Whether given in a literal elevator or at a networking event, an effective elevator pitch can set you up for success. It is a brief, clear, and compelling summary of your experiences, qualifications, and interests that can be delivered in 30-60 seconds (the time span of an elevator ride, hence the name). It is usually prompted by questions like, “Tell me about yourself,” “What do you do?” and “What are you looking to do next?”. An elevator pitch aims to communicate your brand, unique selling points, and what you want to be known for. What you decide to share about yourself and how to share it can differ based on context. Think of this as similar to tailoring your cover letter as you apply to different jobs. For elevator pitches, ask yourself what you want to get out of the interaction (e.g., looking for a job, securing funding, or starting a collaboration) and who your audience is (e.g., someone in your field, academic outside your field, general audience).

Why should you care about elevator pitches, you may ask? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 70% of all jobs are found through networking. This statistic means most job opportunities are discovered through personal and professional networks rather than advertised job postings. Building authentic relationships with people over time can put job opportunities in front of you that might not be posted or well-advertised or even create an opportunity that did not exist previously. When you can raise awareness of your brand and share your unique abilities, skills, and background through your elevator pitch, other people will think to contact you when they hear about potential opportunities. 

Here are some questions to think about as you create and refine your elevator pitch:

• What makes you unique?
• What are you seeking?
• What can you offer?
• What do you want a person to remember about you?
• What are your top work and school experiences? (use the STAR method)
• What are you good at doing?
• What do you like doing?
• Are you a problem solver, abstract thinker, effective communicator, innovator, creative, etc.?

Lastly, here is an example outline that you can adapt for your purposes:

“Hi ______, my name is ______. I am studying ______ and will graduate in ______. I am interested in ______. I recently worked on a project that ______. I am interested in learning more about ______. Can you tell me more about ______?”

Consider having different versions of your elevator pitch prepared ahead of time that you can use in various situations. For example, you could have one when doing outreach for high school students, one for scientists in your field at a conference, and one for industry professionals at a networking event. In this competitive job market, an effective elevator pitch can create a strong first impression, convey confidence and professionalism, and provide you with opportunities you wouldn’t have access to otherwise. 

[Image Description: Bart Simpson from The Simpsons asking a woman, “What do you do?”
Caption: Be prepared to answer this question no matter where you are!