developing your executive career and ensuring you move up the ladder quickly. When you meet prospective employers and executive recruiters, it’s important that you can deliver a thoroughly thought-out and well-executed elevator pitch to ensure that you give the best possible image of yourself. The last thing you want is to meet someone who can progress your career and be caught out with nothing to say.
An elevator pitch essentially is a 60-second overview of who you are, what you have accomplished, what your strengths are and your experience.
You need to sum up the key points of what makes you attractive to executive recruiters and what makes you an excellent candidate, quickly and concisely.
Imagine yourself in an elevator, moving between floors and the CEO of a company that you have always wanted to work with walks in. You have from the time they walk in, until the moment they walk out to sell yourself, hence the name ‘elevator pitch’.
Let’s take a look at how you can create an elevator pitch that will land you that executive position you’ve been hoping for.
1. Plan Your Pitch Properly
As the old adage goes “fail to plan, plan to fail”, never has this been so true as it is with writing your elevator pitch. First of all, you need to write down what you want to say. Take some time to consider all of the things that you feel are important and are worth mentioning to an executive recruiter or a hiring manager. Start off with a list of what you want to cover, go through it and ultimately, you should be aiming to identify your own personal USP. What is it that makes you special?
2. Identify Your Strengths
Take a step back and analyse your strengths. Think about what elements of business you are strong in? What have executive recruiters complimented you on in the past? Where have you really excelled in your previous roles? These could be elements of your character, your personality or they may be drawn from your work history or education. Remember, this is not the time to be modest, write down anything you think is appropriate.
3. Hone in On Your Experience
As an executive, you will have more experience to draw on from the business world than most other potential candidates for a role. Give real consideration to your experience. Consider not just your work experience but also specific moments in your career where you have really excelled and done well in your role.
4. Be Articulate, Clear and Concise
Once you have created a list of your strengths and your experience that is applicable, it’s time to start drafting your elevator pitch. When delivering your pitch to an executive recruiter or HR manager, it’s important to be articulate, to stay on point and to be clear. You don’t want to overwhelm them with too much information and although this is a pitch all about you, it’s important to come across as respectful and humble. Write everything down and practice with a trusted colleague or family member and ask for honest feedback.
5. Leave a Positive and Lasting Impression
Delivering an elevator pitch can be a challenge for even the most experienced executives. Be sure to take some time to plan your pitch and to write everything down. Focus in on your strengths, how you can add value to the organisation through your experience and above all else deliver your pitch in a clear, concise and articulate way. With the right elevator pitch at your disposal, you’ll leave the executive recruiter with a positive and lasting impression of you as a potential candidate for any executive position.
Need some more tips on how to leave a lasting impression at your next executive interview? Contact our team at Jeff Wood Executive Recruitment.
