An elevator pitch is a short (30-60 second), concise, and memorable introduction. It highlights your strengths and what distinguishes you from others. It provides employers with quality information about who you are, and what you can offer them. When creating your pitch, think carefully about what you want each individual employer to know about you, and how you can help them. After you formulate your pitch, practice it often. The goal is to sound confident, sincere, and engaging, without sounding rehearsed.
- Include your name, major, and grad date or class level.
- Highlight your skills, strengths, and experiences.
- Describe what opportunities you are looking for. Why are you at their table?
- Tailor your pitch to each company (and situation)! Describe your specific interest in their company. Help the employer see the connection between your background/skills and their company.
Career Fairs
First Year Student
Hello, my name is NAME and I’m a first year student here at the University. In the past, I worked as a science tutor at my local high school and was able to assist several students in studying for their biology, chemistry, and physics AP tests. On campus, I am involved in the WISE residential program and am the team captain for my intramural soccer team. The tech industry has been an interest of mine for a long time and to be able to contribute to the building of the company, potentially even as a first year intern, interests me greatly. I would love to join a fast-growing company that values innovation and creativity, and this seems to describe your organization based on what I’ve read on your website. Can you tell me more about your company and how I might be able to get involved?
Targeting an Internship
Hello, my name is NAME and I’m a sophomore studying electrical engineering. I’m seeking a summer internship in a customer focused industry. In my intro-engineering design course, I worked together with a team of students to design, build, and test an autonomously operated quadcopter. I also currently work as an engineering tour leader where I engage with a variety of prospective students each week. Through my experiences, I have developed a strong collaborative spirit. I know your company culture emphasizes cross-functional teamwork and customer-focused design. Could you tell me more about how you’ve experienced this aspect of your company’s culture in your daily work?
Targeting a Full Time Role
Hello, I’m NAME and I’m a senior studying materials science and engineering graduating this May. I am seeking a full-time position in product development. I recently interned at Ford where I led a project to evaluate the mechanical performance of a new material by planning and executing a variety of feasibility tests. On campus, I serve as a student leader in the Michigan Marching Band, where I help band members execute successful performances each week. I think my passion for technical challenges and leadership have prepared me well for a full-time opportunity at your company. I recently applied for an entry product engineering role on your company’s website. Would you be able to tell me more about the role?
Targeting Full Time Product Development Position
Hello, I’m Bridget Lee and I’m a senior studying materials science and engineering graduating this May. I am seeking a full-time position in product development. I recently interned at Ford where I led a project to evaluate the mechanical performance of a new material by planning and executing a variety of feasibility tests. On campus, I serve as a student leader in the Michigan Marching Band, where I help band members execute successful performances each week. I think my passion for technical challenges and leadership have prepared me well for a full-time opportunity at your company. I recently applied for an entry product engineering role on your company’s website. Would you be able to tell me more about the role?
Targeting Internship in Mechanical Engineering
Hi, I’m Anne Arbor. I’m a junior studying Mechanical Engineering, and I’m interested in your automotive internship. I’ve spent the last two summers in an automotive powertrain lab researching technologies to increase engine efficiency. I have also served for two years as an officer in the Society of Women Engineers. I’m hoping to apply my research and leadership skills in your automotive program, specifically new model vehicles. Can you tell me more about it?
Targeting Internship in Electrical Engineering
Hello, my name is Ella Chan and I’m a sophomore studying electrical engineering. I’m seeking a summer internship in a customer-focused industry. In my intro-engineering design course, I worked together with a team of students to design, build, and test an autonomously operated quadcopter. I also currently work as an engineering tour leader where I engage with a variety of prospective students each week. Through my experiences, I have developed a strong collaborative spirit. I know your company culture emphasizes cross-functional teamwork and customer-focused design. Could you tell me more about how you’ve experienced this aspect of your company’s culture in your daily work?
Targeting Internship in Water Research
Hello, my name is Michael Thomas. I’m a junior studying environmental engineering seeking an internship position in water research. For the past two years, I’ve worked on a project with BLUElab aimed at monitoring water quality in the Great Lakes and proposing various water purification methods. This semester, I’m also conducting research on campus where I am overseeing tests for a wastewater treatment project. I think my experience in water quality and developing effective test procedures would make me a good fit for an internship with your company. Would you be able to tell me more about your internship program?
Targeting Internship in Food Manufacturing
Hi, my name is Mason Hall, and I’m a current junior studying Chemical Engineering here at the University of Michigan. On campus, I’m involved in several clubs and am also a peer advisor for the Engineering Career Resource Center. In the past, I worked at Fancy Chemical Corporation where I performed research on industrial lubricants and had the opportunity to develop new lubricants for usage in the auto industry. Additionally, I have been deeply interested in the food industry ever since I took the food science section of Engineering 100 my freshman year and helped to adjust the formulation of puppy chow to allow for new flavors and easier pipe flow in an actual manufacturing setting. Today, I’m here to learn more about the product manufacturing internship opportunity you are offering as I feel that my past experience has given me a good foundation for work in food manufacturing.
Targeting Internship with a Start-Up
Hello, my name is Betty Beyster and I’m a first year student here at the University. In the past, I worked as a science tutor at my local high school and was able to assist several students in studying for their biology, chemistry, and physics AP tests. On campus, I am involved in the WISE residential program and am the team captain for my intramural soccer team. The tech industry has been an interest of mine for a long time and to be able to contribute to the building of the company, potentially even as a first year intern, interests me greatly. I would love to join a fast-growing company that values innovation and creativity, and this seems to describe your organization based on what I’ve read on your website. Can you tell me more about your company and how I might be able to get involved?
Networking Events
Targeting Internship in Electrical Engineering
Hello, my name is Betty Beyster and I’m a first year student here at the University. In the past, I worked as a science tutor at my local high school and was able to assist several students in studying for their biology, chemistry, and physics AP tests. On campus, I am involved in the WISE residential program and am the team captain for my intramural soccer team. The tech industry has been an interest of mine for a long time and to be able to contribute to the building of the company, potentially even as a first year intern, interests me greatly. I would love to join a fast-growing company that values innovation and creativity, and this seems to describe your organization based on what I’ve read on your website. Can you tell me more about your company and how I might be able to get involved?
Company Events
Targeting Full-Time Role
Hello, my name is Bridget Lee. Thank you for sharing in the presentation how your internship with your company helped prepare you for your current role within the company. I was wondering if you could speak a little more to what about your internship program experience compelled you to join the company full time?
Targeting Internship in Water Research
Hello, my name is Michael Thomas, and I’m a junior studying environmental engineering. In your presentation, you mentioned how interns take a high level of responsibility and ownership for their summer projects to influence the business in big ways. I was really excited by this as someone who is passionate about sustainable design. Could you tell me a little more about the types of projects that interns typically work on?
Targeting Internship in Food Manufacturing
Hello, my name is Mason Hall. Thank you so much for presenting this info session. It was great to hear about the opportunities available for students within the company, as well as getting to know the culture of the company. When you mentioned that you like to hire people who embrace new challenges and are passionate about their work, it made me feel that I would be a great fit, and I wanted to give you my resume to get a head start on recruiting before I apply online. I’m a junior studying chemical engineering and I was fortunate enough to take the food science section of Engineering 100, which was actually what got me interested in working in this industry in the first place. I also have had a previous internship at Fancy Chemical Corporation, which I feel gave me additional skills and was a valuable experience. Thanks again for the info session. I was just curious if you had time for some additional questions about the process and what working at your company is like!
Targeting Internship with a Start-Up
Hi, my name is Betty Beyster, and I wanted to thank you for the great info session! Hearing you talk about the challenges a quickly growing company faces deepened my interest in potentially working for your company. I would love to be able to assist in the development of the company if at all possible in the future. I’ll be planning to swing by your booth at career fair to formally have a conversation, but I had several questions about your journey as a company and to see where I could fit in at your company. Do you have a moment?