Elevator Pitch and Storytelling
Preparing for the job market means knowing your own story well enough to talk about it clearly. For new grads and young professionals who are still figuring out their direction, your story has yet to unfold, or is just beginning. Still, you have to always be able to share your most current version. It will evolve with your professional journey.
Why start a job mobility series with an elevator pitch? Because, navigating the job market is not just about whether you are talented or capable. It is also about how clearly you communicate who you are, what you bring, and where you want to go.
When you reach out to someone on LinkedIn, whether it is a recruiter or someone in a role you want, you are often leading with some version of your pitch. If you are pursuing internal mobility, you may be sharing that pitch with a hiring manager over Slack. Your pitch is your foot in the door to any professional (both casual and professional) conversation, and it will always serve you well.
Build an elevator pitch, and then use it
An elevator pitch is usually just a few sentences, about 30 seconds long, and meant to help someone quickly understand who you are, what you do, what you care about, and where you’re trying to go.
A strong pitch helps you feel more grounded and confident, and it helps the other person quickly understand your direction, your value, and why you may be a fit.
Here's an example. You applied for a role and land a scheduled 15-minute call with a recruiter, and the first thing they ask is, “Tell me about yourself.” You do not have an elevator pitch, so you answer off the cuff:
“I’m graduating soon, and want to get a job in my field. This company looks great, and this role is exactly what I want to be doing when I graduate.”
Or:
“I’m currently working in this field, but my current company doesn’t have internal mobility options, so I’m looking to grow elsewhere. I think this role would be a great next step.”
Both of these answers may have been enough to get you by at one point in time. Now, they usually are not.
This is what you’re aiming for:
“Hi, I’m graduating soon with a degree in [field], and a lot of my experience has centered around [relevant skill, project type, or interest]. Through school, internships, and projects, I realized I really enjoy work that involves [problem type or area of interest]. I’m especially interested in roles where I can keep building in that direction, contribute to a team, and learn quickly. That’s part of why I was excited to talk with you about this company and the kinds of opportunities that might be a fit.”
Or:
“I’ve been working in [current field or role] at my current company, and that experience has helped me build a strong foundation in [key skills or responsibilities]. Over time, I’ve realized I’m especially drawn to [specific type of work, team, or problem area], and I’m looking for a role where I can keep growing in that direction. I’m proud of what I’ve learned in my first job, but I’m ready for a next step that offers more room to develop, take on new challenges, and deepen my experience.”
Do you notice the difference? The second set of answers is much closer to what it takes to get closer to your first interview. If you were the recruiter, sorting through hundreds of qualified applicants, which response would make you feel more confident about moving a candidate forward?
This matters in interviews, coffee chats, networking conversations, informational interviews, and those deceptively simple moments when someone asks, “So, tell me about yourself?”.
Real life examples
Reaching out to a recruiter about a role
You are an upcoming college grad in a technical field, you find a role that interests you, and you decide to reach out to the recruiter directly. Your message might sound something like this:
Hi [Name], I’m graduating soon with a degree in computer science, and a lot of my experience so far has centered around data analysis, problem-solving, and building projects that make information easier to use. Through school, internships, and personal projects, I’ve found I really enjoy work that involves turning complex data into something more practical and actionable. I recently came across the Data Analyst role and was excited because it seems closely aligned with the kind of work I’m hoping to grow into. I’d love to connect and learn whether this might be a good fit, and other insight you might have for an upcoming college grad.
Why this works:
- it quickly tells them who you are
- it shows what your experience has centered around
- it communicates what kind of work you care about
- it ends with where you want to go
Reaching out on LinkedIn to start building your network
You are still in school or nearing graduation, and you want to start building relationships with people already working in your field. Your message might sound something like this:
Hi [Name], I’m currently a college junior studying social work, and a lot of what I’ve been drawn to through school and volunteer experiences has centered around underserved populations in rural areas. I’m especially interested in work that helps improve access to support and resources in those communities, and I’m starting to learn more about the different paths people take into this field. I came across your profile and would love to ask a few questions about how you got started in your role, if you’d be open to a quick 15-minute conversation.
Reaching out to the hiring manager of a role you're interested in in a different department
You see an internal role that interests you, and before applying, you want to better understand what the hiring manager is really looking for (and put yourself on their radar). Your message might sound something like this:
Hi [Name], I’m currently in a project coordinator role on the operations team, where much of my experience has focused on process coordination, cross-team collaboration, and helping work move forward in complex environments. Over the last year or so, I’ve realized I’m especially interested in roles that are more focused on program strategy and team-level planning, which is why I was excited to see the [Role Title] opening on your team. I’m very interested in learning more about what you’re looking for in a candidate, which skills matter most in the role, and what someone should be focusing on if they hope to grow in this direction. If you’d be open to a brief conversation, I’d really value the chance to learn more.
Why this works:
- it sounds intentional and professional
- it shows genuine interest without jumping straight to “please hire me”
- it gives the hiring manager context for who the person is and where they want to go
- it invites useful guidance, not just a transaction
What's Next?
Practice on your friends, in the mirror, to your parents, your partner, your pet. This gets better with practice. It does not have to be perfect on day one. The best elevator pitches get shaped and refined as you grow.
Next week, I’ll share what you should have prepared before your actual interviews.
