As an engineer, what do you say when you meet someone new? Do you stumble over what to say, or do you know how to play up your strengths? Or maybe you find that you feel like you are talking too much? It could be that you need to develop a unique elevator pitch that you can lean on when connecting with new people and employers.
An elevator pitch is an important component of any career path, especially during a career search. Most people use an elevator pitch to introduce themselves and share little interesting tidbits that will intrigue the listener. Engineers can easily develop a strong elevator pitch that demonstrates their value and helps them to network effectively. If you have been struggling with developing the right pitch, start building the perfect engineering elevator pitch with these expert tips.
There are five components of a great elevator pitch, which you will follow as you create yours. Grab a pen and paper, and let’s get to work!
Your elevator pitch must effectively answer:
“Who am I?”
This is not the time to launch into where you were born in and your entire life story. Instead, what you want to do is share who you are succinctly and directly. You could start with, “Hello my name is John and I am an electrical engineer. “ It’s that simple. Then shake hands and smile.
“What do I do?”
This is where a lot of people get into trouble. Because engineers do so many different tasks, it could be easy to launch into a whole litany of different things that you do. Instead, focus on the top one or two aspects of your career that you do. For example, you could say something to the effect of, “I build Aeronautic temperature systems to keep employees safe during commercial flights.”
“Where do I work/my business?”
When you meet a group of people at a business mixer or even if you’re interviewing, you’re probably going to get asked where you work. Be ready to just mention the name of your company and where it is located. If you own your own business, then follow the same rule.
“Why do others need to know this?”
People want to know where you work because of two specific reasons. Number 1: They’re curious. Number 2: They want to know if they have any similar associations as you such as shared connections.
“How am I different or better than others?”
End your elevator pitch with impact. Make sure you can state what makes you better or different than others. It’s not about bragging rights, but rather it’s about letting others know how unique you are. If you’re looking for a career, this is your chance to seal the deal.
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