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Feedback: Personal Pitch activity

Feedback: Personal pitch activity

Does your personal pitch include all of these components:

  • Your name;
  • Your program and institution attended;
  • Field/position of interest;
  • Knowledge, skills, unique experience, and ideas that would be of value in this field/position;
  • Your interest in this organization, if applicable;
  • A question to engage the employer/person in a conversation?

Here is a sample personal pitch that relates to this situation:

Sample:

Hello, my name is Alex Cordoba. I’m an Environmental Science student at the University of Waterloo. I’m graduating soon and am looking for a position in the environmental conservation area. Over the past few years, I’ve been strengthening my research and analysis skills through my work with a local watershed council on conservation strategies to support water quality and habitats. Eventually, I’d like to develop education programs on water conservation awareness. As an expert in this field, would you have any tips or advice for me in my job search?

As stated in the content section, it is unlikely you would deliver your entire pitch in one piece. Here is an example of how your pitch might realistically unfold:

Example

You: Hi, my name is Alex Cordoba. I’m an Environmental Science student at the University of Waterloo.

Other: Hi, I’m John Gallagher. Nice to meet you.

You: I really enjoyed your presentation. My focus in my program is on environmental conservation, so your suggestions for water conservation were of particular interest to me.

Other: I’m glad you liked it. It’s my passion! What brings you to this event?

You: I’m graduating soon and am looking for a position in the environmental conservation area. I’m also always looking to deepen my knowledge in this field in any way I can!

Other: Interesting. Can you tell me more about your background?

You: Sure! Over the past few years, I’ve been strengthening my research and analysis skills through my work with a local watershed council on conservation strategies to support water quality and habitats. Eventually, I’d like to develop education programs on water conservation awareness. As an expert in this field, would you have any tips or advice for me in my job search?

As stated in the content section, your search for work will involve planned networking as well as chance meetings. It’s important to be prepared for both! Based on a different personal pitch, here is a possible conversation based on the following scenario:

You are waiting for your bus back to Waterloo after visiting a friend in Toronto. The bus has been delayed. The person sitting next to you looks as bored as you are. Recognizing that you never know who this person might know, you decide to strike up a conversation. What would a more informal version of your pitch look like?

Hello, my name is Hayden Mitchell. I’m a Masters student at the University of Waterloo, studying English with a specialization in Rhetoric and Communication Design.

Before returning to school to complete a Masters, I worked in a variety of copywriting and copyediting roles that required strong communication skills, the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and high levels of attention to detail.

I’m currently looking for a position where I can apply my knowledge and skills as a communications specialist.

Here is how this pitch might unfold in this situation:

You: Is your bus late too?

Other: Yeah, half an hour. I’ve run out of people to text. And I need to get back to Kitchener for a meeting.

You: Yes, it’s frustrating, isn’t it? Do you think you’ll be late for your meeting? Is it a work-related meeting?

Other: Hope I’m not late! Yes, it’s for work. I work at ABC Company, in tech sales.

You: Oh, I’ve heard of that company. It’s a start-up that’s really taking off – yes?

Other: Yep. I’ve been there 4 years and we’ve gone from 40 employees to almost 200.

You: That’s amazing!

Other: Yes. It’s exciting being part of such a success. What do you do?

You: I’m a Masters student at the University of Waterloo, studying English with a specialization in Rhetoric and Communication Design. I’m graduating next term.

Other: Oh, I went to Waterloo! I graduated in Psych and a minor in CS. Turned out to be a great combination for what I’m doing now. What are you hoping to do when you finish?

You: I’m hoping to find work as a communications specialist. I’m actually starting my job search now – hoping to have something lined up before I graduate.

Other: That’s smart. You know, with all the growing ABC is doing, I think our communications team is expanding. What’s your background, besides your education?

You: Well, before returning to school to complete a Masters, I worked in a variety of copywriting and copyediting roles that required strong communication skills, the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and high levels of attention to detail.

Other: That’s impressive. Do you have a business card or contact information I could pass along to our communications team?

You: Wow, that would be awesome! I do have a card I can give you. By the way, my name is Hayden....

So, practise your personal pitch until you feel confident being able to adapt it to the varying situations you will find yourself in during your search for work. Then you’ll be able to make a great impression, expand your opportunities and, eventually, bring your job hunt to a successful ending!

 

University of Waterloo

Centre for Career Development

 

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