Elevator Pitch

Tips for an elevator pitch that complements what's said in the video:

• Answer the following questions:
  • Who am I?
  • What can I do?
  • What is my added value?
  • What am I looking for?
• Be clear, keep it simple, and be sincere.
• Keep your story personal.
• Create a well-flowing narrative.
• Make sure your story has a beginning and an end.
• Come up with an original opening.
• If humor suits you, feel free to use it in your pitch.
• Be enthusiastic in any case.
• Adapt your story to your audience. Do you find this difficult? Then think about what you would want to say to a 9-year-old child, so they understand. You can always scale up the jargon, for example, if you know the other person understands what you're talking about.
• Use examples or a metaphor; this helps you convey your story clearly. Read on to learn how to do this.
• Choose one topic you want to talk about. The other person will remember a maximum of three competencies, for example. Keep this in mind.
• Also consider your posture and nonverbal communication.
• Practice!
  • Practice out loud.
  • in front of the mirror.
  • keep an eye on the time.
  • delete text where necessary.
  • ask family or friends for feedback. Do they understand what you mean?

If you simply say you're studying ‘Industrial Ecology’ and are looking for a job, it's difficult for the other person to imagine what this programme entails and what kind of job you're looking for.

It helps to use an example or metaphor to clarify your studies or what you're looking for.

Example
If we just look at the website for the master's programme in Industrial Ecology <https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/study-programmes/master/industrial-ecology>, you'll encounter terms like ‘care about the planet’ and ‘powerhouse for sustainability solutions'. Even if you don't know the details yet, it already tells you something, because most people also want to care for our planet and are interested in sustainable solutions.

If you think of an example of what ‘care about the planet’ looks like for you, you might get a reaction from someone like, "So that's what you study!" Something immediately becomes clear.

Finally, if you explain that you enjoy working in consultancy and want to advise organisations on sustainable solutions within the energy sector, then some alarm bells will probably ring. That's what you want!

Metaphor
You can also use a metaphor to illustrate something. Think of your interests or hobbies, a great book or film, someone who inspires you, or something you've experienced.

An example of someone with a PhD who also enjoys cooking without using recipes: 

you choose ingredients, create a dish, try a little of this and that, and while eating, you reach a conclusion: what's delicious and what could be done differently next time? This is also what you do in research. The recipe and ingredients you use are different, but a layperson can better understand what you mean by using the metaphor of ‘cooking without a recipe’. 

I am Loes Koopmans, a student of Social and Organisational Psychology at Leiden University. After my Masters, I would like to continue developing myself in a job in which I can advise companies on the implementation of change processes for staff within the organisation. I gained experience in this field during my internship with the Hay Group, where I thoroughly enjoyed developing training programmes and doing theoretical research into group dynamics. My communication and organisational skills proved to be a great asset. Given my experience and passion, I am convinced that I would be the ideal candidate for the position of HR Development Consultant.

After completing my Business Development studies at the UvA, I started work in my current position. (who am I) Here I have gained five years’ experience in the field of market research, with a specific focus on research design, the development of various analytical models, and data analysis (what can I do). I have, for example, developed a new online research method, in which social media is used instead of more traditional data collection methods that require direct contact with people. Due to the resulting shorter time frames and reductions in personnel costs, the company now saves millions of euros each year (what benefits do I bring). I have now reached the ceiling in my current position and don’t have further opportunities for development. (what am I looking for) What is your company’s vision in terms of facilitating the growth of personnel within the organisation? (question).