Interview Elevator Pitch: How to Introduce Yourself in an Interview?

1. What is an elevator pitch?
2. How to prepare an elevator pitch?
3. What to include in an elevator pitch?
4. What NOT to do during an elevator pitch?
5. Elevator pitch examples for job seekers

Talking about yourself is arguably one of the hardest things to do in an interview and may even put the best job seekers in a fix.

The best way to impress an interviewer is to craft a short and engaging pitch about yourself, famously called the Elevator Pitch.

In this blog, we will discuss,

1. What is an elevator pitch?
2. How to prepare an elevator pitch?
3. What NOT to do during an elevator pitch?
4. Elevator pitch examples for job seekers

Let’s get started!

What is an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch is a short and engaging pitch about yourself that conveys to the interviewer why you are the perfect fit for their organization.

The catch is that you have to do it in the time it takes the elevator to travel from the ground floor to the top.

This means, that you would get approximately 30-45 seconds or 80 words to make the first impression in the interview.

In simpler words, an elevator pitch is a quick summary of your professional experience that reflects your skills and achievements in the most concise manner.

It work as an icebreaker in interviews and pave the road to a good conversation.

You can also use it at job fairs, as career objectives in the resume, or even as twitter bio.

A well-written elevator pitch can do wonders and help you stand out in the crowd, and here is how you can make it happen!

How to prepare an elevator pitch?

Writing 75-80 words about yourself sounds easy, but to get it right, you have to boil down who you are, your achievements, skills, and your experiences in a 30-second speech.

Here is a step-wise guide on how to write an impressive elevator pitch:

1. Talk about your current position

The first thing you need to chalk out in an elevator pitch is how do you want to present yourself.

The talking points can include who you are, what you do, and your objective for interviewing.

Add your name, designation, or interests (best, in case you are a fresher).

Defining your current position gives you credibility and lets the interviewer understand where you come from.

2. List the reasons that make you a good fit for the company

Once you have introduced yourself, you have to convince the interviewer that you would be a good fit for the company.

So, make a list of everything you have in common with the job.

Listing all the reasons will provide clarity on what you have and what you need to fit the role, further helping you understand what to include in your pitch.

Here are the 2 things that will help you make the list:

Research the company

Find all you can about a company to understand its culture, work environment, policies, perks, benefits, etc.

You can gather company reviews and ratings from websites like AmbitionBox for your research.

Match your experience with the job description

Every job profile is different in nature and a job description perfectly defines what a company is looking for.

I can not stress this enough, but using the job description as a checklist is the best idea when it comes to preparing for interviews.

It will help you get a clear picture of what you bring to the table, giving you points to include in your elevator pitch.

3. Use a word counter to keep the pitch short

You may have a lot to say about yourself, but when you are writing a short and engaging pitch about yourself, you must remember to keep it crisp.

To avoid writing a long paragraph instead of a short pitch, use word count websites like Wordcounter.net, Keyword Tool, Character Count Tool , or apps like Word Counter (android), and Word Counter Tools (iOS).

You can also use the word frequency counter to ensure that you are not repetitive.

4. Make 5 drafts of short and engaging pitch about yourself

Having too many ideas but limited words can result in a cut-short pitch, which may not be able to communicate everything you wish to.

So, the best way to go about it is to make multiple drafts with different tones and, if possible, talking points.

Having 5 drafts will help you find your hero script as you will be able to compare and identify what belongs in your elevator pitch and what doesn’t.

5. Proofread, edit, correct, repeat

If you are thinking "Why should I proofread when it took so long to curate it in the first place?", the answer is simple!

You may have found your pitch, but there is no exact number of attempts to get it right.

So, we suggest you proofread several times to omit grammatical errors, complicated words, and any local jargon that may confuse the interviewer.

6. Practice your pitch with a stopwatch

An elevator pitch is supposed to be a short and engaging pitch about yourself, and curating an impressive one takes practice.

So, memorize the script and practice in front of a mirror. Make a note of your expressions, tone, and pronunciation.

Time it with a stopwatch to ensure your pitch is no longer than 30 seconds.

What to include in an elevator pitch?

A good elevator pitch must include:

• Who you are?
• What do you do?
• The objective of the conversation
• What makes you qualified for the job
• Why should the interviewer consider you

What NOT to do during an elevator pitch?

Now that we know how to write an elevator pitch, let’s discuss what NOT to do while writing a short and engaging pitch about yourself:

1. Don’t try to fit 5 minutes of speech in 30 seconds.
2. Don’t use complex words or local jargon that may confuse the interviewer.
3. Don’t use vague and lengthy sentences- keep it short and simple.
4. Don’t have a mechanical speech- make it conversational and engaging.
5. Don’t use the same pitch everywhere- customize it for the interview.

Elevator pitch examples for job seekers

Here are some elevator pitch samples to help you get started:

Sample 1

Hi! I’m Ankur, and I work as an Area Sales Manager for WCT corporation.

I have a sales experience of 8+ years and have honed my skills with workshops accredited by industry professionals.

I’m an MBA (finance) from IIM, and my professional achievements include the 2018 sales drive that I led, leading to a 13% growth in revenues for my company.

I have studied your company’s products and if hired, I look forward to boosting your sales manifold.

Sample 2

Good morning/ afternoon! My name is Shilpa. It’s very nice to meet you!

I'm a social media marketer with a special focus on Instagram content marketing.

Along with 3 years of professional experience, I recently completed my diploma in branding and communication from BCS University.

I'm looking for an opportunity to apply my skills in a new industry, such as yours.

Sample 3 :

I would like to start by telling you that I run my blog and create graphic illustrations for the same since 2016.

I channeled my knowledge and learnings to help other brands and websites in coming up with creative methods to convert their potential customers into loyal buyers.

After having freelanced for 2 years, I'm looking for a definite position where I can use my skills well and learn more about the corporate spectrum of digital media.

In conclusion, now that you know all about creating a short and engaging pitch about yourself, go ahead and draft the perfect elevator pitch to take the first step towards getting hired.

All the best!