How to pitch yourself
Written by Nivita Sriram
Whether it be for a promotion, for a job opportunity, a networking event or proving yourself to higher-ups to move forward in your career, learning and mastering the skill of pitching yourself is essential. Not only can mastering the art prove that you are worthy, it can also boost your sense of self-esteem and affirm that you do walk the talk.
With the amount of resources, how-to’s and guides online, it can get overwhelming. Let’s break it down into a few simple steps.
1. Master your elevator pitch
Your elevator pitch should tell a potential employer who you are and what you do within a sentence. Talk about your professional experience or credentials, your goal in mind and how you will bring value to the table. Why should your ideal employer hire you?
2. Be clear on your story and your “why
Why should a potential employer pick you over other applicants? Ask yourself why you are applying to each position, and be sure that you are able to answer this question when it comes up in conversation or during an interview.
While this question is generic, it’s important to have a deeper understanding of why you believe you are the right fit for the job, and what value you bring to the table. Talk about your past experiences, your passions or your interests in life that brought you to this point.
3. Leverage your soft skills
Skills that can’t be measured, tracked or taught in a traditional manner are considered soft skills. Your interpersonal relationships, communication skills, relationship building abilities, time management skills and conflict resolution abilities are all considered soft skills. While you may not be fully qualified with every single technical qualification needed for a job, you certainly have a handful of soft skills that come naturally to you.
Explain your ability to relationship build, and give examples of those in previous professional experiences. If you were part of an athletic team in school, talk about your time management skills and your ability to juggle multiple tasks at once and execute them well. It’s important to tell potential employers of what you are capable of, technical or not. This gives them a better picture of how well you will fit in with their team and their company, and their mission, values and vision for their organization.
4. Network
Keep in touch with all past managers, co-workers and individuals you had positive relationships with in professional settings. Individuals in these circles are likely to have connections in companies, organizations or with potential employers and recruiters in your desired career field.
Don’t burn bridges in professional settings — you never know when they may need your help and when they will help you out. Networking forces you to practice your elevator pitch as well as better define your story and “why” further. It’s a great way to practice and hone in on your soft skills, too.
Learning how to pitch yourself is a great skill. It can help in professional settings, in creative outlets, your passions or any side projects that you desire to take on. Building your story and practicing a thorough, yet concise answer on your “why” helps build confidence and ensures that you are in fact applying for the right positions for you that you align with. It may seem intimidating or daunting, but with practice, it becomes second nature. With time, you’ll land the position that’s right for you.
Header photo by (Edmond Dantès / Pexels)
