Elevator Pitch 101: Do’s and Dont’s
Interviews often start with the common question, “So, tell me about yourself.” In this scenario, it’s easy to freeze and not know what to say about yourself. Personally, this has happened to me too many times. Creating an elevator pitch to have on hand is important to feel confident when speaking to professionals you want to connect with. An elevator pitch is similar to marketing a product, but in this situation, you are marketing… yourself! You have different target markets, a brand, and a call to action. Knowing this will help you to craft an impactful elevator pitch to network with professionals.
What is an elevator pitch and when should I use it?
An elevator pitch is a short speech. Think of how long an elevator ride is. This short period is the amount of time you have to sell yourself in a networking setting. This pitch highlights who you are, your skills, and some sort of connection with the person you are talking to. Essentially, you are trying to persuade the person you are talking to to listen to you, connect on LinkedIn, or make time for an informational interview. The best time to use your elevator pitch is when you are in an interview, introduced to someone new, or simply… meeting someone in an elevator.
How to craft an elevator pitch:
Start by listing ways you would describe yourself. This can include your school, grade, major, aspirations for the future, or any information that is relevant to who you are.
Narrow down your list to a few items you want to highlight the most. This can change depending on who you are talking to and what you hope to get out of the interaction. It is important to include your values, passions, and what skills you can bring to a job or internship.
Write down your elevator pitch on paper and practice saying it aloud. Talk in front of a mirror, or practice with your roommates. By practicing your elevator pitch aloud, you can tailor it to roll off the tongue and sound natural. This creates an impactful elevator pitch because you will feel confident when saying it.
Ask a question. Similar to marketing a product, you need to end with a call to action. In this case, a question is an effective call to action. This can be as simple as requesting to connect on LinkedIn or setting up an informational interview.
Follow up. Follow up. Follow up. Should I say it one more time? It is very important to do this after meeting someone for the first time. Professionals are busy and often need to be reminded of your conversation. Introduce yourself again, remind them how you connected, and ask them to chat over a cup of coffee.
Do’s:
Stay true to yourself. Talk about what makes you unique and stand out from the rest. Speaking naturally enhances confidence and convinces the listener to pay attention and value what you’re expressing.
Create more than one elevator pitch. Each pitch should be drafted with a different person or industry in mind. Similar to marketing a product, you have different target markets you have to keep in mind when communicating. Does the person have your dream job? Did they just graduate and can give you advice? Each situation requires a different pitch.
Be aware of your body language. Make sure you look open and inviting to have a conversation with. Pro tip: although we don’t shake hands with our classmates, professionals do. Extend your hand first, and you automatically look cool and confident.
Don’ts:
Don’t ramble and talk about things that have no significance to the person you are talking to. Keep it clear and concise on who you are and what your goals are.
Don’t speak too quickly. Nerves will do this, and that is why practice is so important. You do not want to rush your elevator pitch, go slow and emphasize what makes you unique.
Don’t doubt yourself. You are a unique young professional who has many skills and experiences that anyone can benefit from.
Elevator pitch template:
Hello, my name is Madison Dombrowski and I am a junior at Grand Valley State University, studying Marketing with a minor in Advertising and Public Relations. I am interested in a marketing position in the automotive industry. I am involved in GrandPR, a student-run PR firm where I serve as an Account Executive. I have developed leadership and marketing skills working with different clients with their various projects. Could I connect with you on LinkedIn?
Now that we have gone through what an elevator pitch is, when to use it, how to craft it, and various do’s and don’ts, you can create your elevator pitch. Remember to make it unique and to have confidence. You have so many skills and with practice, your elevator pitch will be one too. So, go nail those elevator pitches!
Madison is a Junior currently studying Marketing at GVSU with a minor in Advertising and Public Relations. She works as the Student Communications Assistant for the GVSU Alumni Relations Department where she sends event promotional emails and updates the websites. This is Madison’s first year in GrandPR as an Account Executive. She will be graduating a semester early in December 2024, where she hopes to start her career in the automotive industry.
