If you’ve taken one of the career development courses before, chances are you’ve heard about making an elevator pitch. Simply put, an elevator pitch provides background information of who you are, what you’re currently doing and where you want to be in relation to your career goals. The name of this small speech is attributed to the fact that you should be able to complete it in a brief elevator ride, where you might come across senior executives or other industry professionals.

Elevator pitches can be used in a variety of situations. From job interviews to meeting with corporate partners at the Exchange, this brief speech is meant to help you gain confidence and present yourself to future employers. Lucky for you, we have 5 tips to help enhance your elevator pitch so you can be one step closer to Getting to The One!

So, how should you develop your elevator pitch?

Keep it clear and concise

Don’t think about the minor details too much. Keep it short and simple, around 30-60 seconds. Remember that this speech should only last for a brief elevator ride. It’s not necessary to include all of your work history, just the most important facts about who you are, what you’re doing, and how you could potentially provide value to the person you’re speaking to.

Spark the other person’s attention

Yes, we said your speech should be short, but short doesn’t mean boring. Speak in a way that the listener wants to know more about who you are and possibly invite you in for an interview. If you’re visiting a company, do your research beforehand and talk about what interested you in whatever news the company was recently involved in.

Practice!

Don’t memorize it. At the end of the day you’re talking about yourself, there’s nothing you’re mentioning you don’t already know. Practice your pitch until it comes out naturally and in a conversational tone. The golden rule of practice is to practice your speech at least 6 times in front of a mirror. If you need more assistance, try practicing your speech in front of a friend or family member, this will help you get more comfortable with presenting in front of another person.

What do you wish to accomplish?

There’s a reason why you’re talking to this person. Think about that! What are your goals and expectations from the listener? Are you looking to make a connection? An invitation for an interview? Gain more experience? Be clear about what you want and let the conversation flow naturally. Discuss your personal goals and mission statement to show the other person that you are motivated and looking for opportunities to develop yourself.

Who are you talking to?

It’s always good to have background information on the person you’re pitching yourself to. This way, when your pitch is over, you can ask questions and tie your speech to the organization you wish to work for. If you know you’ll be speaking to a recruiter, for instance, learn more about them on LinkedIn; you can ask questions relating to their role with the company or what their thoughts are after they have worked for the company for X number of years.

Now that you know how to elevate your elevator pitches, grab a pen a paper and draft out the key points you want to include in your speech. If you’re looking for more assistance, bring it to the Office of Professional Development, and our staff will provide you guidance to make your elevator pitch the best that it can be so that you can Get to the One! Be sure to schedule an appointment through your myUCF account; more information on OPD can be found here.