First Impressions - How To Deliver A Professional 30-Second Elevator Pitch printable pdf download

First Impressions: How to Deliver a Professional

30-Second Elevator Pitch

Quick! The C.E.O. of the company you’ve dreamed of working for your entire life is

standing right in front of you in line at the grocery store. What do you do?

Data shows that when you initially meet someone, their first impression of you is

formed within the first two minutes they spend with you. After that first impression is

formed, it is extremely difficult for it to be changed. A 30-second elevator pitch should

be a part of every professional’s job search arsenal, including yours, for this very

reason.

An elevator pitch is a quick speech that you have memorized in case you ever meet

someone who it is essential you make a good, professional impression on. It is also a

great starting point for beginning a conversation with employers at job fairs, people who

you want to bring into your professional network, or as a way of summarizing yourself

at the beginning of an interview.

An elevator pitch should be about 30 -seconds in length (about the time an elevator ride

would take), and should highlight who you are, and what you have accomplished in

your career. To get started on creating a 30-second elevator pitch, write out a list of the

types of jobs you are interested in. This list can be as general as employment in a certain

industry or field, or as specific as a position title with a certain kind of company. Next,

list your experience that is relevant to those types of jobs, and pick three of your top

qualities, such as communication skills, leadership or multi-tasking. Then write a script

that will take you about 30-seconds to read, and which includes:

•Your Name

•What degrees you have received and from what institution(s) it/they were from,

and/or what degree you are currently working toward

•The types of jobs you are interested in

•Your relevant experience

•Your three top qualities, and how those qualities will benefit the organization.

Once you are satisfied with your script, practice delivering it. Remember, you should

start by shaking the person’s hand as you state your name, and maintain eye contact

throughout the entire pitch. Every few months, you should review your elevator pitch to

keep it updated, and so that you keep it committed to memory.

If you are planning on attending the Career Day, Ivy Tech’s Annual Job Fair on

Thursday, March 17 the Career Development office recommends developing an elevator

pitch beforehand.

First Impressions - How To Deliver A Professional 30-Second Elevator Pitch