We have all heard about the famous elevator pitch. College professors and career coaches are nodding in agreement right now.
Because we all know that- at some point- we’ve been pressured into learning how to effectively pitch yourself to an employer.
Knowing how to give an elevator pitch is one of those famous commands that seem to stick harder than the rest.
Though most people might groan in discontent at the thought of pitching themselves, it’s an incredibly important skill to learn.
You’ll be asked to pitch yourself during the job interview. And if you attend conferences and professional events, you’ll realize you need a pitch for that too.
Don’t Fall Into One of These Categories
If you’ve never crafted a personal story before, you might be scratching your head right now. Well, first things first, don’t fall into one of these categories. Read the following text closely to know what NOT to do.
Overshare
An elevator pitch is supposed to be short- 30 seconds to 1 minute max. That means you cannot share your entire life story. It’s also tempting to share your entire resume and rush to fit it all into your pitch. But it will just end up overwhelming the listener.
Too Eager
You definitely want to convey an optimistic attitude while pitching yourself. However, there is a fine line between being optimistic and being too eager. Never overemphasize your skills or traits to the point of exaggeration. And never proclaim that you’re willing to do anything for the job.
Generalize
Another DON’T of pitching yourself to employers is being too general. Never downplay your skills and use generic words that don’t align with your accomplishments. Terms like “reaching corporate goals” are too general and don’t relay any real personal value about yourself.
Emotional
When pitching yourself to an employer, leave the emotion at home. Don’t get caught up in old emotions from your last employer or frustrations with finding a job. Phrases like “I’ve been trying to find a job for ages it seems, so I’m up for anything,” put a bad impression on your mindset and- again- doesn’t showcase your value.
Now that you know what not to do let’s reframe those points and show you how to pitch yourself effectively.
Focus on Telling a Story
Think about the story you want to tell to potential employers. After all, a personal pitch is simply a condensed story that shows the listener you can provide value. The best pitches are memorable and pack a punch, formed of complex sentences and zesty words.
Your story should always hit a few major points: who you are as a professional, who you do the best, any results you’ve achieved for a past employer, how you can add the same value to their company, and your ultimate goals for the future. Tie that last point back in to relate to the interviewing company for extra points.
Focus on the Specifics
As we mentioned earlier, being too general is a no-no of effectively pitching yourself to an employer. Think of it this way.
If you were hearing 20-40 prospective pitches in a day, they would all start to sound the same at some point. And most inexperienced people use generic language because it “sounds good” and seems like what the company wants to hear.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Companies want to hear specific details- numbers, percentages, clear goals, and unique language that didn’t come off a template.
Focus on Tone and Delivery
How you say things matters. Sometimes, the only difference in the effectiveness of one person’s pitch over the other is how they deliver the message. Words carry meaning. Words are powerful. They can persuade, inspire, motivate, or send chills down the spine of the listener.
Think about the last time you heard a speech that moved you and left an impression. Study how to deliver an impactful speech, and practice those methods on your own before giving the real pitch.
The purpose of practicing your delivery is to get comfortable hearing yourself speak in a confident tone. So, when you have that conversation with a potential employer, it feels natural instead of forced.
Skip the Interview and Go Straight to a Dallas Recruiter
Are you looking for a job in the sales industry in Dallas, Texas? Our team can help you find the perfect sales position that aligns with your objective, future goals, and current skill set. We will connect you straight to hiring companies to expedite your job search.
If you are trying to fill a sales-based role within your company, Sales Recruiters Dallas can also help you hire the perfect candidate. We use a hands-on approach that’s proven to get results and makes the hiring process a breeze. Learn more about us to hire talent or get hired sooner rather than later.