Personal Elevator Pitch for Students

The Intern Hustle

17 May 202108:42

Summary

TLDRIn this video, Jenna from The Intern Hustle provides a guide on creating a personal elevator pitch, ideal for students preparing for networking events or class assignments. She emphasizes that elevator pitches should be concise, under 30 seconds, and tailored to the audience. Jenna shares tips on structuring an effective pitch, including introducing yourself with a hook, sharing unique experiences, and asking engaging questions to keep the conversation going. She offers examples of how to modify your pitch based on the situation and closes by encouraging viewers to practice and refine their approach.

Takeaways

😀 Elevator pitches should be concise, lasting around 30 seconds, like the duration of an elevator ride.
💼 Modify your elevator pitch depending on the audience and situation; it’s not one-size-fits-all.
🎓 Start with a brief introduction that includes your name, school, and field of study, followed by a hook to grab attention.
💡 Share unique experiences or accomplishments to stand out and provide context in your pitch.
🏀 Personalize your pitch with relevant details that relate to your career goals, like specific internships or work experiences.
❓ Always end your pitch with a question to engage the listener and keep the conversation going.
🤝 Tailor the closing question based on who you're speaking to—whether it's a recruiter, a mentor, or someone you want advice from.
🔄 Your elevator pitch should evolve as you gain experience and progress in your career journey.
📚 Asking for recommendations (e.g., books or podcasts) can be a great way to continue the conversation in more casual situations.
👍 Respect the other person's time and avoid a lengthy one-sided pitch; focus on listening and engaging in meaningful dialogue.

Q & A

What is the purpose of an elevator pitch?
-An elevator pitch is designed to introduce yourself in a concise and memorable way, typically within 30 seconds, to quickly communicate your value and engage the listener.
Why is it called an 'elevator pitch'?
-The term comes from the idea that you should be able to deliver your pitch in the time it takes to ride an elevator with someone, usually around 30 seconds or less.
What should be the first part of an elevator pitch?
-The first part should include a brief introduction of who you are, such as your name, where you go to school, and what you're studying. You can also lead with a hook like 'I'd love to get your thoughts on something' to grab their attention.
Why is it important to customize your elevator pitch based on the scenario?
-Customizing your elevator pitch allows you to tailor your message to the person you're speaking to and the context, making it more relevant and engaging for them.
What makes a pitch memorable?
-A pitch is memorable when it highlights unique value, such as relevant experiences or accomplishments, that sets you apart from others with similar backgrounds.
How can you make your elevator pitch more engaging for the listener?
-You can engage the listener by asking a relevant question at the end of your pitch. This keeps the conversation going and encourages the other person to contribute.
What example did Jenna give for a unique experience in her own pitch?
-Jenna shared her experience of completing a strength and conditioning internship with the Chicago Bulls, but explained how it shifted her interest away from training athletes toward the business side of professional sports.
How should you modify your elevator pitch based on who you're talking to?
-You can modify your pitch by adjusting the unique experiences or accomplishments you highlight, and by tailoring the closing question to fit the person's expertise or background.
Why is it important to include a question at the end of your pitch?
-Including a question at the end engages the listener, making the conversation interactive and giving them an opportunity to share their thoughts or advice.
What advice does Jenna give for avoiding a one-sided conversation?
-Jenna advises being respectful of the other person's time and not turning the conversation into a long, one-sided monologue. Instead, aim for a balanced conversation where you listen and engage based on their responses.

Outlines

00:00

💡 Introduction to Personal Elevator Pitches

The speaker, Jenna, introduces the concept of a personal elevator pitch, emphasizing its importance for students preparing to meet recruiters or attend career fairs. She explains that an elevator pitch should be concise, fitting within the timeframe of a typical elevator ride (around 30 seconds). Jenna stresses that a one-size-fits-all approach is not effective and suggests modifying the pitch based on the situation and audience. She mentions that the video will cover how to structure a personal elevator pitch and provide examples for different scenarios.

05:01

🚀 Crafting Your Personal Elevator Pitch

Jenna explains the structure of an effective personal elevator pitch, beginning with a brief introduction and a hook to grab the listener's attention, like saying, 'I’d love to get your thoughts on something.' This approach ensures that the person remains engaged. She then suggests highlighting your unique experiences or accomplishments to make the pitch memorable. Jenna uses her own experience—transitioning from a strength and conditioning internship with the Chicago Bulls to exploring business in sports—as an example of crafting a narrative that stands out.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Elevator pitch

An 'elevator pitch' is a brief, concise introduction of oneself, designed to quickly capture the attention of the listener. The video explains that this pitch should be short enough to be delivered within the time span of an elevator ride, typically around 30 seconds. It's essential for students when networking or introducing themselves in professional contexts like career fairs.

💡Personal introduction

A 'personal introduction' is the initial part of an elevator pitch where someone provides basic information about themselves, such as their name, background, or education. In the video, Jenna emphasizes starting with a strong introduction to grab attention, offering examples like 'Hi, I'm Jenna Ziff, and it's so nice to meet you.'

💡Unique value

'Unique value' refers to personal traits, experiences, or skills that make someone stand out. In the context of the video, Jenna explains that this element helps differentiate yourself from others by sharing memorable accomplishments or relevant experiences, such as her internship with the Chicago Bulls.

💡Context

'Context' involves providing background information that gives the listener a clear understanding of the speaker’s narrative. In the video, Jenna uses context to explain her career transition after her internship, showing how her experiences shape her current goals and interests.

💡Hook

A 'hook' is a statement or question at the beginning of an elevator pitch that grabs the listener's attention. In the video, Jenna suggests starting with phrases like 'I’d love to get your thoughts on something,' which draws the listener into the conversation and makes them more engaged.

💡Scenario-based modification

'Scenario-based modification' refers to tailoring your elevator pitch based on the specific person or situation you're in. Jenna highlights that the pitch should change depending on whether you're talking to a recruiter, a peer, or a professional mentor, illustrating the importance of adaptability.

💡Career transition

A 'career transition' is the process of shifting from one career path to another, often after gaining new experiences or insights. Jenna shares her own career transition from strength and conditioning to the business side of sports, which demonstrates how life experiences can change professional goals.

💡Engagement question

An 'engagement question' is a thoughtful question at the end of an elevator pitch that encourages conversation and interaction. Jenna emphasizes the importance of closing with a question like 'What do you think are the most important areas for me to focus my studies on?' to foster meaningful dialogue.

💡Tailored question

A 'tailored question' is a specific question customized to the person you’re speaking to, based on their expertise or position. Jenna provides examples of how to adjust the question depending on whether you’re talking to a recruiter, a professional in the field, or someone at a networking event.

💡Professional networking

'Professional networking' is the act of building relationships with others in a professional setting, often to seek advice, opportunities, or mentorship. The video focuses on how an elevator pitch is a crucial tool for networking, especially when meeting potential employers or industry professionals at events like career fairs.

Highlights

Elevator pitches are not one size fits all and should be tailored based on the scenario and person you're speaking to.

An elevator pitch should be concise, typically 30 seconds to one minute, just like the time it takes to ride an elevator.

Begin your pitch with a hook, such as 'I'd love to get your thoughts on something,' to capture the other person's attention.

Briefly introduce yourself, including where you go to school and what you're studying, as part of your pitch.

Highlight a unique experience or accomplishment that makes you stand out, such as an internship or a key personal interest.

Your pitch should include a narrative that is memorable and specific to you, rather than just stating common details like your major or job title.

Tailor your elevator pitch to your goal and the person you're speaking to, modifying your story and closing question as needed.

Close the pitch with an engaging question that invites the person to continue the conversation or offer advice.

Examples of closing questions include asking for career advice, internship opportunities, or thoughts on a career pivot.

For career fairs, ask recruiters about their hiring process and how to follow up, making your pitch more actionable.

If you're talking to someone you're interested in building a relationship with, ask questions that help you learn from their experience.

If the conversation is casual, ask open-ended questions, like recommendations for a book or podcast, to keep it engaging.

Focus on being concise, respectful of the other person's time, and ready to listen after delivering your pitch.

Always customize your elevator pitch based on the scenario and keep practicing to improve and refine your approach.

An elevator pitch is a dynamic tool that should evolve as you grow in your career and gain new experiences.