The Perfect Elevator Pitch

 

What is an elevator pitch and why do I need one?

An elevator pitch is a way of introducing yourself and making a connection with someone - all in about thirty seconds.

In roughly the amount of time you'd spend riding an elevator with someone, you should be able to make an introduction and let them know what's most important to you - especially as it relates to a job.

Why do you need one? They're a great way to meet people during events or conferences, and they're key to networking. It's also likely the first question you'll be asked in an interview - "tell me about yourself!"

How do I create one?

For the first sentence, find a concise way to describe yourself. Think about your audience - if this is for a job in psychology, you may say something like "I am Anne Smith. I'm a junior at UTSA and am studying psychology with Dr. Morrissette. I work in her research lab and am really interested in veterans health."

The next part is crucial for networking. What do you want the person to remember about you? Talk about the skills you have that would make you a valuable member in this person's network. Also add the passion behind them - people will always remember genuine enthusiasm. A good example could be, "Last summer, I interned for a nonprofit organization focused on veterans health. I learned how trauma affects the brain and created a database for our research study. I learned that I want to make this my career, because helping people and veterans is very important to me."

The final part is the ask, which engages the person you're speaking with directly. It can be about a specific job opening, internship opportunities or even advice. Here is an example: "I want to expand my experience in brain research. Does your organization offer internships like this? How might I apply?

Tips

Remember - this should be a short pitch. There will be time for more information when you follow up.

  • Target your pitch to the event you’re attending. If you’re attending an event with all UTSA alums, you can focus more on that. If it's a career fair, focus less on UTSA jargon and more on the specific job skills.
  • Practice! The SSC is always here for you to listen to your pitch and help you perfect it.
  • Make sure you give the ask. While it might feel awkward, it helps the person you're talking to be helpful to you. Let them know how they can help you and ask for their information.
  • Follow up. Use email or LinkedIn to remind the person how they met you and what you spoke about. Be sure to thank them, and reiterate your ask if needed. Most of all - continue the conversation, and you've started a new network!
Resume Tips

Having a great resume is your foot in the door for many job and internship opportunities, and it's your first impression to a hiring manager. Make sure it stands out - but don't deviate too much from the accepted standard.

 

Keep it simple

Make sure your resume is succint, error-free and easy to digest in bite-seized pieces. Rather than list tasks for each job, use action words: "Helped to create a new system, resulting in XX% of sales," etc.

Choose the right format

When you're just starting out, you might not have a lot of work experience. That's okay - choose a format that accentuates your educational history and the relevant skills learned while at UTSA.

Don't get too personal

It's best to leave anything too personal off of your resume. Employers should base a decision on skills and experience alone, so age, marital status, religion and more shouldn't make an appearance. Some experts even caution against using a photo.