An Elevator Speech is a crucial component of your job search marketing toolkit. This brief speech is designed to spark interest in your offerings and facilitate conversations about the type of ideal job you are seeking. It should be concise yet impactful, highlighting your key skills, experiences, aspirations, and services you could offer to a company.
How to Write An Elevator Speech
To craft an effective elevator speech, start by identifying your unique strengths and what sets you apart from others in your field. Consider the core message you want to convey and tailor it to resonate with your audience, whether they are potential employers, networking contacts, or industry professionals.
Begin with a strong opening that captures attention, such as a compelling fact or a personal anecdote related to your career journey. Clearly state your professional identity and the value you bring to an organization. For example, instead of simply saying “I’m a project manager,” you might say, “I’m a seasoned project manager with a knack for leading cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects on time and within budget.”
As you elaborate, focus on articulating your career goals and the type of position you’re aiming for, linking it to how your skills and experiences make you an ideal candidate. Remember to keep your language positive and engaging, steering clear of jargon that might be unfamiliar to your audience.
Conclude with a call to action, inviting further conversation or an exchange of contact information. You might say, “I’d love to hear more about your company’s projects and explore how I might contribute to your team’s success.”
Elevator Speech Topic Examples
- Who you are / Introducing yourself
- What you specialize in
- What your strengths are
- What you have to offer
- What sets you apart
- Positions you are qualified for
- Industries you are interested in
- Getting across a key point or two
- Making a connection with someone
Simple Elevator Pitch Example
There are many different formats for Elevator Speeches. A very simple format for an Elevator speech for a recent graduate or entry level position would be:
Hello, I’m John Jacobs. I’m a recent graduate and I’m currently looking for a job in Human Resources as a Compensation Analyst, preferably in a High Tech company.
Elevator Speech Template
If you are a seasoned professional, below is an Elevator Speech Template that will help you create a compelling Elevator Speech.
I am ________ (name) and I am a ________________. (Profession/Leadership Title) I specialize in ____________ and ____________ (competencies) for ____________. (industry) My strengths include ____________, ___________, and ____________. (strengths) I have achieved ________________________. (Specific Measure Result / Metric) I am excited about ______________________. (What You Would Like to Do Next)
Elevator Speech Example – Executive Coach
I am Elaine Jones and I am an Executive Coach that specializes in supporting professionals in expanding their productivity and emotional intelligence for professionals in the Financial Services Industry. My strengths include understanding corporate landscape and integrating that with 25 years of wellness, meditation and yoga experience. I have worked with over 100 clients in the area of career navigation, mindfulness, leadership, and communication skills. I am excited to support more professionals in creating happier and more productive lives that reflect the integration of head and heart.
Elevator Speech Example – Human Resources Manager
Hello, I’m John Jacobs and I am a Human Resources Manager with a specialization in mergers and acquisitions for High Technology companies. My strengths lie in my ability to anticipate how a merger or acquisition will be perceived by the employees, how to manage their perceptions to keep morale up, how to retain top talent, and how to make the transition as painless as possible for everyone involved. I have been successful at supporting a large company in successfully navigating a merger while retaining 95% of their staff and a 92% Employee Satisfaction rate. I am excited to find my next role in a software or application design company where I can put my mergers & acquisitions experience to use in creating and maintaining an energizing, productive company culture for a fast growing company.
Practice Your Elevator Speech
Practicing your Elevator Speech aloud is crucial, and it’s even more beneficial to rehearse it with a friend. This will help you feel at ease when the opportunity to use it arises. Practice your elevator speech until it feels natural and confident. This preparation will help you make a memorable impression, whether you’re at a networking event, a casual meeting, or even a chance encounter in an actual elevator!
Having a well-prepared Elevator Speech boosts your confidence and allows you to communicate your goals more effectively and succinctly. When you encounter other professionals or meet new people, you will be ready to share what you’re looking for, which can help uncover new opportunities.
Common Places to Use Your Elevator Speech
Here are some of the most common places that people use Elevator Speeches:
- Networking Events
- Professional Organization Events
- In Workshops & Classes
- Tradeshows
- Career Fairs
- Networking Meetings with Individuals
- On LinkedIn
- Whenever You Meet Someone New
Uncommon Places to Use Your Elevator Speech
There are various places where you can utilize an Elevator Pitch. The more individuals you share your information with, the greater the chance that opportunities will arise to help you achieve your goals. Keep in mind that it’s a numbers game; the more connections you make, the higher the likelihood of discovering an exciting new job.
So, don’t forget to share your speech in these types of situations:
- An elevator*
- In a class*
- Parties*
- At a coffee shop
- The grocery store
- Jury Duty*
- Doctor’s office (we have a client that got a job at the Director level this way)
- The airport or on a flight*
- While traveling*
- The gym or an exercise class*
- The bank
- Your children’s soccer game
- A museum
- A concert
- A dog park*
- Volunteering
- Webinars*
- In an Uber*
- Other Social Media Sites
*We’ve witnessed, been part of, heard from our clients, or experienced ourselves finding jobs or work in these nontraditional settings.
Using Your Elevator Speech As A Guide
Remember, you don’t need to deliver your entire Elevator Pitch all at once. Think of it as a guide that helps you incorporate essential information into the conversation.
You might begin discussing your job search by saying, “I’m currently searching for ‘x’.” As the dialogue unfolds, you can seamlessly introduce more details that illustrate what you desire in a new position.
The clearer you are about what you want, the higher the likelihood that the listener will assist you in finding a path toward that role.
Don’t be concerned if they don’t provide an idea or introduction right away; sometimes, those connections come later. I once had a Career Coaching client reach out to me eight years later after a conversation we had at a party.
In the market for a new job? A Job Search Coach Can Help!
Donna Schilder