Nailing Your “Elevator Pitch”

Overview

An Elevator Pitch is a 30-second introduction of yourself, your background, your experience, and what you are looking for (or "the ask"). It answers the interview question "Tell Me About Yourself." It can also be used in the About section on LinkedIn, My Journey on Handshake, and during in-person networking opportunities.

Journaling Activity

In preparation for your elevator pitch, consider the following:

What is an opportunity that you are currently preparing for and why? (internship, job, fellowship, grant, study abroad, interview, etc.) This can help you with the "ask" in your elevator pitch
Write down a story about:
- A time that you showed leadership without being in a leadership role
- A time you failed and what you learned
- How you solved a difficult problem
Now go back and look at these stories. Are there strengths or skills that are evident in the story? Is there an interest or a motivation that is evident? The strengths, skills, interests, and motivations could be something that you might want to weave into your elevator pitch.

Mechanics of an Elevator Pitch

There are several parts to an elevator pitch.

Interactive Activity

Click each + icon to learn more.

Text Version

You – Introduce yourself! This could include your name if you haven't already introduced yourself, your major or area of interest, your year, or current job.

Context – Provide some context as to what your aim is in this pitch. This could be something like what brought you to this place/conversation/interview, what you are hoping to learn from the conversation, what information or resources you are looking for, etc.

Connection – Make sure to explain why you are connecting with this person, company, organization, etc. It could be that you are interested in an individual’s work history, excited about a position that is available or that you are interviewing for, or why you are attending a certain event.

The Ask – Close your elevator pitch with an ask. Consider what you want from this person. What is the idea that you want to pitch? (i.e. Can I set-up a time to talk further with you about your career? Can I get your email address? Do you have any recommendations on starting positions within this industry?) Tip: Do not ask for a job. This is a chance for a conversation.

Tip

Structure elevator pitches in present, past, future. I am currently a student at Tulane studying ____. My past internships, jobs, and accomplishments are _____. In the future, I want to go into ______. I would love your assistance with _______.

Half-Life Activity

Use the information from the Mechanics of an Elevator Pitch to write an elevator pitch.

Step 1

Put 4 minutes on a timer and give your elevator pitch.

Step 2

Now put 2 minutes on a timer and give it again.

Step 3

Finally put 1 minute on a timer and give it again.

This exercise should get you to more concisely share your ideas and get you to think about the most pertinent information that you want to share. Think about clarity and relevance as you work through this activity.

Video

Click play to watch the following video for an example of an elevator pitch.

Final Thoughts

Remember that the more you practice the better you get. You can also learn a lot from listening to other people give their elevator pitches.

Hiration is Tulane's interview practice software. Use it to practice elevator pitches and interview questions. It also build resumes and critique resumes and LinkedIn profiles.