Career Coach

You’ve got 45 seconds—go!

Ken Pelczarski | TLT Career Coach November 2018

Is your elevator pitch taking you down? Try these seven situation-specific strategies.

Does a magic formula exist that will break the ice and begin discussions in a powerful way when you are networking or interviewing? A good argument can be made that your elevator pitch is that formula.

Prepare a slightly different elevator pitch for each scenario you could encounter, and you will have gone a long way toward taking advantage of the next career opportunity that comes along.

What is an elevator pitch?
An elevator pitch is a 15-45 second snapshot of your career, oral or written, that conveys as much as possible to others about who you are, what you do and what you want to do. Your pitch will include information such as current employment, skills, strengths, accomplishments, interests and goals.

When and where will you use your elevator pitch?
Interviews:
1. Scheduled job interviews with a specific employer
2. Impromptu interviews at meetings and conferences
3. Career fairs
4. Search firms.

Networking:
1. Meetings and conferences
2. Technical presentations
3. Trade shows
4. Business social events
5. Academic settings.

Written and online presentations:
1. Resume
2. Cover letter
3. LinkedIn
4. Twitter
5. Facebook.

Who are recipients of your elevator pitch?
1. Human resource managers
2. Hiring managers
3. Company executives
4. Search consultants/recruiters
5. Professors and placement advisors
6. Industry colleagues
7. Fellow meeting attendees
8. Fellow STLE volunteers
9. Competitors
10. Friends and family
11. Strangers.

What are goals for a successful elevator pitch?
1. Make a positive first impression
2. Leave others inspired
3. Make progress toward a job offer
4. Obtain assistance with your career goals
5. Find a reason to stay in touch
6. Begin a long-term relationship.

What are strategies for a successful elevator pitch?
1. Tailor your pitch to the type of situation, contact and job opportunity.
2. In an interview, emphasize your fit to the job and specific benefits you bring.
3. Create a short and engaging pitch.
4. Be ready to elaborate.
5. Show enthusiasm and passion.
6. Have business cards handy.
7. Exchange contact information.

When attempting to reciprocate in a networking situation:
1. Aim for equal exchange of information.
2. Show interest in the other person.
3. Ask what the person does for a living.
4. Offer ideas and contacts.

COMMON SCENARIOS
As described above, numerous situations will come up when you want to use your elevator pitch. Below are examples of a pitch for some of the most common scenarios:

1. Elevator pitch for a job interview. This pitch will be used early in the interview, especially when the employer asks you to tell me about yourself. Your pitch will be tailored to the type of job for which you are interviewing (e.g., senior chemist versus laboratory manager).

For the past 20 years I have been fulfilling my dream of utilizing creative skills in my profession. I’m currently employed in applied research with a manufacturer of high-performance specialty greases for the automotive, aerospace and electrical industries. I have been successful in creating over $5 million in revenue for my employer through product improvements and commercialization of more than a dozen new products. I would like to achieve similar results for your organization. In addition, I am now managing a recent chemist graduate and would like the opportunity to continue mentoring, training and managing other chemists with a leading global organization such as yours.

2. Elevator pitch for networking at a business meeting, conference or social event. This pitch will be used at a scheduled networking meeting or when a business professional has offered to help with your career goals.

I’m an R&D chemist with 20 years of experience and many accomplishments in formulating high-performance specialty greases for the automotive, aerospace and electrical industries. I’ve been successful in creating over $5 million in revenue for my current employer through product improvements and commercialization of more than a dozen new products. I recently started managing a fresh graduate chemist and have discovered a passion for teaching what I know to others. I would like to join a global organization and continue my research with the opportunity to mentor, train and manage other chemists. Would you have any ideas or industry contacts that may help me achieve my career goals?

3. Elevator pitch for industry colleagues, peers and competitors. Preface your pitch with conversation about the other person including how they are doing in achieving career goals with their current employer. If this individual is dissatisfied with their career situation, offer to assist in any way you can. Complete this conversation before talking about yourself.

I love what I’m doing with my current employer and am ready for more challenge and advancement into new responsibilities. I have 20 years of experience in formulating high-performance greases and have made millions of dollars for my employers through development of new products. I have had minimal management responsibilities up until now and would like to work for a company that will provide more opportunities in this area. Do you have any industry contacts that could help me or any companies in mind that would value my skill set?

4. Elevator pitch when beginning to work with a search consultant. When you are beginning to work with recruiters, your pitch should provide them with a good understanding of what you do and what you have accomplished, as well as motivate them to actively represent you in your career pursuits.

I’m an R&D chemist with 20 years of experience and many accomplishments in formulating high-performance specialty greases for the automotive, aerospace and electrical industries. I’ve been successful in creating over $5 million in revenue for my current employer through product improvements and commercialization of more than a dozen new products. I would like to find a lab management or project management opportunity that will utilize my skill set in R&D and my newfound passion for mentoring, training and managing other chemists.

5. Elevator pitch for your resume and LinkedIn profile. This pitch is effectively the same as your executive summary or summary of skills near the top of your resume.

Twenty years of R&D and formulation leadership experience in high-performance specialty greases for the automotive, aerospace and electrical industries. Successful in creating over $5 million in revenue for my employers through product improvements and commercialization of more than a dozen new products. Experience in mentoring, hiring, training and managing other chemists and technicians. Highly motivated to tackle new challenges and responsibilities in R&D and dramatically increase revenue for my employer.

6. Elevator pitch for friends and family. Begin by discussing employment situations with friends or family members including how they are doing with their current employer. Make an offer to assist with advice or contacts if they are looking for new employment or advancement with their current employer. Complete this conversation before talking about yourself. In this pitch, it is assumed that these individuals do not have specific knowledge in your field.

I have done well in my current job with many accomplishments and am ready to take on a new challenge and additional responsibilities. I have 20 years of experience in my research career and am passionate about leading others in product development of specialty greases. Do you have any contacts that could be helpful to me or any ideas that may help me advance in my career?

7. Elevator pitch for strangers. You never know where the lead for your next career opportunity will come from, so why not strike up a conversation with strangers when time allows? Ask strangers first how they are doing and how their day is going. Then begin to share a little bit about yourself with enthusiasm. This is not always a comfortable thing to do, but you may be surprised at the willingness of others to share and try to help. I have experimented with talking to strangers more frequently this year and have been amazed at the many positive responses.

It may sound strange, but I have really loved my 20-year career as a grease chemist. If your career is even remotely related to what I do, perhaps you would have some ideas on how I could achieve more management responsibilities than the limited amount I have had up until now.

Be careful not to simply memorize all variations of your elevator pitch. To sound genuine, it is crucial to appear natural and conversational in your presentation as opposed to being rehearsed.

After presenting your elevator pitch in networking situations, it is important to follow up with your original contact as well as follow up on any referrals, ideas and recommendations you received.

Advance to greater heights when you ride your elevator pitch to a new opportunity.

Ken Pelczarski is owner and founder of Pelichem Associates, a Chicago-based search firm established in 1985 and specializing in the lubricants industry. You can reach Ken at (630) 960-1940 or at pelichem@aol.com.