An elevator pitch you can say in 30 seconds without sounding rehearsed
"So, tell me about yourself." A career fair, a networking event, the first minute of an interview: you need a short answer that sounds like you. This prompt has your todo.is agent write 30 and 60 second versions for your situation, timed for speaking, plus an audio file so you can hear how it flows.
The prompt
- Write my elevator pitch for [SITUATION: INTERVIEW, CAREER FAIR, NETWORKING EVENT, ONLINE INTRO]. I'm [WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO]. My strongest proof: [1-2 RESULTS OR STORIES]. What I want next: [THE ROLE, CLIENT OR INTRODUCTION YOU'RE LOOKING FOR]. Give me a 30-second version (about 75 words) and a 60-second version (about 150 words), in a natural spoken tone with short sentences, following hook, who I am, proof, what I'm looking for, and a question that keeps the conversation going. Add a one-line version for introductions. Then make an MP3 of the 30-second version read at a calm pace so I can practice.
What to change
- [SITUATION: INTERVIEW, CAREER FAIR, NETWORKING EVENT, ONLINE INTRO]: Where you'll use it. The tone and ending change with the setting.
- [WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO]: e.g. "a final-year mechanical engineering student" or "an HR generalist with 5 years in retail".
- [1-2 RESULTS OR STORIES]: Something specific, e.g. "led a team that built a solar-powered cart that won our regional contest".
- [THE ROLE, CLIENT OR INTRODUCTION YOU'RE LOOKING FOR]: e.g. "a graduate role in renewable energy" or "an intro to someone on the product team".
Example result
- Elevator pitch: career fair, mechanical engineering graduate
- 30 seconds
- Hi, I'm Lena Brandt. I'm finishing my mechanical engineering degree at Ridgeview Tech, and I've spent the last year on one problem: making small vehicles run on sunlight. I led a team of five that built a solar-powered utility cart, and we took first place at the regional design contest. I'm looking for a graduate role in renewable energy, ideally in product testing. What kind of projects do new engineers on your team start with?
- 60 seconds
- Hi, I'm Lena Brandt. I'm a final-year mechanical engineering student at Ridgeview Tech. What gets me out of bed is renewable energy hardware. This year I led a team of five building a solar-powered utility cart. I handled the drivetrain design in SolidWorks and ran the efficiency tests, and we improved range by 35% between prototypes. We won first place at the regional design contest. Before that, I did a summer internship at a wind turbine parts supplier, testing bearing wear. I'm now looking for a graduate role where I can work on testing and validation for clean energy products. I saw your company is expanding its battery storage line. What does the graduate program look like on that team?
- One-liner
- I'm a mechanical engineering grad who builds and tests renewable energy hardware.
- Why it works
- • Opens with a specific interest, not a job title list
- • One story with a number (35% range gain, first place)
- • Says clearly what she wants
- • Ends with a question so the other person talks next
- Practice notes
- • Pause after "making small vehicles run on sunlight"
- • Don't memorize word for word; remember the four beats
- • Swap the last question for each company you visit
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and fill in the [brackets] with your situation, your proof and your goal.
- Paste it on the Today screen in todo.is, or send it to your agent on Telegram or WhatsApp.
- Read the versions out loud and listen to the MP3 to hear the rhythm.
- Ask for changes like "less formal", "for a sales role" or "translate the 30-second version into Spanish".
Tips for a better result
- Write for the ear: short sentences, no lists of skills, one story.
- Time yourself. 30 seconds is about 70 to 80 spoken words.
- End with a question about them; it turns a speech into a conversation.
- Have a different last line for interviews (why this job) and networking (who you'd like to meet).
- Record yourself on your phone and compare it with the practice audio.
elevator pitch: FAQ
- How long should an elevator pitch be? About 30 seconds, or 70 to 80 words. Keep a 60-second version ready for when someone asks you to say more.
- What should an elevator pitch include? Who you are, one specific result or story, what you're looking for, and a question or next step.
- Is an elevator pitch the same as "tell me about yourself"? Close. In an interview, stretch it to 60 to 90 seconds and connect it to the job you're interviewing for.
- Can the agent make a practice recording? Yes. It creates an MP3 with text to speech, in many languages, so you can hear the pace before you say it yourself.
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