Your "You Pitch" is a short personal story of who you are, what you have done, and why you are here today. It should sound spontaneous, personal, and come from the heart.

It can be a great way to take more control of interviews and social situations by telling them what you want them to know. Most interviewers will start by reviewing your resume so you are in the position of immediately answering questions which could put you on the defensive. The "You Pitch" allows you to set the stage, give context, and show them who you are.

Some easy ways to insert the "You Pitch" into an interview are:

"Before we get started, can I tell you a little about myself?"

or

"Do you mind if I tell you why I am here today?"

or

"Can I give some background on myself before we begin?"

Starting with this approach is a great way to get off on the right foot while directing the story you want to tell.

It should sound spontaneous, but actually, there is an easy recipe to create your You Pitch.

The Recipe

Start with 6 points you want everyone to know about you and list them on a card or sheet of paper. A story that is from the heart, in your own words, and has clarity.

Your points should be strong and shape your story, but the points can also be used individually when answering questions.

TIP: Remember you are the expert on YOU!

Step 1 - Write your main points on the card or paper.

An example:

I am from Seattle

love of architecture and design

drawing, not football

strong technical skills

great cook - Italian

getting married this year

honeymoon in Italy

Step 2 - Weave the points together in an order that makes sense to you and the listener.

Step 3 - Write your pitch out on paper so you can practice and fine-tune it.

An example:

I'm John. I was born and raised in Seattle. I have always had a strong love of architecture and design. When the neighborhood kids were playing football, I was drawing houses. I have very strong technical skills that I gained from school and my last position. I love cooking Italian food. I'm getting married this year and our honeymoon will be eating our way through Italy.

Step 4 - Practice. Practice. Practice. Practice your pitch until it becomes natural and you can easily pull it up whenever needed.

Here are some great You Pitch examples:

Hannah has just graduated and is looking for her first design job.

Cole is identifying his transferable skills and what he is looking for in a new position.

Nicole is making a move from her teaching career to the interior design industry.

Toni is an experienced designer who realized she is most happy when working with a team.

Now it's your turn to create your own You Pitch!