Looking for work as a student? Reel in your future employer with an impressive elevator pitch 🎣

Cue the spotlight.

The panel of interviewers is in front of you.

And one of them asks, “Tell me about yourself.”

But what does that mean?

You have my resume!

Do I include hobbies?

Volunteer work?

The pronunciation of my name?

This used to be the hardest question for me, but I'm sure that by the time we're done today, you'll have a stellar elevator pitch that will impress your future employers!

If you're like me, "elevator pitch" makes you think of Shark Tank, but it can be for a business, project, or self-introduction.

Self-introductions are used every day when we meet a new coworker, a potential friend, or get started in a job interview.

Here are some tips:

• A job interview elevator pitch typically lasts between 30 and 60 seconds.

• Use assertive language. For example, "I successfully led a project..."

• Maintain eye contact.

• Keep your tone friendly and conversational (HR hires people they find warm and competent).

• Don't write a script, but use bullet points for practice.

The general rule of thumb is that if it's a job interview and they ask, Tell me about yourself," or some other variation of this question, you don't include your name unless it's a matter of pronunciation.

For example, if your name is Kiya, is it Kai-yah or Key-yah? Including your name during your elevator pitch will handle the pronunciation.

If this is an elevator pitch for a business idea, then include your full name because it gives off a professional vibe.

If you need more information on crafting a business elevator pitch, check out this Byte for more details: Create a Personal Elevator Pitch.

A hook grabs the interviewer's attention and helps you stand out among the sea of candidates competing for the same role.

I had a student who used this hook: "I believe technology can change the world for the better, and I want to be a part of that change."

Since he shared this hook, I've never forgotten it. So take some time to reflect and ask yourself:

• Why do you want this role?

• Why have you chosen this field of study?

• What are you passionate about? (Only use it if it applies to the role in question.)

• Is there something about this company that inspires you to work for them?

Once you have your answer, create a concise one-liner that will keep you in their memory.

Humility is key when delivering your elevator pitch.

You need to find the balance between sounding prideful and humbly stating your achievements.

Some facts about yourself you should include:

• School name

• Program

• GPA, if it's noteworthy

• Year or semester of study, if applicable

Other facts you could mention:

• Have you won any awards for projects?

• Have you participated in any competitions, like a hackathon?

• Are you volunteering on the student council or participating in any other activities that demonstrate the soft skills recruiters look for, such as teamwork and leadership?

Example:

Hello, everyone. My name is Shaudah Brown, and I believe that education has the power to change the lives of individuals and communities. Because of this, I have pursued a degree in education at XYZ University, attaining a 3.8 GPA. I participated in XYZ organization that helps unhoused youth complete their GED, and I also led the reading buddy program at my old high school...

Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash

After you've said your name (optional), hook, school, and more details about how your experiences align with the role in question, you need to add a strong closing statement, or "bow."

Many people end their elevator pitch with:

• "That's it."

• "That's all about me."

• An awkward pause and fidget.

But you can end it in style! Here are a few phrases you could try:

• "I believe that my skills and passion for XYZ align well with your company, and I'm looking forward to interviewing for this position."

• "I am confident that my expertise in XYZ, combined with my enthusiasm for the industry, makes me a strong fit for your company. I am excited about the opportunity to interview for this position."

• "My skills and dedication to XYZ align perfectly with your company’s values, and I am eager to discuss how I can contribute to your team during the interview."

The job interview elevator pitch can be an intimating first question but if you master these steps, you'll start every interview with confidence.