When you contact a company, you need a clear, compelling way to present yourself. This is often called an "elevator pitch" – a brief introduction you could deliver in the time of an elevator ride.
The structure of a good pitch
Your presentation should cover four elements in about 30 seconds:
- Who you are: Your name and current situation
- What you do/want: Your field and what you're looking for
- Why them: Why this specific company interests you
- The ask: What you'd like from them
Example pitch
"Hi, I'm Maria. I have a background in marketing and recently completed my degree in digital communication. I've been following your company's work in sustainable fashion, and I'm really impressed by your recent campaign. I'm looking for an internship where I can apply my skills in content creation and social media. Would you have time for a brief conversation about whether there might be opportunities at your company?"
Tips for an effective pitch
- Practice out loud: Until it feels natural, not scripted
- Time yourself: Keep it under 30-45 seconds
- Adapt for each company: The "why them" part should change
- End with a question: This invites a response
- Be enthusiastic: Your energy matters
Common mistakes
- Too long: Rambling loses their attention
- Too generic: Could apply to any company
- Too desperate: Focus on value, not need
- No clear ask: They don't know what you want
Key takeaways
- Prepare a 30-second pitch covering who, what, why them, and your ask
- Practice until it feels natural
- Customize the "why them" part for each company
- End with a clear, easy-to-answer question