Students
Elevator Speeches
An elevator speech is a 30 second to 1 minute personal statement that provokes the person you are speaking with to want to learn more about you. It is a useful tool that you can use in any number of situations from networking events to voicemail messages to interview introductions.
Main Components:
- I am (personal introduction)
- Name
- Graduating with a _____ degree in ____ from _____
- Looking for a position as a ____________
- My interests are (relevant to the listener's needs)
- In the field of ______________
- Providing _____________ service
- I know about your organization (I have done my research)
- I've researched your company and learned ____
- You produce _____________
- You are a leader in ________
- You need _______ in your company
- My skills/accomplishments are (I can do what needs to be done)
- I excel at ________
- I can bring _________
- My previous supervisors have said I ______
- I produced _______
- I can deliver _________
- In my last position I accomplished _______
- I would like an interview/meeting/referral (I feel confident you will benefit from
the meeting)
- You must make a request at the end of your speech
- e.g. Do you mind if I connect with you on LinkedIn? Email you?
- Don't ask for a position or about benefits
- You want to discuss further:
- your skills
- the company
- a project
- obtain career advice
- a referral
An example of an Elevator Speech:
"Hi, I'm Mary Smith. I'll be graduating from USF in May with a bachelors degree in marketing and I have a real passion for the environment. I love creating outside-the-box marketing strategies for new products, especially environmentally-sensitive ones.
I understand that your company has produced some new green products that aren't on
the market yet. Last semester, while interning for a local firm I created an aggressive
marketing campaign for a new product, which improved their sales.
I'd love to talk to you about how I might be able to use the skills I've learned to
help your company. Are you available for a brief meeting on Monday or Tuesday?"
Do:
- Rewrite your speech in order to sharpen its focus.
- Make it sincere and provide a glimpse into your personality.
- Speak confidently and enthusiastically.
- Practice your speech until you're comfortable with it from beginning to end.
- Maintain eye contact with your listener.
- Prepare different versions for different situations.
Don't
- Use more words than necessary.
- Include industry jargon or acronyms.
- Rush breathlessly through it.
- Make a "canned" presentation.