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Personal Branding
5 min
NewPerfect Pitch: Introduce Yourself in 2 Minutes
"Tell me about yourself." These four words terrify most candidates. Yet it's your greatest opportunity. In 2 minutes, you can transform a stranger into a convinced ally. This guide gives you a simple, proven method to build a pitch that leaves a lasting impression.
1
Fundamentals of a good pitch
Before the structure, understand what makes the difference.
The 3 objectives of a pitch: 1. Capture attention (the first 10 seconds) 2. Create interest (make them want to know more) 3. Open the conversation (not close it)
What your pitch IS NOT: • A summary of your resume • A list of skills • A 10-minute monologue • A memorized recitation
What your pitch IS: • A condensed story • A glimpse of your unique value • An invitation to dialogue • An authentic performance
Fatal mistakes:
❌ Starting with "My name is X and I am Y" ❌ Speaking too fast (stress) ❌ Being too generic ("I'm passionate and motivated") ❌ Not adapting to the audience ❌ Forgetting the call-to-action
The golden rule: Your pitch should make them want to ask you questions, not check their watch.
The 3 objectives of a pitch: 1. Capture attention (the first 10 seconds) 2. Create interest (make them want to know more) 3. Open the conversation (not close it)
What your pitch IS NOT: • A summary of your resume • A list of skills • A 10-minute monologue • A memorized recitation
What your pitch IS: • A condensed story • A glimpse of your unique value • An invitation to dialogue • An authentic performance
Fatal mistakes:
❌ Starting with "My name is X and I am Y" ❌ Speaking too fast (stress) ❌ Being too generic ("I'm passionate and motivated") ❌ Not adapting to the audience ❌ Forgetting the call-to-action
The golden rule: Your pitch should make them want to ask you questions, not check their watch.
2
The AIDA structure
AIDA is a marketing framework that works perfectly for pitches.
A • Attention (10 seconds)
Start with a hook that surprises.
Options: • A provocative question • An impactful number • A bold statement • A short anecdote
Examples: • "Did you know that 70% of IT projects fail? My job is to be part of the 30%." • "I saved my last employer 2 million euros. In 6 months." • "They call me the firefighter for projects in crisis."
I • Interest (30 seconds)
Explain who you are and what you do.
Elements: • Your main expertise • Your journey in 2-3 sentences • What differentiates you
D • Desire (40 seconds)
Show your value with proof.
Elements: • 1-2 concrete achievements (quantified) • The impact you've had • What you bring
A • Action (20 seconds)
End with an opening.
Elements: • What you're looking for • Link to the opportunity/interlocutor • Question or invitation to continue
A • Attention (10 seconds)
Start with a hook that surprises.
Options: • A provocative question • An impactful number • A bold statement • A short anecdote
Examples: • "Did you know that 70% of IT projects fail? My job is to be part of the 30%." • "I saved my last employer 2 million euros. In 6 months." • "They call me the firefighter for projects in crisis."
I • Interest (30 seconds)
Explain who you are and what you do.
Elements: • Your main expertise • Your journey in 2-3 sentences • What differentiates you
D • Desire (40 seconds)
Show your value with proof.
Elements: • 1-2 concrete achievements (quantified) • The impact you've had • What you bring
A • Action (20 seconds)
End with an opening.
Elements: • What you're looking for • Link to the opportunity/interlocutor • Question or invitation to continue
3
Write your pitch
Let's move to concrete writing. Follow this template.
Complete template:
[HOOK • 1 punchy sentence]
[WHO I AM • 1-2 sentences] "I'm a [role] with [X years] of experience in [field]."
[WHAT I DO • 2-3 sentences] "Concretely, I help [who] to [do what] through [how]."
[MY PROOF • 2-3 sentences] "For example, at [company], I [action] which resulted in [quantified result]."
[WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR • 1-2 sentences] "Today, I'm looking for [what] because [why]."
[OPENING • 1 sentence] "[Question or invitation]"
Complete example (Product Manager):
"They say the best products are born from frustration. Mine is having seen too many useless features shipped.
I've been a Product Manager for 6 years, specialized in B2B SaaS. My thing is transforming complex needs into simple products that users love.
At [Startup X], I redesigned the onboarding journey. Result: +40% activation and -60% support tickets in 3 months.
I'm now looking for an ambitious scale-up where I can have an impact at a larger scale.
What brought you to join [this company], by the way?"
Target duration: 90-120 seconds
Complete template:
[HOOK • 1 punchy sentence]
[WHO I AM • 1-2 sentences] "I'm a [role] with [X years] of experience in [field]."
[WHAT I DO • 2-3 sentences] "Concretely, I help [who] to [do what] through [how]."
[MY PROOF • 2-3 sentences] "For example, at [company], I [action] which resulted in [quantified result]."
[WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR • 1-2 sentences] "Today, I'm looking for [what] because [why]."
[OPENING • 1 sentence] "[Question or invitation]"
Complete example (Product Manager):
"They say the best products are born from frustration. Mine is having seen too many useless features shipped.
I've been a Product Manager for 6 years, specialized in B2B SaaS. My thing is transforming complex needs into simple products that users love.
At [Startup X], I redesigned the onboarding journey. Result: +40% activation and -60% support tickets in 3 months.
I'm now looking for an ambitious scale-up where I can have an impact at a larger scale.
What brought you to join [this company], by the way?"
Target duration: 90-120 seconds
4
Variations according to context
A good pitch adapts. Here are the versions to prepare.
Ultra-short version (30 seconds) • Networking
Structure: Hook + Who I am + What I'm looking for
"I'm a [role] at [company]. I help [who] to [what]. Right now, I'm looking for [what]. What about you, what do you do?"
Standard version (2 minutes) • Interview
Complete AIDA structure.
Use it for "Tell me about yourself" or "Introduce yourself."
Long version (3-4 minutes) • Formal presentation
AIDA structure + detailed examples + audience questions.
For pitches in front of a jury or presentation.
Adaptation according to interlocutor:
| Interlocutor | Focus | Tone | |--------------|-------|------| | HR | Soft skills, motivation | Warm | | Manager | Results, skills | Concrete | | Executive | Vision, impact | Strategic | | Peer | Expertise, collaboration | Technical | | Networking | Curiosity, connection | Casual |
Tip: Prepare 3 versions (30s, 2min, 4min) and practice switching from one to another fluidly.
Ultra-short version (30 seconds) • Networking
Structure: Hook + Who I am + What I'm looking for
"I'm a [role] at [company]. I help [who] to [what]. Right now, I'm looking for [what]. What about you, what do you do?"
Standard version (2 minutes) • Interview
Complete AIDA structure.
Use it for "Tell me about yourself" or "Introduce yourself."
Long version (3-4 minutes) • Formal presentation
AIDA structure + detailed examples + audience questions.
For pitches in front of a jury or presentation.
Adaptation according to interlocutor:
| Interlocutor | Focus | Tone | |--------------|-------|------| | HR | Soft skills, motivation | Warm | | Manager | Results, skills | Concrete | | Executive | Vision, impact | Strategic | | Peer | Expertise, collaboration | Technical | | Networking | Curiosity, connection | Casual |
Tip: Prepare 3 versions (30s, 2min, 4min) and practice switching from one to another fluidly.
5
Work on performance
A good pitch is 50% content, 50% delivery. Work on both.
Non-verbal:
Posture • Stand straight, shoulders open • Feet anchored to the ground • No crossed arms
Gaze • Direct eye contact (not evasive) • If several people: scan the group • Smile naturally
Gestures • Hands visible, open gestures • No nervous tics (pen, hair) • Gestures that accompany speech
Verbal:
Rhythm • Speak slower than usual • Stress naturally accelerates • Make pauses (it's powerful)
Volume • Loud enough to be heard effortlessly • Vary to emphasize key points
Tone • Conversational, not recited • Enthusiastic but authentic • Avoid monotone
Practical exercises:
1. Record yourself on video and analyze 2. Time yourself: aim for 90-120 seconds 3. Test on friends and ask for feedback 4. Repeat until it's natural (not robotic)
The 10 repetitions rule: Your pitch becomes natural after saying it 10 times out loud.
Non-verbal:
Posture • Stand straight, shoulders open • Feet anchored to the ground • No crossed arms
Gaze • Direct eye contact (not evasive) • If several people: scan the group • Smile naturally
Gestures • Hands visible, open gestures • No nervous tics (pen, hair) • Gestures that accompany speech
Verbal:
Rhythm • Speak slower than usual • Stress naturally accelerates • Make pauses (it's powerful)
Volume • Loud enough to be heard effortlessly • Vary to emphasize key points
Tone • Conversational, not recited • Enthusiastic but authentic • Avoid monotone
Practical exercises:
1. Record yourself on video and analyze 2. Time yourself: aim for 90-120 seconds 3. Test on friends and ask for feedback 4. Repeat until it's natural (not robotic)
The 10 repetitions rule: Your pitch becomes natural after saying it 10 times out loud.
Conclusion
Your pitch is your verbal business card. It deserves as much attention as your resume. A mastered pitch gives you confidence. This confidence shows and reinforces your impact. Write your first version today. Test it tonight on a friend. Refine it tomorrow. In a week, you'll have it naturally in your head.