🎤 Tell Me About Yourself – Elevator Pitch 2.0 (Say It Like You Mean It)

Written By Cari Borden

“Tell me about yourself.”
It’s the interview icebreaker that makes people freeze.

Too vague. Too open-ended. Too easy to ramble or undersell.
And yet, this one answer sets the tone for the entire interview.
So let’s stop winging it and start owning it.

🚀 Why Your Elevator Pitch Matters

This is your moment to:

Show you’re not just qualified, you’re aligned.
Introduce your professional identity with confidence.
Hook them into seeing you as a solution, not just a résumé.

You’re not answering the question. You’re opening a conversation.

🧠 How to Prepare a Killer Pitch (SMART Style)

Use this structure to prep your 30–60 second pitch with clarity and impact:

S – Start with Now

Lead with who you are today, in a headline.

“I’m a people-first operations leader with 10 years of experience improving performance and retention in fast-paced service teams.”

M – Mention the Past

Summarize your relevant history without the full résumé recap.

“I started in customer service, moved into training and quality, and found my niche building high-performing support teams.”

A – Align with the Role

Speak to why you’re here and what’s exciting about this opportunity.

“I’ve followed your company’s growth in the XXX space, and this role caught my eye because of its blend of team development and client strategy.”

R – Reinforce Your Value

Drop a quick win or brag, make them remember your impact.

“In my last role, I revamped onboarding and reduced new hire attrition by 30% in under six months.”

T – Tie It to the Future

Close with a confident signal that you’re ready and forward-focused.

“I’m looking for a role where I can grow with the company while continuing to elevate team performance.”

🎤 Delivery Tips: Say It Like You Mean It

Practice aloud—not just in your head. Say it until it sounds natural.
Avoid sounding scripted—this isn’t a monologue, it’s a moment.
Pause with purpose. Breathe. Let key points land.
Smile (with your eyes too). Energy translates, even over Zoom.
Mirror the tone of the room. Formal? Casual? Match the vibe without losing authenticity.

🔄 Bonus: Pivoting When You’re Changing Careers or Reentering the Workforce

A SMART pitch still works, just reframe your story with purpose:

“I’m reentering the workforce after leading community outreach initiatives, where I developed skills in communication, project planning, and volunteer coordination that transfer directly to this customer success role.”

🧠 Final Thought:

“Tell me about yourself” is never just about you.
It’s about what you bring, why you’re here, and where you’re going.

Make it count.

📢 Want help shaping your perfect pitch or want feedback on your delivery?
Let’s build it together.
🔗 Find me on Fiverr to craft your pitch or prep for your next interview.