Crafting Your 2-3 Minute Pitch

When you are out looking for a job, one of the first things you need to do is craft a “pitch.” This is a two to three minute “intro” of sorts that summarizes who you are, what you do, and what makes you the perfect candidate for the job. This “pitch” is something you should be able to reel off fluidly, as it will set the tone for the rest of your interview.

In order to come up with the best pitch possible, you should format it and practice it frequently. But first of all, you need to identify your job target. Be sure you know exactly what the job is you are applying for. Practice describing your field and the type of job you are pursuing. Write it down, practice saying it out loud, and prepare a few different variations. You do not want this to sound rehearsed.

[h1]Practice it. Perfect it[/h1]

As for the content of your pitch, you want to talk about your background, including your education and past work experience. Discuss what you studied, where you previously worked, what you did at your previous job, and list about five skills or accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to do the job. Also, explain why you want the job. What is it about the job that motivates you? What are your ambitions? Show that you know what you want. Being able to explain these points clearly will make you a more attractive candidate to the hiring manager.

You should aim for alignment with the job you are interviewing for. Be positive, be confident, be concise, and be brief. Speak positively about past employers, and avoid using too much industry jargon. And do not go too long with your pitch. Your interviewer is on a schedule, and still has questions to ask you. Don’t bore them or take up all their interview time. Remember, this pitch should run about two minutes. Practice it. Perfect it.