Moneyzine
Contents
/Careers Guides/Elevator Speech (Elevator Pitch)

Elevator Speech (Elevator Pitch)

Moneyzine Editor
Author: 
Moneyzine Editor
3 mins
September 26th, 2023
Advertiser Disclosure

Definition

The term elevator speech refers to a statement that provides a succinct summary of a product, organization, or an individual's background. The purpose of an elevator speech is to explain what distinguishes the topic discussed from the competition and to spark the listener's interest.

Explanation

Also known as an elevator pitch, an elevator speech is a brief summary of the speaker's qualifications and skills. The speech can also be used to describe the value of a company, product, or service. The speech should be prepared ahead of time. It should also be practiced as though the speaker was in an elevator, and only had a few seconds of the listener's attention.

An effective elevator speech will follow a prescribed format. It should be roughly 20 to 30 seconds long, which means it needs to be 90 words or fewer. In addition to being brief, the speech should be both memorable and interesting. The dialogue needs to be tailored to the audience, meaning a salesperson attempting to gain the attention of a potential customer will have a much different speech than an individual attending a job fair.

The ideal elevator speech should explain the following:

  • Who: This is a brief description of a product, service, or a person's background.

  • What: This is what the product, service, or person has to offer.

  • Why: This is what distinguishes the product, service, or person from the "competition;" this is their value proposition.

The speech should also end by engaging the listener. This can be done effectively by asking an open-ended question. Since an elevator speech needs to convey so much information in such a concise timeframe, the speaker needs to practice until it sounds unrehearsed.

Example

The example below is one that could be used by a job hunter at a career fair; following the above format:

  • Who: Hi, my name is Haleigh McLane. I'm a senior studying civil engineering at College University.

  • What: For the last three years, I've been sharpening my skills by augmenting my coursework with an internship at a local electric utility.

  • Why: When I graduate, I would like to use the knowledge I've acquired to solve some of the local water supply problems.

  • Engagement: It's my understanding your organization is one of the largest engineering companies in the world. Can you explain how my experience would benefit your organization?

Putting it all together (83 words):

Hi, my name is Haleigh McLane. I'm a senior studying civil engineering at College University. For the last three years, I've been sharpening my skills by augmenting my coursework with an internship at a local electric utility. When I graduate, I would like to use the knowledge I've acquired to solve some of the local water supply problems. It's my understanding your organization is one of the largest engineering companies in the world. Can you explain how my experience would benefit your organization?

Related Terms

Related Content

Is It Worth Pursuing a Master's Degree?
In an era where education is synonymous with opportunity, many consider pursuing a Master's degree a surefire way to advance their careers. However, is it really the golden ticket to success we've been led to believe?
March 21st, 2024
The gender pay gap, the persistent disparity in average earnings between men and women throughout their careers, serves as a critical measure of wage inequality. This gap underscores the ongoing issue of income disparity, despite the ideal of equal pay for equal work.
March 14th, 2024
7 Essential Financial Moves After Losing Your Job
Navigating the stormy seas of job loss? You're not alone.
February 23rd, 2024
The Most In-Demand Skills to Get Hired in 2024
Every job requires a combination of vital skills, but what skillset is valued most in 2024? As the job market evolves, staying ahead means it’s key to understand and acquire the skills that employers value most.
February 20th, 2024
Key Productivity in the Workplace Statistics for 2024
In 2023, global employee engagement saw a slight uptick, with 23% of employees engaged, up by two percentage points. However, a sizable 59% are categorized as disengaged, while actively disengaged employees, known as "loud quitting," declined to 18%. These figures highlight the persistent challenge for organizations to cultivate happiness and productivity in the workplace.
January 31st, 2024

Contributors

Moneyzine 2024. All Rights Reserved.