Tell Me About Yourself? The Importance of an Elevator Pitch

When an interviewer says, “Tell me about yourself,” your pitch is the concise, compelling answer that frames your professional narrative. A strong pitch immediately establishes your confidence, highlights your most relevant skills, and demonstrates excellent communication. Here are three tips:

  • Follow the Present-Past-Future Model: Start with who you are now (your current role or expertise). Briefly touch on your past (relevant experience that led you here). Finish with the future (why you are interested in this specific role and company and how you can contribute).
  • Keep it Concise and Conversational: Aim for 30-60 seconds. This is a summary, not your life story. Practice it out loud so it sounds natural and confident, not robotic or overly rehearsed.
  • Tailor it to the Role: Before each interview, customize your pitch by studying the job description. Emphasize the skills and experiences you have that align directly with what the company is looking for, showing you’ve done your research and are a perfect match.

Make a career appointment today to practice your elevator pitch and interviewing skills.

Opportunities

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Check out on campus student jobs

Need some hands-on experience? Students from all majors can execute short-term, paid, typically remote, professional projects that allow you to build and demonstrate skills while exploring potential career paths. Get started today!

Upcoming Events

Goldman Sachs Panel and Networking, Oct. 9 from 2:30-4pm, 1P-Lecture Hall – Business and Computer Science student’s welcome

Citi Site Visit and Networking Event, October 10 from 1-3pm

Career Discovery Week registration is now open! Companies include Blackrock, Google, ConEdison and more

NJ Transit General Info Session: 2026 Summer Internship Program, Oct. 21 from 11am-12pm, virtual

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Activate Your Handshake Account

Your first and most important step is to activate your Handshake account by logging in with your CIX email and SLAS password. This is our official platform for jobs, internships, career fairs, and workshops. Don’t just activate it—complete your profile! A complete profile makes you significantly more likely to be contacted by employers who are actively looking for candidates just like you.

Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD)
The Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) contributes directly to the social mobility of College of Staten Island students by empowering them to be marketable and competitive for life-long career opportunities through the delivery of a comprehensive range of services and individualized support that respects student needs and diversity. Learn more by visiting our website.  Follow us on Instagram and connect with us on LinkedIn.

By: The Career Team
Center for Career & Professional Development