Name: ___________________________________ The Elevator Pitch Exercise

What is an Elevator Pitch?

A way to start a meaningful conversation with someone you might want to connect with to learn more about a
field, job, on campus opportunities, or full-time careers.

Why Do You Need It?
In most situations, you wont have time to tell someone your life story or every accomplishment.
It should provide enough background information and enthusiasm so the other person wants to continue the
conversation with you potentially during a follow-up interview.

Before You Write Your Pitch Brainstorm Your Answers to the Following:
Who is your audience and what do they care about? Why are you interested in their research?

Which of your summer, part-time or volunteer internships or positions in High School provided you
with experience relevant to what you hope to do now?

What about how you chose your major when you came to Cornell or the courses you are currently
taking are helping you to understand of the area of research you are interested in?

What are your 3-5 strongest transferable skills related to research? List specific examples of the
situations where you demonstrated these skills.

What can you say about yourself that will set you apart from other students? In other words, what
makes you memorable and special? Use language that makes your distinctions clear.
Our team was the first to.
I was the only one who.
We were able to ____________ as a result of
My supervisor/instructor commended me for.
Your one-minute pitch should help you make a good, first-impression and include the following:
1. Who you are, plus a credential. Your name and something that differentiates you from your
peers (major/degree, athlete, area of research interest) and/or establishes a relationship
(connects to the facultys area of research, home town, etc.)
2. Your specific goal/career interest. This will allow that person to help you or possibly connect
you to someone who can.
3. How you have demonstrated your interest. Demonstrate your interest and experience in the
field with examples of things you have already completed. Don't just say "I have always wanted be
a doctor," but rather "I have done some volunteering in my local hospital and free clinic while in
High School and I had an opportunity to see what medical issues the homeless often develop and
how they might be treated."
4. Why you are qualified. Demonstrate your qualifications by sharing leadership and work
experience, achievements, expertise, skills and strengths.
5. A question or request for assistance. Consider giving the person two options for ways they may
be of assistance. For example, "Do you hire students to work in your lab? If so, would it be possible
to meet with you later next week to find out more about what you hire students to do for your
research and other ideas you might have for locating opportunities in similar areas of research on
campus."
Craft Your Pitch:
1. Hello, my name is __________ and I am majoring in __________ here at Cornell with a minor in _________.
2. I am interested in _______________________ of research as my eventual career goal after graduation is to
go into the __________ field (industry).
3. I have been involved (during High School) in __________
4. And developed skills in __________. I have also had an internship/summer job/volunteer experience
in___________with __________ and discovered that I really enjoy __________.
5. Could you tell me more about __________? (Their area of research.)
Example:
Hi, my name is Samantha Atcheson, and I am a freshman Environmental Sciences major. Im looking for a
research position on campus this year that will allow me to build on my understanding of the environmental
impact of agricultural bi-products on local water sheds and allow me to further develop my research and
analysis skills. As a High School senior, I worked for a local watershed council on conservation strategies to
support water quality and habitats. Eventually, Id like to develop education programs on water
conservation awareness. I read that your research is focused on water quality projects. Can you tell me more
about your research projects and how I might find opportunities in this area of research on campus?
Be prepared to tailor your delivery to the interpersonal circumstances of the moment: the goal is to maintain a
conversational tone and not sound rehearsed. Think of the above elements-who you are, what you're good at, and
your call to action-as "sound bites" that you can assemble into the flow of the conversation. And be sure to
maintain eye contact and appropriate body language during the interview. These non-verbal cues say a lot about
who you are and how ready you are to take on responsibility.
While most other college students and recent grads are likely to stammer and ramble, you'll be delivering a
confident and polished introduction to yourself. You'll be ahead of the pack from the first few minutes you meet
anyone.
Sources:
Be Able to Introduce Yourself. Wetfeet. http://schools.wetfeet.com/advice-tools/interviewing/be-able-to-
introduce-yourself
Elevator Speech-30 Seconds to Interview! University of Oregon Career Center.
http://career.uoregon.edu/blog/students/2010/04/elevator-speech-30-seconds-interview
Elevator Speech: How to Turn Listeners into Supporters. http://studentleadership.com/elevator-speech/
Your One-Minute Elevator Pitch. http://www.kent.edu/career/jobs/interview/elevatorpitch.cfm