Creating Your Elevator Pitch - Examples for Executive & Personal Assistants
An elevator pitch is a valuable tool for any professional who wants to make a lasting impression. That means Executive and Personal Assistants, too, especially when part of the role is meeting new people or representing your company in various settings. Why is this important?
As an executive assistant or personal assistant, you are the right-hand person to a busy executive, entrepreneur or HNWI. You keep them organised, on schedule, and prepared for whatever comes their way. In other words, you make their life easier so they can focus on running their business. You also frequently meet new people and represent your company in various settings. An elevator pitch is a quick way to introduce yourself and your company in a clear, concise, and memorable way.
Executive or Personal Assistant (or any of the hundreds of title variations) are honourable titles in and of themselves. Still, when it comes to elevator pitches, they're often not enough to pike the interest of those who may have opportunities for just the right person. Finding a way to sum up what you do in a way that is clear, concise, and a strong representation of your professional standing is an important consideration. Crafting the elevator pitch that speaks to your value as executive support can only help you get ahead. Here's how.
First, let's break down what we mean by an elevator pitch.
What is it?
An elevator pitch is a short, persuasive introduction that explains what you do, what you offer, and why someone should hire you, work with you or want to establish a connection.
Where does it get its name?
It gets its name from the fact that it should be brief enough to deliver in the time it takes to ride an elevator (about 30 seconds).
What is the purpose of an elevator pitch?
To pique the listener's interest and leave them wanting to know more about you. Delivered effectively, at the right time, to the right person can open doors.
Here are some tips for creating an elevator pitch that will make a lasting impression.
1. Keep it Short and Sweet
An elevator pitch should be just that—a brief introduction delivered in the time it takes to ride an elevator from one floor to the next. That means you need to be able to articulate your pitch in 30 seconds or less. This can be tricky, but it's important to remember that you don't need to include every single detail about yourself or your company. Just hit the highlights and leave the rest for a later conversation.
Example: Hi, I'm (full name). I'm a senior executive support in the tech industry. I work for (name of company) in charge of the office of (title of exec). Good to meet you.
2. Focus on Your Value Proposition
What makes you and your company unique? What do you offer that nobody else does? When crafting your elevator pitch, focus on what sets you apart. This will make you memorable and leave a lasting impression on whomever you speak with.
Example: Hi, I'm (full name). I specialise in administration, particularly executive support and high-level project management. I'm supporting the (exec title) at (name of company). Good to meet you.
If you're just starting in the field of executive support, here's an example that might help you develop your unique elevator pitch:
Example: Hi, I'm (full name). I recently entered the field of executive support. I'm part of the team at (company) and looking to develop my career further in this field and industry.
If you have a degree or unique credential, you might want to reframe this example as follows:
Example: Hi, I'm (full name). I recently entered the field of executive support in (industry). I just (graduated/attained) a (degree/credential) in (admin/business/etc.) which I'm putting to use as part of the team at (company). I'm excited to develop my career further in this field and industry.
3. Use Language that is Easy to Understand
Remember, you're trying to deliver a lot of information in a concise amount of time. That means using jargon or industry-specific language will not help you get your point across quickly or effectively. Instead, use language that is clear and easy for everyone to understand. This way, even if someone is unfamiliar with your industry, they'll still be able to follow along with what you're saying.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice!
The best way to ensure that you can deliver your elevator pitch flawlessly is to practice it ahead of time. Write it out, say it out loud, and then repeat it (again and again). The more times you practice, the more comfortable you'll become with the material and the better chance you'll have of delivering it smoothly when the time comes.
An elevator pitch is a valuable tool for any executive support professional who wants to make a lasting impression. By following these tips, you can create a clear, concise, and memorable elevator pitch—everything you need to leave a positive impression on whomever you're speaking with. So what are you waiting for? Start crafting your elevator pitch today!
Do you have an elevator pitch? Share in the comments below.