🇬🇧 Read this article in English here
They say that a first impression—good or bad—is formed as early as seven seconds! Whether this is true or not, there’s little doubt that a good introduction is incredibly important. That’s where pitching comes in.
The classic example of a pitch is to imagine that you’re stepping into an elevator. There, you happen to run into someone you want to make a good impression on (e.g., a potential employer). The doors close, and you have 30 seconds to make a good first impression. Before the doors open, can you get that person to remember you—perhaps schedule a meeting to get to know each other better, or keep you in mind the next time they’re hiring?
For most people, it feels difficult—even intimidating—to introduce themselves to a stranger in a very short amount of time and without any preparation. In this article, we’ll help you make a great first impression—in the elevator or anywhere else!
When should I use a pitch?
The elevator is just one example of when you can use a pitch. You probably won’t meet many potential employers in the elevator, but as a job seeker, pitching is still something you’ll do time and time again throughout the job search process. For example, you can use a pitch to:
Introduce yourself when you're at a seminar, so that other participants will want to talk to you afterward
Introduce yourself during an informal get-together to make a good first impression
How to Start a Job Interview
Record a short introductory video to include with your application
Introduce yourself when you call with questions about an application
How do I create a pitch?
As you can see from the examples above, a pitch can be used in many different contexts. Therefore, a pitch will also vary slightly in length and content, depending on who you’re talking to and what they’re interested in. Still, most pitches will include these three elements:
Name, title, and perhaps where you're from
Your core competencies and key experiences
Your message to the person you're talking to (Why are you introducing yourself to this person? What do you hope to achieve?)
The most common challenge with a pitch is keeping it short (typically 20 seconds to two minutes). Unnecessary information takes up valuable time and distracts from what’s essential. Some examples of information that is usually irrelevant include:
How long you have lived in Norway
That you're taking a Norwegian language course
Which university did you attend?
What courses you took
Previous Work Experience
Although much of this may be important, there are things that may come up later, once you've succeeded in getting the person you're talking to interested in learning more.
Checklist for a Great Pitch
Once you've created a pitch, you need to practice, get feedback, make adjustments, and practice some more. Some important questions to consider are:
Am I talking for just the right amount of time, or is this turning into a boring monologue?
Is it clear what I'm trying to achieve with this pitch? What is the purpose of me introducing myself to you specifically?
Is it easy for the listener to understand what my expertise is and how it is relevant to the person I'm talking to?
Am I using correct grammar and clear technical terms?
Am I bragging too much, or am I being too cautious?
Answering these questions isn't always easy, and it may be a good idea to work with a mentor or others who know both you and the Norwegian job market. You can also share your pitch as a video on Sammen om en jobb 's digital platform to get tips and feedback.
Create your own pitch!
We hope you've found the information you need to create your own fantastic pitch! Now it's time to grab a pen and some paper. Remember that you'll definitely need to write several drafts, review them, and make further adjustments until you're completely satisfied.
If you're looking for inspiration, check out Mantas' creative pitch here.
If you're planning to create your own video pitch, we recommend reading our 10 tips for looking professional on camera. If you'd like, we'd be happy to share your video pitch on LinkedIn or Facebook. You can send it to kontakt@sammenomenjobb.no
Great pitching! 😊