Craft your elevator pitch
A strong elevator pitch is invaluable as you grow your network and seek new opportunities. You should be able to describe your experiences and goals succinctly and confidently—in your unique voice—so that you can make a big impression in just a few words.
What you need to know
- Elevator pitches should be part of natural, organic conversations—they're not monologues and don't need to be memorized word for word.
- Brevity is best, so choose just three or four key points to highlight.
- Tailor your pitch on the fly for your audiences, and end with a question or a request for advice.
- Remember to be yourself when you deliver—and don't forget to smile and show enthusiasm for the opportunity to connect.
Common questions
The content of your elevator pitch will vary according to your audience and the context of the meeting. You want to communicate what you bring to the table, including education, skills, professional experience, strengths, past successes, and immediate or long-term goals. As you refine your pitch, you'll boil it down to no more than four key points that you feel are most important.
Practice! Once you've identified your main points, try out your pitch with friends, family, and Graduate Career Center advisors. Be natural, maintain eye contact, and smile as you speak. With constructive feedback from your audience, you'll refine your content and delivery until you're sure your pitch is clear and compelling.
Generally, it should take only about 30 seconds to deliver your elevator pitch. But don't rush. For sample pitches, see our elevator pitch PDF.
