1. Tell me a little bit about yourself…
 How do you answer that question?
 You should have an answer ready at all times.
 You may have to give the answer to one person or to a
group.

2. The Elevator Speech: What is it?
 An elevator speech helps you summarize some important points
about yourself in the time it might take to ride up several floors in
an elevator. (that is where it gets its name) It is short and to the
point.
 Today’s goals:
 Define: elevator speech
 Personal usefulness of an elevator speech
 Discuss the components of the elevator speech
 Create your own elevator speech
 Share

3. Why should I prepare an elevator speech?
 It gives you the tools to answer the question: Tell me a little bit
about yourself and what you do.
An elevator speech should tell people who you are, what your
special talents or strengths are, and how those talents and
strengths might benefit someone.
 I am :
 I enjoy:
 I am particularly interested in:
 I am strong in the following areas:
 That might benefit you by:

4. Benefits of an Elevator Speech
 Seize upon a narrow window of opportunity when
you might only have a short amount of time to
introduce yourself.
 Ex. At a college fair, in a college
interview, introducing yourself in a class, a job
interview, meeting someone new to leave a good
first impression. Can you think of other uses?

5. The Elevator Speech is your 60 Second Commercial
 It supplies you with a response that is
planned.
 It leaves a positive impact on people.

6. Step One: Your name and city
 Tell who you are and where you live. If you have
time, you can add information about the last place
you lived (if relevant).
 EX. My name is Jane Smith and I live in Madison. I
have recently moved here from Indianapolis.

7. Step Two: What are one or two special things about
you?
I really enjoy playing tennis and I also volunteer
frequently at the animal shelter.

8. Step Three: What is one thing you are very interested
in? (this adds value/builds upon your interests).
 Since volunteering at the animal shelter, I have
become interested in possibly being a veterinarian.

9. Step Four: State at least one strength.
 Not only am I passionate about animals, but I really
seem to work well with them and understand their
care and needs. Working at the animal shelter has
also taught me responsibility for others.

10.  The elevator speech goes a step further than just
telling people who you are, and it describes what
you do that might benefit others.

11. Step Five: How will my talents/strengths benefit
others?
 I feel that caring for others and being responsible will
serve me well in college and in the future. I plan to
continue to volunteer no matter what community I live in.

12. Jane’s Elevator Speech
 My name is Jane Smith and I live in Madison. I have recently
moved here from Indianapolis. I really enjoy playing tennis and I
also volunteer frequently at the animal shelter. Since volunteering
at the animal shelter, I have become interested in being a
veterinarian. Not only am I passionate about animals, but I really
seem to work well with them and understand their care and
needs. Working at the animal shelter has also taught me
responsibility for others. I feel that caring for others and being
responsible will serve me well in college and in the future. I plan
to continue to volunteer no matter what community I live in.

13. Greta’s Elevator Speech
 Hello. My name is Greta Atwood and I am from
Vevay, Indiana. I will soon be graduating with degrees in
accounting and business administration. In addition, I
love learning about history and am currently a volunteer
at the local Historical Society. One of my strengths is that I
am competitive. In being competitive, I strive to do not
only my best, but THE BEST!

14. Now you give it a try…
 I am :
 I enjoy:
 I am particularly interested in:
 I am strong in the following areas:
 The benefits to others would be:
 Example: My name is Jane Smith and I live in Madison. I have recently
moved here from Indianapolis. I really enjoy playing tennis and I also
volunteer frequently at the animal shelter. Since volunteering at the
animal shelter, I have become interested in being a veterinarian. Not
only am I passionate about animals, but I really seem to work well
with them and understand their care and needs. Working at the
animal shelter has also taught me responsibility for others. I feel that
caring for others and being responsible will serve me well in college
and in the future. I plan to continue to volunteer no matter what
community I live

15. Put the final touches on …
 Don’t forget to smile, have good eye contact, speak up, and
avoid saying “um, uh”.
 Practice your elevator speech many times so it flows easily and
it is always ready. It’s okay if it does not come out exactly the
same every time. It should not “sound” rehearsed. You
should know the basic elements, but you should deliver them
in a conversational manner that seems natural.
 If you prepare and practice an elevator speech, I can
guarantee you that it will benefit you in the next couple of
years.

16. Good luck!