When you hear about the kind of speech that is called “elevator speech” for the first time, you might wonder what it is about. Are you going to actually perform and recite a speech in a literal elevator? Well, you could, but it does not mean that this kind of speech is delivered in an actual elevator nor it is a speech example that tackles about elevators. In this article, find out more about what an elevator speech is with the following twelve examples. If ever you’re looking for tips on how to make your own elevator speech, this article also provides you tips and do’s and don’ts on how to write an elevator speech.

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What is an Elevator Speech?

An elevator speech is a kind of speech that is all about you. Usually, an elevator speech is done during job interviews since there are some human resource managers who would begin their job interviews with “tell me something about yourself”. It can tell about yourself because it is a speech that would tell about who you are, what you are capable of doing, maybe a couple of work experiences, what you want to do, and how can your capabilities benefit the company you are applying for.

Some would think that writing for an elevator speech is easy since it usually just consists of no longer than 25 to 30 seconds when you would be reciting it and when writing an elevator speech, it would often take 80 to 90 words or 8 to 10 sentences. But, just like the saying that goes “small but terrible”, writing an elevator speech could be overwhelming. Just imagine all the things that you could say about yourself and all the things that you have experienced in your life but you are only encouraged to say less than a hundred words. Difficult, right? However, you should not worry because there are ways on how you can write and deliver your speech without pressure.

How Your Elevator Speech Should be Written

1. Brief

An elevator speech should be written in a brief manner. The reason why an elevator speech is named as it is because it should be delivered in an elevator ride and we all know how short an elevator ride is. Remember that the ideal number of seconds you should be writing your elevator speech in a way that it should fit within a span of thirty to sixty seconds, which is also the number of seconds that would take when you are writing an elevator speech. Include only the important details about yourself and present it in a direct manner, without unnecessary, flowery words.

2. Persuasive

Despite its reputation for having a short content, an elevator speech should be written in a way so that should be able to convince your interviewer. Imagine applying for a job and during the interview, you were not convincing enough to the interviewee. How will be hired in that case? To be persuasive, you have to mention how your capabilities are going to benefit the company you are applying for. You should not only mention your capabilities but also about your experience of handling difficult situations that you have come across in your professional life so far.

3. Share Your Skills

You must include your skills, capabilities, or qualifications so that your employee would have a knowledge of what you are capable of doing. You should mention only the skills that would be of great use and value to the company you are applying for. You might think that this is a form of bragging– it is, but bragging is different from being boastful.

4. Mention Your Goals

Your goal in an elevator speech should be about the job you are aiming for. This does not mean that you have to include every single short and long-term goals that you have up in your sleeve. If you are applying for a production assistant role for a film, you could say “a role in production assistance”, “an opportunity to apply for production assisting skills”, or “an opportunity to work in the film industry”.

Elevator Speech Examples

1. Elevator Speech for Research Application

Hi, my name is Samantha Atcheson, and I am a senior Environmental Sciences major. I’m looking for a position that will allow me to use my research and analysis skills. Over the past few years, I’ve been strengthening these skills through my work with a local watershed council on conservation strategies to support water quality and habitats. Eventually, I’d like to develop education programs on water conservation awareness. I read that your organization is involved in water quality projects. Can you tell me how someone with my experience may fit into your organization?

2. Elevator Speech for Computer Programming

Nice to meet you, I’m Alex Biondo. I’m currently a senior and am studying Computer and Information Science. I hope to become a computer programmer when I graduate. I’ve had a couple of internships where I worked on several program applications with a project team. I enjoy developing computer applications for simple business solutions. The position you have listed in UO-JobLink seems like it would be a perfect fit for someone with my skills. I’d like to hear more about the type of project teams in your organ.

3. Business Management Elevator Speech

Hi, my name is Brad. I am currently a sophomore student attending XYZ University in Wallapallooza, Maparaza. In college, I plan on majoring in business, specifically in the area of finance. This summer I did an internship with the Groundhog Hedge Fund Group and I hope to work in my college’s credit union when I return to school this fall. Ever since I can remember I have always had an interest in numbers and I feel certain that this is something I want to do in my future career. Next summer I’m hoping to get another internship learning more about how the international financial market operates. I also want a career working with people since I enjoy assisting others with their finances and I had a blast this year preparing a presentation as a team with a group of other students for my business management introductory course.”

4. Teacher Science Application Elevator Speech

“Hi! My name is Mary Smith and I am a senior Interdisciplinary Studies student, seeking to teach science in grades 4-8 upon my graduation this December. I recently completed my student teaching at ABC ISD, which was a vital learning experience and afforded me the opportunity to become accustomed to the daily classroom routine, as well as develop skills in recognizing individual academic growth in students. Also, during this time I helped mentor students wishing to participate in extracurricular UIL science events. One thing that particularly caught my attention about your district is that the “all students” group has maintained an exemplary rating in science, and at a 98% rate! As we all know awards and ratings make the difference, I would set it as my goal to strive to maintain, and even improve this rating, all while providing students with progressive and exploratory learning opportunities.”

5. Elevator Speech for Marketing Opportunities

Hello. My name is Justin Green and I will be receiving my MBA degree in May. One of the things I’ve enjoyed most is putting my courses to work on real-world school projects. For example, as director of sales for a student-led seminar, I was able to increase attendance at the annual conference by 35% over the prior year by creating and implementing a detailed marketing strategy. Does your company have marketing opportunities for MBA’s and if so, can you tell me more about the opportunities?

6. Elevator Speech for Public Accounting Firm

Hi, my name is Sarah Jones and I’m a recent grad of Optimal University with a bachelor degree in accounting seeking a position with a public accounting firm. I interned with Deloitte in the corporate tax department, already passed the first part of my CPA exam and have a real talent for communicating with clients. I work well with clients and deliver under pressure. I’d love to learn more about your company.

How You Should Deliver Your Elevator Speech

1. Do Not Eat Your Words– Do Not Talk Too Fast

Even if you are only given a short time to deliver your elevator speech, it does not mean that you have to talk too fast that you would already be eating your words. Your goal is not only to be brief– you also have to be persuasive. How can you be persuasive if the interviewer could not even understand your words?

Elevator Speech Examples

7. Elevator Speech for Transportation Industry Application

Hello, My name is Nichole Jackson. I am currently a senior at Boys and Girls High School. I am looking for an entry-level position in the transportation industry. I am very outgoing, able to work independently and work well in situations where I am under pressure, as demonstrated in my last job as a cashier at a busy store. As a cashier, I was able to accurately handle money and interact positively with a lot of different people. I am fluent in Spanish and have good attendance at school, which shows that I am dedicated. I am looking to pursue a career in the transportation and would like to start as a Ticket Agent. I know that my skills and experience will make me a great candidate for the job.

8. Finance Summer Job Elevator Speech

“Hi, my name is Mary Jones. I am currently a junior level student attending ABC college. My major is in business with a minor in art. I have volunteered with the student credit union throughout my first three years of college. Last summer I completed an internship with The Museum of Modern Art, and I’m hoping to find a job in finance this summer in the Boston area. I have always had an interest in art and I found that I have a real knack for business. In the future, I’m hoping to combine these two very different disciplines and find myself a career that includes them both.”

9. Internal Finance Department Elevator Speech

Hi, my name is Jane Doe. I just retired from the Army after 27 years as a Command Sergeant Major in the Air Defense field. While in the Army, I led a unit of 500 enlisted personnel to help manage the use and upkeep of more than 20 million dollars’ worth of equipment. While continuing to perform my duties, I also obtained my degree in finance and provided oversight to the budget personnel in my unit. I would like to find a job opportunity within an internal finance
department in the financial services industry to use my finance, leadership and organizational skills.

10. Financial Services Industry Elevator Speech

Hi! My name is Bob Jones. I recently left the Navy after seven great years in the Information Dominance career field, where I specialized in cyber counterterrorism. I have been following, with great interest, how the financial sector is developing technology to protect itself and its client investments against the increasing number of cybercriminals. I am looking for an opportunity as part of a cutting-edge team in the financial services industry to use my technical and management skills in this fast-paced and challenging field.

11. Elevator Speech for Arts Policy

“Hello, my name is Sammy Sagehen, and I am a senior Public Policy Analysis major at Pomona College. As a musician and a student of politics, I would like to explore the overlap of my interests and pursue a career in arts policy. I have interned at a number of nonprofit and government arts organizations, including the Lincoln Center Festival, Americans for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts, and I am currently writing my senior thesis about the nonimmigrant artist visa process. I will be in New York City this summer, and I would like to connect with you to learn more about your work at Carnegie Hall. Would you have time to meet for a brief informational interview in August?”

12. Water Conservation Awareness Elevator Speech

“Hi, I’m Charlie, and I am a senior Environmental Sciences major. Over the past few years, I have been strengthening my research and analysis skills through my work with a local watershed council on conservation strategies to support water quality projects and habitats. I would like to use my skills in the future. Eventually, I would like to develop educational programs on water conservation awareness. I read that your organization is involved in water quality projects. Can you tell me how someone with my experience may fit into your organization?”

13. Elevator Speech by an Information Systems Specialist

I am an information systems specialist focusing on the application of technology to business functions in the areas of marketing, sales, manufacturing, logistics, and accounting. My field of experience is diverse. I have worked with a Fortune 500 firm as well as a small entrepreneurial business. My strengths include data administration, strategic planning, data warehousing, and relational database design, development and implementation. I am a senior corporate officer with extensive expertise in operational responsibilities, including P&L, strategic planning and financial management. I have been particularly effective in increasing profitability, growing revenues and managing costs. My organization showed solid incremental gains in market share and still maintained operational efficiencies. One of my strengths is building management teams that value cross-functional working relationships.

14. Elevator Speech for a Career Fair

Hi, I’m Amelia Malkin. I am a Junior Business Administration major in the Tepper School of Business completing a track in Finance. Last summer I interned with PNC Financial Services as a Sales and Trading Summer Analyst in the Derivatives Product Group. I’m now interested in pursuing a summer internship position with Citi in Sales and Trading where I can utilize my communication skills and solid quantitative abilities. My experience as a student-athlete at Carnegie Mellon has helped me to develop a strong teamwork ethic, time management skills and the ability to stay calm under pressure and these abilities will help me to be successful in a financial services career. Can you describe some common projects an intern would get to work on in the Sales and Trading division?

Elevator Pitch Do’s and Don’ts

Elevator Pitch Do’s

1. Start with a great hook.

A great hook can literally hook your interviewer.

2. Always back your claims.

By backing your claims of being able to be capable of doing things this and that, you can briefly mention your past work experiences that are related to the skills that you have mentioned and to the job that you are applying for.

3. Mention why you are the person the company is looking for.

You have to mention your differences compared to your competitors. There are a lot of applicants that have been and are waiting to be interviewed– why should you make the cut? Why should you be the one who will be accepted?

4. Keep calm and be confident.

Panicking will only do you no good and will end up not getting the job post in the end. Keep your cool and even if the pressure is overwhelming, just be calm and confident. If you have to fake confidence then do so because remember “fake it until you make it”.

5. Practice, practice, and practice.

If you have time to prepare, you can still find time to practice. Even if you cannot reach perfection, at least you have practiced and that you have already found your path with your elevator speech.

Elevator Pitch Don’ts

1. Don’t come unprepared.

Prepare at least an outline before you come to an interview. A job interview is like a competition, a race perhaps, considering the number of competitors that you might have. Your preparedness is your weapon against your competitors and the competition in general.

2. Don’t mention unrealistic things with the hope that you would get the job.

Do not be a “yes man”. Just give what you can and do not appear like you can do everything the company tells you so.

3. Don’t go information overload.

Remember: be brief. You already have your resume to fully inform your interviewers about you.

4. Don’t forget the call to action.

Ace that interview and get hired.