Interview Skills

Dress Professionally

Consider wearing a suit for interviews or a similar outfit like a nice dress or a nice shirt and pants. Make sure shoes are clean and wear something you feel confident wearing!

Arrive Early

While you do not need to arrive 30 minutes oran hour early, consider arriving 15 minutes early.This might help you relax, feel better, and it will make a good impression!

Be Yourself

Do not overthink anything. However, use good posture, smile appropriately, and answer questions honestly.


Elevator Pitches

  • Around 20-30 seconds
  • A way to:
    • Introduce yourself
    • Get a point across
    • Making a connection
  • Used for job searching and networking

Tips for elevator pitches:

  • Target your pitch!
  • Practice!
  • Have an ask
  • Follow up

Elevator Pitch Outline

  1. Introduction – Name, job title/ company name (or school where you are a student)
  2. Experience – Provide background (certificates, projects, degree, past work history, etc.)
  3. Goals – Goal statement that expresses what you are asking for (align with the presented opportunity)
  4. Solution/ Why – State your idea for how to achieve the goal, or share what makes you stand out.
  5. Plan/ How – Lay out your steps, be more specific about how you will achieve the goal

Elevator Pitch Example

Hi! My name is Emily Locklear. I am a strategic communication graduate student at East Carolina University, where I also serve as assistant director at the Center for Communication Excellence. While obtaining this degree, I am also earning a post graduate certificate in marketing. My goal is to begin my career at a marketing agency, mostly focusing on advertising. The classes that I have chosen to take in graduate school have been centered around marketing, so I have gained a lot of knowledge in the area. Additionally, I spent time marketing the Center for Communication Excellence to the ECU community. My plan for the future is to move to a larger city and find a marketing position and then work my way up within the field.