Introducing yourself in social or professional settings can often set up connections for the future. Whether you are attending a formal job fair or mingling at an event, you want to capture a person’s attention and make an impression in a few minutes.
An effective way to connect and to convey your message is a personal elevator pitch. This is a clear, concise, and specific statement that describes you, your interests, and your strengths in less than 30 seconds.
Say something about yourself, what you care about, and what you like doing.
Try creating a few sentences about who you are, what you're seeking, and what you can offer.
Prepare and practice your pitch so it flows naturally. Practice alone and with friends so that you feel comfortable introducing yourself to new people.
Tweak your pitch often to keep it current and to adapt it to each situation you are in.
Be prepared for the next step; describing your experience, skills and the contributions you hope to make.
Ideally your “elevator pitch” will leave someone wanting to know more about you and lead to a longer conversation or additional connections.