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It’s that easy!
To get you started on your sweepstakes entry, here’s some helpful tips for creating the perfect elevator pitch from Tori Owens, a Communications and Journalism student at Loyola Marymount University and Kaplan Student Brand Ambassador.
Delivering the perfect elevator pitch
A few weeks ago, I found myself in an elevator with two successful news broadcasters. Before I knew it, I was sharing with them details about my educational and professional background, including the fact that I was currently studying communications and journalism and that I would be pursuing my Master’s degree in the latter field next year at Stanford.
One of them then asked about my journalistic interests, and he shared with me the name of an online publication that he suggested I explore for inspiration. When the elevator doors slid open, both broadcasters stuck out their hands to shake mine and asked me for my name again. In that moment, I realized I had just successfully delivered my first true elevator pitch.
An “elevator pitch” is a quick, 60-second blurb about yourself that you would say to a potential employer or the CEO of your dream company if you ever found yourself in an elevator with him or her. Surprisingly, a number of college students go their entire undergraduate careers without ever having practiced their elevator pitches. If you’re one of those students, then this article should be an especially good read, as one of the most crucial aspects of an elevator pitch is preparation.
Look beyond your resume
There are certain things an elevator pitch should and should not be. For example, an elevator pitch is not a time to recite every bullet point listed on your resume; rather than try to talk about each individual position you have held, award you have received, and extracurricular activity you have participated in, use the elevator pitch to discuss your overarching experience and future goals within a particular field. Essentially, your elevator pitch should express things that can’t be found on your resume.
Further, personality and tone are critical components of an elevator pitch. Unlike a resume, an elevator pitch allows you to verbally discuss your experiences and passions with a potential employer; therefore, it is important to speak with confidence and charisma. Be sure to take the time to introduce yourself and ask for the other person’s name a second time, if need be, at the end of your conversation. After all, the point of an elevator pitch is to make a lasting impression and connection with a potential future employer or mentor.
In regards to business card etiquette, if you have them, it is certainly a good idea to always have a few handy for situations that call for an elevator pitch. However, it is also beneficial to utilize online professional networking sites like LinkedIn, as this is a more reliable way to ensure that you will be able to connect with someone in the future.
Persuading potential employers
Overall, when it comes to delivering an effective elevator pitch, practice makes perfect. Here are a few quick tips for constructing a strong elevator pitch:
- Keep it short (one minute or less).
- Mention key components of your education and experience: i.e., major(s)/minor(s), field of interest, and positions held within this field.
- Discuss your future goals and how you plan to get there.
When constructing your elevator pitch, consider the following questions:
- What are your professional and academic interests?
- How have you contributed to your field thus far (i.e. positions held, organizational memberships, etc.)?
- What do you hope to contribute to this field in the future?
To get started on perfecting your elevator pitch, visit Kaplan on Instagram and tell us about your professional dreams and ambitions. You could win $1,000 just for sharing your story.
The post #KaplanHasMyBack—(Elevator) Pitch Perfect appeared first on Business School Insider.
