how to write an elevator pitch student

5 Elevator Pitch Examples for Students + Quick Tips

Take your student elevator pitch from robotic and canned to genuinely interesting. Make relevant connections and land your next career.

John McTale

11 minute read

Let me guess… you’re here because you’ve got an important networking event coming up, you got an assignment to craft an elevator pitch, or you’d just like to learn how to introduce yourself in a professional manner when the moment comes. Regardless of why you came here (and I’m glad you did!), let me just get one thing straight: elevator pitch is a nightmare . At least, the kind of elevator pitch old-school career advisors recommend.

I mean, a careers site of a college I’m not going to name claims an elevator pitch “should sound like an advertisement of you.” Um, no, it definitely shouldn’t, unless you want to come across robotic, awkward, and full of yourself. The good news is that there is a perfectly easy formula for a great, conversational elevator pitch that will make whoever you’re talking to genuinely interested in your qualifications and skills.

Just give this guide a 5-minute read and you’ll learn it. Plus, you’ll get actionable examples of elevator speeches for different scenarios you can use as a point of reference to build your own .

What is an elevator pitch for students?

An elevator pitch for students (AKA elevator speech) is used by individuals during career fairs, networking events , or job interviews. An elevator pitch is about getting a potential employer to want to learn more about you and the value you can bring to the table. 99.9% of the time it will not land you the position, but rather get you the opportunity to apply.

The name elevator pitch comes from the idea that you should be able to deliver it while on an elevator ride—roughly, in 30 to 60 seconds.

A 30-second student elevator pitch is hard to get right —unless you’re an Ivy League prodigy and a superstar in your field already (in which case I want your email and I’ll be launching my elevator pitch to you very soon).

For all of us mere mortals, sharpening a killer personal elevator pitch will take a systematic approach and some practice. Lucky for you, there is a system you can follow to make your value shine brigh t. We’ll get into that in the next section.

How to create a good student elevator pitch?

A student elevator pitch has to communicate something. And communication is never a one-way process (hey. That’s why the end goal of your pitch should be to start a conversation, not brag about your accomplishments. Of course, depending on the situation, you’ll want to modify your elevator pitch a little bit, but the main ingredients remain the same.

Below are the core priciples that tie together a killer elevator speech:

1. Introduce yourself, say what you do, and how you do it

There’s no going around that part. Say your name, tell them what you study and what relevant experience you have. But, don’t stop there. Instead of just detailing what you do, focus on how you do it and what it is about it that you find particularly interesting.

2. Add some captivating details about you

Mention something that makes you unique. It can be a quick story about how you got into your field, an interesting finding you uncovered recently that might be relevant to the person you’re talking to, or a pain point related to your industry that they’ll immediately understand.

3. Provide examples of your past achievements

If you’ve had internships or part-time work experience in your industry, do talk about what you learned, the skills you developed, and results you helped achieve. This way, you’re presenting yourself as a potential asset to an organization or a good partner for collaboration, if speaking to a peer.

4. Use the ending of your pitch as a conversation-starter

At the end of your pitch, ask a question. Depending on the situation, it might be an invitation to talk more about how you could help them, asking them to share some of their knowledge with you, asking about their professional challenges and how they tackle them, or even just asking what they do!

The critical thing, after you deliver your pitch is to keep the conversation alive! Alright, I know. The theoretical parts often sound pretty vague.

Let’s have a look at 5 different student elevator pitch examples for different situations and scenarios and break down each of those to see what makes it work.

How and when to use your elevator pitch

Okay, so enough of theory. Now what?

1) Perfect your draft

If you got the gist of it - start crafting your elevator pitch. The first draft is rarely the best draft.

2) Practice

Once you have a good 30-60 seconds speech, practice speaking it in front of a mirror.

3) Simulate

Then, if you have solid friends that don’t mind some role-playing (and won’t make fun of you), simulate the elevator pitch in the context of a back-and-forth conversation.

Start with - “hey, you’re [person of interest] right? I’d really love to join your team”, and have the friend start by asking “can you tell me a bit about you?” then let it roll from there.

4) Look for opportunities to bump into your person of interest

You can wait a lifetime for an opportunity to meet the person to set you on your career path . Finding out what you want to do early on makes it much easier for future you. Changing careers later on may prove to be difficult, though not impossible.

If you believe in destiny then you’re all set… but if you don’t then it’s best you plan for such an event. Make sure to be consistently in the right place and time to meet and have at least 30 seconds with your person of interest.

5) Apply your elevator pitch to sharable documents

The untold truth is that you may or may not get the opportunity to ever give your elevator pitch. But where your elevator pitch really comes in handy is when you proactively add it as part of your CV , application letter, research proposal, digital flipbook or design portfolio. A 30-60 seconds pitch should be 100-300 words, if you are struggling to get it short enough you can use an AI-enabled word counting tool that will adjust your elevator pitch to the target length.

Where to use your elevator pitch

Go ahead and use any of our free interactive templates below . Nothing you can do will help you stand out like these templates.

Student elevator pitch examples and why they work

Career fair.

Let’s start with, arguably, the most “standard” scenario. You’re at a career fair, wandering around different companies’ booths (or doing it in a virtual setting). All of them are offering internship opportunities or even entry-level positions for graduates. But there are these few amazing employers you've wanted to work for since you started your studies! How do you approach them? Well, see what Jane did:

Hello, my name is Jane, I’m a recent CUNY graduate with a bachelor in Marketing and a minor in French. And, as an amateur fiction writer, I’m a strong believer in creative storytelling. In my BA dissertation, I found that marketing campaigns centered around a narrative were up to 55% more memorable than those based on promoting benefits. “Features tell, benefits sell?” Maybe. But stories sell even better. I would love to apply my skills in storytelling for marketing as a Digital Content Development Intern with Acme and contribute to your growth. Could you tell me more about your current challenges with digital content creation?

What’s so good about it:

• Adds a bit of personal branding that will help distinguish her from other attendees: “I’m a strong believer in creative storytelling.”
• Sparks immediate curiosity by referring to her own research that could be very relevant to the potential employer.
• Promises to add value instead of just asking for a position.
• Ends with an engaging question that encourages meaningful conversation.

Job or internship interview

Now, let’s imagine a similar scenario in an even more formal setting: a job interview. During job interviews, your elevator pitch is, in essence, the answer you give to that dreaded “Tell us about yourself” question. This type of a student elevator speech is the one with least room for creativity. There are rules of the interview game, and you need to follow them. Like this candidate did:

I’m working on a degree in Hospitality and Communication from the University of Boston and I have 6 months of experience in junior Customer Happiness Officer roles with ABC Company and XYZ Corp. What drives me professionally is providing tailor-made, individual solutions to every customer. In my previous role at ABC, I collaborated with a cross-departmental team of 8 colleagues on a surveying project aimed at improving the company’s mobile app user experience. By carefully listening to our customers’ feedback, I helped boost customer retention by 28% and I’d love to translate that experience into similar results for Acme!

• Quickly establishes her academic qualifications as well as professional experience.
• Instead of just saying what she did, this candidate briefly explains how she did it and what results she achieved.
• Turns an elevator pitch into an offer to help the employer achieve desired business results.

Casual networking event

Now, not all elevator pitches are about a current employment or internship opportunity. Sometimes you’re at a conference or an event dedicated to networking and you meet other people from your industry. See how this student, we’ll call him Jack, approached an editor of one of his favorite journals:

What do I do? I make sure robots don’t take over human jobs just yet. And how do I do it? By making friends with them! I’m a senior at Stanford completing my Bachelor’s in Machine Intelligence and Machine Learning this summer. I’m sure you’ve seen all those snappy headlines about AI writers already being more efficient than human beings. Well… Truth is, they’re not there yet and trusting robots with creating high-impact informational content such as news articles would be extremely risky. But, they can help us tremendously with the research process. That’s the premise of a project I’ve been working on in the past 6 months. I developed an alpha-stage AI research assistant that can cut the research time for news pieces by over 60%. Would you be interested in telling me more about your research process at XYZ Magazine?

• Opens with an emotional and captivating intro: saving humans from robots, wow, sounds scary AND exciting!
• Identifies an issue relatable to the person he’s talking to: all those half-spammy headlines about “AI writers already being more efficient than human beings.”
• Shows how his knowledge can make life easier for the person he’s pitching and backs it up with numerical data.
• Doesn’t want anything immediately out of the conversation, ends with a call to exchange experiences.

Elevator pitch with no experience

Did those elevator pitch samples above still sound too intimidating? It’s true, the people from the examples had at least some work or internship experience and were nearing the end of their college studies. But— Even if you have zero experience and are only starting out on your degree, you can still deliver a head-turning elevator pitch. What you need is to center it around your passion and enthusiasm. Like James did here:

My name is James and I’ve been crazy about programming since I was 11 years old and my dad showed me how to write a basic algorithm. It just blew my mind that I could do things like that with a computer, so I started following that passion which led me to studying Computer Science at Stanford where I’m a sophomore. Recently, I’ve been reading a lot about healthcare mobile app development and I was amazed to read your recent case study on the TeleHealth app. Would you have the time to tell me a little bit more about the development process?

• Starts with a personal story. And all humans love stories.
• Uses the story to highlight his genuine interest in his field.
• Talks about specifics: healthcare mobile app development, wow, this guy is not kidding, he’s really into this niche!
• Uses the elevator pitch as a learning opportunity, asking one of his gurus to share some of her expertise. Who would say no to that?

Semi-personal introduction

Finally, an elevator pitch for the least formal scenario: an introduction to a peer in a semi-personal setting such as a university event. Almost like something you’d say when introducing yourself to someone at a party. You’ll want them to quickly understand what you do and encourage them to tell you the same about themselves. Like in this example:

I’m in the business of making NatGeo documentaries with David Attenborough’s voiceover! No, I’m kidding, not there yet. But I’m a senior at UPenn, doing a BSc in Marine Biology. And my main area of research interest is the patterns of melodies of whale songs! And I’d love to make a documentary about it one day, once I’m done with my big project. What about you? Where will I hear of you once you get famous?

• Sparks curiosity by referencing an element of our pop culture. I mean, who doesn’t recognize David Attenborough?
• Presents her area of professional interest in a casual, easy-to-grasp way.
• Asks a creative question at the end, steering the conversation away from generic cliches of “I’m an X-year student of Y with a minor in Z, you?”

The "Elevator Email"

Now a couple of years into a global pandemic, a lot of opportunities and connections are made online. Networking post-pandemic has changed the way we typically connect and communicate with each other. For students, this means shifting elevator pitches to “elevator emails” or messages that state your value proposition in a quick and simple email. Although it might seem daunting, being able to write a strong elevator email is an essential skill for showing your ambition and eagerness for a role or opportunity. Once you create your first elevator email template , you can continue to work and improve your message.

Here is a great example of an elevator email:

My name is Tony and I am a recent graduate from UC San Diego with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Marketing. I came across your opportunity for the role of Marketing Intern and was immediately drawn. While looking over the job description, it reminded me of my previous experience working at the Best Marketing Firm as an intern where I assisted in launching multi-channel marketing campaigns , developed a strong relationship with the company’s marketing and product teams, and increased customer engagement by 15%.

My goal is to become the best marketer I can be, and I strongly believe I would thrive in this role and come in and make immediate contributions to your team and organization. I would love the opportunity to meet with you over a call or meeting to further discuss this position and the qualifications you are seeking. I went ahead and included the job description, my resume, and a cover letter with more details about myself. I look forward to connecting with you!

• Opens with a personalized message that shows your experience, qualifications, and relevance to the role.
• Introduces your interest, industry, job title, or previous experience.
• Highlights your accomplishments, skillset, and related history.
• Includes prepared assets and resources.
• Provides a call to action or next step for you to meet in a more personalized setting.

TIP: If you'd like to attach a portfolio of relevant projects to your Elevator Email, you can create a professional-looking presentation in a matter of minutes using Storydoc's presentation maker . Just pick a template from our extensive template library , fill in the blanks, and let our editor take care of the rest!

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Wrapping it up:

Before you go, here are a few extra tips to help you deliver a great student elevator pitch:

• To keep your elevator pitch as natural as possible, try not reciting a rehearsed formula. Use an outline but adapt the exact wording every time.
• Always end your pitch with an engaging question. The ideal outcome of “pitching” is starting to chat with the person, not just hearing “Oh, nice to meet you.”
• If you’re passionate about something, don’t tone it down! Your genuine enthusiasm is one of your strongest assets at this stage of your career.
• Avoid cliches and meaningless buzzwords: “go-getter,” “A Player,” “hard-working,” “attentive to detail,” and the like.
• Practice your pitch in front of someone who knows you well. Ask them if you sound the way you do when you normally speak. If not, adapt your tone and wording.

And that’s all from me today! Thanks for reading my guide and I hope the whole idea of an elevator pitch is now less scary and intimidating than it used to be. Keeping my fingers crossed for your pitch!

Hi, I'm John, Editor-in-chief at Storydoc. As a content marketer and digital writer specializing in B2B SaaS, my main goal is to provide you with up-to-date tips for effective business storytelling and equip you with all the right tools to enable your sales efforts.

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Career & Workforce

Elevator Pitch Examples for Students

Brooklyn Kiosow Mar 02, 2022

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Have you ever felt inspired by a specific song or painting? An elevator pitch can evoke the same feeling if done correctly. While an elevator pitch isn’t always easy to craft, it’s essential to getting your message across clearly and concisely. 

An elevator pitch is a quick and personal way to sell yourself. It may be used during a career fair, when running into a higher-up in the elevator, or as a foundation for cover letters for job applications.

What to Include in Your Elevator Pitch 

While you will want a unique pitch that helps you stand out, there is no harm in utilizing a template to develop your pitch. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and ramble on about your accolades or dreams for the future of your career, but not everyone will have the time or patience to listen to a long, personal story. Essentially, an elevator pitch helps you get to the point. 

When developing your 30-second pitch, keep the following elements in mind. 

Who you are and what differentiates you from your peers. Maybe you volunteer on campus or are a part of ROTC. You could also establish a relationship with the person you’re pitching to if you know a bit about them beforehand. Are you from the same hometown? Root for the same NFL team? Frequent the same local coffee shop? 

Your specific career interest or goals. If the person you’re speaking with can’t help you reach those goals, maybe they can connect you with someone who can. (If they like your pitch enough!) 

How you are already working toward reaching your goals. If you want to be a photographer, saying “I spend 3 hours after class each day taking photos” doesn’t hold as much weight as “My photos have appeared in art exhibitions on campus.” Even if it’s a small example in your broader career trajectory, it’s worth mentioning. 

Why you are qualified. This is where you can mention your achievements, leadership work, skills, and strengths. If you’re an engineering student, maybe you led a group on a really exciting project that won a tech competition or maybe you taught yourself how to code last year. 

Finally, a question or a further inquiry. You didn’t just perfectly pitch yourself for nothing, so don’t let the conversation end here. At the end of your pitch, you can ask the person about internships at the company, open job positions, or related programs. 

Instead of asking, “Does your company offer internships?”, you may ask, “If your company offers internships, would you be able to put me in contact with the person in charge of that program?” Or you could say, “Would it be possible to put some time on the calendar to meet again to discuss available opportunities for students?” 

Always give them your business card, and ask for theirs so you can follow up with them! 

Don’t forget to practice. When you finally have a pitch that you’ve nailed down to one minute max, practice again. While you don’t want to sound robotic, you should have your pitch down enough that you can pivot as needed and connect with the person you’re speaking to. But don’t give them too much, you want them to be interested in knowing even more about you once you’ve finished. 

Student Elevator Pitch Examples

It’s time to put all of this information into action and actually develop your pitch. Remember, you want to be top of mind when an engineering executive is seeking a new intern or job candidate. 

While your elevator pitch may change slightly depending on whether you’re pitching to one person or a group, via email, or to a former professor, the template can remain mostly the same.

1. Elevator Pitch Example for a Student with Relevant Experience

For a student with more experience in their field, an elevator pitch may sound something like this: 

“My name is Jenn Lee, and I’m an undergraduate student at the University of Kansas studying aerospace engineering. I’m currently an intern at United Airlines, where I work with the airport operations team to study organizational changes, manage communications, and integrate production methods. On campus, I’m the captain of the robotics team, where I’ve utilized my technical skills to build a flying and configurable robot. If you have open time on your calendar this week, I’d love to meet with you about open positions (or internships) at your company.”

Jenn Lee seems to be involved in numerous activities on and off campus. But what if you don’t have as much related experience under your belt? Elevator pitches are all about marketing your skills and strengths, so play them up. 

2. Elevator Pitch Example for a Student Seeking Experience

Here’s an example of an elevator pitch for a younger student with limited experience: 

“Hi, my name is Tom Ross. I’m a sophomore at Lasa High School with an interest in tech writing. I’ve freelanced for a handful of journals and covered topics from the latest local election to a rooftop garden feeding the community. With copy editing knowledge and experience interviewing under my belt, my interests lie in getting tangible reporting experience and further expanding my writing and editing skills. Who would be the best person to contact for internship opportunities?”    

To further perfect your pitch, try to make it 20 words or less. If it’s helpful, create a lengthy list of everything you think someone should know about you and then cross off everything that isn’t absolutely critical. While you may have a longer version tucked away, this will optimize your short introduction for online communication channels. 

Image Credit: mentatdgt / Shutterstock.com

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How to Create an Elevator Pitch with Examples

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How to Write a Perfect Elevator Speech

What’s an elevator pitch, and how can it help your career? An elevator pitch —also known as an elevator speech—is a quick synopsis of your background and experience. The reason it’s called an elevator pitch is that it should be short enough to present during a brief elevator ride.

This speech is all about you: who you are, what you do, and what you want to do (if you’re job hunting).

Your elevator pitch is a way to share your expertise and credentials quickly and effectively with people who don’t know you.

Done right, this short speech helps you introduce yourself to career and business connections in a compelling way. It can help you  build your network , land a job, or connect with new colleagues on your first day of work.

When and How to Use an Elevator Speech

If you’re job searching, you can use your elevator pitch at  job fairs and career expos , and online in your  LinkedIn summary  or Twitter bio, for example. An elevator speech is a great way to gain confidence in introducing yourself to hiring managers and company representatives.

You can also use your elevator pitch to introduce yourself at  networking events  and mixers. If you’re  attending professional association programs  and activities, or any other type of gathering, have your pitch ready to share with those you meet.

Your elevator pitch can be used during job interviews, especially when you’re asked about yourself. Interviewers often begin with the question, “ Tell me about yourself ” — think of your elevator pitch as a super-condensed version of your response to that request.

What to Say

Your elevator speech should be brief . Restrict the speech to 30-60 seconds. You don’t need to include your entire work history and career objectives. Your pitch should be a short recap of who you are and what you do.

You need to be persuasive.  Even though it’s a short pitch, your elevator speech should be compelling enough to spark the listener’s interest in your idea, organization, or background.

Share your skills.  Your elevator pitch should explain who you are and what qualifications and  skills  you have. Try to focus on assets that add value in many situations. This is your chance to brag a bit — avoid sounding boastful, but do share what you bring to the table.

Practice, practice, practice.  The best way to feel comfortable about giving an elevator speech is to practice it until the speed and “pitch” come naturally, without sounding robotic. You will get used to varying the conversation as you practice doing so. The more you practice, the easier it will be to deliver it when you’re at a career networking event or job interview.

Practice giving your speech to a friend or recording it. This will help you know whether you’re keeping within the time limit and giving a coherent message.

Be positive and flexible.  You often aren’t interviewing for a specific position when you deliver your pitch, so you want to appear open-minded and flexible. Don’t lead with the stuff you’d rather not be doing. (For example, if you don’t want to travel a lot for work, that’s completely legitimate – but you needn’t volunteer that information right off the bat.) This is your chance to make a  great first impression  with a potential employer. Don’t waste it.

Mention your goals.  You don’t need to get too specific. An overly targeted goal isn’t helpful since your pitch will be used in many circumstances, and with many different types of people. But do remember to say what you’re looking for. For instance, you might say, “a role in accounting” or “an opportunity to apply my sales skills to a new market” or “to relocate to San Francisco with a job in this same industry.”

Know your audience, and speak to them.  In some cases, using jargon can be a powerful move — it demonstrates your industry knowledge. But be wary of using jargon during an elevator pitch, particularly if you’re speaking to recruiters, who may find the terms unfamiliar and off-putting. Keep it simple and focused.

Have a business card ready.  If you have a business card, offer it at the end of the conversation as a way to continue the dialog. If you don’t, you could offer to use your smartphone to share your contact information. A copy of your resume, if you’re at a job fair or a professional networking event, will also demonstrate your enthusiasm and preparedness.

What Not to Say and Do During Your Elevator Speech

Don’t speak too fast.  Yes, you only have a short time to convey a lot of information. But don’t try to fix this dilemma by speaking quickly. This will only make it hard for listeners to absorb your message.

Avoid rambling.  This is why it’s so important to practice your elevator speech. While you don’t want to over-rehearse, and subsequently sound stilted, you also don’t want to have unfocused or unclear sentences in your pitch, or get off-track. Give the person you’re talking to an opportunity to interject or respond.

Don’t frown, or speak in a monotone way. Here’s one of the downsides to rehearsing: it can leave you more focused on remembering the exact words you want to use, and less on how you’re carrying yourself. Keep your energy level high, confident, and enthusiastic. Modulate your voice to keep listeners interested, keep your facial expression friendly, and smile .

Don’t restrict yourself to a single elevator pitch.  Maybe you’re interested in pursuing two fields — public relations and content strategy. Many of your communication skills will apply to both those fields, but you’ll want to tailor your pitch depending on who you are speaking to. You may also want to have a more casual, personal pitch prepared for social settings.

Elevator Pitch Examples

Use these examples as guidelines in crafting your own elevator pitch. Make sure your speech includes details on your background, as well as what you’d provide an employer with:

• 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.
• I have a decade’s worth of experience in accounting, working primarily with small and midsize firms. If your company is ever in need of an extra set of hands, I’d be thrilled to consult.
• My name is Bob, and after years of working at other dentists’ offices, I’m taking the plunge and opening my own office. If you know anyone who’s looking for a new dentist, I hope you’ll send them my way!
• 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.
• I’m a lawyer with the government, based out of D.C. I grew up in Ohio, though, and I’m looking to relocate closer to my roots, and join a family-friendly firm. I specialize in labor law and worked for ABC firm before joining the government.
• My name is Sarah, and I run a trucking company. It’s a family-owned business, and we think the personal touch makes a big difference to our customers. Not only do we guarantee on-time delivery, but my father and I personally answer the phones, not an automated system.

Key Takeaways

• KEEP IT SHORT AND SWEET: Your elevator speech is a sales pitch. Be sure you can deliver your message in 60 seconds or less.
• FOCUS ON THE ESSENTIALS: Say who you are, what you do, and what you want to achieve.
• BE POSITIVE AND PERSUASIVE: Your time is limited. Focus on what you want to do, not what you don’t want to do. Be upbeat and flexible.
• PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE: Deliver your speech to a friend or record it, so that you can be sure that your message is clear.

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What is an elevator pitch? Examples and templates for students and jobseekers

By Michael Feder

At a glance

• An elevator pitch (or elevator speech) is a 30- to 60-second summary of yourself or an idea that you share with a certain audience, typically a boss or interviewer.
• These pitches are useful for networking and interviewing as well as building an interest around your own ideas.
• There are three main questions to answer with an elevator pitch: “Who am I?,” “What do I do?” and “What’s my ask?”
• Career Services at University of Phoenix  can help you develop your pitch, as well as other skills to enhance your career.

It’s a fast-moving world out there and getting you and your ideas in front of the right audience can be difficult. It can seem like everyone is short on time and patience. So, making the most of an opportunity becomes more important than ever, particularly in business where being first is often the coveted position.

That's where the elevator pitch comes in. This handy career skillset can help you sell yourself or your ideas in a succinct and interesting way. While that may sound easy, it can take time and training to nail your pitch. If you're looking to improve your salesmanship read on for tips and examples from a University of Phoenix certified career advisor. 

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What is an elevator pitch?

The  elevator pitch  or elevator speech, so named for the average time of a quick elevator ride, is a 30- to 60-second summary of yourself or an idea. You can imagine the scene: An employee pitches a new project to an executive on the first floor then steps into an elevator. And, by the time the elevator has reached the top floor, the executive is interested and convinced of the project’s merit.

That situation in an elevator is potentially unrealistic and specific to the name. But there are a number of scenarios in the business would where an elevator pitch may come in handy. Read on to learn when and where to use yours. 

When and how to use an elevator pitch

In an interview, you’ve probably been prompted, “So, tell me a bit about yourself.”

Having a pitch committed to memory, one that you know gets the main points across quickly, can make it easy to deliver your story succinctly and put your best self forward as a candidate.

An elevator pitch can also be part of your resumé, according to University of Phoenix career advisor Ricklyn Woods. Woods often describes the “summary” at the top of a resumé as a written version of your pitch.

“It includes everything except the ask,” she says. “But the thought process is the same and it is usually the part of the resumé that is most difficult for people to write.”

Need help writing an effective resumé? Download our free step-by-step guide.

While a job fair or a networking event has a captive audience to talk to, they don’t have all day. Potential employers, investors or collaborators can be very important for enhancing your career. That first interaction can be the jumping-off point for a job, a business venture or an invention.

An elevator pitch opens up the dialogue between you and others that can spark interest and leave a positive impression that lingers long after the conversation is over.

Brainstorming

By forcing you to summarize yourself or an idea in a short period of time, a pitch can help you clarify — for yourself and others — the main reasons why you or your idea is worth another’s investment.

Following this line of thinking, an elevator pitch can also reveal potential obstacles or opportunities facing you or your idea. It may spur further inspiration or development of the idea.

How do you write an elevator pitch?

Writing an elevator pitch first starts with having an idea. As Woods stated, approach your pitch similar to how you would write the summary section of a resumé. Remember to keep it short and to the point and only include the most interesting and critical details.

If you still need help, check out our blog article on how to write an effective resume, which includes 5 steps from a certified UOPX career advisor. The article also includes a step-by-step downloadable guide and video covering each step and section of the resume. Click here to read the article. 

When you do sit down to start writing your elevator pitch, there are three main questions you may want to consider, and they are:

What do I do?

• What’s my ask?

Now that you know where to start, let’s break down these questions!

There are two ways of thinking about this question, one more literal than another.

It is, in fact, literally important for a potential employer or investor to know who you are. This means introducing yourself in a friendly, professional manner. A handshake, along with a “Hello, my name is” can break the ice and get the conversation started.

It may seem obvious but jumping right into the meat of your pitch won’t be nearly as effective if you don’t take the time to introduce yourself.

The other, less literal way of thinking about this question is to  consider the impression you want to leave  on the person you’re talking to. They may not remember every detail of your pitch. That being said, getting across the things that motivate you, the things that really define you, can leave a lasting impression.

After introductions, it’s time to convey  what you bring to the table . Of course, you won’t have time for the most detailed summary. This is the place, however, where you can get across the work experience and educational background that make you stand out. You’ll have to keep it short and limited to just the experience relevant to the situation, but this is the opportunity to communicate the cold, hard facts about your experience.

It’s also important here to speak about your strengths. Have you succeeded under pressure? Do you have a unique talent that distinguishes you? Including these in your elevator pitch can express the type of candidate, business partner or collaborator you are.

This is also a great opportunity to pose questions to the person you’re speaking with. It helps carry the conversation along, and their answers can give you an opportunity to relate your experience back to theirs.

For example, you can ask a potential employer about where they see their company growing in the next few years. They might mention that they are looking to get more aggressive with their marketing strategy. This would be a great opportunity to relate your marketing experience and any examples of your work.

This information can help a potential employer see what you’re bringing to the table as it relates to their specific needs.  

What's my ask?

There are a few reasons to develop an elevator pitch. You may want to be ready to impress recruiters at a job fair. You may just be looking to share a business card. Regardless, the point of your pitch is to persuade someone to consider you for that internship, business meeting or opportunity.

This is your  ask , and it will determine many aspects of how you present yourself in an elevator pitch. You’ll need to demonstrate the value you plan to bring to whatever position or opportunity you’re pitching for. This is why it’s so important to get  what you do  across, so that you can align your experiences with the opportunity in front of you.

Consider what you can uniquely bring to the table. Center what makes you or your idea distinct from others. Especially when it comes to very competitive positions, you’ll need to demonstrate your specific value compared to other candidates. Successfully doing so can mean you nail that dream job, get funding for your project or build a connection that can help you in your career.

Finally, be direct about your ask. This doesn’t have to be a huge deal; it might just be a request for a follow-up. They may say yes. They may say no. Regardless, it’s important to be clear and direct. There should be no doubt by the end of your pitch as to what you want to do moving forward.

What to avoid in an elevator pitch

An elevator pitch is a great opportunity to sell yourself or your idea. Some things, however, can  sink your pitch . Here are a few:

• ·Talking too fast
• Getting off topic
• Wasting time on unrelated subjects
• Trying to sound “smart” rather than being direct

In addition, it’s important to not get lost in the details while delivering your pitch. You have limited time, and though your idea may be complex, it’s crucial to clarify the main points and stick to them. If you do this right, you’ll have plenty of time to dive into those details in a later conversation.

Looking for more resources to help you on your job search?  University of Phoenix Career Services  offers one-on-one coaching, sample resumés and more!

Elevator pitch examples

Sometimes, the best way to learn is by example. Here are a few helpful examples of how to deliver pitches that can help you craft yours!

Elevator pitch examples for students

Here’s a scenario in which a student is seeking an internship with a  potential employer :

“Hello! Nice to meet you. My name is Michelle. I’m a student at University of Phoenix, pursuing a  Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.  In that time, I’ve developed the groundwork for my dream of running a business. That includes everything from communication and leadership skills to the nitty-gritty of management and finance. That said, I have a lot to learn and would appreciate the opportunity to explore internship opportunities at your company so I can further develop those skills. Here’s my card!”

Elevator pitch examples for a job interview

“Hi, my name is Patrick, and I’m really excited to be speaking with you today about the position. A little bit about me: I graduated in 2019 with  a degree in health administration . That degree prepared me with many of the management, leadership and financial skills I’ve used in my post-college work. That includes two years at a local hospital, where I helped manage patient records and ensured quality healthcare administration. That was a great experience, but I’m looking to grow more in this field. That’s why I’m excited to talk with you today about this position. Can you tell me a bit more about what you’re looking for in a potential candidate?”

Now you should have a solid understanding of the definition of an elevator pitch and how a pitch about yourself can help you achieve your goals.

Not sure what your career goals are? You can find out what employers are likely to be looking for in years to come. Check out our post on the  top five growing fields! .

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Co-op & Career Centre

Writing an elevator pitch as a student: a step-by-step guide.

Posted on Tuesday, July 18th, 2017

It happens in every interview . It happens at every networking event . It could even happen when you’re out walking your dog, attending a wedding, or at a family gathering.

Eventually, someone is going to ask you the dreaded question, “So tell me about yourself. What do you do?”

Your answer to this question is important. Depending on the situation, it could lead you to job opportunities, mentors, and contacts. It can sell people on you and your skills. It can show potential employers exactly what you can do for them. In 30 seconds, it can open doors for you and help grow your network and brand.

It’s your elevator pitch, and it’s super important that you have one so that when the inevitable question is asked, you’ll have a stellar answer.

Step One: Answer some key questions first.

The goal of an elevator pitch is to sell yourself and your abilities in 30 seconds. As soon as someone asks what you do, you want to give them a quick overview that intrigues and interests them. That means quickly giving them some key information:

• What you’re studying
• What you’re looking for

Depending on your situation, this can all fit into a single sentence. Something like:

“My name is Jane Smith. I’m a Bachelor of Commerce student at Algonquin College. I’m currently looking for a co-op position in Ottawa.”

Great, you’ve given them the facts. But there’s nothing there to hook your listener. It needs more.

Step Two: Take time to spruce it up.

You need to tell your listener why you’re awesome. What’s in it for them? What do you do that makes you suited to meet your goal—in this case, to find a co-op position?

Think about your transferable skills ( and use our guide to find your own ). What are your superpowers? By adding those in, your pitch could start to take shape:

“My name is Jane Smith. I’m a Bachelor of Commerce student at Algonquin College. Through my program, I have hands-on experience with supply chain management, and I lead my colleagues as class representative. I’m looking for a co-op position where I can put my skills to work for an organization in Ottawa.”

Now you have a pitch that’s really shaping up. You have your name and program, an industry-related skill (supply chain management), a transferable skill (leadership), and what you’re looking for.

It’s just missing one thing.

Step Three: End with a call to action.

Like all sales pitches, your elevator pitch should end with a call to action for the listener. Often, this will take the shape of a question you ask. This gives the listener the opportunity to respond to you and drive the conversation along.

The question you end on should further your goal—in this case, finding a co-op position. Some possibilities are:

• “Can I give you my card?” (Because of course, you’ve had business cards made , right?)
• “Are there current opportunities in your organization?”
• “Do you know of anyone looking for co-op students?”

So now, your pitch becomes:

“My name is Jane Smith. I’m a Bachelor of Commerce student at Algonquin College. Through my program, I have hands-on experience with supply chain management, and I lead my colleagues as class representative. I’m looking for a co-op position where I can put my skills to work for an organization in Ottawa. Has your company ever brought on co-op students?”

This ending allows the conversation to carry on. It can encourage the listener to ask you more questions, opens the door for you to talk about the benefits of co-op and your program, and may give you the chance to talk about why you’d be the perfect hire at their organization.

Step Four: Put your elevator pitch to work.

Now that you’re armed with an elevator pitch, it’s time to use it.

First, practice, practice, practice so that you’re comfortable with it. Depending on the situation, you’ll usually have to modify it on the spot. If you have it committed to memory, that becomes much easier to do.

Remember: your elevator pitch is a key component of your personal brand . Because of this, it can find a home in all parts of your professional toolkit. From your LinkedIn summary to your Twitter bio, you want to reflect those same skills and abilities that you have in your pitch.

Like any other part of your job hunting kit, your pitch will change and update as you learn more skills and get more comfortable in your industry. Don’t be afraid to revisit it every so often, so you know it’s the best it can be. It’s yours, and will help you find all kinds of cool people and opportunities.

If you would like to learn more about the Algonquin College co-op program, please visit our website at https://www.algonquincollege.com/coop/, connect with us at [email protected] or call us at 613-727-4723 Ext.7623. You can also follow us on Twitter @AlgonquinCoop .

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How to Write and Deliver an Elevator Pitch

Students can become so concentrated on their studies that they don’t think about their careers. Instead of searching for employment opportunities, they devote their attention to their homework. However, it is crucial to remember that your time at university is also meant to help you think about your future profession. You can always attend special events, like career fairs, but keep in mind that unexpected opportunities can occur anywhere, at any time. You must be able to seize that moment to present yourself to potential employers.

In this article, our team has described what the ideal elevator pitch should sound like. We don’t just give you the steps to create it – we also tell you exactly how to deliver your message so that you get noticed. Furthermore, you will find common mistakes that can spoil first impressions. And to make sure there’s no confusion, we have presented some examples of compelling elevator pitches.

• 👔 What Is It?
• ✍ Writing a Pitch
• 📢 Delivering a Pitch
• 🚫 Common Mistakes
• 👀 What Comes Next?
• ✨ Elevator Pitch Examples

🔗 References

👔 what is an elevator pitch.

Imagine this – you walk into an elevator, and there stands a CEO of a large conglomerate. You and he are headed to the same floor, and you realize that this is an incredible opportunity to talk about yourself and your professional skills. The elevator has already started to move, so you have a maximum of one minute to engage that person. What do you say? This is the essence of an elevator pitch.

In other words, it is not a detailed story about your life nor an attempt to beg your way into a job. It is an opportunity to generate your potential employer’s interest in yourself and your capabilities. So, what should an elevator pitch sound like, and when should it be used?

Main Features of an Elevator Pitch

Every speech is unique, and still, they have some features in common. A successful elevator pitch should be:

Uses of an Elevator Pitch

Of course, an elevator pitch will also come in handy outside the elevator. It is needed for:

• Career Fairs. A career fair is perfect for demonstrating your potential to a future employer. Keep in mind that the competition among job seekers is incredibly high during these events. So, make sure your pitch is flawless, outstanding, and dynamic!
• Internal Networking Events. Never underestimate the power of networking! Make friends with your college peers and get to know your professors. The more people you meet, the more career opportunities you obtain.
• External Networking Events. Are you interested in gaining new connections outside of your educational institution? There are plenty of events devoted to students’ professional growth. Stay tuned in, keep track of activities, and make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to expand your network.
• Job Interviews. Usually, job interviews start with this phrase: “Tell me about yourself.” It is the perfect moment to use your elevator pitch! Impress an HR manager within the first few seconds of the interview and increase your chances of getting hired.
• Your CV. It usually has an “about” section. You can put your elevator pitch there. It will grab an employer’s attention and boost your chances of being invited to a job interview.
• Online Profiles. Do you have a student profile on LinkedIn or similar job search websites? You should consider adding your pitch there. This will make the recruiters interested in your professional skills and motivate them to contact you.

✍ Writing an Elevator Pitch: A Step-by-Step Guide

Writing an elevator pitch can be pretty intimidating at first. Talking about yourself is challenging, and fitting everything into a one-minute speech seems impossible.

However, coming up with an effective elevator pitch is a task that any student can handle. This process is similar to writing a standard academic essay and follows the same familiar steps – introduction, body, conclusion. Below, you will find a detailed outline for your pitch.

This is an essential element that influences your entire elevator pitch. Come up with one line that makes your listener curious about you. Think of your unique selling proposition – what makes you stand out compared to others? Don’t forget that your hook must be creative, dynamic, and strong!

Introduction

Give a summary of your professional background. Here, you can include information about your education, experience, key specialties, and strengths. Do you feel overwhelmed about deciding what exactly to include? Brainstorm ! Write down everything that occurs in your mind. Then, analyze what you have written, determine what details are essential, and express them in a logical order in your pitch introduction.

Dig deeper into your professional skills and explain what benefits you can bring to your potential employer. You could:

• Clarify what problems you can solve.
• Suggest what would be your input in the company.
• Explain why the employer should choose you specifically.

Also, express your willingness to become a part of their team. Try to show your desire to grow and expand your skillset.

The end of your elevator pitch should be powerful since it leaves the last impression about you. The best way to finish your speech is to ask a question or motivate your listener to action. This will help you secure future interactions with your potential employer.

Polish your pitch until it is flawless. Check that you aren’t using fillers or vague words and don’t have any run-on sentences. Also, ensure that your speech is concise and makes logical sense. Then, present it to your friends or family members and receive their feedback. Make adjustments if needed.

📢 Delivering Your Elevator Pitch: Tips & Tricks

Writing a good elevator pitch is just the first step. It is vital not only to find the right words but also to deliver them well. In this section, we present some useful advice on public speaking that will help you stay calm and collected during the crucial moment.

• Practice again and again. You can start by recording yourself on your phone/camera. Play it back to check that your speech is expressive, straightforward, and doesn’t resemble a sales pitch. Once you are satisfied with how you sound, the next step is to practice with a friend or family member. Keep at it until you can give your pitch without any trouble. After all, as the saying goes – practice makes perfect!
• Be confident. As you are practicing, you must pay attention not only to how you sound but also to how you move. Confident and composed body language will ensure that you make a great first impression. Keep an upright posture, remember to smile, and maintain eye contact. Your tone and facial expressions also matter – be animated and show the other person that you are interested in them.
• Keep it natural. Remember that an elevator pitch isn’t a monologue but a conversation. It must be authentic and flow naturally, so try building an emotional connection with the person you’re talking to. Introduce yourself, tell an anecdote from your life, and don’t be afraid to joke around. People are more likely to remember and approach you when you show off your personality.
• Finish on a high note. The end of your elevator pitch is your last chance to leave the other person with a strong impression. You will want to finish on a high note, thanking your conversation partner and offering to connect again at a later date. Don’t forget to give them a reliable way of contacting you, such as a business card or your social media profile.

🚫 Common Elevator Pitch Mistakes

Before starting any task, it is important to learn all the correct steps. It is also valuable to figure out precisely what should be avoided. Below, we have described some of the most common mistakes students make when writing and delivering their elevator pitches.

• …Polishing your speech too much. When you create a pitch that’s a little too refined, it becomes a monologue. That leaves no room for the other person to get involved and makes you sound less natural. Instead of memorizing what you wrote word for word, concentrate on remembering the main points. This way, your speech will sound fresh and different every time, becoming more engaging to the other person.
• …Speaking way too fast. Unsurprisingly, you usually won’t have much time to deliver your elevator pitch. You might think that the faster you speak, the more you will be able to tell your conversation partner. However, bombarding them with information can often have the opposite effect. The other person will struggle to keep up, and they could easily get lost in what you’re saying. When delivering your speech, prioritize clarity first and foremost – so make sure you are intelligible.
• …Freezing up. It is understandable that you might begin to feel anxious and stressed right as you are about to give your speech. Stage fright during public speaking is a widespread occurrence, even among professionals. The surest way to ensure that you don’t freeze up is to keep practicing until you have your elevator pitch committed to memory. Once again, don’t just memorize it in its entirety. Rehearse with different people, such as family, friends, and peers. The more often you do it, the simpler it will get in the future.
• …Rambling on and on. Your elevator pitch must have a clear purpose. Whether you are at a job interview or a casual networking event, you have to remember to be concise and focused. Even if you have unlimited time to speak, try not to go off track or ramble about irrelevant things. Pay attention to your conversation partner, giving them the space to interject or ask questions when needed.
• …Pushing a sale. You have probably heard that the best way to get a job is to “sell yourself.” However, when delivering your elevator pitch, the last thing you want to do is to sound like you are making a sale. If you push too hard, you might drive the other person away and ruin your first impression. Instead, try to hold a casual conversation and observe their reactions. Don’t keep talking to them if they are looking bored. Instead, try to switch up topics and figure out what they’re interested in.
• …Sounding monotonous. Even the best elevator pitches can come off as stifled and boring when said in a monotonous voice. On the contrary, the simplest speech can sound exciting and motivating when you deliver it with enough energy and vigor. After all, enthusiasm and confidence go a long way in ensuring that you are remembered!

👀 Elevator Pitching: What Comes Next?

Did you manage to spark the curiosity in your potential employer with your elevator pitch? Congratulations! You made them want to contact you again. Now, it’s time for the second round. This is what you can expect to happen next on different occasions:

✨ Excellent Elevator Pitch Examples for Any Occasion

Keep in mind that opportunities can arise anywhere. So, be flexible and capable of adapting to the situation. In this section, we have provided several examples for different occasions. Check them out to learn how to build your elevator pitch.

Hello! I am a senior student majoring in International Business Administration who seeks experience in the marketing field. During my studies at university, I pursued knowledge that would perfectly fit the position of a junior marketer. I have skills in digital marketing, and I would be happy to contribute to your team. I am open to innovative ideas and ready to embrace any challenge. I am not afraid of difficulties. I meet them head-on and solve them with confidence! Would you like to expand your team with a young and progressive specialist?

Career Fair

Hello! I am a graphic designer, and I know how to boost your customers’ interaction, strengthen your brand identity, and increase profits. I am a recent graduate with three months of experience as an E-Commerce Graphic Designer with XYZ Company. Throughout my studies and internship, I gained skills that will definitely help your company reach the next level. I strive to grow and bring my input to the development of your business. Would you be willing to know more about my qualifications?

Networking Event

Hello! I’ve heard that you are looking for a research assistant. Since I have experience performing competitor analysis, I would like to take this opportunity and become a part of your team. I am a recent graduate of Oklahoma University with a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Finance. I am sure that my skills and knowledge will fit the position perfectly. I strive for professional growth, and I am ready to expand my horizons at your company! Could you please tell me more about the requirements for the research assistant position?

LinkedIn Profile

I am a senior student majoring in International Relations and Development at Stanford University. My experience in the law field has opened my eyes to many civil rights violation issues. Thus, I strive to use my knowledge to make this world a better place to live.

I am highly motivated to work with civil disputes and human inequality cases. I believe that my set of skills and knowledge will bring value to any organization. I am ready to embrace new challenges and work to establish social equality.

I am looking forward to fruitful cooperation, and I am open to job offers. Contact me if you believe that we can collaborate successfully.

Job Opportunity

Hello! My name is Jacob, and I’ve spent the last four years acquiring skills in programming and getting a Bachelor’s degree in IT. I’ve been interested in working with your company for a while. And now, I cannot miss this opportunity to introduce myself to you.

I believe that the knowledge and experience that I got during my internships will bring a fresh perspective to your company. Being ready to accept challenges, I consider myself a risk-taker and an effective problem solver. Would you be willing to expand your team with young talent?

Hello, my name is Alex, and I am a third-year student at George Washington University majoring in Contemporary Communication. I am willing to gain experience in journalism, interpersonal communication, narrative, and storytelling.

During my studies at university, I have developed a solid theoretical ground and acquired basic journalism skills. Now, I aim to start my career path, and your company is a perfect place for the beginning of my professional development.

I am a quick learner, so I will be able to catch up with the tasks effectively. I am sure my knowledge will become valuable for your company, and your professionalism will help me gain journalistic experience. I am looking forward to becoming a part of your team and taking a brave step into the professional world.

Thank you for your attention! Now, you are ready to write your perfect elevator pitch. If you think our tips might help someone you know, please send them this article.

• What is an Elevator Pitch: Examples for Students – Rebecca LeBoeuf, Southern New Hampshire University
• How To Give an Elevator Pitch (With Examples) – Career Guide, Indeed.com
• Elevator Pitch Examples on How to Perfect Your Speech – Open Colleges
• Your One-Minute Elevator Pitch – Kent State University
• 12 Elevator Pitch Examples + How to Write Your Own – Jacinda Santora, Influencer Marketing Hub
• 30 Seconds to Impress How to Write an Elevator Pitch – EU Business School
• How to Create an Elevator Pitch With Examples – Alison Doyle, the balancecareers
• Elevator Pitch Examples and Creative Personalization Ideas – YourDictionary
• 5 Elevator Pitch Examples for Students + Quick Tips – John McTale, Storydoc
• Creating Your Elevator Pitch – The University of Arizona
• Elevator Pitch Examples for Students – Brooklyn Kiosow, Thomasnet.com
• The Perfect Elevator Pitch To Land A Job – Nancy Collamer, Forbes
• Elevator Pitch for Students: Guide and Top Tips 2023 – Career Employer
• Time to Perfect Your Elevator Pitch – Kuk Jang, University of Pennsylvania
• What Is Effective Writing? A Definition
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Best Elevator Pitch Examples for Students to Sell Themselves Effectively

Do you want to know what to say in an elevator pitch at the next career fair? An elevator pitch might be what you need to offer your services, find a new job opportunity, or present your proposal for a new business venture. There are elevator pitch examples for students to help them pursue further education or career opportunities.

If you’re wondering what an elevator pitch is, this article will explain its purpose and how you can use an elevator pitch to your advantage. Below, you’ll also find elevator pitch examples for students. Keep reading to see how you can mention your technical expertise and soft skills in various scenarios.

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What Is an Elevator Pitch?

An elevator pitch is a 30- to 60-second moment in time to sell yourself to someone else for an opportunity such as employment, internships, business opportunities, or even volunteer experiences. You can use this quick time to present and highlight your key skills and professional experience.

In an elevator pitch, similar to a sales pitch, you get the chance to show off your unique talent, product, or idea in a competitive world. A perfect elevator pitch should be persuasive and influence the listener to pay attention and take action.

Where Is an Elevator Pitch Used?

• Job interviews
• Career fairs
• Networking events
• Conferences

Why Is an Elevator Pitch Important?

An elevator pitch is important because it allows you to sell yourself in such a way that you can land the right opportunities for your dream career path. Elevator pitches bring your key skills to the spotlight and persuade key decision-makers to take interest in your professional capabilities.

At a professional networking event, you can get the 30-60 seconds you need to share your elevator pitch. Business owners are often looking for fresh talent at career fairs and expos . An impressive elevator pitch could be a game-changer in launching your career by leaving a lasting impression with key people. It can help you land a project, internship, job, or volunteering role.

Real-World Examples of Elevator Pitches

There are many real-world scenarios where you can introduce your idea or yourself to find your career-advancing opportunities. Below are examples of elevator pitches that you can tailor to your situation.

• Achieving career goals
• Obtaining career opportunities with no experience
• Giving a presentation
• Seeking an entry-level job
• Looking for internship opportunities
• Getting a volunteering position
• Pursuing a research position
• Proposing a business idea
• Promoting a product or service
• Advancing a startup company

10 Great Examples of Elevator Pitches

Student elevator pitch example 1: achieving career goals.

An elevator pitch is a great way of getting your career goals clear in your head and ensuring that they are achievable. They’re also essential for networking and making connections, so understanding how to create one is crucial if you want to succeed in the workplace.

Student Elevator Pitch Example 2: Obtaining career opportunities with no experience

If you don’t have any previous experience, an elevator pitch can help you get your foot in the door. When you first meet someone at a networking event who may have positions available for recent graduates with limited work experience, having an elevator pitch can be extremely helpful.

Student Elevator Pitch Example 3: Giving a presentation

An elevator pitch can help make your presentation smooth and flow easily. It should be short and to the point so that your audience can concentrate on the most important information. When giving a presentation, keep in mind what your audience expects from the experience. It should be able to capture your audience’s attention.

Student Elevator Pitch Example 4: Seeking an entry-level job

An elevator pitch allows you to quickly convey your qualifications, skills, or expertise. If you are seeking an entry-level job, you must persuade a potential employer to give you a chance by highlighting the qualities or skill sets that you possess. It’s important that your elevator pitch include accomplishments relevant to the role you’re applying for as well as attributes such as your strengths, skills, and experience.

Student Elevator Pitch Example 5: Looking for internship opportunities

The best way to get an internship is by crafting your elevator pitch. Start with the company you want to intern for and what position you want. Next, tell them how much experience or education you have in that field of work followed by why they should hire you over other applicants, and lastly close it off with a strong call-to-action.

Student Elevator Pitch Example 6: Getting a volunteering position

Volunteering can be a good choice for those who are just starting their careers and don’t have much experience. However, many people want to volunteer, but they don’t always know how or where to begin. You can reach out to the company or organization you want to work for and use your elevator pitch to highlight your passion for helping others and earning experience.

Student Elevator Pitch Example 7: Pursuing a research position

Research positions can be difficult to get because they are competitive. If you’re pursuing this type of job, be sure to have an elevator pitch about why your skills will make you stand out from other applicants. Regardless of what type of research position you are seeking, the key to a successful elevator pitch is to be clear and concise.

Student Elevator Pitch Example 8: Proposing a business idea

An elevator pitch can be very effective in getting people interested and curious to know more about your business. It is a quick and succinct way to describe your business idea in order to get people interested and potentially secure funding. Pitching your idea in the right way can also allow you to reach key stakeholders and potential customers for your business.

Student Elevator Pitch Example 9: Promoting a product or service

Sharing an elevator pitch is one of the most effective ways to promote your product or service. To keep your service or product afloat, you must promote it. Give a brief, succinct description of your company’s product or service and why someone should purchase it. It’s a quick way to convey your message and connect with potential customers.

Student Elevator Pitch Example 10: Advancing a startup company

One of the most important aspects of starting a company is making sure that you are able to communicate your idea in a clear and concise manner. Elevator pitches help entrepreneurs advance their startup companies by communicating concise information about them to potential investors or customers for quick decision-making.

Pro Tips to Boost Your Pitching Skills

• Practice . Use your professional summary as a guide to create an elevator pitch to reflect your experiences and personality. You can practice saying it in front of a mirror or in front of your family, friends, colleagues, peers, and mentors for feedback.
• Be Ready. Keep a business card ready when you attend events where you expect to meet business managers and employers. To prepare an effective elevator pitch , you must have it written beforehand and practiced enough times that it comes out naturally and with confidence. It will help you avoid the fillers and buzzwords that might enter into an impromptu pitch.
• End with an action . You must close your elevator pitch with a call-to-action, typically in the form of an engaging question or request. You can ask for the outcome that you expect in simple words. You can also ask if they have time for a meeting or inquire about any job openings for relevant experience.

What Should Be the Next Step in My Elevator Pitch Learning Journey?

It is a good idea to attend networking events that will give you the opportunity to meet like-minded professionals. A 75-word elevator speech can give you a fair chance to further your professional goals.

Search for sample elevator pitches and templates online that align with your career goals. Then practice techniques for elevator pitches to build up your confidence.

Elevator Pitch for Students Examples FAQ

Important elements of an elevator pitch are a salutation, introduction, career aspiration, and an ending call-to-action. Place your hook after the introduction to make sure you get their attention.

An elevator pitch quizlet is a short presentation sharing the business idea for a project, product, or service that you want to offer to a contributing party. When you get a response with a job interview, make sure to match your elevator pitch presentation with an effective cover letter and resume .

A college student elevator pitch introduces their name, school, education, and interest in a job, internship experience, or entrepreneurship. It introduces them and their education or passion and explains how they can be valuable to an organization or company.

To introduce yourself in an elevator pitch, clearly state your name, the school you are studying, and what subjects you are taking. You can also share any job that will add value to your pitch such as a research or internship position.

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8 Elevator pitch examples for students

At some point in their lives, every student should care about having a successful elevator pitch they can pull up with great ease. That’s why we’ve picked out a set of the best elevator pitch examples for students. We’re hoping these will help you deliver impressive elevator pitches to further your career when needed. 

What’s an elevator pitch for students?

The name given to elevator pitches refers to the pitch’s duration, which needs to be quicker than an elevator ride. A well-delivered pitch of this kind should, therefore, be no longer than 30 seconds. 

Whether in high school or college, great elevator pitch examples for students need to be a quick overview of their educational, but moreover professional successes. It is a way of presenting themselves quite clearly and concisely and it should include mention of the person’s goals and set of skills. 

When would I use an elevator pitch?

Elevator pitches work well to put in a good word for you with someone who interests you professionally, at an educational level, or in your career. This is why we highly recommend you work at memorizing it. 

They’re usually helpful during job interviews or job fairs, but you can pull on them whenever you meet someone - anywhere - who might somehow be helpful or of interest to you. This can mean someone sitting next to you during a quick flight as much as business people in a networking event or a new guest at a family party.  

Also, think of your profile on LinkedIn, for instance. Editing some of the best elevator pitch examples for students can make up for the perfect update to your professional social media. 

Related read: Best pitch deck examples

What makes up an elevator pitch?

First of all, think of a very impressive introduction; something that makes you stand out right off the bat. This will vary depending on the occasion, and that’s perfectly okay. You also need to think of ways of linking your pitch in conversation, so being clever about variation will help. 

Also, make sure to include your professional and educational background in your elevator pitches along with your goals. Any brilliant extracurriculars you have in your stock should definitely be mentioned. And, though performance is important, think more about actions and concrete experience you’ve accumulated rather than the good grades you’ve gotten. 

‍ The idea is for you to present yourself as the ideal party to whatever pushed you to share your pitch in the first place. Then wrap this up with a question that matters, such as who the best point of contact is to follow up on your interest later. 

To give you some ideas, you can ask about internship opportunities. You can say you would like to gain experience or interview for a specific role. 

Also, make sure you get business cards if you don’t already have some. Hand one out as you finish your pitch and increase your chances that way of sealing your deal. 

These should be some of the most helpful 30 seconds to your career than you have ever imagined. So, if you make it short and to-the-point, you’re bound to make a great impression. 

- Download a free template here: Elevator Pitch Template

Elevator pitch examples for students

Now, here are a few great elevator speech for college students examples to guide you further:

1. Presenting Yourself to Potential Employers:

‍ "At a job interview, the spotlight is on you. In 30 seconds, you can offer a compelling snapshot of who you are. I'm pursuing a Business Communications degree from the University of California, where I've interned and am currently a Development Assistant at Cali Dreams. I've boosted operational efficiency and secured successful fundraising ventures. My strengths in prospect material production align with my ability to foster agency connections and develop strategic calendars, making me an asset as your business developer."

Advice: Start with your name and academic pursuit. If relevant, mention your expected graduation date. Transition to your professional background, highlighting accomplishments. Tie these accomplishments to skills aligned with the job you're seeking.

2. Crafting a Stand-Alone Presentation:

‍ "Imagine standing before an esteemed socially-engaged company upon graduation. I'm Jane Doe, a Linguistics undergrad at the University of Virginia. As Head Editor for our college magazine, I've honed research and editing skills. At the Globes, my internship showcases my media reporting, interdepartmental coordination, and audience awareness. As your assistant communications director, I'm poised to contribute to your innovative community involvement program. Consider me for any open positions, and I appreciate your time."

Advice: Begin with an attention-grabbing hook that resonates with the company's values. Share your academic background and the role you're currently excelling in. Link your skills to specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description.

3. When Experience Is Limited:

‍ "Hello, I'm John Rogers, a sophomore at the University of South Florida, passionate about cutting-edge applications in Information Technology. I aspire to pursue a graduate degree in Applied Informatics, building on my current expertise in information sharing and online collaboration. I'm eager to grow as a mobile app developer within your company. I'm keen to learn more about your internship opportunities and would appreciate insights into your latest mobile application development discoveries."

Advice: Start with a friendly greeting and your name, followed by your academic status. Express your enthusiasm for a specific area and outline your ambitions for further education. Show your eagerness to contribute and learn, and conclude by engaging with a question related to the company's field of interest.

4. Networking Event:

"Hello, I'm Sarah, currently a senior pursuing a psychology degree at [University Name]. Over the past year, I've been immersed in a fascinating study that explores the impact of mindfulness on reducing stress levels among college students. This research was even showcased at our department's annual symposium. I'm excited to connect with professionals who share a passion for advancing mental health awareness and solutions."

Advice: When delivering your elevator pitch, maintain eye contact and speak confidently. Express sincere curiosity about their experiences in the field while briefly discussing your research findings.

5. Career Fair:

"Hey there, my name is Alex, and I'm a recent graduate with a business degree from [University Name]. During my academic journey, I led a dynamic student consulting initiative focused on boosting donor engagement for a local non-profit. This effort led to an impressive 15% increase in donor participation. I'm actively seeking roles that allow me to leverage my project management skills and contribute to organizations dedicated to meaningful societal change."

Advice: Emphasize your quantifiable achievement—the 15% increase in donor engagement—to showcase your impact. Express your excitement to work within organizations that align with your values and aspirations.

6. Internship Application:

"Greetings, I'm Jamal, a junior majoring in engineering at [University Name]. Last summer, I had the privilege of interning at [Engineering Firm], where I was an integral part of the design team for a sustainable energy project. As I embark on my journey toward an enriching career, I'm actively pursuing a summer internship opportunity where I can continue to apply my technical skills and contribute to innovative solutions."

Advice: Customize your pitch to the internship you're interested in by mentioning your past experience and showcasing your enthusiasm for new challenges. Demonstrate your knowledge about the company's ongoing projects.

7. Student Organization Meeting:

"Hi everyone, I'm Emily, currently a sophomore who's passionate about journalism. As the editor of our campus newspaper, I've been orchestrating the coverage of major campus events and conducting insightful interviews with distinguished faculty members. My goal is to collaborate wholeheartedly with each of you to infuse fresh perspectives into our publication and elevate our storytelling endeavors."

Advice: Infuse your pitch with your dedication to the organization's mission. Share a glimpse of your responsibilities as an editor and express your eagerness to contribute to the collective objectives of the group.

8. Informal Meetup:

"Hey, I'm Jake, a second-year computer science student at [University Name]. I've been actively coding since my high school days and recently developed a user-friendly mobile app designed to connect users with local volunteer opportunities. I'm here to engage with fellow tech enthusiasts, swap insights on exciting projects, and stay updated on the latest industry trends."

Advice: In casual settings, maintain an approachable demeanor and be open to dialogue. Highlight your practical coding skills and the app you've built. Express your genuine interest in the tech community and a willingness to learn from others' experiences.

Whatever you do, be brief and honest

As you can probably tell, there are many different ways to word elevator pitches. And there are tons more responses possible from your contacted parties. Work hard at being honest about your current situation. And disclose your background and experience to make the best of your pitch. 

Our best piece of advice is for you to keep this short and never underestimate the power of a 30-second elevator pitch. On the other hand, practice until you feel you’ve nailed it. 

The video we’re sharing on elevator pitches will be able to guide you to learn more. Though more geared towards startup business pitches, it will be a great and quick visual addition for you to fully grasp what elevator pitches are all about.

If you need a presentation to support your pitch, make sure you browse through our template section, so you can download the one you need for free.

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What is an Elevator Pitch? Examples for Students and Job Seekers

You never know when you’ll find yourself in a networking situation, so it’s good to be prepared wherever you go. You can do this by developing an elevator pitch.

An elevator pitch is a brief overview of your professional and educational accomplishments and information relevant to your skills and career goals. You use it when you introduce yourself to people in networking situations and career fairs or answer the interview question, “tell me about yourself.” It’s also your professional summary on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

"Your elevator pitch demonstrates your experiences, capabilities and expertise," she said. " In an interview , it tells the story of why you are the solution to (a) business problem or the best fit for the job. It is an icebreaker that should lead the listener to ask more questions because they want to learn more about you."

This introduction will likely be the first impression you’ll make on a potential employer, so it’s crucial to have an idea of what you’d like to say and be aware of how you present yourself. By writing and practicing an elevator pitch, you can do both.

How to Write an Elevator Pitch

No two elevator pitches are alike since everyone has different backgrounds and experiences to bring to the plate. While the content varies, they all share similar elements.

As you begin to construct your pitch, Moffett advises that you keep it focused and positive. Consider including your:

The person you’re talking to should know your name, especially if you expect them to remember you. Unless you are in an interview or introduced by someone, you should always lead with your first and last name, even if you’re already wearing a name tag.

2. Educational Background

Mentioning the degrees you have will show employers what your qualifications are, and often, they are looking for candidates with specific credentials. If you’re still working on your program, that’s fine too. You can share what you're studying and  when you expect to complete your degree .

3. Professional Experiences

Be sure to include your contributions to the professional landscape as well. Whether you’ve been working in the same industry for a couple of decades or coming right out of college with an internship or two under your belt, including your current job title and applicable professional accomplishments will let employers know you have work experience.

4. Your Value

A strong elevator pitch will communicate how you can be beneficial to an organization. You can do this if you review the job description that interests you and determine how your skills and experiences apply to the position.

Some of the questions Moffett recommends asking yourself are:

• How are you trying to connect with that person?
• What is the meaning of the relationship that you are trying to establish?
• Can you help that person?

“You want to focus on things that are going to be of value for the listener,” she said.

What is an Example of an Elevator Pitch?

While earning a bachelor's degree in an accelerated program , Isabelle MacGilvary '21 gave her pitch at a campus Elevator Pitch Competition hosted by the Professional Sales Association. At the competition, professionals scored students on their delivery, content and closing, and offered feedback and tips to improve.

Earning her bachelor’s degree in marketing  with a minor in professional sales, MacGilvary took advantage of the opportunity to practice in an encouraging environment, although she said she was nervous.

Before the competition, she took videos of herself to practice her pitch. This method helped her nail down the information she wanted to say and showed her how she was presenting herself.

“I just wanted to see what I was like and how I could improve,” she said. McGilvary noticed she often played with her hair or ring, and once she identified this, she stopped both habits.

In her minute-long pitch, she gave an overview of herself, touching on her educational accomplishments and professional experiences, in addition to her passion, skills and career goals.

When she constructed her pitch, her focus was to relate some of the skills needed for her career goals  to her experiences in school and work. “I want to work internationally, so I thought of the different skills I have that would be important for an international job,” she said.

MacGilvary was sure to conclude her pitch politely and with confidence: “Thank you so much for your time today and if any positions open up in your sales department, I hope you think of me,” she said.

What to Avoid in an Elevator Pitch

When done well, your elevator pitch should help you make a positive first impression and stand out to employers. To do this, you should avoid cliches, jargon and anything too personal. Here are a few interview tips  to avoid: 

Ryan Chapman , a career advisor at SNHU, suggests against using cliche words such as “hardworking” and “personable.”

“Everyone uses those words,” he said. “Think a little bit more deeply about what you’re saying to make them (employers) more interested.”

Jargon exists in many industries, but you don’t want to use too much of it in your elevator pitch. To determine how much you should include, Moffett said you should consider your audience.

Are you talking to a recruiter or someone from human resources? If so, exercise limited jargon because they may not share your vocabulary; use just enough to demonstrate your knowledge of the industry. If you’re talking to someone in the same field as you, you can be more granular. “It all goes back to considering your audience,” Moffett said.

Personal Details

You should also avoid anything too personal in your pitch. You want to stay professional, so Chapman recommends avoiding hobbies and interests.

Other Helpful Elevator Pitch Tips

Now that you have an idea of what you should and should not include in your elevator pitch, you're ready to think about the actual delivery.

Make Your Pitch Adaptable

The content you include in your pitch and your goals for delivering it should vary by situation. "Your elevator pitch is going to evolve depending on the setting and your purpose for using it," Moffett said.

For example, you may meet someone from a company you're interested in working for at a professional networking event. Though that person may not be a hiring manager, you can still deliver an elevator pitch, Moffett said. "Using your elevator pitch in that situation can allow you to establish rapport and build a longer term relationship, which could lead to a professional referral in the future," she said.

You should also try to tailor your pitch to the employer, when possible, which means it will likely be different every time. “I think your elevator pitch holds more substance after you’ve done research of the organization’s mission and values,” Chapman said.

For example, if you know the organization focuses on corporate social responsibility, you should highlight pertinent information about yourself that supports this. You might say, "My team worked collaboratively with local nonprofits to provide internships for vulnerable populations. I love the work your company does to improve the lives of others, too, and could see myself working on projects with your team."

Just remember that your elevator pitch is an overview of your experiences. So, as you advance in the professional world,  so should your elevator pitch.

Pay Attention to the Nonverbals

“It’s not just what you say; it’s the energy with which you approach folks,” he said.

There are several tips Whitney and Chapman recommend when meeting and giving your elevator pitch to a potential employer:

• Don’t cross your arms
• Don’t stand too close (or too far away)
• Don’t smoke beforehand
• Dress professionally
• Lean forward slightly
• Maintain eye contact, and don’t forget to blink
• Offer a strong, firm handshake

In addition to these tips, make sure you look approachable. Even if you’re nervous, try your best to relax because your nonverbal communication skills  may convey your emotions without you even realizing it.

Practice Makes Perfect

Chapman suggests jotting down a few bullet points of information you'd like to cover in your pitch. You'll sound more natural if you've only memorized the points.

“Let it flow,” Whitney said. “You have to be able to just be in the conversation and just let it happen (naturally).” If you're too rehearsed, you might lose your train of thought if the person you're speaking to interrupts with a question.

In an interview setting, you might give your whole pitch at once, but it won’t always be like that. It may turn into a conversation in which you learn about the employer or company while they learn about you.

You can practice what you’d like to say in your pitch to smooth out the details and boost your confidence. Moffett recommends practicing in front of a mirror or recording yourself so you can hear yourself and see how your body language comes across. This will enable you to make the necessary adjustments in advance.

You can also work with a career advisor  to build, tweak and fine-tune your pitch. Practicing with a friend or family member will give you additional experience saying it out loud, and it might just give you the confidence you need.

A degree can change your life. Find the SNHU online degree program  that can best help you meet your goals.

Rebecca LeBoeuf ’18 is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University. Connect with her on LinkedIn .

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Write Your Elevator Pitch (with examples)

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An elevator pitch is a brief personal introduction that you can use to introduce yourself, your background, and your goals. It’s called an elevator pitch because it should be only be about as long as it takes to ride an elevator with someone. Write out your elevator pitch to be better prepared to talk about yourself–you never know when you’ll meet someone who can support your career journey!

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Communication Time to Perfect Your Elevator Pitch

Basic page sidebar menu penn gsc, by kuk jang.

During my time at Penn, I often have had to introduce myself and the research I am pursuing on the spot. Either I would run into someone at a conference who was interested in my work or be in a meeting where the host would suddenly ask us all to go around the room and introduce ourselves. In the latter case, I would concentrate so much on figuring out what to say before my turn that I wouldn't hear what other people were saying.   Initial impressions are quite important in academia. We spend a lot of our time in brief interactions with other researchers and colleagues. This means our opportunities to leave a lasting impression are limited. Besides, having to think of what to say whenever you introduce yourself is exhausting, so investing the time and effort to craft your "elevator pitch" beforehand can be very helpful. 

An elevator pitch is a short summary of an idea or project that can be delivered and understood in the time span of an elevator ride (1 to 2 minutes). The goal is for this brief introduction to intrigue the listener (often assumed to be someone important) so they want to hear more or be generally excited about the topic and continue the conversation. In a graduate school setting, a well-crafted elevator pitch can lead to more opportunities for collaboration and maybe even a coveted job. However, most graduate students aren’t instructed on what should be included and how to structure their pitch. 

I had the opportunity to organize a workshop event with  Margaret Janz from Penn libraries  and  Dr. Helen Pho from Penn Career Services , to go over the basics of crafting one's elevator pitch and some important tips and strategies. Here, I’ll discuss some of the key takeaways that I found to be most interesting. 

A universal communication tool 

While preparing for the event and during, I realized that an elevator pitch is useful for many other cases. Initially, I only thought about one-on-one meeting settings, but the same elevator pitch could be used to write a compelling summary for a LinkedIn profile. This changed my perspective on the importance of communication. I would go so far as to say that a distinction between mediocre academics and a truly notable one is how well they can communicate their ideas to different audiences not just the intrinsic value of their work. 

Going through the exercise of crafting an elevator pitch may even be helpful in framing your own research and provide direction for future endeavors. Organizing your research and interests into a concise set of statements requires careful consideration of what is most important as well as the cohesive theme that will tie everything together. For doctoral students who eventually must  write a dissertation , this could be an invaluable exercise that helps your progress toward a more complete story. It's easy to notice logical holes and what needs to be supplemented when you are trying to tell the story of your work. 

How to craft an elevator pitch 

Know your audience and know your goals 

Knowing your audience is a basic principle of all forms of communication but is especially important for the short form of an elevator pitch. You may need to include more or fewer details depending on who your audience is and their respective background. Of course, you may have to adjust the content of your pitch on the spot. It's also important to find relevant reasons a potential listener may be interested in your work and include such details accordingly.  

The goal of your pitch will heavily influence the structure and content. A pitch in order to get hired or receive funding will be different from a pitch that is a call to action. In the former, highlighting your skills and the problems you’ve solved may be of importance, whereas in the latter, emphasis on the importance of the problem and impact may be needed. This relates to how to frame your pitch and structure the message, which is part of the next step. 

Craft your message 

Once you have an idea of the audience and goals, it makes sense to think about the actual content of your pitch and the message that you wish to convey. The workshop highlighted some questions that could be a good start to crafting the content of your pitch: 

What is the problem you are investigating? Why is it hard?  

What are the limitations of solutions today and how does your solution (or potential solution) address the gap?  

Why does it matter (to your audience)?  

What are the potential benefits of your solution? 

I found it interesting that trade-offs exist when structuring your pitch. For instance, if you emphasize the problem too much or try to instigate fear, it dissuades people from acting. Similarly, if you emphasize the solution too much, people may think the problem is already solved and ignore or trivialize your efforts. The optimal balance will depend on who your audience is and what you want them to take away from your introduction. 

There are also many strategies for structuring your message. You could make all the statements be simple and factual or you could make your pitch centered around some anecdote. For instance, if you're presenting your solution for testing autonomous vehicles, you could begin with an anecdote about how the sun shining at a certain angle caused a fatal accident as it masked a truck that was stopped along the side of a road. Your solution can show how it would prevent a situation like that from occurring again. 

Tighten the language and simplify 

An elevator pitch is supposed to be short. Once you've composed the first draft of your message, you want to go through multiple revisions to select only the most essential points. A 2-minute time limit is a good rule-of-thumb for the length.  

Not only does the message have to be short, but it should be  approachable for the listener . Using active voice and avoiding overly complex words will help your audience understand what you are trying to say. A common mistake when presenting your ideas is to use field-specific jargon that can be confusing for even people who research the same topic. Here are some tools that can be used as a starting point to determine if your language is too "jargony": 

XKCD Simple Writer  

De-Jargonizer  

Things to Keep in Mind 

Tell a story: It helps to imagine that you are telling a story about your work/idea. Everyone likes a good story. 

Connect with your audience and pay attention to feedback (verbal and non-verbal): Regardless of how much you prepare, different people will react differently, and you may need to adjust your content depending on the situation. In the end, you want to have a conversation about your work, not a lecture. 

Networking and Informational interviews 

During the workshop, there was a segment that was particularly relevant to students who are actively looking for jobs post-graduation. Coming back to the idea that an elevator pitch is a general communication tool, platforms such as  LinkedIn ,  Penn's Handshake , or  MyPenn  provide features that allow you to connect with potential employers and alumni.  Informational interviews , conversations with current employees/employers that aren't for getting a job offer, are important when learning about jobs and gaining perspective. It's often the case that before an interview, especially when connecting through these platforms, interviewers will browse through your profile. A well-written introduction/summary on your profile can excite whoever you are talking to and lead to a more enthusiastic conversation. This could be the difference between getting a job offer and barely missing the threshold to be asked to interview. 

Whether it's for an impromptu conversation on the street or an introduction for a job interview or just organizing your research direction, crafting your elevator pitch will have numerous benefits throughout your graduate study. Whatever way one decides to compose a pitch, I think it's important to allow for your message to reflect your personality. Regardless of your actual achievements or skills, you want to communicate who you are as a person and what you value. This will not only lead to better feedback from your audience but also help you connect with the people you are meeting.   I highly recommend listening to the workshop which is available at  https://gsc.upenn.edu/recent-workshops  (PennKey login required). Additional resources and slides to the presentation can also be found at the site.  

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How To Create an Elevator Pitch (With Examples)

Tips for writing a perfect elevator speech

Alison Doyle is one of the nation’s foremost career experts.

When and How To Use an Elevator Speech

What to say in your elevator pitch, what not to say and do during your elevator speech, tips for virtual elevator pitches, elevator pitch examples.

Hybrid Images / Cultura / Getty Images

What's an elevator pitch, and how can it help your career? An elevator pitch—also known as an elevator speech—is a quick synopsis of your background, experience, and purpose. The reason it's called an elevator pitch is that it should be short enough to present during a brief elevator ride.

This speech is all about you: who you are, what you do, and what you want to do (if you're job hunting) or are doing.

Your elevator pitch is a way to share your expertise and credentials quickly and effectively with people who don't know you.

Done right, this short speech helps you introduce yourself to career and business connections in a compelling way. It can help you build your network, land a job, or connect with new colleagues on your first day of work.

Key Takeaways

• Keep your elevator speech short and sweet, aiming to deliver your message in 60 seconds or less.
• Say who you are, what you do, and what you want to achieve. Your goal is to focus on the essentials. 
• Be positive and persuasive with your limited time. Focus on what you want to do, not what you don’t want to do. 
• Deliver your speech to a friend or record it, so that you can be sure that your message is clear. The more you practice, the better your speech. 

If you're job searching, you can use your elevator pitch at job fairs and career expos, and online in your LinkedIn summary or Twitter bio, for example. An elevator speech is a great way to gain confidence in introducing yourself to hiring managers and company representatives.

You can also use your elevator pitch to introduce yourself at networking events and mixers. If you're attending professional association programs and activities, or any other type of gathering, have your pitch ready to share with those you meet.

Your elevator pitch is just as useful in virtual networking events, interviews, and career fairs as it is during in-person gatherings. 

Your elevator pitch can be used during job interviews, especially when you're asked about yourself. Interviewers often begin with the question, "Tell me about yourself"—think of your elevator pitch as a super-condensed version of your response to that request.

Maddy Price / The Balance

Your elevator speech should be brief . Restrict the speech to 30-60 seconds. You don't need to include your entire work history and career objectives. Your pitch should be a short recap of who you are and what you do.

You need to be persuasive.  Even though it's a short pitch, your elevator speech should be compelling enough to spark the listener's interest in your idea, organization, or background.

Share your skills.  Your elevator pitch should explain who you are and what qualifications and skills you have. Try to focus on assets that add value in many situations. This is your chance to brag a bit—avoid sounding boastful, but do share what you bring to the table.

Practice, practice, practice.  The best way to feel comfortable about giving an elevator speech is to practice it until the speed and “pitch” come naturally, without sounding robotic. You will get used to varying the conversation as you practice doing so. The more you practice, the easier it will be to deliver it when you’re at a career networking event or job interview.

Practice giving your speech to a friend or recording it. This will help you know whether you're keeping within the time limit and giving a coherent message.

Be positive and flexible.  You often aren’t interviewing for a specific position when you deliver your pitch, so you want to appear open-minded and flexible. Don’t lead with the stuff you’d rather not be doing. (For example, if you don’t want to travel a lot for work, that’s completely legitimate —but you needn’t volunteer that information right off the bat.) This is your chance to make a great first impression with a potential employer. Don’t waste it.

Mention your goals.  You don't need to get too specific. An overly targeted goal isn't helpful since your pitch will be used in many circumstances, and with many different types of people. But do remember to say what you're looking for. For instance, you might say, "a role in accounting" or "an opportunity to apply my sales skills to a new market" or "to relocate to San Francisco with a job in this same industry."

Know your audience and speak to them.  In some cases, using jargon can be a powerful move—it demonstrates your industry knowledge. But be wary of using jargon during an elevator pitch, particularly if you're speaking to recruiters, who may find the terms unfamiliar and off-putting. Keep it simple and focused.

Have a business card ready.  If you have a business card, offer it at the end of the conversation as a way to continue the dialog. If you don’t, you could offer to use your smartphone to share your contact information. A copy of your resume, if you're at a job fair or a professional networking event, will also demonstrate your enthusiasm and preparedness.

Don't speak too fast.  Yes, you only have a short time to convey a lot of information. But don't try to fix this dilemma by speaking quickly. This will only make it hard for listeners to absorb your message.

Avoid rambling.  This is why it's so important to practice your elevator speech. While you don't want to over-rehearse, and subsequently sound stilted, you also don't want to have unfocused or unclear sentences in your pitch, or get off-track. Give the person you’re talking to an opportunity to interject or respond.

Don't frown or speak in a monotone way.  Here's one of the downsides to rehearsing: it can leave you more focused on remembering the exact words you want to use, and less on how you're conveying them through your body language and tone. Keep your energy level high, confident, and enthusiastic.

Modulate your voice to keep listeners interested, keep your facial expression friendly, and smile.

Don't limit yourself to a single elevator pitch.  Maybe you're interested in pursuing two fields—public relations and content strategy. Many of your communication skills will apply to both those fields, but you'll want to tailor your pitch depending on who you are speaking to. You may also want to have a more casual, personal pitch prepared for social settings.

All the same guidelines apply when it comes to a virtual elevator pitch. You may have an opportunity to give an elevator speech in a virtual career fair, a job interview over Zoom, or during a networking event. Follow the dos and don'ts listed above. 

Plus, keep these tips in mind: 

• Check how you look.  You'll want to have a clean and professional background. Plus, make sure you're well lit and aren't in any distracting shadows. 
• Make eye contact.  Try practicing beforehand, so you get accustomed to looking at the camera—that will help you appear to make eye contact with the person on the other side of the video chat. Though avoid overdoing it or staring!
• Aim for high energy.  As with in-person pitches, you'll want to avoid speaking too quickly. Also important: modulate your voice (to avoid a monotone) and keep your energy high. It's easier for people to be distracted during video meetings, and you'll want to keep their attention. 

Use these examples as guidelines in crafting your own elevator pitch. Make sure your speech includes details on your background, as well as what you'd provide an employer with:

• 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.
• I have a decade's worth of experience in accounting, working primarily with small and midsize firms. If your company is ever in need of an extra set of hands, I'd be thrilled to consult.
• My name is Bob, and after years of working at other dentists' offices, I'm taking the plunge and opening my own office. If you know anyone who's looking for a new dentist, I hope you'll send them my way!
• 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.
• I'm a lawyer with the government, based out of D.C. I grew up in Ohio though, and I'm looking to relocate closer to my roots, and join a family-friendly firm. I specialize in labor law and worked for ABC firm before joining the government.
• My name is Sarah, and I run a trucking company. It's a family-owned business, and we think the personal touch makes a big difference to our customers. Not only do we guarantee on-time delivery, but my father and I personally answer the phones.

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How to Craft a Personal Elevator Pitch

You’ve been dreaming about getting in front of an influential manager or investor for years and suddenly they’re right in front of you, asking you about yourself. How do you respond?

Always being ready for this kind of scenario with a predetermined answer is the idea behind crafting an elevator pitch. It’s a quick way to communicate who you are and why the person you’re talking to should care—all in only the short amount of time it takes for an elevator ride.

Many think of an “elevator pitch” as a message that can succinctly promote their organization, but it’s equally important that you have an elevator pitch crafted for the promotion of yourself , as well.  Read on to learn how to develop the perfect personal elevator pitch to help promote your accomplishments and bolster your career. 

What is a Personal Elevator Pitch?

An elevator pitch is a short but easy-to-understand explanation of you, your product, or your company. A personal elevator pitch is a compelling introduction of yourself, what you do, and what sets you apart from others in your field. It’s intended to quickly captivate your audience, and help open up a dialogue. 

Why Do I Need an Elevator Pitch?

There are many uses for an elevator pitch. Some of the most common include:

In a Cover Letter: Use your elevator pitch as a way to either help you brainstorm the main points you want to touch upon in your letter, or use it within the actual text of your statement as a way of starting off strong. Using your pitch in this format is a fantastic way to highlight what drives you and what makes you special.

During an Interview: Often hiring managers will ask you to tell them about yourself during an interview . Having an honest, memorable, and well-thought-out answer can capture their attention and show that you know the value you can offer their organization. It can also help open a meaningful dialogue about what you’re looking for and whether this career opportunity will be the right fit for you.

At Networking Events: You’re likely to meet dozens if not hundreds of people at networking events, and having an authentic statement about yourself at the ready can help break the ice when starting a conversation. It can also help those you meet remember you and your accomplishments after the event has ended.

On Social Media: Use your elevator pitch to help build your personal brand on LinkedIn and on other professional networks.

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Explore our Career Advice archives for tips and strategies to advance in your career.

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How do I Write a Personal Elevator Pitch?

Step 1: write it out.

Simply put pen to paper and jot down the answers to the biggest factors in your professional life, including: 

• What you do for work.
• What inspires you most about your work.
• What your greatest career achievements have been.
• What your career goals are.
• What you are looking to achieve in the future.
• What special skills you have that could benefit your future employer.

Step 2: Consider Your Value

Review the ways that your education can add to your value as an employee , including:

• The transferable skills you have gained while earning your degree.
• The special projects (research work, co-ops, etc.) you may have worked on.
• The way your university experience advanced your knowledge in the field.

Step 3: Seek The Input of Others

Connect with those you’ve worked closely with during your professional career, and ask them to identify what distinguishes you from others in your field. 

Often it can be hard to objectively see what skills you have that have helped others or that impacted an organization. These might be skills that are part of your job description—such as success in garnering press for your company or exceptional coding abilities—or “soft skills” that add value in other ways. For example, you might be adept at building consensus among disparate groups, or at coming up with creative solutions to business obstacles. No matter their input, considering the opinions of those who know you best in the workplace can help you determine the most relevant points to include in your elevator pitch.

Step 4: Determine Your Motivation

Think through what you really want to achieve with your next career move and why—even before you start writing. Your elevator pitch should not just tell people what you have to offer, but also provide some insight into who you are and what motivates you. Feel free to jot down bullet points at this stage to help formulate your ideas.

Step 5: Prioritize

Establish the top two to three points you’d like to convey, and write out a sentence that properly highlights each point. 

For example:

• I’m skilled at helping bring history to life.
• I was inspired to teach history by my fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Moss, who showed me how a great teacher can profoundly change your life.
• My students often ask tough questions, and I love the discussions those questions can open up!

Combine the above bullet points into a smooth, well-crafted pitch using transition points to help connect each idea. For example:

I’m a middle school teacher, and am always looking for ways to bring history to life in class. My own fifth-grade teacher inspired me, and showed me that sometimes your most challenging days can turn into opportunities to learn something new. That’s why I love when students ask me tough questions, because it can spark great discussions and gets the students really engaged.

Step 6: Practice & Get Feedback

Read your elevator pitch out loud to yourself, then share it with a trusted friend or colleague for their honest input. Once you have gathered this feedback and feel comfortable speaking your statement out loud, you should begin actively using it at professional events to see how people respond. Noticing how those around you are interpreting your message will help you determine if or how you might need to adjust it moving forward.

Step 7: Polish Your Pitch

Refining your elevator pitch should be an iterative process, and it may require several versions before you feel comfortable with what you’ve written. If you get stuck, you might also consider asking a professional editor to help you hone your message.

The Dos and Don’ts of Creating a Personal Elevator Pitch

Create your personal elevator pitch with the following tips in mind:

• Make it meaningful to the person you’re speaking with. Consider not just what you do, but how what you do could help the person you’re pitching to.

Here’s an example of an opening line in a less-effective elevator pitch:

I’ve been working in drug discovery at Smith Pharmaceuticals for 12 years.

Here’s how to turn that opening line into a pitch that means something to a future employer:

I helped discover and patent a billion-dollar diabetes medication during my time in the pharmaceutical industry.

• Tell a story. Paint a picture of what you do in order to help your pitch get noticed. This might involve highlighting an interesting accomplishment or simply sharing your unique perspective on your profession.
• Be specific. Future employers want to understand what your particular area of expertise is.
• Be authentic. Give potential employers a sense of who you really are. After all, you’re looking for a career opportunity that is a good fit for you, so giving some insight into who you are and what motivates you is important.
• Use a conversational tone. Avoid using language that’s too rigid or formal, and be wary of your statement coming off like a sales pitch. Even though your elevator pitch is, at its core, a way to sell yourself and your worth, it’s important to strike a balance between confident and casual.
• Go into too much detail. Your pitch should have only enough information to pique someone’s interest; it is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all you have to offer.
• Use jargon or industry language. Articulate what your skills are and what your value using layman’s terms, so that professionals from any field can see and understand your value.
• Take too long. Aim to get your point across in less than 30 seconds.
• Put too much focus on your years of experience. It’s not your longevity in a job that will make you noticeable but what you did with that time.
• Use cliche terms. Phrases like “state-of-the-art” and “thinking outside the box” are overused and can make a pitch seem dull.

Personal Elevator Pitch Examples

Each elevator pitch should be unique. Here are several examples to get you inspired:

Example #1: Highlighting Previous Successes

I’m a marketing manager who helped launch a successful nutrition app that sold three million copies in its first year. I’m looking to use what I’ve learned in the corporate world to help a health-focused nonprofit grow its donor base.

Example #2: Sharing Your Passion

I’m currently a corporate chef, and my favorite part of my work is concocting new recipes. I’m looking to become a personal chef so that I can continue bringing joy to my clients through food.

Example #3: Starting a Dialogue

Do you ever get the feeling your doctor has one foot out the door when you start asking them questions? As a practice manager, I actually work to build better relationships between patients and doctors. I helped my last practice earn a position as one of Boston Magazine’s list of Boston’s Best Doctors , and am looking to join a practice that shares these values.

Advance Your Career With a Well-Developed Elevator Pitch

Having a succinct personal elevator pitch is a fantastic way to make the most of interviews and networking events, and to open you up to new career opportunities. While it may seem like a challenging exercise to hone your personal message, it’s a very powerful way to market yourself.

Highlighting an advanced degree within your elevator pitch can also go a long way in setting you apart from the masses in these situations. Many of today’s employers seek candidates who believe in lifelong education, as this demonstrates your commitment to continual improvement. If you have already pursued advanced education, be sure to mention your degree within your personal elevator pitch in a way that doesn’t feel forced, but that clearly establishes your credentials in the field. For those who have not yet completed advanced education, consider one of the 200+ degree and certificate programs at Northeastern to help set you apart from the crowd.

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15 creative elevator pitch examples for every scenario

A good elevator pitch can be the difference between landing your next big opportunity or falling short of the competition. But the reality is, people want to have meaningful conversations without the forced sales pitch. So how do you pitch yourself during a job interview or client meeting with authenticity? 

First things first: What is an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch, also known as an elevator speech, is an opportunity to share a quick summary of yourself and your product offerings. But a pitch can also be your chance at making a real connection that you can use later down the road. It’s not always an immediate benefit, but you should be prepared for any scenario in which you could be giving an elevator pitch. 

In reality, most people have given an elevator pitch whether they realize it or not. That’s because there are many different types of pitches—from interviews to new business opportunities. That makes preparing for your next pitch an important step in marketing both yourself and your company. 

When it comes to figuring out who to deliver your pitch to, you should aim for the best point of contact, not just the highest point of contact. Choosing connections that are related to or interested in what you’re offering will give you a better chance at making your sale. 

How long should an elevator pitch be?

One of the biggest unknowns about creating sample elevator pitches is how long they should be. In most cases, it will depend on what it’s about and who you’re pitching. A good rule of business etiquette is to make it as short as possible by carefully selecting the most important points. 

A study conducted by Microsoft found that the average person has an attention span of around eight seconds, meaning you’ll have to fight for that undivided attention. That’s no small task. So when it comes to a great elevator pitch, aim to keep it around 30 seconds—though the exact length can vary depending on your industry and what you’re pitching. 

When looking at pitch length based on industry, each one differs to some degree. Let’s take marketing for example. Your pitch opportunities will likely be to customers that come across your brand. And in that case, you have very little time to get your message across—whether it’s text, video, or imagery. But when it comes to sales, you may get the opportunity to expand your elevator pitch past 30 seconds. You will likely have plenty of networking opportunities where people are more than willing to listen to what you have to say. It really just depends on your medium and the audience’s eagerness to listen. 

But what if you can’t cut your elevator pitch down to 30 seconds? It may seem like your brand is too complicated to distill down to such a short timeframe, but if you’re pitching to the right audience you shouldn’t have that problem. Make sure you pitch to people related to your industry or a tangential audience that will be able to interpret your offerings. 

How to write an elevator pitch 

When it comes to writing an elevator pitch, it can be hard to decipher important facts from unimportant ones—this is why knowing how to effectively communicate in the workplace is important in the first place. For example, while it’s good to personalize your communication tactics wherever possible, it’s not necessary to give prospects an entire history lesson on your business. Only the most recent and relevant details should be included. To get started creating your own pitch, you first need to understand the basic components that make up any good elevator pitch.

Introduce yourself

All good pitches start with a short introduction. It could be as simple as stating your name and who you work for if those details apply. But the more personal you can make it, the more natural your elevator pitch will seem. Body language is also an important part of a solid introduction, as is eye contact. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when introducing yourself to a new prospect. 

Greet your audience in a way that’s appropriate for the occasion. Go formal for a business pitch or more casual for a fun event. With business meetings and networking events being held virtually, you’ll need to get creative with your introductions over video chat. You could even start with a lighthearted joke to break the ice. But whatever you do, make sure it’s relevant to your audience. 

Present the problem

All solutions start with a problem. Whatever you or your business is trying to solve, it’s important to get the point across early on in your elevator pitch to set the theme for the rest of your speech. An example problem: coordinating work between teams is chaotic.  

If possible, relate the problem back to your audience by using real-world examples. This will help make the problem more relevant and, hopefully, grab your audience’s attention. If your problem isn’t easy to explain, try using more than one example or a visual to really paint a picture for your audience. 

Offer the solution

If the problem is what draws the audience in, then the solution is what hooks them. This is your time to show them why they need your help. Here’s an example solution: Asana gives teams a system to organize and manage work so they know what to do, why it matters, and how to get it done.

The solution is arguably the most important part of an elevator pitch, so spend time perfecting it. If you’re pitching for a business, it’s likely the quick solution pitch has already been created. But again, it’s always better to personalize your pitch. So don’t be afraid to tweak it to fit your audience. If pitching for yourself, talk about the unique skills you’ve developed and why they would be beneficial to your prospect. 

Explain your value proposition

Now that you’ve piqued your audience’s attention, it’s time to seal the deal by explaining why your solution is better than anyone else's. An example value proposition is: Asana is the only platform that connects goals with the work needed to achieve them. 

The value proposition differs from the solution by focusing on why your audience should use your solution over a competitor’s. If you don’t have that answer just yet, perform a competitive analysis to compare your offerings or look to your executive summary. 

If your market is extremely niche and you don’t have a clear differentiator or significant competition, look to communication and interface capabilities. Consider why your idea or solution is original enough that someone would want to use it.   

Engage the audience

While most of the hard work is done, it’s important to engage your audience with a compliment or question before you part ways. Always err on the side of being genuine rather than delivering a scripted goodbye. 

There is no right or wrong way to engage your audience. While ending with a question can create a dialogue between you and your audience, a genuine compliment can go a long way. Think about what made you want to pitch them in the first place and use that to end the conversation. Lastly, don’t forget to swap contact information, such as a business card, if you don’t already have it. 

A foolproof elevator pitch template

Now that you know the basic components of a pitch, the next step is creating your very own elevator pitch. This template can work for just about any situation, from a job interview to pitching a small business or startup. That’s because we analyzed some of the most famous templates from industry experts—from Harvard research to Guy Kawasaki’s art of pitching—to create a foolproof template that will work in any situation. 

Plug your information into our elevator pitch template to draft a quick speech. While you won’t necessarily recite it word for word, it’s a great model to keep in mind in case you find yourself in a position where you’re not prepared with a personalized pitch.

Whether you’re looking for a pitch template for a job interview or for pitching your business, this template is a foolproof example for any situation you might find yourself in. 

General elevator pitch template

Use our elevator pitch template to start constructing your speech by adding statistics and personalized greetings where needed. This template incorporates the four parts explained above to hit all of the important details of a good elevator pitch. 

Introduction : “Hi I’m [name], a [position title] at [company name]. It’s great to meet you!”

Problem : “Since you work with [company name or industry] I figured you’d be interested to know that [problem + interesting statistic].”

Solution : “The great part about working at [your company’s name] is that we’ve been able to fix just that problem by [solution].”

Value proposition : “In fact, we’re the only company that offers [value proposition].”

CTA : “I think our solution could really help you. Are you available this week to speak further on this?”

Don’t be afraid to change up your pitch template based on your personality and professional expertise. We’ve also included personalized 30-second elevator pitch examples below to inspire personal facts you can add to create a more engaging speech .

30-second elevator pitch examples

Let’s dive into the best 30-second elevator pitch examples to help you create a pitch that’s both engaging and informative. Our examples take inspiration from the four elements included in the template above, to demonstrate how you'd pitch project management software to  increase productivity . Try a few or try them all to find one that best fits your personality and value proposition. 

Example 1: Short and sweet

This example is one of the most common you’ll come across. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the best, but it’s a great example of a quick and easy pitch that fits almost any situation. When working on this type of elevator pitch, be sure to keep it as short and to the point as possible. Try to stick closely to the 30 seconds or less rule since the point is to be brief and transparent.

The problem is that work is chaotic no matter what industry you’re in or how good you are at your job. But a good project management software can help improve productivity and communication. I haven’t missed a deadline in years. If you’re interested in how it can help your team, give me a call and I can take you through some numbers. 

Example 2: Relatable over reliable

Sometimes the best way to grab your audience’s attention is to reel them in with a personal anecdote they’ll relate to. While it’s still important to drive home your solution, this approach puts more weight on making a personal connection rather than an immediate sale. 

It’s so great to finally meet you. How is business going? I heard you’ve been struggling with communication issues. My team and I struggled with that too. It wasn’t until we added project management software into our routine that we really saw an improvement in teamwork and overall communication. I hope you find a solution that works for your team. 

Example 3: Savvy with stats

Start your pitch off with a hook by dropping an attention-grabbing statistic. It’s important to have hard data to back up your statistics to ensure their accuracy before pitching. When it comes to a statistics pitch, it’s a good idea to come full circle at the end and connect how your solution can help solve that statistic.  

Did you know that despite having more ways to connect remotely, 60% of workers’ time is spent on work coordination with just 26% spent on skilled work and 14% on strategy? No wonder teams need help with project management. Implementing project management tools can decrease time spent on work coordination and help increase skilled work.

Example 4: Question everything

This example uses questions to make your pitch easily comprehensible. It also forces the audience to join in on the conversation rather than just presenting them with a speech. Try starting and ending with a question that makes the audience think about your pitch long after you leave the room.

Do you ever feel like you spend too much time on work about work? I’ve talked to so many people who share the same frustrations. I used to work long hours every day just trying to catch up. But do you know what? Ever since we started using project management software, I've been able to get so much more work done. Have you tried anything similar in the past?

Example 5: Comedic twist

If your pitch isn’t about a serious topic, you can add comedic twists to engage the audience. This is especially useful if giving a presentation. Add a GIF or quick funny clip in between slides to lighten the mood. If using this example, be sure it fits the occasion and tone of your company. 

Did you know that the average person can only pay attention for eight seconds? That’s not even long enough to place my coffee order in the morning. Maybe that’s why my barista always gets it wrong. But seriously, I think that’s why so many companies struggle to hit deadlines. 

Example 6: Tell a story

Use customer testimonials or your own personal story to paint a picture for the audience. This can be especially helpful if your topic is hard to explain in 30 seconds or less. Telling a story is a great way to add a relatable twist. 

We have a customer that transitioned to a fully remote workforce this year and needed help making sure deadlines were met. With our help, they were able to get up to 10% of their time back in their day and focus on more important things like strategic planning.  

Example 7: Emotionally driven

While this type of pitch may be more difficult to create, you have a better chance of winning over your audience if you can make your pitch emotionally driven. It’s also more likely they’ll be willing to share the experience with someone else down the road. It’s important to keep the emotions on the lighter side to prevent the conversation from steering too dark. Here is an example to inspire your own speech. 

It may seem like any other tool, but when you look closely it really is helping teams connect. And not just that, but it’s helping cultivate teams that actually enjoy working together on new projects. That’s something that’s hard to come by, but something everyone is looking for.  

Example 8: Write it first

While most speeches start by writing a general outline, you can opt to write the entire pitch from start to finish. This tends to create a thought-provoking and poetic flow once you do present your pitch. You’ll have to memorize this pitch, so practicing is a key element to this strategy. 

Hi, my name is Kelly! It’s great to meet you. You work for Apollo Enterprises, right? I’ve heard a lot about them. I actually heard that you’re looking for project management help. In my experience, any organization—whether sales or suppliers—needs help coordinating work and team communication. Work can be rather chaotic, especially now, without it. That’s why we’ve created a software tool that helps both individuals and teams organize their projects and communications all in one place. Have you ever thought about using something similar?

Example 9: End with a one-liner

Making a grand exit doesn’t come easily, but if you can pull it off your audience is sure to be impressed. Stay away from cliche one-liners and make your closing authentic to you. The point here is to leave them with a thought that they’ll remember after the meeting is over. Consider sharing a surprising statistic or question relevant to their business.

Over one-quarter (26%) of all deadlines are missed each week because of a lack of clarity. But with the right project management tools, that number could be much lower. So the question is, can your business afford not to use project management software? 

Elevator pitch examples by scenario

Now that we’ve covered the types of pitch examples, let’s dive into example elevator pitches for different scenarios. Whether you’re pitching for your business or yourself, you can use an elevator pitch to organize your thoughts and prepare for the real deal. Let’s look at key tips for any situation you may find yourself in. 

Example 10: Networking event

A networking event is probably the most common scenario you’ll run into. And with the new virtual-first culture, it may be even more challenging to make meaningful connections over video chat. That’s why it’s so important to prepare an elevator pitch that’s compelling no matter where you’re pitching it from. While most salespeople pitch casually in this environment, you may get the opportunity to meet an important executive. In which case, you’ll want to be prepared with a versatile pitch template. 

Great to meet you, I’m Kelly with Apollo Enterprises. We’ve been able to improve productivity and collaboration for teams all over the world. If you ever need help with project management, just reach out. I think we could make a huge impact on your company. I’ll make sure to keep your contact information handy as well. 

Example 11: Job interview

Looking for a new job or have career fairs coming up? Most interviews—whether with human resources, a recruiter, or a hiring manager—start with some form of the phrase, “Tell me about yourself.” This is an opportunity for job seekers to briefly explain themselves and their professional experience using industry buzzwords and key skills. Having an elevator pitch ready can ensure that you’re prepared when the opportunity presents itself. 

I’m Kelly, a specialist at Apollo Enterprises. I chose a career in project management because I had a passion for it, and now I can proudly say that I’ve been able to make a real difference in people’s lives. That’s why I’m looking to continue my career with an employer who shares those same values. I know my unique skills can make a big impact at your company because I’ve proven my results with a few key projects. 

Example 12: Formal meeting

You’ve landed the meeting, congratulations! Now is the time to create a formal elevator pitch to really get them interested. When presenting a formal pitch, a presentation can be a great addition to traditional elevator speech examples. But whether or not you choose to create a presentation, this meeting is about selling your product in the most professional way possible. So dress the part and don’t forget your unique selling proposition. 

I took a look at your current productivity figures and noticed an opportunity for improvement. With our project management software, you could get back up to 10% more of your workday. Not only would that mean more work getting done, but it would also have a positive impact on the overall success of your business. Not to mention, our tool is the only one in the industry that has goal capabilities to ensure teams stay on track. 

Example 13: Sales pitch 

Professionals often pitch traditional sales jargon, but the real key is creating a human connection while lightly sprinkling in what you’re selling. Start with a personal story or light-hearted introduction instead of the typical sales presentation. You can also prepare by creating sales team goal templates to ensure your team is on the same page. 

Our team really struggled to transition to a remote workforce. Communication wasn’t organized and people struggled to find the correct information to complete projects. But, thankfully, we found a solution to our problem. Implementing project management tools not only improved productivity but also improved overall teamwork. Every company prefers different tools, but I can say without a doubt that our software was the best at connecting goals with the work needed to achieve them. 

Example 14: Social introduction

Now, more than ever, professionals are choosing to meet virtually rather than face-to-face. Whether you’re chatting over LinkedIn or have a virtual meeting set up, it’s important to make your pitch personal and use clear visuals to help sell your point. Here’s a great example of a social media pitch. 

Thanks for connecting! I noticed that your competitors are outperforming you when it comes to year-over-year growth. I took the liberty of doing a competitive analysis and didn’t find any outlying problems. I’m wondering if it could be an issue with productivity. How has the transition to remote work been? If you’re interested, I could run you through some productivity figures if you were to add project management tools to your current processes. 

Example 15: Entrepreneurs and business owners

Pitching to a business owner is much different than pitching to an executive. They can be harder to sell because they are often hesitant about new investments. The most important tip is to use examples as they pertain to the business when explaining a problem and solution.  

I love your products at Apollo Enterprises. I’m a huge proponent of your mission. I did realize that there may be some opportunities to improve productivity and collaboration internally. Have you ever considered project management software? I think it could have a big impact on business growth now or even down the road. 

4 tips to perfect your elevator pitch

In addition to creating the perfect elevator pitch, you should also work on sprucing up your delivery. There’s nothing worse than sitting through a boring speech, so make sure yours is anything but. From posture to tone, there’s a lot you can practice to make sure you look professional and knowledgeable. Consider these four tips when trying to nail a successful elevator pitch. 

1. Stick to your outline

To prevent getting off-topic, it’s important to stick to your outline at least to some extent. While you don’t need to recite it word for word, it’s best to memorize the majority of your pitch. That way you won’t need to worry about checking your notes. 

2. Speak slowly and clearly

Many professionals tend to talk quickly when they’re nervous—hey, we’re only human. But it’s important to enunciate and speak slowly so the audience can understand you. This is especially important when presenting over video chat. But try not to slow yourself down too much or you’ll go over your allotted time. 

3. Record your pitch

Record yourself reciting the pitch to work on any areas that need improvement. Practice your pitch a handful of times by playing the recording back and working out any pain points. A couple of key areas to focus on are speed and tone. It’s better to sound overly energized rather than monotone. 

4. Practice, practice, practice!

There’s nothing more effective than practicing your pitch until you’re able to recite it in your sleep. If possible, practice in front of friends and family to get constructive feedback on how you can make your pitch even better. Even if you have years of experience, you can never go wrong with being overly prepared. 

Elevate your first impression with an elevator pitch

An elevator pitch is a chance to show off your strengths and pitch your solutions. While it may sound nerve-wracking, using the 15 elevator pitch examples above will help you develop your own method using personal tidbits that tie into your innovative solutions.

While your pitch is an important part of leveling up your business, there are many avenues you can take to achieve growth. One of those ways is by determining whether project management vs. work management tools are right for your team. Not only will they help connect your team members, but the right tools and software can also help your organization set strategic goals. That means more time spent on bigger projects to help your business reach next-level growth. 

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How To Write A Killer Elevator Pitch (Examples Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

You’re on the elevator, riding up from the lobby to the top floor to drop off your resume with Human Resources in response to a job posting for your dream career.

You’re excited, but nervous, because you know your resume is going to be just one of hundreds that the hiring manager is going to look over before even thinking about inviting anyone in for an interview.

If only there were a way to make yourself stand out. If only…

The doors open and a woman in a sharp looking business suit steps in with you. She looks over and sees the top floor button is already lit. She smiles and in that instant a current of nervous energy rips through your body. This isn’t just any generic passenger you’re sharing the ride with…this is the hiring manager you’re hoping to impress!

Your heart starts pounding, your palms are sweaty, you feel light headed…

This is your chance!

You have a 12 floor uninterrupted ride up with her and in those moments, in that tiny elevator, she’s your captive audience.

You open your mouth and turn to her with a look of enthusiasm…and speak.

Let’s hope that elevator pitch  (or elevator speech) is ready!

Here’s the deal, after you make your successful elevator pitch (which you will after reading this article!), you need to know that you will get an interview…

But here’s the thing: there are over 100 other difficult interview questions you could be asked in your job interview. Sounds stressful right?

Well don’t worry, because we created a free PDF that outlines the most common questions and gives you word for word sample answers that you can use at your next interview.

Click the link below to get your copy now!

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FREE BONUS PDF CHEAT SHEET: Get our " Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet " that gives you " word-word sample answers to the most common job interview questions you'll face at your next interview .

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What Is An Elevator Pitch?

So what exactly is an elevator pitch?

In a nutshell it’s just what it sounds like: a short, 30-60 second well crafted business pitch telling someone who you are and why they should want to hire you .

It’s called the elevator pitch because it’s meant to represent the amount of time you’d have if you were stuck in an elevator with someone riding from the bottom of the building to the top.

“Well, this stinks. I live in a town of nothing but one floor buildings. How am I supposed to use an elevator pitch? Clearly this article means nothing to someone who doesn’t live in the heart of a big city or surrounded by high rise buildings.”

Elevator speeches are good for so much more than just catching someone in a small enclosed space. You never know who you might run into at a cocktail party, or the movie theater, or grocery store…or any other number of places.

A solid elevator pitch will allow you to distill down to the most pure form exactly who you are and what you offer, and that focus can help to set you apart from all the other candidates who are vying for the same job.

Think of it as a commercial and you’re the product . You’ve got 30 seconds to market yourself and convince whoever is listening to not only NOT change the channel, but to buy what you’re selling…you as the Perfect Candidate!!

“So where do I start? Should I lock myself in the bathroom with a stopwatch and pretend it’s an elevator? Do I need a jingle?”

Hmmm…all we’ll say is do whatever works for you…but let’s all agree to skip the singing…for now. Instead, let’s focus on answering a few basic questions by doing a little pretending.

How To Write An Elevator Pitch

Let’s imagine you’re in sales and you just got into an elevator with the CEO of a huge manufacturing company. The doors shut…it’s just the two of you…and you have 60 seconds to convince him to not only listen to you, but to consider you as a potential employee, not just a fellow passenger on a short ride upstairs. So how do you do that!?

Let’s watch…er, we mean, read:

What do you do? Can you tell someone what you do in such a way that it’s interesting? Can you turn it into a quick little anecdote or story that will capture someone’s attention?

“Let me tell you about the time I took our products all the way to the North Pole. I’m in sales. I started out selling refrigerators to moose in Canada.”

Now that we’ve got your job title, can you tell us what you do when you’re doing what you were hired to do?

“In four short years, I’ve helped lead my team to the number one spot in sales…”

Okay, great…but what’s next?! What’s your objective ? What’s your goal?

“…but I knew we could do better. That’s why I took our refrigerators all the way up to the penguins in the North Pole.”

What makes you the best at what you do? Okay, now’s your chance to shine. Why are you the Perfect Candidate?

“Did you know that broken beaks from trying to eat frozen fish is the number one problem facing penguins today? Their issue isn’t that it’s not cold enough for them to keep their fish fresh, it’s that it’s too cold. I knew that by putting their fish in our double insulated hermetically sealed refrigerators instead of the traditional snow bank, the penguins would be able to keep fish fresh longer without having to freeze them, making it easier for the penguins to eat. As a result, we’ve more than quadrupling our current sales and are not only ranked number one regionally, but nationally as well.”

What’s your hook? You’ve just told a great story, but besides being entertained, why should your audience care?

“Now, just imagine what I can do for your products…”

Wait, who are you? D’oh! Nothing says missed opportunity quite like totally forgetting to tell someone your name.

“My name is Bob Mackrel,”

And most importantly…what do you want?

“…and I’m looking for my next big sales challenge. My I give you my business card?”

Boom. And there you have it: the perfect (if not a little outlandish) elevator pitch. In 30 seconds you’ve told your audience what you do, why what you do is important, hooked them in with what you plan to do next for their company, and who you are.

Easy, cheesy, right?

Penguins and refrigerators aside, this pitch was clearly perfect for the audience because our boy Bob knew the CEO, knew the company, and knew that his skills with sales would be a great match. Bob tailored his pitch.

“Again with the tailoring! That’s all you guys talk about…tailoring!”

That’s because it works! Again, think of our commercial analogy. When you’re watching TV, which ads do you skip over or tune out? The ones that don’t apply to you…right? And the ones you listen to and remember are the ones that DO apply to you.

“Ahh…I see what you’re saying. That does make sense!”

The nice thing about an elevator pitch is that it’s short and sweet and to the point, which means once you get the basics figured out, you should be able to use it on just about anyone in any situation…as long as you make sure to always tailor your hook to your specific audience.

Elevator Pitch Mistakes To Avoid

So now that you know what to do in your elevator pitch, let’s quickly talk about what NOT to do.

Speaking too fast.

Yes, you only have about 60 seconds, but try to avoid cramming 15 minutes of information into one minute.

Using highly technical terms, acronyms or slang.

You want your pitch to be easily understood by any audience and that means try to avoid using words that will confuse the average person. The last thing you want is for whoever is listening to you to feel dumb. Remember, think commercial!

Not being focused.

This isn’t a general conversation and you’re not discussing the weather (unless that’s your job, in which case, never mind). Keep your pitch clear and focused.

Not practicing what you’re going to say.

First, write down your pitch. Read it over. Have your friends and family read it. Does it make sense? Make sure it flows well and that there aren’t any spots that feel rough or awkward. Then practice it. Practice it again. Keep practicing it until it becomes so easy for you to pitch that you can do it at the drop of a hat.

Being robotic.

This is all about a face to face interaction with someone you want to impress. Having an easy, approachable, conversational style to your pitch will get you much further than an overly rehearsed monologue approach.

Not having a business card or other take-away with you.

Okay, you’ve sold them on you…now how are they going to get a hold of you when they decide it’s time to bring you in? Make sure you always have something on you to pass on that will allow people to not only remember you, but contact you later on.

Not saying anything.

It does absolutely nothing for you to have a killer elevator pitch if you never use it. Now it’s your turn! Here are three example elevator pitches to get you started. Remember, these are just examples! Make sure you do the work to craft one specific to you and your audience!

3 Great Examples To Use As Inspiration

Graphic designer/logo branding specialist.

Hi, I’m Pam Tone and I’m a graphic designer. Did you know it takes the average person just two seconds to look at a company logo and decide if they like it? Did you know that a badly designed logo can do irreversible damage to a company brand and that most companies go through at least three to four versions in a single year before settling on their final design, costing both time and money? Having worked for over 10 years as a professional graphic designer specializing in brand identification means I’ve built my reputation on the longevity of my logo designs. I can say that not only are my clients happy with what I’ve done for them, but my designs have gone on to win national and international logo and branding awards. I have worked hand in hand with some of the biggest advertising agencies and companies and out of over 300 contracts, have had only one logo changed, and that was as a result of a merger, not poor design. I’d like to bring that award winning history to your company. Would you be willing to meet with me for 20 minutes to go over my portfolio and see how I can help make sure your logo properly reflects your brand?

TEACHER/EDUCATOR

Mobile app developer.

Hi, I’m Chip Ohm and I’m a developer. Did you know one of the biggest challenges facing companies these days is tracking employee work time? Of course, when you have a building where your employees are required to clock in and out it makes things easier, but what about employees who work from home or are on the road? I’ve come up with an easy way for both employees and employers to log and keep track of hours using just their cell phones and an app I’ve designed. The app allows employees to log in from wherever they are and input their start and stop times at the push of a button. You don’t even need to be in an area with a signal. The program captures all the data and holds it in a file which is then automatically uploaded to the employer’s servers as soon as the user is back in signal range. The system is not only simple, but it’s tamper proof. Not only has this app helped streamline the timecard process for remote employees, but it’s reduced timecard inconsistencies and paycheck errors by 90%, saving both time and money. So, how does your company handle logging in hours for your remote clients?

So there you have it! Now that you’ve read through this article and seen a few examples, it’s time to craft your own elevator pitch. Remember, keep it simple, keep it short, and keep it tailored.

And as always…good luck!

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Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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How to write an elevator pitch middle schoolers can understand

Would a middle schooler understand your business’s elevator pitch? If not, you need to make it clearer. Here’s how.

You’ve probably heard your fair share of elevator pitches.

Consider this scenario:

A person finishes pitching, and you’re left feeling more confused than when he began. Whether he used too many buzzwords or didn’t tailor the pitch, you don’t understand what he’s selling.

Now, imagine that person was pitching your business. It’s a situation you don’t want to be in, yet all too often many of us find ourselves in it.

That’s why I have a challenge for you: Think about how to explain your business or brand to a middle-school audience. If middle schoolers can understand it, chances are your potential customers or investors will, too.

If you don’t have access to a group of middle schoolers, that’s OK. Here are a few tips about how to explain your business to this age group and beyond:

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