This document provides guidance on creating an effective elevator pitch. An elevator pitch is a short, memorable sales pitch about yourself that can be delivered in the length of an elevator ride (30 seconds to 1 minute). It should include an essential truth statement about your passions or goals, an example from your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), and a call to action or question for the listener. The document reviews each component and provides a template for an elevator pitch. It emphasizes keeping the pitch concise, engaging, and tailored to the specific listener or company.

1. ELEVATOR PITCH
POWERPOINT
COM 124-001

2. Agenda:
◦ What an Elevator Pitch is
◦ How to create an Elevator Pitch
◦ Communication Skills

3. What is an Elevator Pitch???
Also known as an Elevator Speech. The concept comes from the idea that if you were to run
into the CEO (or equivalent) of the company of your dreams in an elevator ride, you are
able to convince that person to hire you before they step out of the elevator.

4. ◦ A sales pitch about yourself
◦ Often memorized
◦ Very short –usually around 140 characters
or 30 seconds to 1 minute long
Think of old school twitter:
Elevator Pitch:

5. How to create your Elevator Pitch:
1. Beginning with an Essential Truth about yourself.
◦ Ex: “I help people create and deliver compelling messages.”
2. Follow the S.T.A.R. Method to highlight relevant experience.
3. End with call to action/question back to listener.
Your Elevator Pitch should include all three of these elements.
Let’s go into more detail about each of these points…

6. 1. Essential Truth
◦ This is something that should explain your passion in one simple statement. Think of it as your tagline, or
your prospective career path, or your goal, or your purpose.
For example, I enjoy teaching about public speaking and am passionate about helping students overcome
public speaking anxiety so I could say that my Essential Truth is:
“I assist students in improving their communication competency and
help individuals manage their public speaking anxiety.”

7. 2. S.T.A.R. Method
◦ Through the process of the S.T.A.R. method, you should justify your Essential Truth with a relevant example
that highlights your experience, talent, and/or skills.
◦ This example could come from a class project, an internship situation, volunteer opportunity, etc.

8. 3. End with call
to
action/question
Once you’ve finished, turn the spotlight back to the person you’re
speaking with to engage in conversation
How do you do this? Ask a question:
“What does a daily schedule look like at
your company for someone seeking the
position I am interested in?”
After you’ve been acknowledged, go into your elevator pitch
You should begin the conversation with a greeting
(usually “hello” and/or a handshake)

9. Call to action/question continued
Tailor your pitch to each company you approach, meaning your pitch will change depending on who
you’re speaking to.
Finish with a sentence or question to transfer conversation to the recruiter.
Things to avoid:
◦ Asking “what does your company do?”
◦ Asking if the company has any jobs
◦ If asked what type of position you are seeking, saying you are willing to do anything at the company

10. Your Elevator Pitch can also include:
◦ Name, Class, and Major* DO NOT lead/begin with this info.
◦ The opportunity you are seeking Internship? Part-time? Temporary?
◦ Relevant experience Work, Internship, Volunteer work
◦ Highlights of skills and strengths “I’m great with numbers.”
◦ Knowledge about the company* “I noticed your company volunteers at X…”
*You do not want to lead with your class, major OR any titles because this information could mean absolutely nothing to the
person you are speaking to. Start out strong and captivating instead by leading with your Essential Truth and then add this
information in later. You might also include your name later in your pitch, after you have their attention, and they will be more
likely to remember it.
*Sharing knowledge about the company can show your interest in the company and shows that you’ve already researched the
company.

11. Activity:
◦ Think of 3 adjectives that describe you
◦ Ex. “passionate, caring, resilient”
◦ Now think of 3 adjectives that your friends would use to describe you
Do any of the adjectives match?
Try incorporating these adjectives into your pitch!

12. Adjectives Employers Recommend:
 Agile
 Flexible
 Dedicated
 Resilient
 Active
 Positive
 Proactive
 Self-starter
 Positive attitude
 Desire to learn
 Thorough
 Prompt
 Team-centered
 Complex
 Extensive
 Cost-Effective
 Innovative
 Versatile
 Customer-focused
 Confident
You might consider adding some of these to your elevator pitch. Sometimes employers are
looking for very specific words in job applications. Only pick the ones that you feel work for you.

13. Communication Skills to Consider:
Verbal communication:
oSpeak clearly
oConsider your pace
oOffer resume or business card and end the
conversation with a “thank you”
Nonverbal communication:
o Eye contact
o Handshake
o Positive attitude
o Appearance

14. What Is Business Casual?
◦ The business casual “look” may be a bit different from one workplace to the next. That is why it’s best to
dress conservatively and be too formal rather than take the risk of being underdressed. In general, the
following guidelines will satisfy any event requiring business casual attire:
◦ Men: slacks, collared shirt, and tie (blazer optional)
◦ Women: slacks or skirt with collared shirt (blazer optional) OR professional dress (blazer optional)
◦ Both: No jeans, shorts, tennis shoes, or flip flops. Try to leave your backpack behind if you are attending a career
fair.
As with business professional, avoid anything that puts the employer’s focus (or your own) on
what you are wearing instead of what you are saying!

15. Example Template:
Hello, [insert Essential Truth here]. My name is ______, and I am a (year in program/ alumnus of UNC
Charlotte) (majoring in/ with a degree in) ______. Recently, I have been (working/ interning/ volunteering)
with ______ in the _____ department to gain experience in ______. My strongest interests lie in (teaching/
management/CIS) ______, so I'm looking for a (summer/temporary/post graduation) position in ________.
I'm particularly interested in (company name) because of ________ and find your company’s (enter research
findings - new market openings, business strategies, community involvement, etc.) particularly interesting.
Could you tell me about how this will affect employees in (position of interest)? – (or other relevant question).
This is a generic template and I expect for you all to create a pitch of
your own that is tailored to you and your future.

16. Additional Help:
Watch the following videos:
https://youtu.be/y1Y02_oZP8U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGkIVxwxrCk
The 2nd video recommends NOT memorizing your pitch, but think of this the same way we
would write and practice any other speech; it should be extemporaneous, not memorized word
for word. You do not want to sound robotic.

17. Lastly, begin writing your pitch!
◦ First, you want to choose your audience (prospective employer, etc.)
◦ Next, begin writing and consider the guidelines for this assignment:
1. Opened with strong essential truth statement and link appropriately to focus on the details of relevant
experience that highlighted strengths.
2. Make sure your pitch is well thought out and concise, and holds your prospective audience’s attention to the
end.
3. Try to be sincere, confident, and in control (this applies when delivering your pitch).
Good luck!