Question

I am in need of a great elevator pitch for a nursing portfolio. I am presenting this via video and I am at a loss on where to even begin for an elevator pitch while introducing myself.

Answer 1

As you approach someone to pitch to, whether that’s at an event, interview or anything in between, start off with an introduction. Give your full name, smile, extend your hand for a handshake and add a pleasantry like “It’s nice to meet you!”

Provide a summary of what you do

This is where you’ll give a brief summary of your background. You should include the most relevant information like your education, work experience and/or any key specialties or strengths. If you’re not sure what to include, try writing everything that comes to mind on a piece of paper. Once you’ve recorded everything, go through and remove everything that’s not absolutely critical to explaining your background and why you’ve got what your audience may be looking for. Consider the most important highlights on your resume. Once you’ve got it down to just a few points, organise them in a way that makes sense in your story.

Explain what you want

This step will depend on what you’re using the pitch for. The ‘ask’ of your pitch could be consideration for a job opportunity, an internship or simply to get contact information. This is a good opportunity to explain the value you’ll bring, why you’re a good fit for a job or generally what your audience has to gain from your interaction. Focus on what you have to offer in this segment of the pitch.

Finishing your Elevator Pitch

You should end your elevator pitch by asking for what you want to do next. If you feel an elevator pitch is appropriate for a certain situation, begin with the goal of gaining a new insight or next steps. Examples can include asking for a meeting, expressing interest in a job, confirming you’ve fully answered an interview question or asking someone to be your mentor.

Asking for what you want can be intimidating but it’s important you give the conversation an action item instead of letting it come to a dead end. Remember, you’ve just met this person so make the ask simple with little required on their part.

If they agree to your request, be sure to thank them for their time and get their contact information. End the conversation with a concise and action-oriented farewell such as, “Thank you for your time. I’ll send you a follow-up email tonight. Have a great day!” If they don’t agree to your request, gracefully end the conversation with a polite, “I understand. Thank you for your time! If it’s all right, I’ll send you a follow-up email and see if there’s a better time for us to connect.