Every professional should have a perfected elevator pitch stored away in their arsenal of networking tools. You never know when an opportunity to use it will present itself. In sum, an elevator pitch is a 30-60 second “about me” speech that encapsulates who you are, as well as your abilities and experience. Crafting an elevator pitch can seem daunting, but it’s actually quite easy, and can be accomplished within 10 minutes!

To get you started, follow these customizable steps:

Who are you?

This is the basis for your pitch. Starting off strong, engaging, and enthusiastic sets the tone for the rest of what you have to say. While you don’t need to get into ultra-detailed specifics (your family, hobbies, where you studied abroad, etc.) it’s important to incorporate broad facts to serve as the foundation of your pitch. Some ideas for where to start are:

• Your professional accomplishments
• Skills you’re particularly adept in
• A fun (but professionally relevant) fact about yourself

Note: If you’re still in school, it could be helpful to name any clubs or organizations you belong to as well as relevant courses you may be taking.

What do you do well?

This is the meat of your pitch. While it can be overwhelming to whittle your accrued skills down to a 15-20 second snippet, crafting a brief yet informational pitch is key to success in any interview or networking event. What makes you stand out among others as a potential candidate or a professional in your field?  Some examples include (but are certainly not limited to):

• Are you an outstanding writer?
• Do you have a mathematical mind?
• Are you a natural leader?

What would you like to do?

What good is an elevator pitch if the person you’re talking to has no idea what you’re asking for or how to help you? Consider what you ideally would want immediately following the pitch. Is it for an interview, a meeting, or an internship?  Leaving the end of an elevator pitch ambiguous may have those on the receiving end confused, so don’t be afraid to ask for what you ultimately want. For reference, here is an example of an elevator pitch that is specific, yet brief and straight to the point:

“I’ve been taking the steps to get this far in my career and am thoroughly enjoying it. My immediate goal is to_________.  I’m inspired by (people/ideas) surrounding this industry and would jump at the chance to prove my dedication to the field. If you think I’d be a good fit, I would love the opportunity to interview for a position at your company.”

Remember, being comfortable with your pitch is an important part of selling yourself, so don’t forget to practice!