Impress Interviewers in Malaysia With An Elevator Pitch

This technique can be applied to quickly catch the attention of a recruiter or employer. Highly recommended, especially for fresh graduates.

By Kimberly Chang on 2023-11-27 at 7:12 AM

Updated on 2024-05-24 at 3:10 AM

Understanding the Elevator Pitch

In today's competitive job market in Malaysia, making a memorable first impression is crucial. One effective strategy is mastering the art of the elevator pitch during job interviews. An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that you use to spark interest in yourself and your professional background.

Have you ever heard of the term “elevator pitch”?

It’s essentially a personal summary that people use as a quick introduction that also sells their strengths.

The term “elevator pitch” refers to the idea of a summary that can be delivered in the time it takes to ride an elevator, which is roughly thirty seconds to two minutes. 

Why do I need a personal summary? Isn’t my resume already a summary of all of my experiences?

Employers receive hundreds of resumes in a day, so it’s just not feasible for them to read each and every one of them word for word. Just like how we can’t watch every movie or read every book, we use trailers or synopsis to decide whether the movie or book is interesting enough to be worth investing time in. Plus, it’s a great way to make a good first impression even before that job interview. 

Every job seeker should have a personal summary ready to go because it is one of the simplest and quickest ways to communicate to a potential employer the value you can offer. A successful personal summary will be able to pique the interest of hiring managers and make them think “this person is interesting, I would like to get to know them better.”

Key Components of an Effective Elevator Pitch for Job Interviews

Here's how you can create an impressive elevator pitch for job interviews in Malaysia, whether you're a fresh graduate or an experienced professional.

1. Who You Are: Start with a brief introduction that includes your name, and if you are a fresh graduate, mention your recent educational attainment.

2. What You Do: Quickly summarise your skills and experiences relevant to to the position you are applying for.

3. Your Aspirations: Conclude with a statement about how you aim to contribute to the company or solve problems, indicating your enthusiasm for the role.

Stick to the following structure for a simple introduction that covers all bases:

1. Start with the most significant fact about yourself that you want them to know. 
   
   This significant fact should relate to the role you are applying for. For example, if you’re searching for a job in digital marketing, list any credentials you have that are relevant to the role. In this case, you could mention your Google AdWords certification.
2. Stand out from other similar applicants by mentioning any distinctive accomplishments.
   
   If you have any unique achievements that distinguish you from your peers, now’s the time to make a mention of it. For instance, you could mention important posts you’ve held while studying, being on the dean’s list, or interesting involvement in projects you’ve worked on with a previous employer.
3. Finish it off with your current career objective by emphasising the role or industry you’d like to work in.

With this structure in mind, we can now apply it to an example of an elevator pitch:

“A Google Adwords-certified student pursuing a marketing degree at MMU and the vice president of the student council. Graduating in July of next year and planning to work in a marketing department of a technology company. Fascinated by technology companies and wish to work in a fast-paced setting. Previously interned at ABC Tech Company as a digital marketing intern and aim to build on that experience.”

That’s a rather good personal summary; it covers who the job seeker is, their experience, and their interests and goals. This should work perfectly well as a personal summary in your resume where an employer can take a glance and decide if they want to know more about you.

While the preceding personal summary is great for a written resume, it may not be appropriate when actually speaking to an employer at a career fair, recording a Video Cover Letter, or during an interview with a hiring manager. 

You can build upon your existing personal summary by making it sound more natural when spoken out loud. No one enjoys listening to a sales pitch that sounds scripted, so let’s take it a step further. 

Use stories to your advantage:

Try incorporating storytelling into your elevator pitch. It makes your self-introduction sound more personable and engaging to listen to. Besides, people are naturally drawn to stories. 

If you are recording an elevator pitch for a video cover letter or you are meeting someone who works at a company you want to join, be prepared with a statement like this.

“Hi, my name is John. I’m a student at MMU, and I’m expecting to graduate with a degree in Marketing this July. 

If everything goes as expected I hope to graduate with a CGPA of over 3.5. I read an article the other day that your company is considered one of the most innovative businesses in Malaysia right now.

I’ve just finished an internship with ABC tech company a couple of months ago, and they told me to consider joining them full time after I graduate. But I’m also very curious to see if your company would consider looking at Marketing graduates.”

This introduction sounds more organic and natural. Keep in mind not to sound robotic when crafting your elevator pitch, and have fun with it!

Tips for Pitching for a Job Application in Malaysia

1. Practice Makes Perfect: Rehearse your pitch to ensure fluency, making it sound natural and engaging.

2. Customise Your Pitch: Tailor your pitch to fit the job and company you're applying for, reflecting your understanding of the company's needs and how you can meet them.

3. Be Memorable: Include a unique element about yourself that can make your pitch stand out - be it a a personal connection to the industry or a unique skill set.

4. Keep It Professional: While it's good to show personality, maintain a professional tone and focus on how you can add value to the company.

An effective elevator pitch can be your key to making a memorable impression during job interviews in Malaysia. Whether you are pitching for a job as a fresh graduate or an experienced candidate, a well-prepared elevator pitch not only showcases your skills but also demonstrates enthusiasm and preparedness for the role. Utilise these elevator pitching tips to refine your approach, tailor your message, and deliver a compelling self-introduction in job interviews.

Ready to apply your new elevator pitch? You can start with a Video Cover Letter that is sure to make you stand out from other applicants. Learn more about it in this article.

By Kimberly Chang on 2023-11-27 at 7:12 AM