Nailing Your Elevator Pitch (And Why You Need One!)
It’s been a long day at college, and you finally plop down on the couch, in the mood to watch something new on Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon, or your other favorite platform. But how will you choose the right film or show? Chances are, before you press play, you’ll read a short description of each program to help you decide whether it’s the right one for you. (“Hmm…Amish vampires in space…. Yeah, that sounds fantastic!”)
This short summary is an example of a pitch. Its job is to provide a taste of the film or show so that you can quickly decide if it’s what you’re looking for at the time. We see pitches like this every day — in commercials with catchy jingles, on the backs of books, during those unskippable YouTube ads, and even on restaurant menus to describe ingredients.
Did you know that people can have pitches, too? The most famous example of this is the 30-second elevator pitch, which became famous in big cities with businesses stationed in high-rise buildings, where you never knew if you would be sharing your elevator ride with a big-name CEO that you could speak with about employment. Thus, the 30-second elevator pitch became a critical tool — a ticket that could land you your dream job.
Why Do You Need an Elevator Pitch?
You may not be riding an elevator with a CEO, but there will still be times when the 30-second elevator pitch can help you land a job or internship opportunity, such as:
- Job or career fairs
- Networking events
- Conferences and workshops
- Unexpected meetings with business professionals (in the checkout line at the store, etc.)
- Interviews
How Do You Create an Elevator Pitch?
A 30-second elevator pitch is a brief summary of your skills. The goal isn’t to parrot off something you’ve memorized, but rather to really know each part of it so that you can introduce yourself naturally and then add information throughout the flow of the conversation.
Try using the following template to create your elevator pitch:
![Sample 30-Second Elevator Pitch Template:
Greeting: Hello, my name is [blank].
Experience: I am experienced [blank] or I have [blank] years of expertise in the [blank] industry.
Strengths: My strongest skills are in [blank] and [blank].
Accomplishments: I have received awards/recognition for [blank].
Area of Interest: I am interested in working in the field of [blank] or I am interested in expanding my expertise in [blank].](https://www.efscsplash.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/elevator-pitch.jpg)
Are There Any Other Tips for My Elevator Pitch?
1. Tailor it. If you know who you’ll make your pitch to, rewrite it in your head to fit your target audience. For example, if you’re pitching to Lockheed Martin, research their company mission and vision, as well as the different roles they offer. In your pitch, reference what you’ve learned. For example, mention relevant classes you’ve taken that relate to their needs and interests.
2. Talk about THEM too. Your pitch shouldn’t be only about you. Talk about why you’re excited to work for the employer, what you can offer them, and what you appreciate about their business.
3. Keep it conversational. Remember: Your pitch shouldn’t sound like a commercial or advertisement. Memorize your pitch so you have key talking points and a few words to introduce yourself, but don’t rush to get it all out at once. Pause, let the employer representative speak, and then respond with other portions of your pitch accordingly.
What’s the Secret To Mastering My Elevator Pitch?
As in all things, practice is key!
If someone were to ask you, “What’s one of your favorite colors?” you probably wouldn’t fly into a panic trying to come up with a good response. Chances are, you’d not only know your favorite color but could also explain why you like that color most. This is because you’ve been answering that question from the time you were small. You’re familiar with it, so you can answer it anytime, in any situation, any number of ways.
The same goes for your elevator pitch. Once you know your answer to the elevator pitch prompt, you can deliver it in any situation.
Here are a few ways to master your elevator pitch:
1. Make it part of your morning or evening routine. Think of your elevator pitch as a mantra that keeps you focused on your goals. While you’re making breakfast, say it out loud, or when you’re brushing your teeth, say it in your head. Whatever you do, keep it consistent.
2. Practice with a real person. Nothing beats real feedback from a real person. Start with someone you trust and feel comfortable around. You can also ask classmates to turn turns practicing their elevator pitches with you — that way, you both benefit from the experience.
3. Use UpKey’s Pitch Creator. EFSC’s Career Services has partnered with UpKey, an online tool that gamifies the pitch-creation process, to help you create one of your own.
4. Watch CareerSpots elevator pitch video. Listen to insider tips from business professionals on what makes an elevator pitch stand out from the rest.
5. Schedule an in-person, Teams, or phone call with a Career Services Coordinator. Career Services is located on all four Eastern Florida State College campuses, and is available both in-person and remotely to help you with all your career- and job-related needs. You can speak with a professional about crafting a unique, captivating 30-second elevator pitch.
Once you’ve honed your 30-second elevator pitch, it’s time to put it into action! Don’t miss out on valuable opportunities to network and showcase your skills at upcoming Career Services events at EFSC, including our regular Career Cafés and our bi-annual Job Fair.
Having a compelling elevator pitch in your pocket will ultimately help you to shine when the opportunity arises. Your future success awaits, so get started writing one today!
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