The Elevator Pitch Competition

Competition rules and guidelines

You have 60 seconds to connect with your dream employer. Will you know what to say?

• First presented in Fall 2013• Directed and developed by Dr. Renee Fontenot,

Professor of Marketing• Career Center and College of Business Dean’s

Office helps with student preparation and logistics• Prepares students to effectively communicate their

strengths and interests to a potential employer• We get one brief, chance to make a good first

impression!

Elevator Pitch Competition Overview

Presentation Outline

Completing the preparation stepsCompleting the preparation steps

The Live CompetitionThe Live Competition

Purpose of the competition

Competition Judging

Steps of the competition

Filming/submitting your elevator pitch video and preliminary judging

Eligibility

11

22

33

44

55

66

77

Your Logo

•Learning OutcomeBy participating in the Elevator Pitch preparation steps and competition, students will be able to present themselves professionally to employers with a clear/concise/career-focused elevator pitch, strong resume, and professional demeanor.

•IncentivesNorthwestern Mutual sponsors the competition

-1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place cash prizes18 finalists, 2 wildcard finalists, and attendees at the LIVE Competition on April 17 also have an opportunity to interview with Northwestern Mutual for a summer internship and door prizes!

What is this event all about and why should I compete?The Elevator Pitch Competition

• All majors• Students at the junior level and above (completed 60+ hours of

coursework)• Register for competition by 1/23

– Required for class: Professor will collect resumes by 1/30 to submit as your registration or

– On your own: Submit resume to Career Cener• Complete preparation steps by 2/20• Record video by 3/27• All competitors should plan to attend the LIVE competition on 4/17

Who’s Eligible?

Your Logo

Steps of the Competition

Video Filming Tips• Don’t wait until the last minute to

sign-up for a time• Dress professionally• Keep your hair out of your face• You have 1-minute to deliver your

pitch.• You get one shot – know exactly

what you are going to say• Videos are filmed in Atkinson (not

the Career Center)• Your video is not the same as

Interviewstream. Interviewstream is to help you prepare.

11Complete steps with Career Center by 2/20.

Preparation Steps

Visit ATK 203 the first week of March to sign-up for a time. Filming occurs March 23 – 27.

Film Your Interview Pitch Video

33 April 17 at 11 a.m. in Max NoahFinalists will deliver their pitch tocompete for prizes

Attend the LIVE Competition

2

• Resume: If you hook the employer with your pitch, you need a great resume to close the deal.

• Professionalism Workshop: You will learn how to develop an elevator pitch and how to present yourself professionally.

• Interviewstream: You will record and listen to your practice elevator pitch as well as receive feedback from the Career Center. Consider it your test run.

Preparation Steps: Why are they important?

Steps to help you succeed in the competition and your careerPreparation Steps

Competing as class assignment:The Career Center will present workshop in class.If you miss class that day, you attend a pre-scheduled workshop.

Competing on your own:You must attend a pre-scheduled workshop.

February 5: 12:30 or 3:30 p.m.February 25: 12 or 3 p.m.Innovation Station, Russell Library

Professionalism WorkshopResume Review

1. Complete by 2/202. gcsu.interviewstream.com 3. Requires high speed

internet connection, webcam, and mike

4. Records your answer to “Tell me about yourself.”

5. Career Center provides feedback by 3/6

Interviewstream

1. Submit resume to the Career Center by 1/30

2. Complete resume review appointment by 2/20

3. Upload final copy to Career Connection at www.gcsu.edu/career

Need more guidance? Use the Elevator Pitch Preparation Packet: http://bit.ly/1AIMJh1Access sample resumes, dress for success handouts, elevator pitch tips, and Interviewstream instructions

Sign-up for a video filming time as soon as you finish your preparation steps.

Filming and Submitting your Elevator Pitch Video for the Competition

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Visit the Dean’s Office in the College of Business (ATK 203) to sign-up for a video time.

Film your pitch in ATK. Dress professionally and be prepared to deliver your pitch in one take.

Videos are judged by panelists. A rubric is used to determine the finalists who will compete in the LIVE competition on April 17. It pays for all participants to attend the LIVE competition because Dr. Fontenot will select 2 additional wildcard finalists to compete with the finalists. Finalists and wildcard finalists must be present to compete.

March 30 –April 10

March 23 - 27

March 2 - 13

Sample Video forPreliminary Judging

• After judging is complete, Dr. Fontenot will contact 18 finalists.

• All competitors are encouraged to attend the LIVE competition because 2 wildcard competitors will be chosen at random to give their pitch. In the spring, one of our wildcards placed!

How Will I Know if I am a Finalist?

Your Logo

Competition Day: What to Expect

The contestant shakes hands with the MC and has 1-minute to deliver

the pitch.

Contestants are called randomly to the stage.

Check-in at Max Noah Recital Hall in Porter

by 10:45 a.m.

Professional Attire is Required!

LIVE Competition Judging

Representatives from Northwestern Mutual will judge each LIVE competitor on the following criteria:

• Content• Appearance• Presentation

The top five students will receive cash prizes.

Questions?Preparation Steps: Mary Roberts, Career Center

110 Lanier Hallmary.roberts@gcsu.edu

Video Filming: Kari Brown, College of Business203 Atkinson Hallkari.brown@gcsu.edu

Competition Rules: Dr. Renee Fontenot, Professor of Marketing318 Atkinson Hallrenee.fontenot@gcsu.edu