By: Christina Van Dewater
Virtual career fairs are one of the easiest ways to meet a lot of recruiters in a short amount of time. CareerEco fairs are free to attend for job seekers, and you can join from anywhere with an internet connection. But when a recruiter opens a chat or video call with you, you only have a minute or two to make an impression. That’s why a strong elevator pitch for a virtual fair is one of the best things you can prepare ahead of time.
An elevator pitch is a short introduction that explains who you are, what you’re good at and what you’re looking for. Here’s how to write one that works in a virtual setting.
Why Your Pitch Matters More Online
At an in-person fair, a recruiter can pick up on your handshake, your body language and the résumé in your hand. Online, most of that is gone. Your first message or first few sentences on video do the heavy lifting. Recruiters may be talking with dozens of candidates in the same session, so a clear, confident introduction helps you stand out and makes it easy for them to see where you fit.
The Three Parts of a Strong Elevator Pitch
A good pitch is about 30 seconds when spoken, or three to four sentences when typed. Build it around three parts:
- Who you are. Your name, your current role or field of study and your level of experience.
- What you bring. One or two skills or accomplishments that relate to the jobs the employer is hiring for.
- What you want. The type of role you’re looking for, and why you’re interested in this organization.
Here’s an example: “Hi, I’m Jordan. I’m graduating in May with a degree in marketing, and I’ve spent the last year managing social media for a local nonprofit, where I grew our following by building a weekly content calendar. I’m looking for an entry-level digital marketing role, and I saw you’re hiring for a marketing coordinator. I’d love to learn more about what that team works on.”
Research the Employers Before the Fair
Before the event, review the list of participating organizations and pick the ones you most want to meet. Look at their open positions, their mission and any recent news. Then adjust the last part of your pitch for each one. A pitch that mentions a specific role or something you admire about the company shows that you did your homework, and recruiters notice that.
Prepare a Typed Version and a Spoken Version
Many virtual fairs include both text chat and video chat, so it helps to have your pitch ready in both formats.
- For text chat, keep it short and easy to scan. Save it in a document so you can copy, paste and personalize it quickly. Proofread it carefully, since a typo is the first thing a recruiter may see.
- For video chat, practice saying it out loud until it sounds natural, not memorized. Record yourself once or twice to check your pace, tone and eye contact with the camera.
Keep It Focused and Conversational
Your pitch is a conversation starter, not your whole life story. Skip the full work history and leave room for the recruiter to ask questions. A few things to avoid:
- Talking for more than a minute without pausing
- Using vague phrases like “I’m a hard worker” without an example to back it up
- Leading with what you want from the employer before explaining what you offer
- Reading word for word from a script on video
End your pitch with a question, such as “What qualities do you look for in candidates for this role?” It keeps the conversation going and gives you useful information for your follow-up.
Practice Before the Event
Run through your pitch with a friend, a family member or your school’s career services office. Ask them whether it was clear what you do and what you’re looking for. If they can’t answer, tighten it up. A few rounds of practice will make you more comfortable when the real conversations start.
Have Your Next Steps Ready
A great pitch opens the door, so be ready for what comes next. Have your résumé uploaded to your profile, your LinkedIn URL handy and a short list of questions for each employer. After the fair, follow up with the recruiters you met while the conversation is still fresh. Our guide, What to Do After a Virtual Fair: A Follow-Up Guide, walks you through that process.
Find Your Next Virtual Career Fair
Ready to put your pitch to work? CareerEco hosts free virtual career fairs and graduate school fairs throughout the year, connecting job seekers with employers across many industries. Browse our upcoming events, register for free and start meeting recruiters from wherever you are.