Virtual Elevator Pitch Competition

DATE CHANGE DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER & SCHOOL CLOSURE

NEW DATE TBD

2:00-4:00 pm | Virtual | Zoom Meeting ID 569 452 2349, passcode ULMVEPC

1st place, $150 | 2nd place, $100 | 3rd place, $50 

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Want to put your elevator pitch to the test and enter the competition?

ULM students have the opportunity to present their elevator pitch in front of a panel of judges and peers to compete for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place money prizes. This is open to all students, but only 25 students can compete due to limited availabilities. All majors are encouraged to apply. Competitors will have up to 90 seconds to present.

Below are steps on how to sign up!!

1. This event has been postponed. Once a new date is determined, the sign up form will be available again. 

• Please note that you will not be allowed to use a PowerPoint presentation. No notecards or other notes will be allowed either.
• You only have up to 90 seconds to execute your presentation.
• Remember, this is a mock opportunity to get you ready for when the real opportunity happens. 

2. After you submit your registration, wait to hear from one of the Career Development staff members on your next steps.

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 What is an elevator pitch? 

It is a clear, brief message or "commercial" about you. It communicates who you are, what you are looking for, and how you can benefit a company or organization. When explaining who you are, make it relevant to the opportunity in which you are seeking. It is named for the time it takes to ride an elevator from the top to the bottom of a building with someone important from that company who could influence what you are asking to receive.

Why is an elevator pitch important?

It prepares you to present yourself to anyone for a number of opportunities that may arise, for example, interviews, networking, career fairs, selling a business idea, etc. The elevator pitch is also very helpful in preparing you for the popular interview question, "tell me about yourself."

How to prepare your elevator pitch:

Decide the purpose of your elevator pitch and what you are asking for from your audience. You have two options:

• Option 1: Applying for a job. Find a job within your field of study that you would be interested in applying for and relate the job description to your education/major, work experience (past and present), involvements (organizations/programs), special projects, honors/awards, and top skills/strengths. Your presentation will be as if you are convincing an employer why he/she should hire you and why you are the best person for the job based on your qualifications and accomplishments. It is important that you end your presentation with an ask and follow up--tell them exactly what you are asking for and make sure they know how to follow up with you and/or you follow up with them. Asking for what you want can be intimidating, but it is important that you give the conversation an action item instead of letting it come to a dead end. You have just met the person/people you gave your pitch to, so make the ask simple with little required on their part. Thank them for their time and gracefully end the conversation. 

 

• Option 2: Pitching a business idea/plan. We live in a world where everyone now has the opportunity to become an entrepreneur through many different platforms. Do you have the next big idea or invention that's going to make you the next millionaire while also having a positive impact? We want to hear it! In your presentation make sure to cover the functionalities of your product, why it is needed, what makes it unique, and why it is deserving of someone's investment. It is important that you end your presentation with an ask and follow up--tell them exactly what you are asking for and make sure they know how to follow up with you and/or you follow up with them. Asking for what you want can be intimidating, but it is important that you give the conversation an action item instead of letting it come to a dead end. You have just met the person/people you gave your pitch to, so make the ask simple with little required on their part. Thank them for their time and gracefully end the conversation.