elevator speech career fair

Pay Your Deposit

Have you been admitted and need to lock in your decision?

Click the link below to pay your deposit now!

Deposit Today

Perfect an Elevator Pitch for Career Fair

Claire Hartman

Oct 26, 2020

Perfecting Your Career Fair Elevator Pitch

You’ve just signed up for the local career fair. You’ve already learned what to wear to a job fair , researched what questions to ask at a career fair, and Googled how to prepare for a career fair . But when you walk in, you are speechless, unable to find the words to simply introduce yourself. You have already filled out your online college application and may have a year or two of schooling already under your belt--but entering a career fair is a whole new ball game. In this article, you’ll learn how to master professional introductions and to perfect your elevator pitch for a career fair.

What to include in your job fair elevator pitch

A job fair is an event that takes place for potential employees to meet recruiters and make connections. Professional conversations, resume exchanges, and sometimes even an interview can take place at a career fair. Job seekers must go into a career fair armed and ready to present themselves in a digestible, genuine, and confident way to hiring managers.

Conversations at job fairs should communicate basic information about you as a professional and your work experience.  If you were to boil down your best attributes to a series of bullet points, what would they say? Dr. Michael Blight , professor of business & professional communication at North Central College, explains that students and professionals need to be able to easily answer some baseline questions when speaking to recruiters like, “Who are you? What do you want to do? What value do you bring? And how does this company interest you?” An elevator pitch is a verbal summary of these answers, which reflect who you are as a candidate for employment. What you say should “ serve as a win-win for both you and the organization .”

Who are you?

A difficult question, but one that is key to quickly drawing recruiters in and helping them understand your background. Prospective employers do not want your life story but rather would like to know what parts of your background are important about you as a professional. This tough question can be answered by breaking it down into more easily answered questions...

Where do you go to school? What year in school are you? What are your majors and minors?

The answers to these basic questions will shape the start of your elevator speech, helping you to begin to convey who you are to the recruiter.

What do you want to do?

Answering this question will help the recruiter to help you. Your goal here is to help the recruiter to see one or more places that you might fit into their company or organization. Your reply may be quite targeted if your goals are very specific or may include a number of possible options if your goals are still being fine-tuned. This question can be answered by asking yourself…

What are your career interests? What classes are you enjoying most? What are you good at? What skills are you looking to gain professional experience in?

By asking yourself these questions, you are preparing in advance to best communicate to recruiters what you are interested in doing (i.e. your career goal) and what you would be best at in an internship or available position.

What value do you bring?

This question asks you to consider your skill set. Summarize your specific skills as they relate to the recruiter and explain where those skills came from. This requires you to keep an inventory of the building blocks you have accumulated as a result of your varied experiences.

What campus groups are you involved in that you would like the recruiter to know about (Radio, Model UN, PRSSA)?  What professional experience do you have off-campus (Internship, professional development, research)? Do you have volunteer experience? How have your professional experiences made you a successful employee or intern? What professional traits do you have that make you, you?

These answers help to explain what you bring to the table that differentiates you from the many other people that the recruiter will meet. It explains how your skills transfer into the workplace. Highlight your skills and work history as they relate to the employer. If you do not have direct experience, you should show how the skills you have gained in past seemingly unrelated experiences are an asset to you overall.

How does this company interest you?

After registering for a career fair, you will be given a list of different companies that will be attending the fair. You must research the companies you are interested in and narrow the list to those that you ‘must-see’ before leaving the fair as you will not likely have an opportunity to speak with everyone. You should take notes on the companies you will speak to, memorizing what they do and why you find them attractive as a potential employer. Employers want to know that you want to work for them.  Ask yourself…

What are their values? What are their current initiatives? What are they doing differently from their competitors? Have they been in the news recently for something positive (never bring up something negative)? Do you have any connections to the company?

Decide which of these questions applies to the specific company you are talking to and run with it. This is your chance to impress the recruiter by showcasing that you are invested enough to have done your research. It is often the knowledge that you gain through research that can set you apart from others. It shows that you are interested in the job at a specific company rather than a job in general. Your knowledge need not be limited to companies or organizations alone, but also any issues or changes the industry is experiencing as well.

Career fair elevator pitch examples

Now that you’ve answered these questions, it is time to write your pitch. Below is an example of an elevator pitch that could be used at a career fair.  The corresponding sections of the article are indicated in parenthesis.

(Introduction) Hello! My name is Job Applicant and (Who you are) I am a senior at Location College studying organizational communication and interactive media. (What you want to do) I am interested in working in PR because of (What value do you bring) my experience last summer interning in media relations with Blue Cross Blue Shield Association where I learned a variety of skills such as building a subject matter expert database, growing client intelligence, and identifying share content and influencer sentiment. (How does this company interest you) I am interested in interning with Apple next summer because the cross functional business strategy Apple describes on the website is exciting to me. (Closer) I am confident I can use my PR experience, writing skills, and commitment to learning to make a positive contribution at Apple.

Using this sample to guide you, prepare your pitch. Fill it in with your information that corresponds to the associated questions.  Include your skills, experiences, and what makes you unique. Don’t forget to include an introduction and closer, but be flexible enough to alter this as necessary in natural conversation.  Remember, you want to be both professional and genuine.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Now that you have prepared what you’ll say, write your elevator pitch onto a notecard. Begin by practicing your elevator pitch with a notecard in hand to a family member, friend, or yourself in the mirror. Choose someone who can “ be objective, and ask for constructive feedback .” As you practice, work toward getting comfortable without using the notecard. This should become a pitch you memorize, one that becomes second nature. Like actors practice their lines, you will practice your elevator pitch every day leading up to the career fair.

Next, you’ll need to focus on your body language and vocal technique. Practice your pitch so that it becomes natural, using hand gestures, a comfortable stance, and excellent posture to support your words. These small details can make or break a first impression with prospective employers.

Body language is everything. A firm handshake (post-COVID-19), a friendly smile, good eye contact, and hands by your side or resting at your waist are key. Hands in pockets, knuckle cracking, crossed legs, and looking down is a good way to take the attention away from your pitch and put it on distracting behavior.

Vocal quality is also important, as strong speaking skills are sought after by employers. Time to put the casual fillers such as “like” and “um” to rest. Practice by removing filler language from everyday conversation with your family and friends; this is a communication habit you can break if you try. Another habit to consider breaking is "upspeak." Upspeak is evident when someone incorrectly ends a phrase or sentence in an upward pitch, much like a question when making a statement. This can make a candidate sound unsure of themselves.  The accompanying “vocal fry” is also a common habit. This is evident when someone is ending a sentence and their voice drops into the lowest register, causing vocal cords to make a static-like breaking or frying sound. This can make a candidate sound incompetent or uncertain. Use your voice to show enthusiasm but with proper vocal variation.

Before the fair

Reducing stress and anxious habits is crucial to performing your elevator pitch effectively.

Career fairs are typically open for many hours, so attend at a time that you feel your best. Get plenty of sleep the night before the fair and the week leading up to the fair. Have an easy stomach-friendly meal or drink that will soothe your throat. Know booth locations and prepare accordingly. Arrive with enough time to be able to have the engaging conversations you want to have with all the recruiters you’d like to talk to. Do not leave anything until the last minute, prepare it all the night before.

Stress can deeply impact your memory, nerves, and ability to perform something like an elevator pitch. Public speaking is one of the nation's largest collective fears, and an elevator pitch can feel like a speech. Preparation both in the way of practice and anxiety-reducing techniques will be extremely important to cultivating a successful day and strong elevator pitch. Anything you can do (no matter how silly) to raise your confidence will be impactful in creating a great first impression.

But remember, having some nerves can be a good thing, as they keep you on your toes and remind you to listen to yourself and think through what you are saying. Remember, it is just a conversation. If you can shift your thinking about the elevator pitch and remind yourself it’s an opportunity rather than a test or speech, you will be well equipped to speak with recruiters.

The career fair and beyond

The elevator pitch is your ticket to a successful job fair. The connections you make can last a lifetime, and it is your elevator pitch that will leave a lasting impression about who you are. It is both what you say and how you say it that will connect you with recruiters helping you to land that coveted opportunity. But the value of the elevator pitch is not limited to career fairs. You can use it to network in every situation where people gather. With the newfound confidence and practice that a polished elevator pitch will bring, it will quickly become part of your everyday casual conversation and will lead to countless new opportunities at career fairs and beyond.

For more information or help regarding elevator pitch, resume, or career-building skills, visit https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/career-development .

Claire Hartman is a 2020 graduate of North Central College, a Graduate Assistant in their Office of Marketing & Communications, and an MBA candidate. She honed her corporate communication skills as a media relations intern in downtown Chicago with the country’s leading health insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, where she contributed to a variety of social research projects.

More North Central News & Stories

MCS Holiday Schedule:

• Mon, Dec 23 - Wed, Jan 1: MCS will be closed.
• Thu, Jan 2: MCS reopens for virtual-only events and appointments.
• Tue, Jan 21: MCS in-person services and virtual drop-in hours resume.
• Crimson Careers
• For Employers
• Harvard College
• Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
• Harvard Extension School
• Premed / Pre-Health
• Families & Supporters
• Faculty & Staff
• Prospective Students
• First Generation / Low Income
• International Students
• Students of Color
• Students with Disabilities
• Undocumented Students
• Varsity Athletes
• Explore Interests & Make Career Decisions
• Create a Resume/CV or Cover Letter
• Expand Your Network
• Engage with Employers
• Search for a Job
• Find an Internship
• January Experiences (College)
• Find & Apply for Summer Opportunities Funding
• Prepare for an Interview
• Negotiate an Offer
• Apply to Graduate or Professional School
• Access Resources
• AI for Professional Development and Exploration
• Arts & Entertainment
• Business & Entrepreneurship
• Climate, Sustainability, Environment, Energy
• Government, Int’l Relations, Education, Law, Nonprofits
• Life Sciences & Health
• Technology & Engineering
• Still Exploring
• Talk to an Advisor

A Guide to Crafting an Elevator Pitch for Career Fairs

• Share This: Share A Guide to Crafting an Elevator Pitch for Career Fairs on Facebook Share A Guide to Crafting an Elevator Pitch for Career Fairs on LinkedIn Share A Guide to Crafting an Elevator Pitch for Career Fairs on X

“At career fairs, where numerous job seekers compete for attention from potential employers, having a well-prepared elevator pitch is essential. In summary, an elevator pitch is a concise and persuasive introduction. It effectively showcases your skills and experiences, as well as career goals within the span of a short elevator ride. It’s an opportunity to both make a lasting impression and capture the interest of recruiters in a brief conversation. In the following article, we will explore the key steps to creating an impressive elevator pitch, including examples, that will help you stand out from the crowd and make a positive impact at career fairs.”

Learn more tips about how to use generative AI tools to help refine your career fair elevator pitch .

How to Prepare Your Virtual Career Fair “Elevator Pitch”

Learn how to create the perfect elevator pitch ahead of your next career fair. (Includes examples!)

So, you’ve registered for a virtual career fair . You’ve scoped out the attending employers , registered for a few group and 1:1 sessions, and you’re feeling excited about the connections you’re about to make. You’ve got your outfit picked out, you’ve chatted with your roommates about keeping quiet and avoiding distractions during the fair, and you’re hopeful that you’ll make a good impression and find the job or internship you’re dreaming about. So, what else can you do to prepare ? It's time to work on your elevator pitch.

One of the best things you can do ahead of any virtual event is to prepare a few talking points to succinctly make the case about why you’re a great candidate. The employers that you meet with want to learn more about you! So think of a short overview about your background, studies, and career goals. Practice with a friend or family member ahead of the virtual fair so you’re ready when it’s time to introduce yourself to a recruiter.

Ahead, read our tips for how to prepare an elevator pitch.

What is an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch is essentially your TL;DR—it’s a short and sweet synopsis about yourself for a prospective employer. It’s called an elevator pitch because it’s meant to be brief enough to deliver convincingly during a quick elevator ride to your floor.

How long should my pitch be?

Think about the length of your average elevator ride. Not long, right? It’s a best practice to keep your elevator pitch to a minute or less! The key to an impactful elevator pitch is to stay short and sweet, avoid rambling, and prioritize truly pertinent information.

What should I include in my elevator pitch?

Focus on the skills and qualifications that’ll make you uniquely appealing to your audience. Give some top-level bullet points about what makes you an awesome candidate!

• Your field of study
• A couple relevant skills or certifications
• A nod to relevant experience

Your elevator pitch should also touch on your professional goals: if you hope to find a job at a mission-driven startup, or want to relocate to Denver, or aim for a role where you’ll flex your coding skills, mention these.

If you plan to meet with a few different types of employers during your career fair, don’t be afraid to tailor your pitch to different industries and roles. For example, your proficiency in Photoshop might not be relevant to a corporate sales role, but it is for marketing! Be aware of your audience.

How to deliver an elevator pitch

When it comes to your elevator pitch, practice makes perfect. You might feel silly running through a 30-second spiel about yourself, but becoming confident in your delivery can make a huge difference when you’re face-to-face with a recruiter! Aim for your pitch to be brief, persuasive, and confident—not boastful. Ask a trusted friend or family member to run through your pitch with you a few times, give constructive feedback, and help you nail it!

How should I wrap up after my pitch?

Typically, it’s a best practice to have a business card or a copy of your resume to hand to somebody after delivering your IRL elevator pitch during a career fair. However, since you’ll be meeting recruiters during virtual fairs, have a link to your Handshake profile handy to send via chat! If relevant, you can also share a digital portfolio during this time.

Elevator pitch examples:

• “I’m Brinton and I just graduated UC Davis with a degree in English! I've worked as a freelance writer for lifestyle publications like Bustle for the past two years, and now I’m looking to grow as a full-time reporter in the entertainment, travel, or breaking news space. I’m proficient in Photoshop, certified in Google Analytics, and have experience managing social media channels for small businesses.”
• “I’m Luke, and I’m a software engineer with a background working with high-growth e-commerce startups in the Los Angeles area. However, now I am looking for an opportunity that will bring me closer to my family and friends in Raleigh. I specialize in iOS and have four years of experience writing C++ code in a POSIX environment.”
• “I’m Rey, and I’m a rising senior at UT Austin. I’m studying finance and spent last summer as an analyst for Goldman Sachs, where I focused mainly on comparative financial performance analysis. Now that I’m graduating in June, I’m hoping to find a full-time role as an investment banking analyst.”

Photo by  mentatdgt  from  Pexels

Find the right jobs for you. Get hired.

Related stories, most recent stories.

Best Elevator Pitch With Examples For Job Seekers

By Biron Clark

Published: November 8, 2023

Interview Preparation | Networking

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

In this article, I’m going to quickly show you some great elevator pitch examples for job seekers, plus how to go create your own quickly and easily so you can find a job faster.

What Is An Elevator Pitch?

Essentially it’s a short summary about yourself and what you do, in the time it takes to ride an elevator. You have to be able to deliver and convince in that time frame. That’s the famous 30-second “elevator pitch.” And it can be for anything. Finding a new job, going to a networking event, starting a sales relationship, etc. Here’s the thing about an elevator pitch- you have one whether you know it or not.  Any time somebody asks you about your work or asks what you do, you’re saying something… right? And if you’re looking for a new job, your elevator pitch is going to be a big part of how you respond when they ask, “tell me about yourself” . This could be a phone conversation with a recruiter , or an in-person interview when you first sit down. If you’re at a networking event , your elevator pitch will be the information you share when somebody asks what type of work you do. It’s your one and only chance to get their attention and set the tone for how they view the rest of what you tell them. That’s why it’s so important.

Here are the 2 best elevator pitch methods, with examples…

Method 1: Elevator Pitch for Job Seekers

There are a few key pieces that your elevator pitch should contain. This is assuming you are looking for a job or looking to grow your network. If you’re trying to create an elevator pitch while working in sales , it’ll be a bit different and you should read the alternate method below this first method.

Here are the key pieces to creating a perfect elevator pitch…

1. Who Are You And What Do You Do?

The first piece of what you actually say needs to tell them who you are. This might include a bit about your background, what you do, what your skills and interests are, etc. This is where you need to tailor your answer to fit the outcome you want. If you describe yourself as an expert in finance, do you think people will pay attention to you on financial topics? Yes! But what if you made yourself sound more like a generalist who knows a little about many areas, and finance is just one of them? Nobody is going to respect your opinion nearly as much, and they might not even remember you mentioned it. That’s why it’s important to tailor your answer to fit the result you’re hoping to achieve and what you want to be known/remembered for.

To recap, the first part of your elevator pitch might sound like this example: “Hi,  I’m David. I’m a Scientist with a background in chemistry. I specialize in research and development, and new product discovery. ”

2. Why Should They Care?

Now you want to get a bit more specific and draw their attention in. What are you working on right now or what have you accomplished recently?

Here’s an example:

“I currently work at Johnson & Johnson and my team is working on developing a new antibacterial cream that’s set to go into clinical trials this month.”

Now they know your expertise, and assuming it’s relevant to them, you’ve caught their attention and opened up the conversation. This is why the first step was so important though… if you don’t decide what you want to be known for, and tailor your answer to emphasize those strengths, you’ve lost them!The same goes for job interviews . If you’re applying to be a supervisor, don’t talk about how you love focusing on your individual goals in your job interview answers . Talk about how you’re a good manager or how you take the lead on projects.

I can’t emphasize this enough- it’s all about deciding what you want your audience to remember you for. And you need to pick only one or two things. If you mention more, they’ll assume you’re not particularly talented in any!

3. What Do You Want?

After the two steps above, you need to conclude your elevator pitch and this is your chance to be upfront and tell them your objective. Why are you in this conversation to begin with? If you’re at a networking event because you’re starting a job search soon, say something like this:

“So, I’m interested in meeting people with similar backgrounds, and I’m considering changing jobs this year so I’m curious to learn about the work environments in different companies.”

It’s rare that someone would turn down the chance to hear about how another company does things, so you’ve offered a pretty good trade-off! They might also ask why you’re considering a job change. Either way, you’ve opened up multiple ways for them to expand the conversation. Get comfortable with these three steps and you will have a MUCH easier time answering basic interview questions , introducing yourself at networking events, and more.

Full Elevator Pitch Example Based On The 3 Steps Above:

“I’m a Scientist specializing in chemistry and new product discovery. I currently work at Johnson & Johnson and my team is working on developing a new antibacterial cream that’s set to go into clinical trials this month. So, I’m interested in meeting people with similar backgrounds, and I’m also considering changing jobs this year so I’m hoping to learn about the work environments in different companies.”

Method 2: For Business Owners, Salespeople, And Job Seekers Who Want A More Direct Elevator Pitch

The method above can work for pretty much anybody, but it’s really designed to create the best elevator pitch possible for job seekers. But if you own a business or you work in sales, you should be much more direct… I recently came across a great formula and have yet to find anything better in terms of a very specific, direct elevator pitch. So I’ll share the formula here and then give you some elevator pitch examples with this method.

I suggest you try it if you want a more direct approach.

The Basic Formula/Template:

I help who wants to get without having to . Do you know any who wants to get ?

Elevator Pitch Example With This Method:

“I help job seekers who want to advance their careers and find a job in 60 days or less, without having to memorize hundreds of answers or spend hours studying. Do you know any job seekers who want to find a job in 60 days or less?”

Use a definitive period of time if possible. Don’t just say “fast.” And narrow down your market as much as possible. I didn’t say “working professionals.” I said, “job seekers who want to advance their careers.”

Another Example:

“I help restaurants with multiple locations organize their customer data and boost their sales up to 10%, without having to spend any additional time or money on advertising. Do you know any restaurants with multiple locations that want to boost their sales up to 10%?”

This direct approach could be adapted back to your job search too. Let’s look at one final example of this second method for a job search:

“I’m an R&D Scientist who helps companies use their existing patents and technologies to develop new skincare products. Right now at Johnson & Johnson, I’m finishing a successful project for an antibacterial cream and I’m looking for my next challenge. Do you know any companies that are involved in discovering and developing new skincare products?”

How To Deliver Your Elevator Pitch

Now that we covered how to create the best possible elevator pitch… with plenty of elevator pitch examples… there’s something just as important we should talk about.

You need to be convincing and memorable. Without this, the content won’t matter.

The First Impression

People want to know they are talking to a good, honest, reliable person that they can trust and perhaps even like. They won’t get this by looking at your resume. You need to open up by having great body language and being confident and excited about what you’re saying. You have to appear like you know they’ll be interested. You cannot be hesitant here so practice. And pay attention to body language too. Smile, look confident, and stand or sit up straight. When you’re slouched over, not only are you not using the full potential of your brain (yes, there’s been research ), you also look untrustworthy.

Make Them Feel Important

Who doesn’t like to hear that their own background or story is interesting? Or that you feel their opinion is needed on something! So, here are ways to make the other person feel important, which will help you be more memorable and convincing to them!

• Ask Questions When they tell you something about their background or give their own elevator pitch, show interest and ask a follow-up question. Don’t just sit there waiting for your turn to talk.
• Compliment Their Expertise If you are asking them a question or hoping to get information from them, compliment their experience first and give a reason why you’d value their response. Example (in a job interview): “You mentioned working here for ten years and rising from an entry level position to Manager. What tips for success can you offer if I were to start in this role?”
• Remember The Facts Don’t make somebody repeat important pieces about their background. How do you feel if somebody can’t remember your name or a story you just shared? So if they’re taking the time to tell you about their latest project, try to capture the details. You don’t want to be standing there two minutes later asking, “wait, you said you were involved in a research project, right?” It’ll immediately make them take less interest in what you’re saying as well.

When you’re nervous or anxious, you breathe with short, shallow breaths in the upper chest. Here’s how you should breathe:

Use your stomach and take long, deep breaths. I had to teach myself this, it didn’t feel natural at first. I couldn’t figure out how to breathe in a way that’d get my stomach to go in and out, at least not when I was paying attention and “trying.” I was filling my upper chest with as much air as possible but my stomach wasn’t moving. That’s not the right way.

Practice, figure it out, and then use it as a way to relax when you’re waiting for a job interview or a meeting.

Nothing comes out perfect the first time. Having the best elevator pitch is useless if you don’t practice. Give it a test run a few times and make sure you’re hitting the key points and keeping it short. 30 or 60 seconds is about as long as your elevator speech should take. It’s a good idea to practice job interview questions and answers, too. In general, practicing makes your responses better. Don’t try to memorize your elevator pitch or interview answers word-for-word, though. It’ll come out sounding scripted and rehearsed (not good). Instead, focus on hitting the key points you want to mention. It might sound a bit different each time but if you have three key points to hit, and you go through a few elevator pitch practice runs and hit all three, you’re ready to go!

What Happens If You Don’t Prepare An Elevator Pitch?

You only get one chance to make a first impression. If you sound unsure of yourself and don’t have a clear story of what it is you do, you’re going to be less convincing and immediately turn people off! And they’ll be less likely to remember you when you follow-up by email after an interview , or after meeting them at any type of networking event.

I’ve learned this myself the hard way. I’ve met new people, mentioned five different things I do, and just came across like I was average (or worse) at all five. People want to meet experts that they can feel confident in, not generalists that know a bit about everything but can’t really lead the way on any given topic! Your elevator pitch needs to come out smoothly and be designed to share your strengths and facts that relate to the direction you’re heading in. And that doesn’t happen without practice. Even if you outline an average elevator pitch and just practice it a few times in your head, it will be so much better than making it up on the spot!

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

36 thoughts on “Best Elevator Pitch With Examples For Job Seekers”

Very helpful. After being out of the workforce for a while it’s a big help.

Excellent information with examples. Great and effective approach. Even I was consumed with the initial intro and info (about you). Although I am prepping for a far different career, and have a basic bus mgmnt degree under my belt, I shall follow your examples here. Starting a new career and haven’t interviewed in years, oh my. But, maybe I will make it now, gulp. Not sunk yet, shiver, (lol). You’re one of the best teachers for this kind of stuff. Thank you, thank you.

Hey, i saw your video and i have this question – i am a undergraduate and want to go for a consulting interview and i dont have much internships so how can i make my answer more interesting

Talk about what you’ve studied, projects you’ve led or participated in, etc. You just have to do the best you can and talk about the most relevant/interesting things you have done in your elevator pitch.

We’re all searching for that almost PERFECT, direct, clear, concise and TOTALLY USABLE place/template of advice. We rarely find it. , Most of the time, it’s not even close. YET this material is the best I have seen” it is PERFECT in terms of the message, need, delivery and ease of use.

Thanks, These were useful

This was awesome.

Very good information on the small ins and out on the interviewing process( especially on the elevator part of the interview).

A sincere thank you! You are precise, to the point and relevant. Your integrity shows so again, thank you, Biron

Can somebody give a good engaging pitch of IT field Student

Thanks for sharing, some really good suggestions

I’m so nervous about interviewing and Biron’s advice makes me feel like I can do it. I especially like when he comments about being nervous, i.e. even if I only remember 70% … I am so much more prepared for the whole process.

Thank you Biron. It was really helpful. I am looking for a job, would you please share some tips or do’s and don’s.

My background is customer service representative in call centers. My last job is a phone banker. I’ve worked in different call centers so I have experience in different fields. Do you have examples that I can use for my elevator pitch along with the question on why I want to work for the company I’m applying for? I’ve been on several interviews where I have the experience but I’m getting turned down a lot.

Thank you so much for the help this I will sure use to my advantage on my next interview, greatly appreciated

This is wonderful advice and so practical . What about those of is who haven’t worked in a long time? I have been a SAHM for 18 years , always meaning to go back to work but always was busy w my son’s sports , academics or Church . I have a master’s degree but not had an interview in 4 years . I have applied for over 40 jobs at my Alma mater , all entry level jobs except a handful that required my degree . I can’t afford to retrain . I wanted to to an accelerated BSN program but can’t afford the 50k price tag . We need to move to pay instate tuition, but my husband refuses . I’m in a hole feeling quite hopeless . Thanks

Great guide! Thank you!

I’m this kid with good grades in class but so naive about the real world. this info is just incredible for me.

very helpful..

I hate these standard interview questions.It is really meaningless.When I had interview I asked from recruiter please dont ask me standard interview questions:)

How did that turn out for you? Telling the recruiter which questions they can ask? :)

I’m an unemployed top producing sales executive re-entering the workforce. I need your help, for a fee, to develop my elevator pitch.

Hi Paula, I appreciate the request. Unfortunately I’m not available for one-on-one consulting/coaching right now, or in the near future. Sorry I couldn’t help more directly on this.

You are never ready for any interview until you have read through Biron’s work!!!!!

Haha thanks, appreciate that :)

What if your resume looks like a jumper. You’ve held temp jobs for the last five years. How do you answer to get out of the stigma while at a job career fair?

Biron, thank you very much for the excellent tips! Examples you provide make it very clear how a good elevator pitch should look like, and are a great help to write my own. Kudos! :)

Thank you Biron you the best :) .

Glad it helped Darin :) Good luck!

What are most common interview questions and answers

You can find a lot of them in this article:

https://careersidekick.com/what-to-say-in-a-job-interview-questions-and-answers/

Great information and thanks for sharing.

You’re welcome, Angela. Glad you found it helpful!

Thanks Biron

I was an hour away from blowing up my chance … thanks,you saved the planet

This video was extremely helpful ! It helped me understand what I really want in a job more towards a career. Thank you so much

Comments are closed.

An amazing elevator pitch should get people interested in you. Ideally, it will end with you giving your contact info, handing over your business card, or connecting on LinkedIn.

Here’s what an elevator pitch is NOT:

• a sleazy pitch to get someone to buy your product
• a plea to get a job offer
• telling your life story in half a minute
• desperate, unclear, or confusing

How Long Should an Elevator Pitch Be?

The sweet spot for an elevator pitch is anywhere between 10 seconds to a minute. Elevator pitches should be brief, memorable, and leave the prospect wanting to know more.

The Elevator Pitch Myth

Writer Peter Denning and his coauthor, Bob Dunham, conducted an experiment to find out if elevator pitches actually work. They enlisted the help of successful small business CEOs and asked them to give their elevator pitch to 2 random listeners.

And the results were shocking. The CEOs flopped at pitching their own businesses!

Their elevator pitches completely failed—feedback was mostly negative, and the listeners were not engaged at all.

But how could top CEOs fail at pitching their own businesses? Denning and Dunham had to find out.

They ran the same test again but with different groups this time. Like in the first experiment, the first couple of CEOs ran their pitch and got so-so feedback. But then Denning decided to test something different—he decided to turn the “pitch” into a conversation. Like this:

• Listener: Your turn.
• Peter: Before we start… are you interested in innovation?
• Listener: You bet. If my business does not come up with an innovative idea soon, we’ll be gone.
• Peter: I’m writing a book on how to succeed at innovation. Would you be interested in talking about it at lunch?
• Listener: Sure thing! But let’s get back to our work. What is your offer?
• Peter: I just made it.

And with that, Denning reinvented the elevator pitch, which the other CEOs failed at doing.

An amazing elevator pitch isn’t about giving a presentation. It’s about having a genuine conversation with someone.

It turns out, the CEOs were trying to spew out information about their businesses—how their businesses operated, what the sales numbers looked like, all that jazz.

But in reality, this doesn’t work. People don’t want information—they want connection.

So if your elevator pitch is fluid, conversational, and natural, your prospect is much more likely to want to meet up with you again than if it’s 100% information. They’ll understand you better, feel great after your pitch, and relate to you as a person.

How to Write The Perfect Elevator Pitch

Writing an elevator pitch is simple. Remember, sometimes it’s more about how you say your elevator pitch than what you say. Studies show the world’s greatest leaders use 2.9 times more appeals to emotion than logic.

With that in mind, here’s my “Delicious” Framework to craft an unforgettable elevator pitch:

#1. The Appetizer

First, grab a pen and paper and write down one line that describes you best.

Yep. Just ONE line.

I call this line the Appetizer. The purpose of the appetizer is to try to condense your entire pitch into one succinct sentence that answers the question: Who are you?

If you’re having trouble, think about what makes you unique compared to others. Try not to focus too much on the details—focus on a catchy, creative tagline that immediately makes others want to know more.

You can start with who you are, an interesting fact or statistic about your career, or even a conversation starter . Go with something that resonates!

My Appetizer: “Hi, I’m Vanessa and I’m a recovering awkward person.”

This is a go-to appetizer because it immediately creates question-asking opportunities: How was I an awkward person? How did I recover? What do I do now?

Some other examples of catchy, interesting one-liners:

• “I help 9th graders discover the magic of books.”
• “I’m a momtrepreneur.”
• “I’m a psychologist-turned-author.”

#2. Meat & Potatoes

Obviously, we’re not going to stop at the appetizer.

Next, we’re going to expand our one-liner with the Meat and Potatoes. Take your appetizer line and expand upon it:

• What is your mission statement? What is your WHY for your business or personal goals?
• What problems do you solve? Who’s your target audience, and what solutions do you bring to the table?
• How do you stand out? Do you have any USPs (unique selling points) or other characteristics that are different from your competitors’?
• What’s your unique process/workflow/product that makes you stand out from your competitors?

You can make this part as long or as short as you like. Don’t overthink it, as we’ll come back later and clean this part up.

Jot down as many relevant pieces of information as you’d like to include in your elevator pitch. Here’s my short and sweet edition…

My Meat and Potatoes: “I love helping people sound more confident, control their body and language to better express their ideas, and build stronger relationships. Throughout my work, I’ve been able to train thousands of students and change their lives forever. I’m so happy to help people feel just a little less awkward in their lives—now they can call themselves recovering awkward people too!”

#3. The Dessert

Finally, let’s take your expanded work and wrap it up with a question or call to action.

Since you’re likely going to be giving your pitch in a conversational manner, you want to ask a question to get to know them (remember how we hinted at empathy before?). For example, if your business is a project management company, you can ask something like: “What’s your biggest project management pain point?”

Or you can simply hand them your business card with the next steps to connect again.

My Dessert: “Do you ever feel a little awkward at times, or is that just me?”

#4. Your Spark Line

OK, so you’ve got your basic pitch ready. Now for the juicy part—time to add a Spark Line.

Your spark line is the major “wow” moment of your pitch. It can be a highlight that shows why you’re unique, a critical piece of information people wouldn’t guess just by looking at you, or something else that makes you stand out.

Your spark line is the most memorable part of your pitch.

Perhaps your spark line is already in your pitch. Whatever the case, make sure you have one big memorable point in your pitch—one that people will remember when they think back to you.

How do you know what part of your elevator pitch is the spark line?

Pitch your family and friends! Then ask them a couple of hours later what the most memorable line from your speech was. The phrase they remember the most will most likely be your spark line.

For example, I noticed that whenever I shared a meat and potatoes idea—“I love helping technically brilliant folks improve their people skills. I teach soft skills in a hard-skills way of thinking.”—people lit up! Now I always add it.

#5. Cut & Run

Time to turn on your editing brain.

Cut sentences that are too long or unclear, add in unique dopamine-boosting words or phrases, and change it up so it sounds more natural. It’s OK if you spend most of your time here or have a case of writer’s block—to avoid over-editing, set a timer for, say, 7 minutes, and whatever’s left, run with it.

Take your pitch and practice it—then refine it along the way!

Try to CUT any words that are confusing or unclear. (If someone needs a dictionary, cut it!)

Try to ADD words that get people excited or intrigued. (If someone raises their eyebrows at you, it means they are interested.)

Want extra help? Share your unique elevator pitch with the world! Leave a comment down below and ask the internet what they think.

#6. Practice

Time to record your pitch.

Grab your phone or camera gear and record your elevator pitch. Make sure you aren’t repeating any words, adding extra “uhs” and “hmms”, or coming off as too awkward or salesy.

If your elevator pitch is too long or short, check your cadence—are you talking too fast or is your pitch too long?

Pro Tip: Practice a lot, ideally with someone who knows you and your speaking style. Ask for feedback too. Do you sound natural? Is your elevator pitch conversational and free-flowing?

Fun Tip: Try watching Shark Tank pitches. Their pitches are a bit longer, but most entrepreneurs have amazing pitches that have been crafted to a T.

So you wrote your elevator pitch. Now what?

You can have the best pitch out there, but how you say it is often more important than what’s said. Here’s how to deliver an elevator pitch the charismatic way:

#7. Use Confident Body Language

First impressions matter. The key to setting up a great first impression is to set the tone yourself. Do you want to be friendly and approachable? Professional and calm? Cheerful and happy?

Your few seconds or minutes mean it’s crucial to deliver how you want to be perceived. Along with the right tone, keep in mind these critical body language cues:

• Strong eye contact . Making strong eye contact is a proven dopamine booster (i.e., really good for building trust!). Don’t overdo it—about 70–80% of the time is a good amount to be making eye contact.
• Open torso . When facing your prospect, you’ll ideally want to face them straight on with your torso open and turned toward them. This is called fronting. When you front, your arms are not crossed over your chest, and ideally there’s not a chair between you two to block you.
• Strong voice . If you’ve got some prep time, I strongly recommend trying some vocal warm-ups to optimize your voice. My favorite is the Goog exercise—you’ll be amazed at how much more confident you feel and sound after these warm-ups!
• The handshake . Are you planning on shaking hands? If you fail to give a handshake—or worse, give a cold, clammy one—then it can break all chances of nailing your elevator pitch.

The key is to make sure your body language is warm and open. Think hanging out with a good friend rather than talking to a stranger or enemy. Keep this in mind and your body language will naturally open up.

#8. Don’t Forget About Rapport

Sometimes you are making small talk with someone before they ask what you do. In fact, if you have been building rapport and having a great conversation, people are more likely to ask what you do.

Keep your conversation authentic. The more you connect with someone emotionally—by having fun, laughing, and showing some personality—the more they will want to meet up again with you later.

“But Vanessa, I don’t have social skills!”

Don’t worry! If you’re struggling to find the right words to say or topics to talk about, there are simple tips and tricks to help you get far:

• Learn to be funny . You don’t need to be a comedian—learn how to be funny using the rule of 3s, character switch, and real-life stories.
• Hold a conversation. What happens if your elevator pitch goes beyond a couple of minutes? I used to be terrible at having conversations, until I learned these conversational tricks.
• How to end a conversation. You can use your elevator pitch in pretty much any situation—so here’s the perfect resource for you to find that perfect ending (without being awkward!).

#9. End Well

After your conversation is over, you’ll want an easy way to meet up later. Try giving your own business card to them—and if you don’t have one, I have an article all about creating them here .

If you’ve got a couple of minutes to spare, you can also swap LinkedIn profiles (make sure your professional profile is up to date with these LinkedIn tips ).

I always like to end a conversation with something like:

• “It’s been great talking to you, let’s keep in touch.”
• “This has been fun, let’s connect on social media.”
• “Thank you for such a lovely conversation. Let’s do it again next week over coffee?”

Avoid these Common Elevator Pitch Mistakes

Great! Now you’re properly set up—but before we dive into how to deliver elevator pitches below, let’s look at 3 common mistakes I often see when people give their elevator pitches:

Don’t Overpolish

Entrepreneur Seth Godin says the best elevator pitch isn’t polished or memorized, like a college final exam.

It’s natural and sporadic, like chatting up a good friend you haven’t seen in months.

And this is where I see many of my students overdoing it—they’ve practiced their pitch so much that they lose their natural charm. Their pitch isn’t enthusiastic. And they start sounding more robotic. How boring!

Elevator Pitch Quick Tip: Ditch the script and go au naturel! I highly recommend NOT memorizing your pitch word for word. Simply remember the main BIG points you want to cover so that you sound more natural. Every time you give your elevator pitch, your brain won’t automatically “shut off” since you still have to “create” the words on the spot. You’ll sound more engaging. You’ll be more excited. And best of all, you won’t put your prospect to sleep.

Don’t Freeze

Got a bad case of stage fright? You’re not alone! Nearly 30% of Americans report that they’re “afraid or very afraid” of public speaking. When it comes to giving an elevator speech, you might not have enough prep time to do your vocal warm-ups or power pose.

Elevator Pitch Quick Tip: So what do you do if you run into the president of a famous company all of a sudden?

ALWAYS be prepared.

Not over-practiced, but over-prepared.

It might not get rid of your stage fright completely, but being prepared may greatly help your anxiety and give you that confidence boost you need during these crucial minutes. You can also work on your stage presence if you have time before your pitch.

Don’t be a Salesman

How many times have you heard the advice “Sell yourself”? I don’t use this phrase because you NEVER want to come off as a salesperson when giving an elevator pitch (unless you’re aiming for a sales role!).

And if you try too hard to be pushy, you might just ruin your first impression. So what do you do instead?

Elevator Pitch Quick Tip: Employ empathy. When you empathize with someone (yes, even a stranger), you’ll be more considerate of their needs and desires. And you won’t be hard-pressed to sell someone your product if they don’t even want it. To employ empathy, check out our article on how to cultivate compassion .

Elevator Pitch Examples

Some of our amazing readers submitted their elevator pitches for me to review and for us all to learn from. Thank you! I reviewed some reader-submitted pitches to give us all an opportunity to learn what to do… and what not to do.

Johnn the website analyst

“Hi! My name is Johnn and I’m a website analyst. I study the traffic on your website and find out where your website is leaving money on the table, where it’s losing leads, and what opportunities it’s missing to attract and engage your customers. The website data won’t tell us why people do what they do on your site, but it does tell us the story of what they do and how they do it. And I think this is an important and interesting story for your business to understand.”

Johnn’s Elevator Pitch Positives:

• Enunciation: great enunciation, you can hear him clearly
• Cadence: not too fast or robotic-sounding
• Open torso: no crossed arms or legs, not hiding behind objects

Johnn’s Elevator Pitch Negatives:

• Lack of movement: no head or body movement
• Lack of hand gestures: use hand gestures to avoid looking robotic
• Needs a story: include the “why” part of your pitch

Marcelo the neurologist

“Hi, my name’s Marcelo. I’m from Brazil. I’m 41. I’m married and I have a daughter—she’s 6. I love to be with my family as much as possible. When I wake up, it’s difficult to find the reason to go ahead. But after coffee, my brain realizes it’s the good things around me—like my wife and daughter. I’m a neurologist and my practice revolves around private autopsy and public health.”

Marcelo’s Elevator Pitch Positives:

• Shows passion: Marcelo clearly leads in with what he loves, and his passion shows
• Slight head nodding: he reaffirms what’s important by nodding slightly
• Eyebrow flash: flashing the eyebrows nonverbally keeps people engaged

Marcelo’s Elevator Pitch Negatives:

• Needs emotion: Marcelo could add some emotion, especially when talking about things he cares about
• Hand gestures: adding in a hand-over-heart gesture can really show sympathy and sincerity
• Smiling: Marcelo could smile more, which helps build trust and would make his face more full of energy

Cameron the business improver

“Hello! My name is Cameron and I’m a senior at the University of Alabama. I’m majoring in management information systems and I have a minor in computing technology and applications and a specialty in business administration. What we do, in my major, is we’ll look at a business process and decide how to improve it. We take what they have and we merge our own ideas. We end up saving them so much money and making their lives so much easier. Ever since I was young, I’ve been doing this over and over again ever since I’ve started my own business. I truly love people and the satisfaction I get when helping them.”

Cameron’s Elevator Pitch Positives:

• Shows the palms: the more you can show your hands, the more honesty you convey and trust you earn
• Use of hand gestures: great use of gestures keeps us entertained and engaged

Cameron’s Elevator Pitch Negatives:

• Self-soothing gestures: hand clasping can come off as insecure or unconfident
• Monotonous: try using more vocal variation
• Mouthful of technical terms: try adding in humor to spice things up

Where to Use Your Elevator Pitch

Unfortunately, it’s not often people meet just the right person at just the right time in the elevator… except in the movies.

Besides the elevator, more popular places to use your pitch include:

• booths and trade shows
• networking events
• chance encounters
• the airport

Any time you have a few minutes to impress, you can break out your elevator pitch.

How to Give Your Pitch… When You’ve Only Got 1 Floor to Go

The best piece of advice I can give if you’ve literally got 5 seconds to impress is to drop the elevator pitch altogether and hand them your business card.

This is also why you should always carry around a spare business card or two in your back pocket if you’re a job seeker or business owner.

It also helps if you’ve got a quick one-liner you can say, like “I’d love to bring you to my favorite coffee shop in town,” after your brief intro. This will help you avoid sounding rushed but keep it short and simple while still offering a way for your prospect to connect with you.

Bonus: Tell Me About Yourself

For job interviews, one question that almost always pops up is “Tell me about yourself.”

This is basically the extended version of an elevator pitch.

And just like an elevator pitch, this question can either make or break a job opportunity. Learn to master your answer with my special framework: How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in 3 Simple Steps .

Bonus #2: Talk to VIPs

Are you pitching a VIP, such as the president of a company or a senior manager?

I used to be deathly afraid of VIPs, until I learned how to talk to them. If you’re struggling to talk to VIPs, check out my article: How to Talk to VIPs: 8 Unique Tips To Conquer Awkwardness .

Popular Guides

How to deal with difficult people at work.

Do you have a difficult boss? Colleague? Client? Learn how to transform your difficult relationship. I’ll show you my science-based approach to building a strong, productive relationship with even the most difficult people.

Related Articles

Science of People offers over 1000+ articles on people skills and nonverbal behavior.

Get our latest insights and advice delivered to your inbox.

It’s a privilege to be in your inbox. We promise only to send the good stuff.

Join our next research experiment! Take the 4-minute survey for my next book.

• Elevator Speech
• Career Center
• Job Prep Toolkit
• Networking & LinkedIn

Elevator Pitch

• What is an Elevator Pitch
• Structure of an Elevator Pitch
• Examples of Elevator Pitches by Area of Study

What is an elevator pitch?

Imagine that you are in an elevator with someone who can help you with your career because that person is in a job, industry, or company that interests you. You have less than 60 seconds to share your background and capture that person’s attention. How would you introduce yourself? What would you say? What questions would you ask? That’s your elevator pitch.

Structure of an elevator pitch

The elevator pitch can be used in any situation such as career fairs, networking events, and employer information sessions. The following components make up a succinct, but comprehensive elevator pitch:

• What is my education (year and major in school)?
• What is the role that I am pursuing (industry/field)?
• What are my relevant strengths (a combination of knowledge, attributes, skills and talents/extracurriculars, organizations, volunteering activities)?
• What types of jobs/industries am I interested in?
• How can you help me or do you have any advice for me?

Examples of elevator pitches by area of study

Hi, my name is Bucky Bronco. I am a second year Psychology student at Santa Clara University and expect to graduate in (month/year). I have knowledge in social media, research, analysis, and project management. As a former member of the Women’s Rowing Team, I have developed skills to work and value working effectively as a team. I have a lot of respect for your organization and would love to learn more about the culture there, as well as opportunities to develop and contribute.

Hi, my name is Bucky Bronco. I am a first year Computer Engineering student at Santa Clara University and I expect to graduate in (month/year). I have been learning Python through my classes and growing in my knowledge in data structures/algorithms through various projects. I have a lot of admiration for your company and I understand that you have an opening. I would love to bring my technical skills and make an impact in this role. Would you be open to lending some advice and insight? / Would you be open to reviewing my resume? / May I connect with you on LinkedIn? / Do you know someone that you’d recommend I speak with?

Hi, my name is Bucky Bronco. I am a detail-oriented second year Accounting student with knowledge in financial statements, budget planning, forecasting management & analysis. I have proven ability as a collaborative communicator focused on building relationships with others. I am currently pursuing an Accounting and Information Systems degree from Santa Clara University and expecting to graduate in (Month/Year). I am looking for opportunities in the finance industry where I can utilize my skills in accounting. Would you be open to lending some advice and insight? / May I connect with you on LinkedIn? / Do you know someone that might be helpful for me to connect with?

Hi, my name is Bucky Bronco. I consider myself an innovative Front End Developer. I am currently pursuing a Computer Science and Engineering Graduate program at Santa Clara University and expect to graduate in (month/year). I am looking for a position in Front and Back End Development where I can apply my technical skills to create user-friendly websites and web applications. Can you tell me more about opportunities within your organization? / Can you share some advice on how to apply? / May I connect with you on LinkedIn? / Do you know someone that you think I should connect with ?

Hi, my name is Bucky Bronco. I am looking for a position as a high-school biology teacher where I can foster curiosity and critical thinking in all young people. I also hope to share my passion for Biology and the relevance of science to our everyday lives with students. I have experience with developing an inclusive classroom environment in a diverse urban school setting, in which I supported students in meeting their academic, language, and social-emotional learning goals for the year. I have been commended for supporting student development through strong interpersonal communication and outreach, collaboration, problem-solving, and organization skills. I am currently pursuing a Masters in Teaching from Santa Clara University. Would you be open to lending some advice and insight? / May I connect with you on LinkedIn? / Is there anyone you recommend I connect with?

Hi, my name is  Bucky Bronco. I am a people-oriented Counseling Psychology student with knowledge in person-centered and evidence-based interventions. I have been acknowledged for demonstrating empathy, compassion, and respect toward each individual. I am currently pursuing a Counseling Psychology Masters Program at Santa Clara University and expect to graduate in (month/year). I am looking for a position in the mental health industry where I can apply my counseling skills working with a diverse population. Would you be open to lending some advice and insight? / May I connect with you on LinkedIn? /  Do you know someone that might be helpful for me?

Frequently asked questions: 

It is important because you can use it in any situation in which you want to offer a short, powerful introduction to help others understand who you are in terms of your knowledge, value and skill set. Practice your elevator pitch with a friend, or in front of the mirror so you feel comfortable introducing yourself. 

There will be times when your elevator pitch will benefit from an update based on your interests and on what you want to learn from your audience. Prepare 2 to 3 talking points that you can utilize when introducing yourself. Be curious during the process. It’s not about memorizing, but about feeling comfortable introducing yourself to others in a networking context.

Think about your elevator pitch as having a conversation with somebody else where you will have less than 60 seconds to share your background and interests. Your pitch essentially functions as a hook for some kind of follow-up: a longer conversation, an invitation to apply, a connection to another professional, etc. The Tell Me About Yourself question, on the other hand, is generally used during interviews when an employer wants to understand who you are. Your answer to that question helps build your credibility and set the tone for the rest of the interview, and you are often allowed more than 60 seconds to answer that.

Examples of questions to ask towards the end include: Can you tell me more about opportunities within your organization? / Can you share some advice on how to apply? / May I connect with you on LinkedIn? / Would you be open to going for a coffee or lunch? / Do you know someone that might be helpful for me to connect with?

• South Africa
• Apply for Scholarship

20+ Elevator Pitch Examples You Need to Get Hired

What do you say when you meet someone for the first time? 

Whether you are meeting the person in a career fair or an online platform, you would have to introduce yourself to the person anyway. I am sure you want the person to know some specific things about you ( Your selling points ).

Well, in this article I will be showing you some great elevator pitch examples you need to get hired fast.

Just before we get into that… what is an elevator pitch?

What is an Elevator Pitch?

An elevator pitch is a quick compelling speech about yourself that is used to evoke interest in a person, project or people. It highlights your ideas, your values, what makes you different, and makes the prospect want to hear more from you.

Contrary to what some people think, elevator pitches are not only meant for Human Resources professionals looking for  hr vacancies in nigeria

In simple terms, an elevator pitch is a summary of who you are and what you do in a short time. It is giving an introduction about yourself in the time that it would take you to ride on an elevator (that is why it is called an  “elevator pitch” ).

Here is one surprising thing about an elevator pitch you probably did not know;

Anytime you respond to questions like;

• Can you tell me about yourself?
• What do you do?
• Who are you?

You are saying something in response to that question, right? But the question here is:

• What are you saying?
• How are you saying it?

For the first part, you are already giving your ‘ elevator pitch’  especially if it is in a career fair, conference, etc. Even if you don’t know it. 

Now, how are you saying it? Probably not good enough because you are not aware of what you are doing.

Since you can give an elevator pitch without even knowing it,  what then is a good elevator pitch?

A good elevator pitch is one that will make people sincerely interested in you, helps you land a dream job, and probably help you build a lasting relationship.

If you are meeting a prospect for the first time, you may be too anxious to deliver a great elevator pitch on- the-spot.

You don’t have to worry if you are scared or don’t feel comfortable pitching yourself because we’ve got you covered with our 20+ elevator pitch examples you can use anywhere, anytime.

Ready? Let’s dive in:

You may not find it easy to write an exciting elevator pitch especially if you are writing one for the first time. So, to ensure you write a good elevator pitch, you can take a look at these elevator pitch examples to create a good one for yourself.

We will take a look at some elevator pitch examples.

• Elevator pitch examples for job seekers.
• Elevator pitch examples for job interviews.
• Elevator pitch for business owners.

Do you want to write a CV that will capture a recruiters' attention? Then click on the image below to join MyJobMag FREE online CV clicnic.

Elevator pitch examples for job seekers.

If you are actively searching for a job, then you may have to give an elevation pitch from time to time.

Whether you are attending a career fair or meeting a prospect in a casual setting you may have to give an elevation pitch to get the attention of the prospect and maybe probably get the job.

Your elevator pitch should answer these questions:

• Why should the recruiter listen to you?
• What do you want?

If it still feels a bit challenging for you to frame your elevator pitch around these questions, then you can just take a look at these elevator pitch examples to form your own. 

Career fair elevator pitch examples

1. if you are looking to change your career, your elevator pitch can be something like this:.

“I am a salesperson but I specialize in sales management and sales promotion. I currently work at ABC group of companies and my team is coming up with a sales promotion strategy that will help companies reduce promotion costs by 45% which will be launched at the end of the year. 

I thrive on learning new things and meeting people that share the same background with me, and I am also thinking of changing my job as soon so I am willing to learn about work environments in different companies.”

2. Communications/Customer Service Elevator Pitch Example

“I recently graduated from university with a degree in English Language and communications. I worked at the university radio station as a reporter and news editor, ever since then I have developed an interest in journalism.

I am currently looking for an internship opportunity that will put my journalism skills into play.”

Note : You can see that this elevator pitch answers the questions above. So, let’s take a look at some examples from other job fields.

3. Medical/Health Elevator Pitch Example

“Hi, my name is Sharon, I am a dentist. I am very passionate about dental health which is why I studied dentistry at the university. After a few months of interning as a dentist, I want to plunge my dentistry career by taking a full-time job in a dental company.

I believe that taking a full-time dentist job will open me up to real-life challenges that will thus help me thrive in my career.”

4. Media/Branding Elevator Pitch Example

“I am john; I create designs and illustrations for websites and brands. I am passionate about expressing ideas in creative ways. I am currently interning as an illustrator and graphic designer for a publishing firm, but I want to take the bold step to push my career by starting up my creative agency. 

I know that starting up a business has its challenges. I know that you have been managing your company for years; I would love to get some entrepreneur’s tips for you.”

5. ICT Elevator Pitch Example

 “I am John Adebayo, I am a graduate of the University of Lagos with a degree in computer engineering. I have interned in some companies after my graduation where I worked as an IT support Executive, but in my spare time, I focus on AI and how I can use it to solve real-life human challenges. 

I am currently working on a project that will eventually solve communication problems for small businesses. I think I am more passionate about AI, and I would love to get a job with a company that focuses on AI. I think it will take me a step ahead in my career.”

Wait! Applying for a job is not all there is to job hunting. See everything you need to know here.  

6. Digital Marketing Elevator Pitch Example

“Hi I am Sandra, many people believe that the ultimate goal of any business is to make sales whether it be goods or services, which is what has formed my ideas of sales ever since before I got to understand the power of strategy. 

I am passionate about sales, but I currently realized that being more strategic can help me meet my target faster than I expect it. Discovering SEO has opened me up to different online strategies that I can apply to achieve more sales.

I am currently developing my career, and I know that digital marketing is one aspect that I want to grow. So, I am open to a digital marketing intern role to push my career to the next stage”

7. Sales/Marketing Elevator Pitch Example

“I fell in love with sales after winning my department best salesperson of the year award at my university. This led to me pursuing a career in sales. I have interned as a sales executive for a few months. I am currently taking a course in sales to improve my knowledge in sales. 

I am currently looking for job opportunities in sales in a bigger company.”

8. Accounting Elevator Pitch Example

“I have always loved calculation and finance even if I have not had tangible experience in accounting until I started interning at ABC Group of Companies. I enjoyed my stay at ABC Group of Companies, but now I am looking for an opportunity to practice accounting as a staff member rather than an intern.”

9. Human Resources Elevator Pitch Example

“Hi, I am Julia a fresh graduate of Human and Personnel Development. I have not had human resources work experience asides from my undergraduate studies at the university. Studying human resources at the University of Lagos has helped me build my passion for human resources. 

Now I look forward to gaining practical experience in human resources. I am looking for an internship position that will help me gain practical human resource experience.”

10. Education Elevator Pitch Example

“Hi, my name is Grace. I have been passionate about and involved in literacy and educational activities right from my neighborhood to my church. Studying education at the university helped me even appreciate education better. 

I strongly believe in nurturing and educating children to become better and knowledgeable children, and helping children become educated is more than a career, it is a rewarding process for me. 

I am currently looking for a position that will help me educate children. I would like to get some advice on the best position to look out for.”

11. Research Elevator Pitch Example

"Hi, I am Jane and I have been a freelance writer and researcher for some years. I have written reports and website content and report for different companies and for individuals too. Asides from writing, I have built my research skills. 

I am now looking for a permanent role in research that will help me put my communication skills in practice."

Job Interview Elevator Pitch

“So, what do you do?”  or  “tell me about yourself?”

This question makes many job seekers confused. As much as you want to prepare for the job  interview questions and answers , you should also be prepared to sell yourself to your potential employer.

If you are not prepared to answer questions like; so, what do you do or tell me about yourself, then you may experience some level of frustration when the recruiter suddenly asks you these questions. This is where the importance of the elevator pitch comes in.

Preparing an elevator pitch before going for an interview will help you ace your job interview. If you are preparing for a job interview and you don’t know how to write an elevator pitch, then these elevator pitch examples are what you need.

Are you ready to take a look at some amazing job interview elevator pitch examples? Let’s dive in

12. When Applying for an Accounting Job

"I am John. I am a financial accountant. I recently finished my master's degree in financial accounting, after my undergraduate degree in financial accounting. I have gained a few months experience during my studies as an undergraduate, but I am now looking to gain more experience in my career that is why I am looking to get a job in an organization that will help me develop and grow my career like this company."

13. When Applying for a Customer Service Job

"I am Sam. I am currently a customer service executive at ABC Group of Companies where I attend to over 20 clients each day. Before I started working at my current place of employment, I have always been passionate about problem-solving even as a teenager which is what inspired me to study communications.

I have worked in several places until now as a customer service executive, and I have enjoyed the experience so far. Now I think that I have come to a point in my career that I want to put myself in an environment that will challenge me to do more and to add more value."

14. When Applying for a Sales Job

"I am Andrew. I am a sales executive, specializing in the manufacturing industry. I am currently working at ABC Group of companies that manufacture children’s' toys. I am passionate about creating awareness and letting great products get to the hands of people that need it. 

My enthusiasm for marketing and sales has brought me different recognition. I won an award for the ‘best project of the year’ for our yearly University marketing/sales project competition. I also won an award last year at my current place of work as 'best sales executive of the year'.

Having gotten to understand sales/marketing strategies that exist in the manufacturing industry, I am ready to expose myself to bigger challenges in bigger organizations which is why I look forward to working in this company."

15. When Applying for an ICT Job

“Hi, I am Emmanuel. I am a web developer, specializing in responsive web development. Bringing imaginations into reality and solving problems were two things that inspired me to build a career in web development. 

Learning and understanding UI was an opportunity for me to add value to anyone that will eventually use or visit the website that I create. 

I have worked for a few years as a web developer for small companies, but in my previous job, I have to develop softwares due to the expansion of the company and client requests. To open myself up to other possibilities I decided to work part-time so that I can have time for personal projects.

Carrying out personal projects and working with other companies has made me a full stack developer. I am now looking forward to consultancy positions considering my experience and expertise which is why I am applying for this position.”

16. If You are a Fresh Graduate with no Work Experience

“Hello, I am Steve. I am currently a first-class accounting graduate from the University of Benin. I am very active in my school’s Academic Association, and as an accountant for the association, I have kept records of the associations.

During my year at the university, I had worked as a volunteer accountant during my holidays. I have also helped different people keep an account for free because of my passion for accounting. I have always known that I wanted to become an accountant even from my early years in secondary school. 

Considering my passion, enthusiasm, and love for accounting, I know that I would be a great addition to this team.”

Elevator Pitch Examples for Small Business Owners 

Are you tired of searching for a job and would love to start your own small business?

Starting your business does not only have to do with creating your goods or services and selling them. To build a successful business, you have to learn how to connect with people that can help you land great opportunities.

So how can you connect with great people?

You can connect with great people anywhere, but what impression are you leaving in the minds of the people that you meet.

Meeting a potential  ‘big client’  is a great opportunity, but how can you ensure you don’t mess up that opportunity?

Creating a good elevator pitch . When you give a potential client or an investor good reasons why they should be interested in what you do.

An elevator pitch can make or mar your business. If you are just starting your business, then you can take a look at these elevator pitch examples from these successful start-ups:

17. ‘We Work’ Elevator Pitch

“There are 40MM independent workers in the US: consultants, freelancers, and small business owners. Solving office space is tough and expensive, especially in cities like New York. We created the concept of space as a service. We have 20 locations in the city- where people can rent a desk or an office without any of the complications of a traditional lease, effectively saving at least 25% of the cost. They get access to a shared front desk, mailroom, and a community of like-minded people.”

18. ‘Conga’ Elevator Pitch

"We are a suite of intelligent automation solutions for Salesforce, for everything from data, documents to reporting."

19. ‘Xactly’ Elevator Pitch

"We automate and streamline the commission process for sales organizations. For a lot of companies, that means getting you off an Excel spreadsheet or a home-grown cumbersome system. The Xactly advantage is that we've been in the cloud since 2005. We have been able to anonymize all of our customer's data to allow you to leverage different data points when making your decision."

20. ‘The Pendergraft Firm’

“I'm Brian Pendergraft, Esq., and I am a full-service real estate and title attorney. I help with ABCDEF: agreements, business entity formation, closings and title, deeds, evictions, and foreclosure. For all of your real estate legal needs, it's as simple as ABC; work with me.”

Since you own our business, you can also make use of these elevator pitch example that we created for small business owners.

21. ‘BMcTALKS Academy’

“My name is Bridgett McGowen, and I am a professional speaker at BMcTALKS. I help professional women who want to speak with power and executive presence but who do not want to waste time reading books and watching videos that cannot give them real and honest feedback on their presentation skills.”

NOTE : These examples will serve as a guide for you to create your own elevator pitch. If you still experience some challenges creating your own elevator pitch from these examples, then you can use this template to form your own elevator pitch.

Elevator Pitch Template You Can Steal Right Away

Sample elevator template for job seekers.

If you are a job seeker, you can follow these steps to create your elevator pitch

I am _______(Name) and I am a _______ (What you do). I am enthusiastic about________ (Why Should they be Interested). I look forward to getting ___________ (What do you want).

Sample Elevator Template for Business Owners

I am _____ (Who are you) CEO for ______ (What do you do) I help _______ (Target Audience) women have successful ________ (Desired Result) without having to _______ (The Problem that you are solving). I am looking for customers that need this kind of service, I would like to know if you… _______ (State what you want).

If you are looking to land the job of your dreams soon, then you have given yourself a fair chance by learning how to create an elevator pitch of your own. 

An elevator pitch draws you a step closer to landing the job of your dreams, but you should also be careful not to talk too much when you are giving your elevator pitch.

Try to keep your pitch simple and short.

Don’t forget to drop a comment if you find this post interesting. You can also drop your comment if you have any questions about how to write an elevator pitch. We will be more than happy to take your questions.

Guess you are preparing for an interview; start with these interview guide or take a look at  trending jobs today  if you are searching for a job.

Use this link if you are interested in jobs in the USA ?

Staff Writer

1 comment(s).

For better or for worse, I have recently found myself back in the job hunting world. While I did recently go through the job hunt and get hired, this is the first time I’m going through the job hunt full-time since I graduated from college. Now, with nothing but the job hunt to occupy my time, I’ve learned about the patterns as I apply for jobs. Best examples you will find in this book by Nancy Kelley - net-boss org/how-to-pass-any-interview, which was written based on the experience of the HR workers.

Leave a Comment

• Beware of Job Scam: Don't Pay to Get a Job
• Indemand Jobs That Employers Find Hard to Fill in 2024
• Jobs That Will Likely Be Replaced By AI
• The Most In-Demand Jobs in Nigeria Right Now
• 2023 Job Search Report by MyJobMag
• Data Entry Work From Home Jobs
• Nursing Student Resume: Tips and Examples On How to Create One
• #Job Hunting
• #CV Writing
• #Employee Tips
• Top 100 Job Interview Questions and Answers
• Top Skills Employers Want in 2023
• How to Select a Suitable Recruitment Agency in Nigeria
• 100 Job Search Mistakes to Avoid in 2024
• Top Categories
• Scholarships/News
• Interview Tips
• Job Hunting
• Career Development
• Competitions
• Career Videos
• Tips and Info Categories
• Related Tips and Info
• Read All ›
• Latest Tips and Info
• TotalEnIergies International Masters Degree Scholarship 2025 - 2026
• MyJobMag Career Kickstart Scholarship 2025
• Federal Ministry of Education Commonwealth Master's Scholarship 2024 - 2025
• NNPC / SEPLAT Joint Venture (JV) National Undergraduate Scholarship 2024 - 2025
• 2024 NNPC - SNEPCo National University Scholarship Award
• NNPCL / Chevron JV National University Scholarship Awards 2024

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

21 Elevator and Career Fair Pitch: Standing Out While Still Fitting In

You’ve got dreams of landing a perfect job if you can only catch a break. One day that break happens as you step on the elevator and there is the one person you need to talk to move to the next level. This is the person who can launch your career, do you know what to say?

An elevator pitch is a short 30 second to one-minute persuasive speech that you should always have ready. You can use your elevator pitch at a job fair, on your LinkedIn summary, at networking events, at conferences, and when you meet someone in the elevator. Most of this information is straightforward and doesn’t require a lot of writing from me, but it does require a lot of thought, careful preparation, and practice on your end.

Body Language Matters

Whether it is a chance meeting on an elevator or a deliberate meeting like a job fair, remember that your body language speaks volumes before you ever say a word.

• Have a confident posture.
• Practice so you always have a good handshake ready at a moment’s notice.
• Don’t rush. Speaking too fast makes you sound nervous.
• Keep an open body posture. Crossing your arms or legs looks like you are protecting yourself or hiding something.
• Make good eye contact.
• Breathe. I mean it, don’t forget to breathe!
• If this is a deliberate encounter, dress the part. Wear professional clothing and bring a notebook, pen, and copies of your resume.

Making Your Pitch

Introduce yourself with a smile.

• Hi, I’m Frankie Lane and I’m pleased to meet you.”
• “Good morning, I’m Titus Smith and I’m glad to meet you.”
• “Hello, I’m Pedro Gonzales. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Remember GNAP

Indeed.com suggests remembering GNAP: Greeting, name, affiliation, purpose.

Hello (greeting) I’m Mary Moore (name) I’m a senior business major from the Walton College of Business (affiliation) and I’m interested in your marketing position (purpose).

Focus On What You Have to Offer or What You Are Looking For

• Hello, I’m Gabrielle Fowler. I’m a recent graduate with a degree in marketing and a minor in journalism.  I create illustrations for websites and brands. My passion is coming up with creative ways to express a message, and drawing illustrations that people share on social media.
• Hi, my name is Javonte Newsom. I recently graduated from college with a degree in communications. I worked on the college newspaper as a reporter, and eventually, as the editor of the arts section. I’m looking for a job that will put my skills as a journalist to work.

Examples from UpKey

• My name is Sandra Engles and I am a freshman at the University of Illinois majoring in Apparel Merchandising and minoring in Marketing. I have always had an interest in fashion and enjoy reading fashion magazines and blogs. After completing a four-week-long school project where I created a styling tips guide, I sharpened my creativity skills while also learning how to use photoshop. I am looking for a summer internship in the fashion industry where I can help a marketing team by using my creativity and photoshop skills.

Here is a sample from a student with experience

• Hi, my name is Sarina Jones and I am a recent graduate from the business school at the University of Wisconsin. I double-majored in Finance and Economics. After working at JLL Real Estate, I discovered I have a passion for corporate real estate. From being a Financial Analyst, I learned how to apply my finance knowledge when analyzing potential real estate investments to determine if the investment would yield positive returns and meet budget requirements. I am hoping to find a full-time job in the real estate industry that allows me to use financial and economic skills to guide strategic decision-making.

Career Fair

• Have copies of your resume ready to pass out.
• Research companies ahead of time and come ready with questions.
• Bring a notebook and a pen.
• Don’t bring along your excess baggage: No backpack, bulky purse, shopping bag.
• Practice your handshake before you go.
• Dress professionally.
• Approach booths alone. This is not time to hang out with friends.
• Stay off your phone. Be attentive to your surroundings even if you are in line waiting to talk to a recruiter.
• Take notes: It helps you remember, and it helps you look attentive.
• Always send a follow-up email.

I invited Craig Schmitt, a teaching assistant professor in the Recreation and Sport Management Program at the University of Arkansas to talk more about the elevator pitch. He has worked both on the university level and in the non-profit level teaching athletes, trainers, and sports professionals the art of the elevator pitch. Here is what he shared:

Elevator pitches are an introduction, a way to engage with someone with shared interests or experiences. An elevator pitch is not the conversation, but rather a tool to demonstrate relevance and spark a conversation. For job seekers, elevator pitches can also effectively be used as a response to the most common opening question in an interview, and the one question few interviewees seem to prepare for, “Tell me about yourself.”

Relevance and brevity should remain top of mind. Our lives are full of clutter that distracts an audience or listener from being present in the moment, and attention spans are only diminishing. Thus, we should strive to concisely deliver relevant content. It is helpful to approach an elevator pitch with a marketing orientation, or a recognition that it is much easier to “satisfy the consumer’s needs or wants” than it is to “sell them your product.” Thus, while the person delivering the elevator pitch inevitably will share information they believe is interesting, unless that information is relevant to the audience (or “satisfies the consumer’s needs or wants”), it is unlikely to be heard and retained.

Schmitt suggests using the following three (3) part structure for developing an elevator pitch is designed to spark a conversation.

THE HOOK – Effective presentations begin with a hook, or a way to create initial interest (and hopefully, but temporarily, removing clutter from the audience’s mind). For an elevator pitch, the hook is your passion . This should be a relatively brief, but specific statement. Focus on the impact you want to make on an industry or a group of people (not on a job title and/or organization). This impact should align with the impact your audience also strives to make. If there is an alignment, you will likely see an emotional response from the audience (a nod and a smile as they reflect on this shared passion).

THE EVIDENCE – Then, share evidence that you are pursuing that passion. This could come in the form of work experience, education, volunteer activities, or other efforts. But this should be a specific story, concisely told (the STAR method could help structure the story – Situation, Task, Action, Result).

YOUR NEXT STEP – Lastly, be sure to share your next step . In other words, what do you see as the next position or step in your career path? This helps demonstrate your understanding of your career trajectory, and your desire to continue to gain experience and learn skills (i.e., coachability) as you pursue your passion and strive to make impact.

Key Takeaways

Remember This!

• Always have an elevator speech ready.
• Be prepared and be concise.
• GNAP: Greeting name, affiliation purpose.
• Find a way to satisfy their wants as well as what you have to offer.
• Be interesting, be specific, and be brief.

Bonus Feature

How to Pitch Your Company

Another type of elevator pitch is one where you pitch the company you work for.  This is often used by sales professionals as a way to get their foot in the door.

E levator Pitch Formula

• My name is_________ I am with ___________________ (insert name of company you work for)
• We work with _________________ (Insert X)
• Who __________________ (insert Y)
• We help them ___________ (insert Z)
• So that _____________ (insert W)

Example of the formula applied: 

• My name is Peter Khoury, I am the founder of Magnetic Speaking – A public speaking training company in San Francisco
• We work with corporate professionals:
• Who want to improve their public speaking skills.
• We help them through one-on-one coaching and group training to communicate with confidence, clarity, and charisma!
• So that they can excel at their jobs and take their careers to the next level.

Doyle, A. (2021). How to create an elevator pitch with examples. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/elevator-speech-examples-and-writing-tips-2061976

Edwards, V. (2014). The best elevator pitch. [Video] YouTube.  https://youtu.be/yi41U9ahyoE Standard YouTube License

Indeed.com (2021) How to introduce yourself at a job fair (with examples). https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-introduce-yourself-at-a-job-fair

Tennesse Tech. (2013). The elevator speech. [Video] YouTube.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDpe9StfGTA Standard YouTube License.

Upkey. Elevator pitch help for students with no experience. https://blog.upkey.com/elevator-pitch-help-for-students-with-no-experience/

Upkey. Elevator pitch examples that include relevant experience. https://blog.upkey.com/elevator-pitch-examples-that-include-relevant-experience/

Media Attributions

• russ-ward–inmwDB0800-unsplash © Photo by Russ Ward on Unsplash is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license

Advanced Public Speaking Copyright © 2021 by Lynn Meade is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book