3 Ways to Pitch Yourself in 30 Seconds by Jodi Glickman | 10:03 AM October 8, 2009 * -------------------------------------------------
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People often think of the elevator pitch as something you use when you’re interviewing for a new job or trying to raise capital for a new venture. The elevator pitch, however, is no less important once you’ve got the job as it is when you’re looking.
In fact, your personal 30-second spiel about who you are, how you’re different, and why you’re memorable is arguably more important once you’ve landed that great position or won the support of investors and now interact with senior colleagues and important clients regularly.
A managing director on Wall Street once told me of a summer associate who made an uncharacteristically strong impression on senior leadership during a welcoming cocktail party. Within days, the managing director received numerous calls from senior partners advising him to “make sure she gets the attention and resources she needs to succeed this summer.” The young woman’s career has been on the fast track ever since.
So what can you possibly say over canapés and white wine to create so many powerful advocates so quickly and effectively? Think through the following ideas before you craft your pitch: 1. Have a compelling reason for why you want to be there, as in “why did you decide to join the firm?” 2. Know what it is that uniquely qualifies you for the position so that you can answer the how, as in “how did you actually get a job here?” 3. Be able to explain what ties together past and current experiences in a way that is compelling and makes sense — what is the glue that holds your story together?