What is an "Elevator Pitch?"

You don't have to be a sales person or even be selling something to have an "Elevator Pitch." You are trying to get an idea across in a short period of time to entice the receiver to want more information from you!


There are some great summaries on how to create the Perfect (Elevator) Pitch, and the same idea holds true even when in the hunt for a job.  


The history is sketchy, but appears to stem from perhaps one of two places:

1. Wall Street: when entrepreneurs would try to pitch their ideas to venture capitalists or angel investors while riding with them up and down the elevators in a high rise office building
2. Hollywood: when screen writers would try to pitch their script to a producer while riding from the floor to the penthouse suite (but of course, they rarely got off at the top)

The idea is pretty simple...keep it short and interesting enough to create more dialogue.
Remember the Rule of 7's which states:

• 7 seconds to make an impression
• 14 seconds to create interest
• 21 seconds to tell your story

Some people think quickly on their feet and can "conversationalize" with little preparation. Many recommend writing the ideas and thoughts down, edit, rehears (even record), and learn to listen and read people.


Think of some of your first dates!  There were times you made a good impression (you may have even married that one!!), and there were times when you wished you could click your heels three times and disappear.  People typically make a decision to listen within the first 10 seconds, so make the opening count.


One of the best pieces of advice comes from Joe Sweeney, who recommends making every interaction an opportunity to help someone else out (i.e. "give" rather than "get").  The rewards ALWAYS come back.