HOW AND WHEN TO USE YOUR 30-SECOND ELEVATOR SPEECH

PREPARING TO DELIVER YOUR SPEECH:

Practice your speech while looking in the mirror.

Do mock speeches with friends and peers, and ask for their input as to its effectiveness.

Do evaluate your speech, as it is an important tool. Be prepared to rewrite parts of it based upon ITS effectiveness and the feedback you get from others.

STEPS TO TAKE WHEN DELIVERING AN ELEVATOR SPEECH:

1. Present a positive attitude.

2. Look the person in the eye and keep good eye contact.

3. State who you are and what kind of employment you are seeking.

4. Be clear and direct.

5. Describe your skills/strengths, the problems you can solve and/or how you would make a difference (don't be too wordy).

6. If possible, create a position that permits the listener to converse with you and provide you with more information.

7. You may also ask if he/she is aware of job openings that require your skills.

8. Close by providing a business card and by soliciting an opportunity for further dialogue and/or a visit to the company site, if you think it's advisable.

THE TIMES WHEN YOU MAY WANT TO USE AN ELEVATOR SPEECH:

● At Career Fairs.

● At networking group meetings.

● Cold calling in person.

● When calling headhunters.

● When meeting people in companies you are targeting.

● When meeting new people in coffee shops or at parties and various gatherings.

REMINDER TO REVIEW AND UPDATE YOUR SPEECH:

Every few weeks, you should review and update your 30-second elevator speech. You may have added new skills, decided to go in a slightly different career direction with your skills or just need to change things to better present yourself. Remember to review what you have on a regular basis and make changes, if necessary.

As you look at your elevator speech, you might consider having more than one depending upon the type of company you are applying to or the type of job that you are seeking at the time. You may find that you are focusing on using your skill set in different manners with different firms. Anyway, decide if you may need several elevator speeches for your job search.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

AFTER USING AN ELEVATOR SPEECH - DETERMINE how effective it was:

Did the listener seem interested?

Did it persuade he/she to CONVERSE with you and ask questions?

Did it lead to a visit or an interview?

DO NOT DISCOUNT HOW IMPORTANT A GOOD ELEVATOR SPEECH IS TO YOUR JOB SEARCH.

Bob Raikes, National Certified Career Counselor