“So, can you tell me a little bit about yourself?” Whether this question is asked in a phone interview or a networking event, it is inevitable you’ll eventually have to answer it. And if you’re currently a job seeker looking for real estate jobs in Melbourne, it’s crucial that you prepare to answer this question well. But what exactly should you aim to communicate in an elevator pitch, and what should you exclude? Our recruiters are revealing the answers in today’s blog, and by the end of it, you’ll know exactly what to say when you’re asked this question next time.
What is an elevator pitch?
An elevator pitch (or elevator statement) is a short but detailed statement that aims to ‘sell’ something within 30-60 seconds. Many entrepreneurs and business owners craft an elevator pitch in order to sell their unique goods or services to investors. In this case, your goal is to ‘sell’ your personality, skill set and expertise to a prospective employer and leave them feeling like you’ll be a great fit for their company.
What should a successful elevator pitch include?
The goal of an elevator pitch is to make the interviewer feel assured that you have the right skills and mindset to do well at their company. Therefore, a great elevator pitch should:
- Show the interviewer why you’re interested in the role
- Make it clear that you exceed the requirements for the position
- Explain your interest in the company and why you want to work there
- Display the positive things you’ll bring to the company outside your given role.
What not to say in your elevator pitch
The biggest mistake a job seeker can make with their pitch is falling into a trap of rattling off a long list of experience and skills that essentially mimics their resume. Not only is this potentially boring and disengaging for the interviewer to listen to, but it doesn’t bring any new information to the discussion. You should also steer clear of mentioning highly sensitive topics, such as your marital status, religion or politics.
How to structure your pitch
To avoid regurgitating information from your resume, try to structure your elevator pitch in a way that is engaging and finishes on a point that links you back to the company. One way you can do this is by employing the Present-Past-Future structure.
To begin, you would begin by discussing where you are in your career at the moment, and how your current job relates to the one you’re applying for. Give the interviewer an idea of two to three of the skills you currently utilise and help them see how these skills would translate into your new role. Another great way to showcase a skill – such as an aptitude for teamwork – is to mention a hobby that corresponds to that (like playing a team sport on weekends, for example).
You can also briefly mention your past employment, but don’t linger in this section for too long. Try to keep it relevant to the role you want. Remember, the interviewer will already have a good understanding of your resume and is likely to ask more details about your past work later in the interview.
Finally, link everything back to your future: what you hope to achieve in your career, and most importantly, how working for this new organisation will push you towards your goals.
The most important thing to help you succeed
Your biggest weapon for a successful elevator pitch is practice, of course! Without practising your elevator pitch, you may find yourself running into a number of issues when you’re finally asked to tell your interviewer about yourself. You may realise mid-pitch that your wording is too complicated, or perhaps you may experience stage fright. Without practice and feedback from others, you also forgo the chance to make it the best pitch it can be.
To practice your elevator pitch, you should:
- Record it on your phone, play it back, and see how it sounds from the interviewer’s perspective. Are you speaking too softly or quickly? Does your pitch keep you engaged and wanting to know more? Do you tend to linger on a certain point for too long?
- Pitch to your family and friends. Sometimes, having a live audience can give you an authentic understanding as to how your elevator pitch performs. It can also be a confidence booster for when you speak to real industry professionals, such as an interview panel. After you speak, ask your family and friends to give you some feedback and tweak it accordingly.
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To find out which real estate jobs in Melbourne you’ll succeed in, submit your resume with us or get in touch with a Buckmaster Hawkey consultant today on 03 9629 5000.