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Creating Your Elevator Pitch

Outlines, Examples, Tips, Checklist

What is an Elevator Pitch?

It doesn't nessacarily have anything to do with an elevator. The elevator pitch is a 30-60 second personal sales pitch that describes who you are and your career goals. It answers the common question, “Tell me about yourself.”

It's called an "Elevator Pitch" because it describes the challenge: "How would you explain your business and make a sale if fate placed you in an elevator with your dream prospect and you only had the time it takes to get from the top of the building to the bottom?"

While it could be used during an elevator ride, you will probably get more use out of your elevator pitch at career fairs, networking events, and interviews. There are many situations where you might only have 30-60 seconds to make a powerful first impression. Today, attention spans are short, mind starts wander, phones distract and people are busy. You need to grab them quickly or lose them forever. That is why you need an elevator pitch!

What should I include in my Elevator Pitch?

1. Start off your elevator pitch with an introduction and something that will differentiate you from a crowd. This can be anything from a fact about school (what you’re studying/plan to study in college) to something that will create common ground with the person whom you’re speaking with (“I’m from ______, too!”). You may want to change up your “hook,” so to speak, depending on who you’re delivering your pitch to. If you know something about them and can pinpoint similarities between the two of you, highlight these.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

• What would you most want the listener to remember about you?

• How can I connect or establish common ground with this person?

• What will make me memorable?

2. Be sure to mention your goals and career aspirations. It’s important to indicate that you are working towards where you see yourself in the future.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

• What type of job do I want?

• What are my short-term career goals?

• What are my long-term career goals?

• What type of job do I want right now?

• What type of jobs does them person have to offer?

3. Talk about activities, extracurriculars, internships, or special projects you’ve become involved with as a result of your goals. This is an important thing to highlight in a pitch; experience speaks miles beyond grades and numbers.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

• What do you do and/or have you done that is different and/or better than others?

• How are these propelling you forward?

4. Explain why you are qualified for the position. Elaborate on what would make you an awesome candidate. Share about a particularly interesting course you’re enrolled in, somewhere you’re volunteering, or an organization that relates back to your dream career.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

• How do you make an impact/difference and add value?

• What are your transferable skills?

• What are your specific skills?

• What makes you stand out/unique?

• What are you most proud of (skills, accomplishments, etc.)?

• Why should the listener be interested in you and take notice of you?

5. Finish off your pitch with a question. Ask who would be best to contact for a job opportunity, internship, or even a job shadow or practice interview. Don’t forget to hand out your business card as the cherry on top of the lasting impression you’ve just created.

How to Craft Your Elevator Pitch

• Answer the “Questions to Ask Yourself”. Use as many details as possible.

• Pick & Choose. Read all your answers. Delete redundancy and unrelated or unneeded information. Highlight the most impactful information.

• Organize. Put the information into an easy to follow format. Use the Fill in the Blank Pitches and Examples to help structure your pitch.

• Try it. Read your pitch ans time it. Record it and listen to the pitch.

• Add or Edit. Consider customizing your pitch. Look for content to add or remove to fit the time limit.

• Continue to refine. Use the checklist. Read, record, and time the pitch until you get it right.

• Practice. Practice out loud. Try it out on people. Be able to deliver it without hesitation.

• Update it. The pitch will change as your skills grow and goals change. Keep it current.

• Specialize it. Create various versions for different situations, desired outcomes, and target audiences.

Fill in the Blank Elevator Pitches

While these may be a little robotic and rough around the edges, they are a good place to start. Use the templates below to help you get an elevator pitch rolling and then make the phrasing flow so you don’t come across as reading from a script.

Version 1:

Hi, my name is ___________ and I’m a ___________ (year in school) at The Art Institute, San Antonio studying ___________ (major) with a ___________ (minor or focus area, if applicable). I am interested in pursuing work in the ___________ industry/field and have done ___________ (extracurriculars, organization, volunteering) as a result. I have developed these skills by ___________ (participating in an internship, working a particular job, etc.) _________? (Ask a question)

Version 2:

Hello, my name is ____________ and I am completing a ____________ degree in ____________ at The Art Institute, San Antonio with a focus on ____________. I am interested in a career in (or position as a) ____________ in the ____________ field (industry). I have been involved (during college) in ____________. And developed skills in ____________. I have also had an internship position (employment) as a ____________ with ____________ and discovered that I really enjoy ____________. Could you tell me more about ____________?

Want to Customize Your Elevator Pitch?

If the standard format just doesn't fit for you or if you just want to be more creative in constructing your elevator pitch, try adding or subsituting the answers to these questions in your pitch.

1. What is your greatest strength in this area OR the best compliment you’ve ever received about your skill? (Confidence)

If you say that your skill set is communications no one is going to doubt you. However, if you say that your skill set is communications and you have “a knack for persuasive storytelling” then an employer has a clearer understanding of your value. Your concise and clear understanding of your abilities will not only lead others to believe in your abilities but also help employers more readily identify how you fit into the bigger picture of your department, field, or industry.

Not sure what your strength in a particular area is? Think about some of the feedback you’ve received. Career Coach Ashley Stahl, says to use testimonials from other. Also consider:

• Where are you most assured?

• The opportunity to do ____ (fill it in) is what really drew you to your current role. (Hint: Look at job descriptions that really excite you and ask yourself why.)

• This is also a space for the interpersonal – perhaps you are an amazing team player because you have a knack for seeing both sides of a an argument – feel free to include that here as well!

2. What would you like out of this interaction? (Goal)

People need to know how to help you. Really consider what result you want – is it a job? Is it to learn a new skill set? Is it to pick someone’s brain about best practices in your field? If you’re afraid to make the ask, remember that what your seeking is also seeking you. Your elevator pitch positions you as a solution, and open positions mean problems that hiring managers need solved. So go ahead, make the ask – remember there’s a win-win.

Try framing your aspirations like this:

• Gain exposure or credibility in the industry

• Hoping to find a role in…

• Suggestions as to how I can…

• Opportunities for me to develop…

• Looking to write for…

• Insight on how I can apply…

3. What’s your “why?” (Motivation)

Simon Sinek, Leadership Expert, helps people find the why in everything they do…and that’s important because it’s the why that keeps us inspired and motivates us to take action. Studies have shown that decision making, although a complex process, is really rooted in emotion. (That’s right logic and emotion and not in opposition!) Your emotions support your decision-making abilities. Use this knowledge to demonstrate that your reasons for your goal and your ask aren’t just about the money. Focus on the intrinsic motivators that really keep you moving ahead. Ask yourself:

Who do I want to help or inspire?

Who benefits from my work?

Why do I enjoy the work I am doing?

4. Tell a Story.

A short story, that is. A good story is essentially this: someone with a problem either finds a solution or faces tragedy. Either type of story can be used to illuminate what you do.

Elevator Pitch Checklist

✓ Be Concise: Your pitch should take no longer than 30-60 seconds.

✓ Be Clear: Use language that everyone understands. Avoid jargon, business-speak, or trendy buzzwords. Don't use fancy words thinking it will make you sound smarter. It should be very clear to the listener who you are and specifically what you are asking of him or her

✓ Be Powerful: Use words that are powerful and strong. Use action verbs.

✓ Be Visual: Use words that create a visual image in your listeners mind. This will make your message memorable. Use numbers to quantify results if possible.

✓ Be Conversational: Don’t sound like a commercial or memorized. Practice your pitch enough to remember the main points and smoothly deliver them.

✓ Be You: Be genuine to who you are and what your passionate about. Be memorable by using your own words and voice.

✓ Be Targeted: A great elevator pitch is aimed for a specific audience. If you have target audiences that are vastly different, you might want to have a unique pitch for each.

✓ Be Goal Oriented: A kick-ass elevator pitch is designed with a specific outcome in mind. What is your desired outcome? You may have different pitches depending on different objectives. For instance do you want to: make a sale, gain a prospect, enlist support for an idea, or earn a referral. Make sure your goal is concrete, defined and realistic

✓ Be Catchy & Have a Hook: This is the element that literally snags your listener's interest and makes them want to know more. This is the phrase or words that strike a chord in your listener. Begin with your hook.

Words to Consider: Not sure how to word your pitch? Does every sentence start the same way? Have you used the same word 10 times? Consider these:

• Because…

• On behalf of…

• I owe it to…

• I’m inspired by…

• I want to inspire..

• I believe…

• Adept at…

• Proficient in…

• Accomplished…

• Prowess…

• Dexterity…

• Expertise in…

• Savvy…

• Have a knack for…

• Talented at..

• Effective

• Penchant for…

Student Elevator Pitch Video Examples

University of Northern Colorado, Monfort College of Business:



Elevator Pitch Examples

You’re at a workshop and you meet Martha, a senior in college. You ask her what she does and she says…

I’m currently studying education at [insert college]. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to make the conceptual practical and I’m interested in securing an entry-level role at a nonprofit that allows me to teach and develop curriculum. Because nonprofit programs and fellowships were a key part of my development, it’s important for me to pay it forward and help student develop to their highest potential.

You’re on the subway and you are sitting next to James. You ask him what he does and he says…

I’m currently working as Human Resources Manager at [insert company]. My supervisors frequently commend me for being able to weigh and consider multiple perspectives and negotiate conflicting perspectives. I’m looking for suggestions/advice on how I can further cultivate my expertise in this field because because my ultimate aim is to help organizations develop more ethical and inclusive workplace cultures.

You’re at a personal branding conference and you bump into Katie. You ask her what she does, and she says…

I’m a communications professional with a knack for persuasive storytelling. Considering my colleagues often complemented me for my thoughtful and engaging presentations, I’m looking for insight as to how I can best position myself for a role in production or videography at social impact start-up. Because I’m inspired by documentaries, I want to help companies express their missions in compelling and relatable ways in the age of social media.

As you exit an entrepreneurial conference you meet Sonia. You ask her what she does, and she says…

My core skill sets are civil engineering and psychology. I’m endlessly curious and all my friends, family, and colleagues look to me for answers on everything from mood swings to mindcraft. As I’ve always been exceptionally passionate about social issues, I’m looking to write for publications/websites focused on climate change so that I can create content and campaigns urging others to take action and increase sustainability future generations.

Adapted from:

Brown, L. (April 28, 2015). A quick guide to writing your elevator pitch with examples. Retrieved from

Kent State University. (2017). Your one minute elevator pitch. Retrieved from

Nishi, O. (January 9, 2017). Elevator pitches: Examples and suggestions for students. Retrieved from

Salisbury University Career Services. (2017). How to craft a killer 60 second elevator pitch that will land you employment. Retrieved from

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