Elevator Pitch

Craft Your Career Introduction

A strong elevator pitch helps make a positive first impression, spark interest, and open the door for further discussion.

An elevator pitch is a brief (typically 30–60 second) introduction that highlights who you are, your skills and experiences, your career interests, and the value you can bring to an opportunity or conversation.

An elevator pitch gets its name from the idea that you should be able to introduce yourself and share your professional goals in about the same amount of time as an elevator ride.

An elevator pitch can help you:

  • Become more comfortable advocating for yourself and your accomplishments
  • Build confidence when introducing yourself to new people
  • Develop stronger communication and networking skills
  • Practice talking about your experiences, skills, and goals
  • Create opportunities by making professional connections
  • Expand your professional network and reputation

Start by introducing yourself and providing context:

  • Your name
  • Your college, major, or area of study
  • Your class year (if relevant)
  • Your current role (student, intern, job title, etc.)

Example: “Hi, my name is Sarah, I’m a junior Communication + Media Studies major at Emmanuel College and I am currently a Marketing Intern for Converse.”

Highlight your strengths, experiences, and what makes you unique.

Consider:

  • What skills or strengths do you bring?
  • How have your experiences prepared you for this field or opportunity?
  • What coursework, projects, internships, jobs, or volunteer experiences are relevant?
  • What accomplishment or experience are you most proud of?
  • What results, lessons learned, or key takeaways can you share?

Example: “Through my internship and coursework I’ve strengthened my design skills using Adobe and creating engaging content on social media.”

Create an opportunity for dialogue. You may be seeking:

  • Industry or career insights
  • Advice from someone in the field
  • Career exploration guidance
  • Information about opportunities
  • Connections to additional resources or professionals

Example: “I’m currently exploring full-time opportunities and would love to learn more about your career path and any advice you have for students interested in this field.”

Use your elevator pitch at networking events, career fairs, informational interviews, and everyday professional interactions.

  • Be authentic, let your personality come through
  • Keep your pitch around 30–60 seconds
  • Aim to sound conversational, not robotic or rushed
  • Focus on creating a dialogue, not delivering a speech
  • Show enthusiasm and interest if the conversation continues
  • Ask questions and give the other person an opportunity to respond
  • Practice, practice, practice!