Pitching has become enormously influential as we do it all the time, whether in business, sales, advocacies, or job applications. Most people tend to use the elevator pitch because it is an excellent way to spark interest in a product, idea, project, or yourself.
In an elevator pitch, a person needs to come up with a brief and persuasive speech that ideally fits all vital information quickly. Preferably, the statement should last no longer than a short elevator ride that lasts 20 to 30 seconds, hence, its name.
While many people would assume that the elevator pitch is only valid for salespeople who need to pitch their products, it can prove to be useful in many other situations. For instance, job seekers can use the concept to create a thorough yet concise breakdown of their skills, accomplishments, and experience, making each a tremendously qualified candidate for a specific position.
Elevator Pitch For Job Applications
Integrating the elevator pitch concept in job applications helps create killer pitches and generate excellent results. An elevator pitch for a job application is similar to a cover letter in a way that they are both short summaries trying to persuade an employer.
However, it is crucial to know the difference between the two. While a cover letter is generally more detailed, an elevator pitch should only demonstrate your knowledge of the employer and the available position.
Elevator Pitch Vs. Modern Alternatives
People have been relying on the elevator pitch in traditional business communication for decades. Though, it may be losing its relevance in today’s modern business setting. While it is not necessarily wrong, the general concept is a bit dated. Employees are no longer limited to brief elevator rides to pitch their ideas to an executive. Communication evolved in the past years, and you can now outreach to contacts through emails, internal communication systems, or online messaging platforms.
There are plenty of ways for job seekers to make their applications spark interest and stand out. The subject line pitch, for instance, is one of the most relevant concepts today.
There is no doubt that an email is a vital tool when it comes to job applications. Since companies receive hundreds of emails daily, a job application can quickly go unnoticed. The email subject line is essential as it serves as a filter to determine which emails get opened or not. It is vital to choose the right subject line to effectively present your email and increase the chances of your email getting read.
Question Pitch
Another excellent alternative is the Question pitch. Questions are a unique way to draw an audience’s attention, and they are sometimes even more effective than pitching with a statement.
One of history’s most distinguished question pitches came from former US President Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential campaign debate with Jimmy Carter.
Reagan shot a quick question that would, later on, become one of the most remarkable campaign questions in history:
“Are you better off today than you were four years ago?”
With Carter’s obvious answer, Regan won a substantial popular vote and electoral victory. This is a clear example that when facts are clearly on your side, pitching with questions is more effective than pitching with a statement.
While the elevator pitch will never lose its relevance, relying on this single concept is not enough. Considering that communication in business is continually evolving, job seekers must adapt to new ways on how to present themselves as promising candidates.
