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Whip Up a Savvy Elevator Pitch With ChatGPT (in Seconds!)
Video: What's an elevator pitch and how will it land me great jobs?
What’s an elevator pitch, and how can it lead to great job and networking opportunities? We explain everything you need to know in this video tip. Elevator pitches aren’t just for elevators—they're perfect for networking events, reaching out to headhunters, or acing interviews. Hit play to discover how to craft your elevator pitch like a pro!
Imagine this. You’re at a conference or networking event. Or perhaps you’d like to connect with someone on LinkedIn to expand your network.
What do you do? Do you just say, “Hi, my name’s Maria. Nice to meet you?”
Or do you add a bit more context to let them know who you are and what you do professionally?
Bingo on the latter.
At the same time, you want to introduce yourself without rambling, or confusing them as to why you want to engage with them.
That’s where an elevator pitch comes in.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what exactly is an elevator pitch, its ideal structure and content, and how you can use ChatGPT (or your AI chatbot of choice) to create one in a matter of seconds.
What’s an Elevator Pitch?
Let’s start with what an elevator pitch is, and why should you have one.
An elevator pitch is a brief, engaging summary to spark interest in what you or your organization does. It’s called an elevator pitch because it should be delivered in the time it takes to ride an elevator (around 30-60 seconds, but usually at the shorter end). That’s when the other person’s attention is most focused.
Elevator pitches are fantastic for many reasons:
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When networking, to quickly explain your role and what you can offer
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During job interviews, to introduce your experience and skills (in response to, “Tell me about yourself”)
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Pitch your product or service to potential clients
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Present your business idea to investors
What you want to do is quickly capture their interest, convey the essential aspects of your idea or background, and leave them wanting to know more.
A good elevator pitch usually includes:
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An introduction (who you are)
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A brief overview of your background or what your company does
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Your value proposition (i.e. why they should be interested in you)
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What you want from them or what you plan to do next (call to action)
Totally doable in 30-60 seconds!
We’ll take a look at some examples in a moment. But first…
Elevator pitches are not what they used to be
With the rise of social media, virtual networking, and the emphasis on personal branding, how we communicate our value propositions has started to change.
Today’s elevator pitches need to be readily adaptable for written or verbal delivery, as well as for different platforms, whether in person, over a Zoom call, via LinkedIn messaging, or on social media.
They also need to be more clearly tailored to the audience and context, reflecting a deeper understanding of the listener’s needs and interests.
Example 1
Let’s take a look an example of a written elevator pitch sent to a headhunter on LinkedIn:
“Hello, my name is Jane Wright. I’m a software developer with over 5 years of experience in creating scalable web applications. At my current company, I led a team to develop an e-commerce platform that increased sales by 30%. I specialize in full-stack development and am passionate about leveraging technology to solve real-world problems. I’d love to bring my expertise to a dynamic tech startup looking to innovate in the e-commerce space."
You can see how quickly Jane got straight to the point. The headhunter is left with no question about Jane’s background and expertise, and what she wants in her next role. In just 5 sentences.
Example 2
Here’s another example, this time a verbal elevator pitch given face-to-face at a conference where medical researchers had the opportunity to connect with pharmaceutical industry representatives.
“Hi, I’m Dr. John Alton. I specialize in genetic disease research. For the past decade I’ve been conducting pioneering research that has led to new treatments for rare genetic disorders. I’m currently seeking collaborations with biotech firms to bring these treatments to market and improve patient outcomes on a larger scale.”
Just like Jane, John’s pitch is to-the-point, compelling, and engages the listener with its relevance.
Now it’s your turn
In keeping with the modern way of doing elevator pitches, we’re going to show you how to use that very modern tool, ChatGPT, to help you prepare yours in a matter of seconds.
We’ll take a look at two ways to craft your elevator pitch using ChatGPT: by using your resume, or by creating one from scratch.
#1 Using your resume
The absolute quickest method is to paste your resume into ChatGPT and prompt it to create an elevator pitch for a specific type of job.
Paste this prompt into ChatGPT (modified for your circumstances, of course): “Hi ChatGPT. I’ll give you my resume. Can you create an elevator pitch for a Marketing Manager position at a tech startup?"
Once ChatGPT confirms its willingness, paste your resume and it will generate a summary. Here’s what it crafted in this example:
“Hi, I’m Lisa, a marketing professional with over seven years of experience in digital marketing and brand strategy. I’ve successfully led campaigns that increased brand awareness by 50% and boosted sales by 20%. I specialize in using data-driven insights to craft compelling marketing strategies. I’m excited about the opportunity to bring my expertise to a dynamic tech startup and drive impactful growth.”
#2 Building from scratch with prompts
Alternatively, you can work with ChatGPT to create an elevator pitch from scratch by answering a series of prompts.
“Hi ChatGPT. Can you create an elevator pitch me? I’m a Financial Analyst. Please ask me some prompt questions, and I’ll answer them. Then you’ll craft the elevator pitch.”
In this case, ChatGPT asked the following questions:
“What is your name and profession?” “What are your key skills and experiences?” “What unique value do you bring?” “What is your goal or next step?”
Alex’s answers:
“I’m Alex, a financial analyst.” “I have over eight years of experience in financial planning and analysis, specializing in budgeting and forecasting.” “I excel at identifying cost-saving opportunities and improving financial processes, which has resulted in a 15% reduction in operational costs for my current employer.” “I’m looking to leverage my expertise in a senior financial analyst role at a leading finance firm.”
Here’s what ChatGPT produced: “Hi, I’m Alex, a financial analyst with over eight years of experience in financial planning and analysis. I specialize in budgeting, forecasting, and identifying cost-saving opportunities. At my current employer, I’ve successfully reduced operational costs by 15%. I’m now looking to bring my skills to a senior financial analyst role at a leading finance firm to drive efficiency and growth.”
Simple prompts for generating an elevator pitch
Ready to try it for yourself? You can follow the examples above, or use these straightforward prompts to whip up a fantastic contemporary elevator pitch in no time:
“Please create an elevator pitch for a job title with experience in industry.” “Please generate a 30-second pitch for a role at a type of company.” “Please write a brief introduction and unique value proposition for someone with skills in specific skills.” “Please help me create a networking pitch highlighting my experience in field.”
Conclusion
Creating an engaging elevator pitch doesn’t have to be time-consuming. With the help of ChatGPT, you can swiftly generate a compelling and polished pitch that highlights your strengths and leaves a lasting impression.
Whether you’re pasting in your resume or starting from scratch, ChatGPT truly makes the process fast, easy, and user friendly.
So, next time you need to introduce yourself succinctly and persuasively, let ChatGPT help you draft a savvy elevator pitch in seconds!
Key takeaways
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An elevator pitch is a brief, engaging summary used to spark interest in what you or your organization does
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The typical structure includes an introduction, an overview of your background, your value proposition, and a call to action
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Elevator pitches are useful for networking, job interviews, pitching products or services, and presenting business ideas to investors
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Modern elevator pitches need to be adaptable for various platforms and tailored to specific audiences
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ChatGPT can help you create an elevator pitch in seconds by using your resume or by guiding you through prompts (examples included in the post)
For more insights, tips and strategies related to this topic, be sure to read our other articles: What’s an elevator pitch - and how will it land me great jobs? & How to Write Resume Accomplishments Using ChatGPT - Quick Guide & How to Use ChatGPT to Write The Perfect Cover Letter & How to Prepare for Job Interviews with AI - Questions & Prompts
Related questions
What is an elevator pitch and how do I create one?
An elevator pitch is a brief, 30-60 second summary of what you or your organization does, including an introduction, background, value proposition, and call to action.
How can ChatGPT help me write an elevator pitch?
ChatGPT can quickly generate a polished elevator pitch based on your resume or responses to prompts, making the process fast and easy.
What are the key components of an effective elevator pitch?
An effective elevator pitch includes an introduction, background overview, unique value proposition, and a call to action.
How has the concept of an elevator pitch evolved with social media?
Elevator pitches now need to be adaptable for various platforms and are more concise and audience-specific.
What are some tips for writing a compelling elevator pitch?
Keep your pitch concise, focused, and tailored to your audience, using ChatGPT for refinement.
How can I use my resume to generate an elevator pitch with AI?
Paste your resume into ChatGPT and request a pitch tailored to a specific job, and the AI will summarize your qualifications.
What prompts can I use with ChatGPT to create an elevator pitch?
Use prompts like "Please create an elevator pitch for a [job title] with experience in [industry]" to tailor the pitch to your needs.
How do I tailor my elevator pitch for different networking scenarios?
Adjust your pitch to highlight relevant aspects of your background for the listener's interests, using ChatGPT to customize for verbal or written format, and the specific method of delivery.
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