If you are familiar with job searching, networking, or simply meeting new people on a regular basis, you will know that first impressions matter the most. Who has never approached someone who seemed friendly, only to realise they were dreadfully boring? Even worse, imagine that you might be that person! Embarrassing, right? This flaw is called IStillHaventUnderstoodTheElevatorPitch.
Follow our guide, and you will definitely learn how to capture the attention of a new connection—and, of course, a recruiter as well.
Some basic rules
- Non-verbal language accounts for 55% of communication (facial expressions and posture).
- Tone of voice represents 38% (intonation and sound of voice).
- The choice of words used represents only 5% (verbal communication).
As you can see, to make a strong impression in just one minute, you need to master your gestures, posture, and tone of voice much more than the words you choose! To help you structure your Elevator Pitch, here is the method to follow:
1. The first 20 steps
When attending a networking event or a job fair, and your goal is to stand out, every move counts. Within your first 20 steps (or fewer if the room is small 😉), someone will already start forming an opinion about you. It’s important to realise that first impressions begin before you even introduce yourself! In short, if you see someone slouched, walking hesitantly or without energy, your first impression of them may be affected.
To ensure you make a good first impression, first, think about your outfit—it should be neat and suited to your goal. If you're applying for a role in a bank, you won’t dress the same way as you would for an advertising agency or a transport company. After choosing your outfit, adopt a confident posture and walk with purpose to show that you are self-assured. But be careful not to overdo it, you wouldn’t want to scare the person in front of you!
Bonus tips: Remember to stand up straight and avoid crossing your arms.
2. The first 20 centimetres
Once you’ve arrived, it’s time to start making a positive impression face-to-face. Flash your best smile and maintain good eye contact, but remember—a fake smile will be considered rude. Within the first 20 centimetres, when shaking hands, make sure your grip is firm and your hands are dry—if you tend to have sweaty palms, keep a tissue handy. Another key tip: always look the person in the eyes. If you struggle with this, try looking between their eyes instead—it works just as well.
"Never believe in a smile on the lips that is not accompanied by a smile in the eyes." – Adolphe d'Houdetot
3. The first 20 words
Now we come to the most concrete part. Here, we will focus on how to introduce yourself to a recruiter (since this is a blog about recruitment), but feel free to adapt it to your own situation.
Your first 20 words will be decisive for the rest of the conversation. Clearly state your name, your area of expertise, and the type of position you are applying for. If relevant, you can also mention your education.
- Example: "Hello, I’m Florane, I specialise in marketing, and I’m interested in your Community Manager role."
- Or: "Hello, my name is Florane, I am a recent graduate with a Master’s in Marketing, and I would like to apply for your Community Manager position."
Then, briefly and quickly outline your professional background (or education) and the key skills you have acquired that would be useful for the role you are applying for.
- Example: "During my two internships of one year and six months in Luxembourg, I had the opportunity to acquire several skills such as developing social media content calendars, creating graphic content using Photoshop and Indesign, writing articles in both French and English, and contributing to paid and organic search strategies."
Next, explain how your skills would benefit the company. For this part, it’s essential to research the company, its values, and the job description beforehand. Feel free to bring along photos or examples of your past work to give recruiters a clear idea of your capabilities.
- Example: "I saw that you are looking for someone who can manage projects independently and also has a creative mindset. During my previous experiences, I had the opportunity to independently create an online and offline advertising campaign, which generated over 600,000 impressions in one week. If you’d like, I can show you some of my previous work."
Finally, if the conversation is going well, don’t hesitate to ask for a follow-up meeting to discuss your motivations in more detail—especially if the recruiter seems pressed for time (which is often the case at job fairs).
At the end of your conversation, remember to thank the person for their time. You can wrap up with phrases like "Hope to see you soon!" or "Let's stay in touch!"
4. The first 20 seconds
Throughout the entire interaction, keep in mind that people form an impression of you within the first 20 seconds. By following these steps, you’ll ensure that recruiters see you as a competent, informed, professional and motivated talent. If you can maintain eye contact and wear a sincere smile, you can be sure that the recruiters will be completely seduced... professionally speaking!
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