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How to Give a Great Elevator Pitch (With Examples)

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How to Give a Great Elevator Pitch (With Examples) was originally published on Forage .

Though people are complex and so much more than just their jobs, in a new social situation you’re often asked, “So, what do you do?” or “What are you majoring in?” While you probably have a stock answer ready to go (I’m in sales; I’m majoring in English), the person asking may be able to help you achieve your career goals — but they won’t know unless you’ve got an elevator pitch ready to go.

An elevator pitch is an enticing and interesting three or four-sentence summary of you. But you do more than talk about yourself. Your elevator pitch gets the listener interested in what you’re capable of.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

What Is an Elevator Pitch?

How to write an elevator pitch, elevator pitch examples, elevator pitch bonus tips.

Mike Gardon of CareerCloud sums up elevator pitches like this: “When meeting someone for the first time, we all get asked what we do, right? Well, an elevator pitch is how you answer that question.”

At its core, an elevator pitch is a brief synopsis of who you are and what you do (or are trying to do). It’s named so because of the idea that you’re in an elevator with the one person who can make your career dreams come true. You’ve got the length of that elevator ride (approximately 30 seconds) to convince that person to keep listening to you.

Why You Need an Elevator Pitch (and When You’ll Use It)

In many respects, an elevator pitch is all about you. And though it may seem strange — uncomfortable even — to talk about yourself, a well-designed elevator pitch starts with you and ends with the listener.

Gardon explains, “The elevator pitch is designed to engage the person with whom you are communicating, and get them to take some next action. Think about it like this: if you were writing an email, the elevator pitch would be the subject line plus the next couple of lines that are shown in an inbox. The purpose is to get the recipient to open the email.”

In the case of your elevator pitch, you’re attempting to spark a longer conversation (or later meeting) with someone who could potentially help you professionally.

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Your elevator pitch comes in handy when you’re looking for a job. But you’ll also use various versions of your elevator pitch in situations like:

• Networking events
• Prospecting for new sales and clients
• When you’re interviewing and asked, “Tell me about yourself.”
• As the “about me” on LinkedIn, Twitter, or other social media page
• In the summary of qualifications on your resume

How Long Should an Elevator Pitch Be?

While elevator ride times vary, the general rule of thumb is that an elevator pitch is no longer than 30 seconds, which means your pitch needs to be concise.

So, you can’t include every accomplishment from your last three jobs, just the top most recent ones. As you’re honing your pitch, write it down and limit yourself to four sentences. This will help you focus on your top highlights.

In general, an elevator pitch includes four essential elements: who you are, what you do, what’s unique about you, and what your “ask” is. Though the “meat” of your pitch likely doesn’t change often, you should prepare multiple elevator pitches that you can tailor to your situation.

For example, if you’re a student, the pitch you use at a career fair may not be the same one you use at a networking event. Likewise, if you’re changing careers, you may need to switch up what your “ask” is depending on who you talk to.

Gardon offers an example. “I wear so many different hats and am involved in different businesses. So, if I want someone to be a guest on my podcast, I might tell them how we’ve done over 400 episodes, instead of telling them that I’m a former derivatives trader.”

Also, while the below elements are crucial, they can go in almost any order. While a good elevator pitch usually begins with your name, you may find that listing your skills before your accomplishments is better for your pitch.

Part 1: Who Are You?

Your elevator pitch starts with your name, of course, but also consider throwing in a “hook” that gives the person you’re speaking with an opening to ask you questions. Here are some examples:

“I’m [your name], a recent graduate of [university] with a degree in [your degree].”

“My name is [your name] and I’m a junior at [university] majoring in [your major].”

“I’m [your name] and while I’m currently in product development, I’ve decided I want to change gears and go into graphic design.”

Part 2: What Do You Do?

The second part of your elevator pitch explains what you do. However, you shouldn’t limit yourself to a job title. This is the place to mention one outstanding accomplishment from your job, internship, or even a class that will wow your listener.

Like all parts of your elevator speech, this needs to be brief, but it should also be detailed and help the listener get an idea of what you’re capable of:

“During my marketing internship at [name of company], I grew social media engagement by 43%, which resulted in an uptick in newsletter sign-ups year over year.”

“Our business is small, but that lets us have more personal interaction, which has helped us keep a small but loyal and profitable client base for 15 years.”

“After learning about the stock market, I wanted to test what I learned as well as my skills, so I created a mock portfolio that’s realized a 24% gain over the last year.”

Part 3: What’s Unique About You?

The next section of your elevator pitch includes something unique about you. While this can include specific skills, you can also trace your career path or accomplishments to illustrate how you use your skills.

Because you only have 30 seconds, you might be tempted to list your skills or accomplishments like a grocery list. But try to link them to an outcome or something you can do.

“I enjoy analyzing data and using the results to plan my content calendar, including social media posts.”

“I worked on my college newspaper, starting on the sports beat, eventually moving my way up to chief editor.”

The first example mentions one skill (data analysis ) and two outcomes (planning the content calendar and social media posts). The second example doesn’t mention any skills but illustrates the speaker’s career path (sports beat to chief editor), demonstrating an increase in skills and responsibilities.

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Part 4: Call to Action (or What’s Your Ask?)

The final part of your elevator pitch includes a call to action. Or, more specifically, what are you asking for?

Much like networking, you may not want to blurt out “a job!” even if that’s your desired outcome. This section is what you hope will happen, which could be a job, internship, or just a new networking connection.

“I would love to speak to you about being a potential mentor, if you have time.”

“I’d like to follow up with you about how I can get involved in and conduct summer research.”

“Can you tell me how you decided on [this] career?”

Each of these invites the listener to continue engaging with you either right now or in the future. 

Optional Part 5: Something Memorable

Finally, depending on the situation, you might want to include something memorable in your pitch. This is situation-dependent and only something you should do if you’re comfortable.

For example, the pitch on Gardon’s LinkedIn profile says, “Earned the Title ‘World Champion Funniest Person In The World (to my kids)’ 10 years running.”

Of course, not everyone can be the “Funniest Person in the World,” but your memorable moment could be your love of science fiction, who your favorite author is, or the fact that you just adopted a cat.

Here’s what all the elements look like when you put them together:

“I’m David, a rising senior at XYZ University and an education major. I spent last year student teaching at my old high school, and it was quite the experience being on the other side. I’m graduating in the spring and am looking to teach high school biology.”

“I’m Ella, and I’m currently an individual contributor at XYZ company running the social media accounts. I use Google Analytics to analyze and improve content performance, and my personal TikTok has XXX followers. I’m looking to move to a leadership role at a mid to large-size company where I can mentor others.”

“I’m Mike and I’m a sophomore at XYZ university. When I was a kid, I really wanted to communicate with animals, which is partly why I’m majoring in zoology. I’m not sure what career is best suited for me. Can you tell me how you ended up in yours?”

Once you’ve written (and rewritten) your elevator pitch, you’re almost ready to try it out. Before you do, though, ensure your delivery is memorable — for the right reasons!

• Practice. Practice makes perfect, of course. And while you don’t want to sound too rehearsed, you also don’t want to trip over your pitch or start rambling. Practice in front of a mirror, with friends or family, or record yourself to make sure you’re getting it right.
• Time yourself. Thirty seconds can feel like forever or fly right by. Time yourself to make sure your pitch isn’t too long or too short, and adjust as necessary.
• Use your “excited” voice. While you’ll want to use your “inside voice,” vary your tone. When you give a rehearsed speech, it should be polished but not robotic. Try to bring some excitement to your voice as you speak.
• Speak slowly. You may want to cram as much as possible into your 30 seconds, but that could result in you speaking too quickly to try to get it all in, making it tough for the listener to understand you. As hard as it might be, stick to one or two main points.
• Maintain eye contact. While you don’t want to stare at the listener the whole time, you don’t want to stare at the floor either. Maintain the level of eye contact that feels normal and natural to you, and break eye contact when appropriate.

Make Your Pitch

An elevator pitch is useful in all sorts of professional (and even personal!) situations. By taking stock of what you do and what you want to do, you’ll find the perfect elements to include in yours and impress the next person you pitch it to.

Want more insights into creating the perfect pitch? Check out Ashurst’s Building Your Personal Brand Virtual Experience Program .

Image credit: Canva

The post How to Give a Great Elevator Pitch (With Examples) appeared first on Forage .

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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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 Craft an Elevator Pitch - 5+ Pitch Examples Included

If we were to tell you that a 40-second encounter has the potential to change your career path or jumpstart your business idea, you probably wouldn’t believe us, right?

Well, we’re telling you just that!

Sometimes, for a short window of time, we end up in the right place, at the right time, with the right person (and no, we’re not talking about your romantic life). 

Those seconds are enough to explain your business idea to an investor or describe your company to a potential client.

Knowing how to take advantage of that time - aka, knowing how to give an elevator pitch - can make or break a deal. 

In this article, you’ll find all you need to know in order to deliver a top-notch elevator pitch and not let any opportunities slip. 

What’s an Elevator Pitch?

Most common uses for an elevator pitch.

• How to Craft an Elevator Pitch (with steps)
• Dos and Don’ts

5 Elevator Pitch Examples

So, let’s not waste any time and get right to it!

An elevator pitch is a concentrated summary of yourself, your job, your company, or your business idea. A trailer, if you will.

The point is to inform your audience and potentially land a job position, investor, or simply expand your network.

You should be able to deliver a pitch in the time of a short elevator ride (between 30 and 60 seconds), hence its name. 

Elevator pitches are crafted for short (sometimes unexpected) encounters: a one-station metro ride with an old client, coffee break at the office with a coworker from another department, a chat with a superior right before a meeting. 

Situations in which you don’t have time to think and they don’t have time to listen.

However, it can come in handy in plenty of other situations as well, like:

• Selling a product or service. A well-crafted and concise pitch grabs the buyer’s attention and can lead to a successful sale. 
• Looking for a job. Whether it’s your LinkedIn summary or a conversation with a recruiter at a job fair, a good pitch will introduce you and your skills in a brief and impactful way.
• At a job interview. When answering an interview question like “ Tell me about yourself ”, you’re basically doing an elevator pitch.
• In a work event. Networking and having connections have become crucial in the job market. During events, having some pitches in your pocket will allow you to have brief but memorable conversations with plenty of people and expand your network. 
• Giving a presentation. Your audience will probably stay for all of the presentations, even if it’s way longer than 30 seconds. However, there’s no guarantee they will listen. Delivering a summarizing pitch before the presentation will grab the audience’s attention and spark curiosity as to what you will be presenting.

How to Craft an Elevator Pitch

When you think about it, an elevator speech might not seem all that difficult at first.

After all, It’s just 30-60 seconds - that’s 75-150 words max, right. 

Well, the short length of the speech is exactly the problem. 

The difficulty and success of a pitch lies in being able to compress a lot of information in only a few structured sentences. 

That’s far from easy, but it’s nothing you can’t master. 

Here’s what steps you should follow when preparing any elevator pitch.

Step #1 - Have a clear goal

Say, you’re representing a newly-started business. 

If you’re giving a pitch to a potential investor your goal is to convince them that your business is a good investment. Talk about what problem your product solves, what your customer base is, how big your potential market is, and your expected profits.

If you’re giving a pitch to a prospective client, your goal is to convince them to buy your product. How would they benefit from buying it? Why is it better than its competitors?

Knowing the exact purpose of your pitch will make it easier for you to select what information to include in your elevator pitch.

It’ll also help you avoid steering off track and getting into unnecessary details.

Step #2 - Explain who you are/What you do

This is what’s going to grab (or lose) the attention of your listener. 

Your answer should follow a past-present-future structure. It’s easier for you to put together, and at the same time, easier for your audience to follow.

If you’re presenting your company, briefly go over why it was created, what it does, and what are its prospects for the future.

If you’re talking about yourself, give some background information on education or previous work experiences, what you do now, and what your career goals are.

This information should make up about 50% of your answer, which means you should compress it into 35 - 75 words. That’s like 2-4 sentences only!

Step #3 - What’s special about it?

Now, this is where you lay down your case after you have the listener’s attention. 

This is where you talk about your USP (Unique Selling Proposition).

What does your company do that sets it apart from its competitors? What makes you the best candidate for the job? 

Go for the most interesting and memorable pieces of information and don’t be afraid to talk numbers as well. 

This is what the listener will probably remember most out of the conversation, so put a lot of thought into what you will be presenting. 

“Hi, I’m Jane. I’m a fine arts graduate, currently working as a designer. 

I’ve previously worked as creative director for M's clothing brand for 3 years. During that time, I oversaw the release of two collections and directed the photoshoot sessions for both of them. I also worked as creative director for B magazine for 2 years and E-magazine for 3 years. I directed multiple photoshoots and marketing projects, releasing 25 magazine covers in total and 3 video campaigns.

I’m currently looking to expand my portfolio and get into the branding industry, which is why I decided to apply for this position.”

I have experience working as a creative director for a clothing brand and some magazines. I’m currently looking to expand my portfolio and get into the branding industry, which is why I decided to apply for this position.”

Step #4 - Engage the audience

Imagine wrapping up your pitch and then… silence. That makes for one awkward interaction, quite the opposite of what you’re aiming for. 

To avoid that, end your pitch with a question or statement that will engage the other side with a reply. 

You can ask for a meeting, show curiosity about the company, or simply express your desire to work there. You can even ask for mentorship .

This leaves room for the conversation to go on (as much as the elevator ride will allow) and for contact to be established between you and the listener. 

“Hello there! I’m John, I work for YY. We provide accounting software primarily for small and medium-sized businesses like yours. 

The software completely changes your experience with invoices and billing. What’s special about it is that it will also provide you with an insightful financial report on your business. You’ll know exactly how your business is performing.

What software does your company currently use, if I may ask?”

“Hi, my name is John and I work for XY, a software company aiming to help businesses like yours. 

Our software assists you with invoices and billing, provides tools for accurate accounting, and gives you timely detailed reports on your business’s performance. It really is great!”

Step #5 - Practice and practice again

First round of practice is about getting the answer right. 

You’re going to need to do a lot of revision to your pitch, each time cutting some information until you get to the right answer-length.

Second round is about memorizing what you initially laid out. 

All this effort would be for nothing if you don’t remember your points and steer off track when it’s time to use your pitch.

Record your pitch and listen to it after a while. Pay attention to your tone and see if you have succeeded in making a convincing statement.

DOs and DON’Ts of an Elevator Pitch

You can use an elevator pitch for a lot of different reasons, usually making some changes to fit your purpose.

However, here are some tips to keep in mind when giving any kind of pitch.

Tailor your pitch to your audience.

Even if you’re interviewing for the same position, your answers to interview questions should differ depending on if you’re talking to your CEO or a recruiter. 

Keep a positive attitude.

Chances of you being convincing if you’re sporting a frown and monotonous voice are very very low.  

Make it easy to understand.

This is not the time to use big SAT words or get technical with your explanation. Remember - your pitch is supposed to have a conversational tone, so stay away from complicated sentences. 

Speak fast.

You might be tempted to speak faster in order to include as much information as possible in your pitch. Don’t! It’s just going to confuse your audience. 

Sound rehearsed.

The idea is to rehearse a lot, but not to sound like it. A robotic answer that lacks passion won’t get you the job or the client.

Having a business card to give at the end of the interaction is a great move. The other person will have a piece of reference to contact you!

...And that’s a wrap for all the theory!

Now, let’s cover some real-life elevator pitch examples, starting with:

#1. Sales Elevator Pitch Example 

“Hello! Thank you for showing interest in our company’s services. 

XYZ is a tech recruitment company, helping organizations such as yours source the best developer talent. Vice versa, we also help professionals find the right job opportunities for them. 

As of last year’s data, we successfully helped fill more than 2000 job positions - and that’s only for Massachusetts and Connecticut! We will be expanding in New York and Pennsylvania this year, providing a larger pool of opportunities for both employers and professionals. 

How does your company currently recruit employees?”

#2. Job Interview Elevator Pitch Example

“Hi! My name is Jane. I’m glad to be here. 

I graduated in business administration 7 years ago. Since then, I have held positions as an administrative assistant, sales agent, and for the last 3 years, sales manager.

So far I’ve only managed small-sized teams of agents. Quite successfully, if I can say so - we always met or exceeded sales targets. 

I’d love to have the opportunity to advance in this area and manage a larger sales team, and this position seems like the perfect opportunity to do so.”

#3. Work Event Elevator Pitch Example

“Hello! I’m John Doe. I think we corresponded on the phone together to schedule a meeting between our bosses. Jane, am I right?

I was an intern at the time and I recently earned a full position as an administrative assistant. We’ll probably be communicating again in the future so I thought I’d come to say hi. 

How’s work been going for you?”

#4. Presentation Elevator Pitch Example

“Hello everybody. You probably know what we’ll be talking about today, but I’ll give you a brief summary before we begin as well.

As many things, the retail industry was also greatly affected by the pandemic. Production was interrupted, fashion shows canceled, and many brands, unfortunately, had to file for bankruptcy. This has left the industry with a lot of uncertainties as to what the future will bring. We will be discussing some possibilities today, as well as analyzing some of the online strategies that were followed by some brands and how they could end up bringing permanent changes. 

Let me know if you are ready to begin!”

#5. Seeking Mentorship Elevator Pitch Example 

“Hi, my name is Jane Doe, I’m a journalism graduate. For the past year, I’ve been covering political news for Y local newspaper. I’ve also had two opinion essay pieces published at the prestigious Z. I am a great admirer of your work, especially your coverage of elections. 

Yours is a path which I aim to follow and I would love to discuss with you the possibility of a mentorship. I have been working on a book on the side and your guidance and opinion would mean a lot to me.”

Key Takeaways

You made it to the end! No elevator encounter can scare you off now. 

Let’s do a short recap with the most important tips to remember.

• Know your audience. Your goal will differ with each audience. Know exactly what you’re trying to convince them of and focus only on the relevant information.
• Be brief - between 30-60 seconds. Less than that, it won’t make sense. More than that, you’ll lose the audience’s attention.
• Follow the past-present-future structure. That will help you put your answer together more easily.
• Mention something unique. That’s your selling point, the memorable part of the conversation.

All that’s left to say is: practice your answers and make the most out of every second. Literally.

Suggested reading:

• The Complete Guide to Remote Work [W/ Tips & Tricks]
• The Ultimate Guide to Job Hunt - Land Your Next Job in 2024
• How to Get an Internship in 2024 [4 Easy Steps]

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Creating a Memorable Elevator Pitch with Examples

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What is an elevator pitch?

How to write an elevator pitch, when to use an elevator pitch.

The ability to present important details about yourself in a short amount of time can help you stand out in a fast-paced professional world. When meeting potential employers, clients or vendors, a well-crafted elevator pitch can help new contacts remember you, which may be a deciding factor in getting a job or contract. In this article, we’ll discuss what an elevator pitch is and when you might use one, then give some examples to help craft your own elevator pitch.

An elevator pitch is a brief and detail-rich description of your professional background, qualifications and objectives. Elevator pitches, sometimes called elevator statements or elevator speeches, should be between 20-30 seconds long—the time it takes to ride an elevator—and only give information that will help develop your professional relationship with your listener. 

A strong elevator statement should leave a lasting impression in your recipient’s mind so they’re more likely to contact you if they are hiring for a position or need professional services. 

Your elevator statement should contain these elements:

1. First, include your name.

While you should state your name in any introduction, it’s especially important in an elevator pitch. If you just met your listener and might not see them regularly, they’ll need to know how to ask about you later. 

2. Second, state your background information.

Since you want an elevator statement to help you gain employment or business, your recipient should know why you’re qualified for their interest. If discussing a job, stating that you have education in your desired field will show that you understand the work required of your specialty. When pitching services as a vendor, showing you have established success could make your contact more confident in contracting your company. 

3. Next, share your relevant skills and training.

In addition to formal schooling, make sure you mention other certifications or professional abilities. For instance, if you’re making an elevator speech for a job as a healthcare administrator, make sure to mention if you have a Certified Healthcare Financial Professional certificate. 

4. Fourth, relay how you intend to continue communication.

In addition to stating who you are and how you’re qualified, you’ll want to let your listener know what you hope to gain from the meeting. If you want your contact to hire your business as a vendor, state outright that you want to offer your services. If you desire employment, ask if you can set up a meeting to discuss job openings.  

5. Lastly, give out your business card. 

At planned networking events, it will benefit you to have a business card that you can trade with contacts. It’s also appropriate to give out your card in other situations when you use an elevator pitch. Giving your potential employer or service provider a physical reminder of yourself can make you stand out from others they meet. 

Here are several occasions when you might use an elevator pitch: 

When meeting a potential employer: 

Whether you’re at a job fair or out to lunch with a friend who introduces you to their boss, meeting a prospective employer is a brief opportunity to make yourself known as a job candidate. In these situations, you’ll want to go over a large amount of information in a short time.   Example:  

‘My name is Jeremy Choi, and I recently graduated with a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of California at Berkeley. I am dedicated to finding innovative and sustainable solutions to environmental and economic issues in highly populated cities. Last month, I completed an internship with the City of Oakland Department of Public Works and am looking for a similar full-time position here in Chicago. I would love to speak with you about potential job openings. Could we schedule a time to speak in your office?’

When pitching services to a potential client: 

Whether you’re an owner or employee of a company, being proactive in gaining business can be crucial for success. Having an effective elevator speech could be the deciding factor in getting contracted as a vendor. Example: 

‘Pleased to meet you. I’mAri Fisher, and I understand your company is constructing new offices in town. My company, Fisher Electrical Solutions, has been providing quality installations in town for the last 15 years. We guarantee all our services for the lifespan of your building, and I’m confident that my team can meet and exceed your expectations. When do you plan on starting construction? I’d love to visit you on-site to discuss your needs.’

At a networking event: 

Many industries or local organizations hold official meetings where you can introduce yourself to an array of other professionals in a short time. Having a brief and compelling elevator speech can help ensure you meet a large number of contacts while you have the opportunity. Example:  

‘I’m excited to be here at the Marketing Professionals Association meeting. My name is Geraldine Herrera, and I want to tell you about Marketech Research, Inc. In our 23 years in business, we’ve become a national leader in market research. Our large call center can handle up to 2,000 outbound calls per day, assessing a range of consumer interests. Here is my card. Please call me at your earliest convenience.’ 

In an interview after the prompt, ‘Tell me about yourself.’ 

Providing a short introduction of yourself as a prospective employee is one of the most common instances when you’ll use an elevator statement. Giving a clear, concise answer could be key in advancing through the hiring process. Example: 

‘I’m Reggie Bates, a graduate of the University of South Florida with a Master of Science degree in elementary education. I hold a certification to teach in Florida and have spent the last summer volunteering in a program for at-risk youth in the Tampa area. I have a strong desire to teach in the public school system and am confident that my training, experience and dedication to children will aid me well as a guidance counselor at your school.’ 

Best Elevator Pitch With Examples For Job Seekers

By Biron Clark

Published: November 8, 2023

Interview Preparation | Networking

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

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

What Is An Elevator Pitch?

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

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

Method 1: Elevator Pitch for Job Seekers

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

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

1. Who Are You And What Do You Do?

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

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

2. Why Should They Care?

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

Here’s an example:

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

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

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

3. What Do You Want?

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

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

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

Full Elevator Pitch Example Based On The 3 Steps Above:

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

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

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

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

The Basic Formula/Template:

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

Elevator Pitch Example With This Method:

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

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

Another Example:

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

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

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

How To Deliver Your Elevator Pitch

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

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

The First Impression

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

Make Them Feel Important

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks, These were useful

This was awesome.

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

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

Can somebody give a good engaging pitch of IT field Student

Thanks for sharing, some really good suggestions

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

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

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

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

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

Great guide! Thank you!

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

very helpful..

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

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

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

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

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

Haha thanks, appreciate that :)

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

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

Thank you Biron you the best :) .

Glad it helped Darin :) Good luck!

What are most common interview questions and answers

You can find a lot of them in this article:

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

Great information and thanks for sharing.

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

Thanks Biron

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

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

Comments are closed.

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How to Pitch Yourself to an Employer

• Starla Sampaco

Pro tip: Reach out to the hiring manager’s boss.

Contrary to popular belief, pitching yourself directly to employers can give you an advantage over other applicants. Here’s how to do it:

• Step 1: Get your timing right. Plan to pitch yourself to the employers you want to work for as early as possible in your job search. By the time a role is posted online, it’s already been publicized internally.
• Step 2: Identify key players at the company, or employees who have decision-making power at the company and who can influence hiring decisions. Your goal is to get an information interview with them, as they can connect you to hiring managers (and their recommendations will not be ignored).
• Step 3: Nail your informational interview. Ask questions about their experience at the company and how the job you are targeting fits into it all. As the conversation wraps up, ask if they will introduce you to a hiring manager
• Step 4: Connect with the hiring manager. Send an email introducing yourself, expressing interest in their company, explaining the value you can bring to their team, and requesting a meeting.
• Step 5: Follow up … but don’t overdo it. Wait at least a week before reaching out again, and when you do, keep it short.
• Step 6: Sell yourself. Assuming you do land a meeting with the hiring manager, use this time discuss your skills and experience and how you could provide value to the company.
• Step 7: Don’t be put off by a “no.” Rejection is unavoidable, but don’t mistake it for failure. Sometimes, “no” really means “not now.”

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

Before becoming a news anchor, I received hundreds of rejection emails. There was one particular news station in Seattle that I wanted to intern for, and every summer, I dutifully filled out an online application and emailed my resume to their HR department only to be met with radio silence. When I realized this job-search strategy wasn’t working, I followed the popular internet advice and took more initiative, emailing individual reporters at the company to inquire about open roles.

• SS As the founder of Career Survival Guide , Starla Sampaco teaches women and people of color how to advocate for themselves in the workplace. Previously, she taught graduate students at the University of Washington’s Communication Leadership Master’s Program, where she developed a course on self-advocacy and professional visibility. Starla is a former news anchor for KCTS 9.

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Why you need an elevator pitch (plus 6 examples to help you)

Have you ever been put on the spot and had to introduce yourself in a professional setting?

If so, you probably know how hard it can feel to sum up your background and expertise in just a few sentences. That’s where an elevator pitch comes in.

Your elevator pitch tells people in a brief moment who you are, what sets you apart, and where you want to be.

Having an elevator pitch is important, even if you're not actively searching for a job. Being clear about your strengths and goals is helpful – not just for you, but so others can quickly understand if you’re a good fit for an opportunity.

“A strong elevator pitch is important when you are trying to sell yourself to a potential employer, recruiter, client, customer or another contact and when you only have a very short amount of time to make an impact,” says career and interview coach Leah Lambart from Relaunch Me .

“The elevator pitch is particularly important for job seekers, business owners and career changers where they need to sell their story and gain credibility quickly.”

What makes a good elevator pitch, and why do I need one?

It can help to think of your elevator pitch as an “advertisement” about you, says Lambart. That means it needs to be clear and brief, and it needs to sell what’s best about you.

“It communicates who you are, what you’re looking for and what you can offer a company or organisation. This is also often called your ‘USP’ or ‘unique selling proposition’,” she says.

An elevator pitch should be about 30 seconds long – the time it takes people to ride from the top to the bottom of a building in an elevator, hence its name. That means no rambling, and no unnecessary information – just hit the most important details.

But your elevator pitch isn’t just for delivering to captive audiences in lifts.

“The idea behind having an elevator speech is that you are prepared to share this information with anyone, at any time,” says Lambart.

“You can use your elevator pitch in many different scenarios, both in your professional and personal life. For example, at a career fair or a networking event, you can use your speech to introduce yourself to prospective employers and give them your story in a snapshot. In your personal life you might run into a potential contact in the least expected location, such as on a tram ride or even at the dog park if you happen to meet someone that could be a useful connection.”

An elevator pitch isn’t just useful when it’s spoken. The words you come up with can also be used in your resumé, online profiles , or adapted for use in job applications.

Examples of good elevator pitches

No matter what industry you’re in, or how experienced you are, your elevator pitch should have the same four elements:

• Who you are
• What you do
• Your unique selling proposition
• Where you want to go.

Let’s take a look at some industry-specific examples:

I'm an experienced physiotherapist specialising in helping people regain their mobility after injury, and to avoid further injury. I have 10 years of experience in treating professional and amateur sports people, and most recently have been working in a small inner-city practice.

I'm looking for a new opportunity to develop my skills and expertise in this area, with my goal being to join the healthcare team of a professional sports team. What makes me good at what I do is that I take the time to listen to my clients, and treat the whole person, rather than just the injury. I think I’d make a great asset to a sports team that needs a professional and caring physio that can travel with them and invest time in not only treating injuries but preventing them.

I'm a web developer with five years of hands-on experience with a boutique tech agency. My expertise lies in crafting exceptional online experiences and innovative solutions for complex problems.

What sets me apart is not just my proficiency, but also my drive to create user-centric, efficient, and visually appealing websites. I'm on the lookout for an opportunity to bring my creative problem-solving skills to a larger firm with a strong focus on further skills development, an inclusive culture, and management opportunities.

I’ve been working in the financial services industry for 20 years, providing clients with personalised advice since 2012. I have always been passionate about financial education and the way it can empower people to make choices in their lives and achieve their personal goals.

My greatest strength is my ability to develop long-term relationships with clients as I nurture them on their financial journey and see them reaching goals that they would never have thought possible. I would like to bring this experience to a socially responsible organisation that values the long-term journey we can bring our clients on.

I’ve been a dedicated primary school teacher in the state system for the past twelve years. I see teaching as a great privilege, and I never get tired of watching children learn and grow in their confidence to reach their full potential.

I’m seeking a new opportunity to join a school where I can contribute to curriculum development and take on a leadership role, and share my knowledge with a new generation of teachers. My unwavering enthusiasm for teaching, coupled with genuine care for my students and colleagues, is something I think would be of great value to early career teachers.

I’m a retail assistant with two years of experience working in costume jewellery and accessories. I’ve always had a passion for fashion and jewellery, but working in this role has made me realise I’d like to pursue a career in fashion retail management.

My first goal is to secure a full-time fashion retail role where I can learn the ropes and hone my skills in how to run a successful retail store. I’m also enrolled in a part-time retail management course online, which I know will help me develop my skills even further and make me a more valuable employee. I take pride in my customer service skills and creative visual merchandising, and I know I’d be an asset to any retail fashion team.

I'm a third-year hairdressing apprentice specialising in colour – and I’m especially passionate about creating theatrical looks and transformations using colour. I’ve been working with a salon chain for the past two years which has given me solid experience in natural colouring and retail, but I’m keen to level up my skills and experience with an award-winning salon focused on creativity.

I want to learn from the best and challenge myself to achieve great looks for my clients, and also get involved in photo shoots and professional styling. My creative eye and continual researching of latest techniques and looks keeps me up to date with my skills and knowledge. I’d love the chance to bring my passion for fresh colour looks to a well-established salon.

While the six examples above cover a variety of ambition and experience, you can see that the principles are the same. Each pitch is short and to the point, sells the person’s strengths, and clearly states what they’re looking for.

And if you’re delivering your elevator pitch verbally, Lambart has one last piece of advice: memorise and practise!

“It is important to have your speech memorised and practised but to ensure that it still sounds natural,” she says. “You don’t want to sound too scripted or like a robot.

“I recommend rehearsing your 30-second elevator speech with a friend or in front of a mirror. The important thing is to practice it OUT LOUD. You want it to sound natural. Get comfortable with what you have to say so you can breeze through it when the time comes.”

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How to Write an Impressive Elevator Pitch (with Examples)

• Post author By Rachel Pelta

Imagine that you’re in an elevator, and just before the door closes, the CEO of the company you’re dying to work for steps in. It’s just the two of you in an express elevator to the same floor. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to convince the CEO to hire you, and you’re going for it!

But as you start to speak, you’re lost. Which skills do you talk about? Do you talk about your education? Do you focus on your current job or what you want to do? How do you sum up your entire career in the length of one elevator ride?

What Is an Elevator Pitch? Definition & Meaning

An elevator pitch, or elevator speech, is a brief summary of who you are as a professional . It’s similar to the summary of qualifications on your resume or the “About” section of your LinkedIn profile . In 30 seconds or less, you give the listener enough information about your skills and abilities to get them interested in learning more about you.

Why You Need an Elevator Pitch

You may only have 30 seconds to grab someone’s attention, and a well-crafted and perfectly delivered elevator pitch can do just that!

While you may be prepared for some situations (like a job fair ), you never know when a fantastic opportunity may come your way, and having an elevator speech puts you in the driver’s seat . As the name implies, you could end up in an elevator with someone who could help you land your dream job, and you’ve got this one elevator ride to “wow” them!

How to Write an Elevator Pitch

The number one rule of an elevator pitch is to keep it short . And because your time is limited, you may be tempted to squeeze in as much information as possible. 

However, just like you can’t fit everything on your resume, you can’t include everything about yourself in your elevator pitch. The idea is to hook the listener, so stick to the basics and highlight the top one or two things someone should know about you.

Here’s what to include in your elevator pitch.

Who Are You?

It sounds obvious, but many elevator pitches skip this important step!

Start your pitch with who you are . Many people jump into what they do and where they do it but neglect to introduce themselves. And while the person listening to your pitch may be fascinated with your pitch, if they don’t know who you are, they may not connect with what you’re saying.

What Do You Do?

After you introduce yourself, talk about what you do. You can limit this to your title and where you work, though you can include how long you’ve been in your position if you’re comfortable with that. Save the details about your skills for later in the pitch.

What Do You Want to Do?

This is the “first course” of your elevator pitch. What do you want to do next? You don’t have to spend a ton of time on this, but you should give a brief mention of what you’d love in your next job. Do you want to move into management? Learn new skills? Change careers ? Throw it in so the listener understands your career goals.

What Are You Good At?

Explaining what you’re good at is the “main course” of your elevator pitch . This is the section you’ll want to devote most of your 30 seconds to, but you’ll also have to pick and choose what you include.

Select one or two skills that explain why you’re good at what you do. Help the listener see why your skills matter and how they add value to your current employer.

What Are You Looking For?

Just before you end your pitch, include a brief mention of what you’re looking for from this particular listener. 

This is slightly different than telling someone what you want to do next. Though what you’re looking for could include information about a job, that’s not always the case. You might be looking for a mentor , a new network connection , or an informational interview .

How Do You Connect?

The end of your pitch should include a call to action that invites the listener to connect with you and continue the conversation .

For example, you can ask them to get together for coffee or a phone call. Whatever it is, make it clear you’re asking for their time and that it’s OK to turn you down.

And if the listener can’t get together, give them a way to contact you. You can go old school and hand the other person a business card (paper or virtual). Or, share your email or personal website address if it’s easy to remember. Likewise, you can mention you’re on LinkedIn and suggest connecting there, possibly with you initiating the connection.

Elevator Pitch Examples

Not every situation will rely on the same elevator speech. So, it’s best to have a few ready to go. Here are a few examples to get you started.

New Graduate

My name is [Name], and I recently graduated from [Name of College] with a degree in [Major or Field of Study]. I [talk about any related activities or internships] and am now looking for a job as [title or field]. Can we meet up for coffee so I can learn more about the field?

Career Changer

I’m [Name] and currently work in [name of field or title]. Though I’ve enjoyed the work and honed my skills in [mention a transferable skill that’s useful in your new field], I’ve decided I want to switch things up and work in [name the field or a job title]. Would you be able to meet with me so I can learn more about your success in the field?

During an Interview

My name is [Name]. Thanks for meeting with me today. I have a [name of degree if applicable] and [X] years of experience in [your career field or the job you’re interviewing for]. I’ve [list one or two top accomplishments and how they benefited your employer]. I’m interested in this role because [state what it is that’s interesting about the job].

How to Give an Elevator Pitch

You might be surprised at all the times your elevator pitch comes in handy. But having an elevator pitch isn’t enough. You also need an effective delivery to get results .

Practice your pitch out loud a few times and listen to what you’re saying and how you say it. Do you speak in a natural, conversational tone, or are you speaking in a low, monotone voice that’s hard to understand? Are you speaking too quickly? Too slowly? Are you rambling and off-topic?

Record yourself and listen to it a few times to pinpoint what you need to improve. Or, ask some trusted friends or family to listen to your pitch and give you feedback.

You’re limited to about 30 seconds, which may make you think you have to “speed speak” to get every single word in there. But once you practice a few times, you’ll see that 30 seconds is a lot longer than it seems.

Slow your speech down. You don’t have to go slo-mo slow, but make an effort to speak at a natural pace or rhythm that’s easy to listen to. Again, listening to recordings or having live listeners can help you figure out if you’re speaking at the right pace.

If after several trial runs you find that you can’t fit everything in or are having trouble slowing down, try cutting a few things from the pitch. It’s better to leave a few things out and be understood than cram everything in and be greeted with a quizzical look when you’re done!

Stay Positive

When you’re giving your pitch, you may concentrate more on what you’re saying than how you’re saying it.

In addition to speaking in a natural tone and at the right pace, watch yourself deliver the elevator speech in the mirror or watch a recording. Do you maintain eye contact (without staring)? Are you frowning? Do you look like a deer in headlights?

Practice until you look and feel comfortable and confident delivering your pitch .

Make Your Elevator Pitch Short and Sweet

While your elevator pitch may not be “sweet,” it is short and entices the listener into connecting with and learning more about you. Having an elevator pitch at the ready is useful in numerous job search and professional situations. Spend some time crafting a few, so you’re prepared for any situation.

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20+ Elevator Pitch Examples You Need to Get Hired

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

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

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

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

What is an Elevator Pitch?

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

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

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

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

Anytime you respond to questions like;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ready? Let’s dive in:

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

We will take a look at some elevator pitch examples.

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

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

Elevator pitch examples for job seekers.

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

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

Your elevator pitch should answer these questions:

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

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

Career fair elevator pitch examples

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

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

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

2. Communications/Customer Service Elevator Pitch Example

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

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

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

3. Medical/Health Elevator Pitch Example

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

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

4. Media/Branding Elevator Pitch Example

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

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

5. ICT Elevator Pitch Example

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

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

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

6. Digital Marketing Elevator Pitch Example

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

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

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

7. Sales/Marketing Elevator Pitch Example

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

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

8. Accounting Elevator Pitch Example

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

9. Human Resources Elevator Pitch Example

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

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

10. Education Elevator Pitch Example

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

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

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

11. Research Elevator Pitch Example

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

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

Job Interview Elevator Pitch

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

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

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

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

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

12. When Applying for an Accounting Job

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

13. When Applying for a Customer Service Job

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

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

14. When Applying for a Sales Job

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

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

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

15. When Applying for an ICT Job

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elevator Pitch Examples for Small Business Owners 

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

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

So how can you connect with great people?

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

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

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

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

17. ‘We Work’ Elevator Pitch

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

18. ‘Conga’ Elevator Pitch

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

19. ‘Xactly’ Elevator Pitch

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

20. ‘The Pendergraft Firm’

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

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

21. ‘BMcTALKS Academy’

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

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

Elevator Pitch Template You Can Steal Right Away

Sample elevator template for job seekers.

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

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

Sample Elevator Template for Business Owners

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

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

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

Try to keep your pitch simple and short.

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

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

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

Staff Writer

2 comment(s).

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

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Short & Engaging Pitch About Yourself: 10 Best Elevator Pitch Examples

An elevator pitch is a short and engaging pitch about yourself that highlights your skills and candidature with an aim to increase your chances of getting hired. It is a striking pitch that a job seeker can present in short and crisp sentences.

The term “elevator pitch” came from the idea that the pitch should be short enough to start with and wind up by the time the potential recruiter who is travelling with you in a lift gets out of the elevator. This basically means the pitch lasts for from some seconds to fewer minutes.

In today’s scenario, it means more than that. It means impressing your potential recruiter with the most impressive aspects of your career, thus getting them amazed by your resume and your personality immediately.

Importance of an Elevator Pitch

As businesses expand, hiring duties are often delegated to third-party recruiters. They interview hundreds of people every day and get thousands of resumes in their emails. You need to put a striking short pitch about yourself in your resume so that the recruitment agent feels compelled to read your resume.

An elevator pitch is also important because opportunities present themselves when you least expect them. You should be ready with a perfect pitch when you happen to come across an influential person. But do be careful about the right place and right time perspective. That brings us to the next section…

Here is what you should do during an elevator or resume pitch:

Brag: Yes, this is the time to go all out. Flaunt all your best achievements and use the best adjectives, don’t hold back.

Be confident : Confidence is key here. Even if you don’t have that many achievements, you need to look and sound like someone who does.

Research: Don’t walk in clueless. Read up information about the company’s short- and long-term goals to convey genuine interest in contributing towards them.

The Don’ts

Perfecting an engaging pitch about yourself is the first strategic step to getting recruited by the big fish in the industry. But don’t get too carried away and ruin it for yourself. Here are some common mistakes you must avoid at any cost:

Embellishment: Don’t lie about your achievements. Remember, if you are caught, nobody will want to hire you for you will have proven yourself to be a liar. And by the way, you will be caught if you lie.

Wrong place/time: There are times when you should be careful of the things you say. For instance, if you are at a meeting with one of the top brasses of your company and a really important topic is under discussion, and you don’t know much about it. You know what not to do. Don’t pitch. Don’t try to sound smart and end up looking foolish.

Aggressive statements: Passion is good but lets it not cross over to aggression. For example: “I guarantee you’ll be thankful to have me on your team” versus “You’ll regret not hiring me”.

Wrong body language: Your words might not be aggressive but you could be standing in their way as if to convey “I am not letting you leave until you hear me out”. Scaring your recruiter is not a smart idea.

Repetition: There should be no room for repetition in a 40-second talk or 80-word text document. Word your sentences with gravity, truth, and substance. This short and engaging pitch about yourself must be as good as your resume if not more.

Violate the time limit: Nobody will be timing you but you must be done in under a minute of talking or under 100 words.

Follow the dos and don’ts and you are golden. Here are some examples to help you practice.

10 Best Examples for an Elevator Pitch across Industries

You have already learned what to do and what to avoid while making an elevator pitch. Here are some classic examples of a good elevator pitch that could come in handy.

1) As a Project Manager for Property or Finances

You will need to use phrases like ‘specialising in business lending’ or ‘value engineering’ instead of vaguely saying ‘I have experience in all spheres of this project’.

2) As a Recruitment Consultant

Mention your field of recruitment experience in the very first sentence along with the number of years you’ve been a recruiter. Use phrases like “proficient talent acquisition specialist” instead of “head hunter”. Mention your skillset in Pymetrics, market mapping, and global recruitment channels to make it an engaging pitch about yourself.

3) As a Communications Consultant

Mention where you graduated from and how long you’ve been into reporting and editing. Throw in some names of your top clients even if you have worked with them for just one project. Don’t mention it was a short journey, but do say it was a successful one.

4) As a Digital Marketer

Focus on the importance of branding and SEO and talk about your unique strategising abilities. Don’t shy away from mentioning any past ventures with start-ups whether they succeeded or not. Talk about your experience and not the fate of the company.

5) As a Sales Manager

Mention your growth percentages in your field and compare them to the average growth in the industry during the time. Of course, if your performance was not above average don’t draw the comparison. Play on your strong suit, saying something like ‘fostering long-term client relationship’.

6) For the Health Sector

Mention where you studied and more importantly, where did you do your internship. Do remember to mention how passionate you are about a current cause in case you are in research.

 7) For the Education Sector

This is another sector where you must convey your passion for the cause. Single out a purpose like “literacy for people with special needs”. Care to not fabricate any detail but highlight what you care about the most. Do mention your alma mater and most rewarding projects.

8) For the HR Sector

If you have prior experience, mention the most conspicuous one. If you are a fresher, focus on your talents like ‘soft skills’ or ‘conflict management prowess’ and ‘abstract problem-solving abilities’.

9) As a Researcher

As a researcher, you must mention your published works, both online and offline. Mention your speciality and your passion, which must align.

10) In the field of Customer Service

Mention executive roles if any and the tenure of the same. Mention your problem-solving skills and flair for coming up with novel solutions.

Craft some pitches according to your sector and establish a confident and positive tone in your delivery. Craft several short and engaging pitch about yourself in text form for email resumes customised for the specific company. You 

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Navigating USAJOBS & Introduction to Federal Resume Writing (11 APR 2024)

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Army Civilian Careers invites you to participate in a virtual informational session on federal resume writing, navigating USAJOBS website, including paid internships and fellowships in the federal government. We are a values-based community of nearly 300,000 federal civilian employees, much like those in other U.S. Federal Agencies, e.g., State, NASA, Commerce, Justice, and Education. These are strictly civilian positions.

Applying for employment on USAJOBS can be a challenging process, but we are here to help! In this session we will walk through the application process to include the questionnaire, discuss resume formats, preferences, required documents to include, and how to align your experience with the job qualifications. This class is designed specifically to help you develop your federal resume and address key areas in the job announcement to make you an eligible applicant. In this session we will cover:

• The Army Student Intern Program • The Army Fellows Program • How to create a USAJOBs account • Applying for federal jobs • How to navigate USAJOBS • Application announcement information – what the words really mean. • Beginning steps to writing a federal resume

Note: This session will be conducted via MS Teams, and you will need to download the application to view the session in its entirety.

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How to Write an SQL Resume

Learn how to write an SQL resume highlighting your skills, experience, and qualifications to help you stand out in a competitive job market.

Developers use SQL, or Structured Query Language, to write queries and build databases and applications. Learning this programming language can be essential because it allows you to do everything from creating a new database to establishing the permissions necessary for people to access it. Many professionals use SQL, including web designers, data scientists, and software engineers, with some specializing in this language in particular, such as SQL developers.

As you prepare to apply for a role that requires SQL skills, effectively highlighting those abilities on your resume is imperative. Discover how to choose an appropriate SQL resume template, the relevant sections to include, and ways to highlight your SQL skills, experience, and education.

Important considerations for writing an SQL resume.

Ultimately, you want your resume to be a shining representation of the benefits you pose for potential employers, including your SQL abilities. SQL is a sought-after skill by IT recruiters, and you want to highlight it on your resume to show your ability to work within the database creation and application development realm.

Your resume should tell potential employers that you have the necessary SQL skills to do the job and that you have relevant education and experience. In addition to SQL skills, an employer is looking for someone who can use their abilities in the context of the role while demonstrating workplace skills, relevant technical skills, and more general development experience.

Make sure you read the job description to identify what an employer is looking for so you can tailor your resume to their requirements, including all necessary sections. 

Step 1: Choose a template.

The template you choose depends on factors such as your experience, skills, and education. You always want to highlight valuable information in a prominent position. Employers generally favor a reverse-chronological resume format, allowing you to show your career progression. Including a skills section in a visible spot is also desirable. However, if you need to accumulate more extensive professional experience, a functional or skills-based resume may work better for you.

Step 2: Fill in your personal details.

Once you’ve chosen your template, add your contact information and other details. Use your name as the title of your resume and include your full address or city, your contact number, and your email address. This is also an excellent spot to link to your portfolio to show off past projects and samples of your work.

You might also include a headline, which goes beneath your name. This short description tells recruiters who you are and what you’re good at, such as “Skilled SQL developer with experience at Amazon and Google.” A headline is optional—you may include this information in your summary instead.

Step 3: Add a resume summary.

Your summary is vital to an effective resume for an SQL role. In this section, spell out why you are a top candidate. Outline who you are, what you have accomplished, your top SQL skills, and any other technical skills you would use in an SQL-based role.

To write this section well, consider what an employer is looking for. Doing research can help make sure this section meets their expectations. Use keywords from ads and job descriptions so your language reflects theirs. It can further align your experience with the role and help pass the applicant tracking systems (ATS) recruiters use to sift applications.

Step 4: Outline your relevant skills.

If you’re looking to write an SQL developer resume or an SQL resume for any role, skills play an essential part. A recruiter is looking for specific SQL skills, general developer skills, relevant technical skills, and workplace skills. Think about your particular SQL skills and how to best include them. Examples may include data modeling, query optimization, and other programming languages. Additionally, choose workplace skills relevant to the job, such as critical thinking or problem-solving.

Look at the job ad and job description of the role you’re applying for when considering the skills to include. The recruiter will ask for specific skills, so use these in your skills section. Just like in the summary, using keywords from the job details will help you pass the ATS screening.

Possible skills you may use in your SQL resume include:

Technical skills

SQL security

SQL reporting

SQL analytics

Cloud services

Network administration

Database architecture

Workplace skills

Critical thinking

Decision making

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Time management

Organization

Collaboration

Step 5: Add your professional experience.

Employers want to know about your background, so it’s vital to list it clearly. A reverse-chronological resume is excellent for this. It requires you to list your recent experience first, working your way backward to your oldest.

When writing this section, focus on contextualizing your skills and giving specific examples of your accomplishments. Instead of just listing your duties, think about what you’ve achieved personally in each role that makes you stand out. SQL developers typically know how to build and manipulate databases using SQL and how to migrate data. Think about how you can provide specific, measurable details. For example, instead of writing “Migrated data,” write, “Migrated Accessed March 5, 2024.of 300 employees to a new system and trained staff on how to use it.”

Experience doesn’t have to be paid work. If you have SQL experience from an internship, bootcamp, hackathon, or a personal project, you can also list this in your experience section.

Step 6: Add your education.

Education is a staple section on any resume. If you have a degree, even if it doesn’t seem directly relevant, put it in this section. You can also include online courses, internal courses you’ve completed in the workplace, and hackathons and bootcamps related to your technical skills. Start with your recent education first, in keeping with the reverse chronological formatting.

Step 7: Include relevant certifications and awards.

It helps when working in a role like SQL developer to be up-to-date with trends and technological advances. If you have relevant certifications and awards, like the Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate or the Oracle Certified Professional MySQL Database Administrator credentials, add them to your resume under a dedicated section, as they can help you stand out against other candidates. This section may go above or below your education, and both may go above your experience section, depending on what is relevant and recent.

Key takeaways for selling yourself as an SQL developer

To really make your resume for an SQL role stand out and highlight your skills and experience. Likewise, it can be helpful to give attention to the following points:

Show your technical abilities : An SQL developer is a technical role, so highlight your technical abilities. While specific SQL skills are important, make sure you weave other technical skills through your skills, experience, and education sections. Give particular reference to your significant achievements in the summary. Including technical skills and terms will help you during ATS screening.

Tailor your resume to the role : Your SQL resume needs to demonstrate that you have the SQL skills and experience to work in an SQL role and have precisely what employers are seeking. Review the job listing to customize your resume according to what the recruiters seek. Some sections are easier to tailor than others. Prioritize your summary and skills section.

Use keywords : When tailoring your resume, focus on keywords. Your research will show you which keywords to use from the job advert and job description of the role you’re applying for. You’ll also know industry keywords from your experience with SQL. Use these keywords throughout your resume to make it more ATS-compliant.

Show your abilities outside the workplace : Paid professional work isn’t the only way to demonstrate your experience and skills. Make your resume as well-rounded as possible by showing your expertise outside of your job through workshops, memberships, personal projects, and self-study.

Resources for resume building

How to Write an Effective Resume

16 Resume Tips For Your 2024 Job Search

3 Resume Templates and How to Pick The Right One For You

10 Ways To Improve Your Resume

Earn a certificate for your SQL developer resume with Coursera

SQL is an in-demand skill used in various professions with a positive job outlook and substantial earning opportunities. Before you can get the job, making your resume shine is critical. Add resume-boosting credentials to your SQL resume by taking online courses such as IBM Databases and SQL for Data Science with Python or completing the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate , both listed on Coursera.

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.