Our highest priority at STRe Solutions is building long-term relationships with both jobseekers and hiring managers. The Recruiter Relations section of our newsletter offers ongoing tips to help you maximize your experience with a recruiter, regardless of whether you're seeking top talent to seamlessly join your team or searching for your next ideal position.
In this section we will address the need for both the hiring manager and the candidate to have an elevator pitch.
Wikipedia defines an elevator pitch as a "short summary used to quickly and simply define a person, profession, product, service, organization or event and its value proposition." An elevator pitch should answer the following questions:
1. Who are you?
2. What do you do?
3. What makes you special?
4. How can you make a difference?
Candidate Tip #121
What is my Elevator Pitch?
As a candidate it is important to tailor your elevator pitch to the audience. Remember to consider the old adage "WIFY" --What 's in it for you? (i.e. the person you are speaking to) You only have 30 seconds so you need to get the attention of the person you are speaking to.
If you are at a networking meeting, questions 1 and 3 are most important. If you are interviewing for a job then your answers should address the context of why you are a good candidate for the position. It is important to practice your elevator pitch – write it down, and rehearse in front of the mirror. And ...perhaps ask a trusted advisor to listen to you.
Hiring Manager Tip #121
Why is an elevator pitch important in the hiring process?
As a hiring manager a part of the interview process is to assess the candidate for the position, but hiring managers often overlook the selling part of the interview. It is important to be clear and concise about why someone should come to work for you and your company. Addressing the company message should be easy, you work there and you know the company. Equally important is why the candidate should work for you in your department. So...be prepared to describe yourself and your organization. The good news is that you probably have more than 30 seconds during the interview to get your messages across.