Elevator Pitch

What is an Elevator Pitch?

Named for an introduction short enough to deliver during a quick elevator ride, an elevator pitch is a 30-second introduction that tells someone who you are, what you’re good at, and what you want to do. More than just a tool for recruiters, drafting your pitch invites reflection on your strengths and experiences. Practicing it builds the confidence to introduce yourself in any professional setting. 

Why Do I Need One? 

If you walk up to an employer at a career fair and just say, "So, what does your company do?" you won't make a great impression. Recruiters expect you to introduce yourself first. 

A strong introduction simply sparks a normal, comfortable conversation to connect with people in a variety of places, not just career fairs.  Your pitch can be used at networking events, on LinkedIn, and even to answer that classic first interview question, “Tell me about yourself.

Include Four Essential Elements in Your Elevator Pitch

You don't need to memorize a long speech. Just hit these four quick points:

1. Your name, academic year, and major/minor. Who are you and what are you studying at Ohio State?
2. Your Value: A brief snapshot of your strengths. What are you good at? This can be skills gained from a favorite class, a student club, a project, or a part-time job.
3. The Connection: Explain why you stopped by their table or reached out. Connect your interests to their organization or opportunity.
4. Call to Action: An open-ended question to keep the conversation flowing naturally so it becomes a comfortable two-way dialogue.

Choose a Scenario 

Every student starts from a different place. Pick a scenario below that best fits your experience level.

"I'm a First-Timer” or “I'm Just Exploring" scenario

Use this if you are a first- or second-year student navigating your first big event to learn what's out there. 

• Your Approach: Stay curious, open-minded, and authentic. 
• What to say: “Hi! I'm [Name], a freshman at Ohio State diving into my English major. Since this is my very first career fair, it’s a bit overwhelming with all the options! I'm eager to learn more about career paths that value strong communication, writing, and critical thinking, which are my major’s strengths. I'd love to know: what skills do you look for most when hiring interns?" 

"I Have Academic Knowledge, But Lack 'Real World' Experience" scenario

Use this to translate your challenging Arts and Sciences coursework, lab time, or writing assignments into professional value. 

• Your Approach: Lean into your academic passions and core research skills.  
• What to say: “Hi, I'm [Name], a History major in my second year at Ohio State with a passion for uncovering stories from the past. While I'm still building my outside professional experience, I’ve spent my semesters sharpening my qualitative research skills and data archiving. I'm interested in how organizations manage digital curation or data projects. What opportunities exist on your team for someone with an analytical research background?" 

"I Already Have Internships, Leadership, or Work Experience" scenario

Use this if you have a part-time job, a previous internship, a campus leadership spot, or a clear career target. 

• Your Approach: Lead with an achievement or a quantifiable result. 
• What to say: “Hi, I'm [Name], a junior majoring in Microbiology. This year I’m working in a genetics lab on campus. The lab work is very hands-on. I get to run our DNA setups and keep the inventory sorted, which cut down the team's prep time. I’m interested in knowing how large companies handle quality control. What skills would help a research assistant transition from an academic lab to an industry lab like yours?”

Now It's Your Turn to Practice so you can get comfortable with your introduction 

1. Write it out: Use the four essential elements to draft a quick 2-to-3 sentence introduction.
2. Read it out loud: Say it to yourself in the mirror, record it on your phone, or practice with a friend.
3. Keep it conversational: Remember, this isn’t a test you need to memorize word-for-word. It is just a guide to launching a normal conversation.

Next Steps:

• Practice your Pitch: Drop in to the Career Studio to practice your delivery with a peer career coach. 
• Getting ready for a career fair? View our short Career Fair Prep videos, where our coaches offer step-by-step guidance on what to do before, during, and after to make the most of the event.

Design Your Online Portfolio

Arts and Sciences students develop valuable skills through coursework, research, internships, creative projects, leadership experiences, and community engagement. A portfolio helps you demonstrate these experiences to employers, graduate schools, and other professional audiences.

While your resume and cover letter describe your experience, a portfolio demonstrates it through examples of your work and reflects your unique personality and strengths. It can help you stand out to employers and can be easily shared with employers on your resume, LinkedIn, and your personal website. 

Showcase Your Best Work

• Define your purpose: Portfolios are a digital tool that compiles examples of your industry-related work. Know your audience and employer type. 
• Select your portfolio type: Types can be writing sample, creative (Art & Design), and project-based (Science & Technology). It is important to note that you may have more than one type of industry-specific portfolio. 
• What to include: 
  • Resume and About Me Section (Brief Bio) that highlights your academic interests, career goals, and relevant experiences.
  • Course Projects that demonstrate skills gained through major coursework.
  • Research Projects such as posters, presentations, publications, lab work, or research summaries.
  • Writing Samples including papers, articles, blogs, reports, policy briefs, or creative writing.
  • Creative Work such as artwork, photography, design projects, videos, or multimedia content.
  • Data and Technical Projects including data visualizations, coding projects, dashboards, or analyses.
  • Internship and Experiential Learning Projects that showcase workplace accomplishments and applied learning.
  • Leadership and Community Engagement Experiences that demonstrate communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

Create Your Portfolio

• Choose your Portfolio Platform (see the list of options) to determine the best platform for your portfolio type. 
• Curate a collection of your work with titles, descriptions, and other information that demonstrate your professional identity. 
• Review and get feedback from industry professionals, alumni, and career coaches. Use platforms such as OSU AlumniFire, Buckeyes Connect, and LinkedIn to find industry reviewers. 
• Publish and share your portfolio on your resume, LinkedIn, or personal website.

Pro Tip: Consider the size of your portfolio. Large portfolios and oversized files can impact loading times and make it harder for employers to find your best work. Focus on showcasing your strongest and most relevant projects, providing enough context to help viewers understand your role, process, and results.

Portfolio Examples from Ohio State University Students and Alumni

• UI/UX Design, Graphic, Photography Portfolio (Graduate Student)
• Moving Image Production Portfolio (Undergraduate Student)
• Studio Art, Digital Art, Photography Portfolio (Undergraduate Student)