This document outlines an agenda for a seminar on perfecting international students' elevator speeches for job searches. It includes: 1. An introduction to the importance of elevator speeches as 30-60 second self-introductions used to get interviews. 2. Steps for creating an effective elevator speech, including including who you are, your objective, relevant experience, and a request for how they can help. 3. Tips for competitively articulating skills and minimizing communication anxiety through awareness of US business customs differences. 4. A practice activity where students record a 30 second self-introduction as if meeting an employer at a career fair.

2. International Students Job Search
Seminar
By: Julia Montier-Ball, MEd, CI/IDT, MGR. International Student Services, Adjunct Instructor 2017-2018
Perfect Your
(With Practice)

3. AGENDA
In Module III. You will learn more about how to articulate your skills, strengths and
accomplishments and increase your chances of getting interviewed.
• The Importance of Perfecting Your Elevator Speech
• Steps for Creating an Effective Elevator Speech
• Competitive Articulation of Skills
• Minimizing Communication Anxiety - US Business Customs Awareness
• Understanding What Non-verbal Communicates to US Employers

4. The Importance of
Elevator Speech
“In the modern world of
business, it is useless to be a
creative, original thinker
unless you can also sell what
you create.”
~David Ogilvy

5. Terms: A Self-Introduction is also commonly called
an or a
In this Module, we will use the term Elevator Speech as it is…
• your quick personal selling request statement
• used at career fairs, in interviews, networking and meetings
• the #1 thing people hear or read about you
• heard before your resume gets into employers’ hands
• why they would spend the time to look at your resume, which leads to the
interview, which leads to the job offer
How long should it be?
• 30 seconds min.– short, used if you are introduced to someone (or in an elevator)
• 60 seconds – average, typically used at a career fair
• 2 minutes max. – longer, used in networking or interviews

6. Just the facts: Elevator Speeches are not really speeches,
but the beginning of meaningful
What should be included in an Elevator Speech?
Consider what you want from this conversation, then summarize these 4 facts
1. Who you are plus a credential
a. It is easier to start with things you know well, like your major, etc.
b. Don’t include personal information like your hometown, pets, family, etc.)

7. Just the facts: Elevator Speeches are not really speeches,
but the beginning of meaningful
What should be included in an Elevator Speech?
Consider what you want from this conversation, then summarize these 4 facts
2. Communicate a specific objective
a. Get to the point quickly! Don’t ramble (practice will you do this smoothly)
b. Tell what you are looking for currently (a coop job, internship, fulltime job)

8. Just the facts: Elevator Speeches are not really speeches,
but the beginning of meaningful
What should be included in an Elevator Speech?
Consider what you want from this conversation, then summarize these 4 facts
3. How you have demonstrated your interest
a. What have you done towards becoming qualified? (a course you
have taken, a person in your field you talked to – if you haven’t done
anything yet - then start doing something!)
b. Why are you qualified? (you must have done your career/job/company
research to be able to provide these facts!)

9. Just the facts: Elevator Speeches are not really speeches,
but the beginning of meaningful
What should be included in an Elevator Speech?
Consider what you want from this conversation, then summarize these 4 facts
4. Request something: give them 2 options on how they can assist you
a. A question at the end ultimately begins the conversation
b. This will help to set you apart from the rest
b. Usually they will commit to at least one request
(Example: Could you connect me with someone I can job shadow in your company?)

10. Nail it! Your Elevator Speech should engage employers
into wanting to about you
What is important for employers to hear from international
students in their elevator speech?
• Robust examples of past experiences – work, school, community
• That you provided value and results – GPA, initiative, contributed
• What you learned that can impact future work with them – technology, projects
• Your attitude & personality are a good fit – energetic, motivated
• Talk only about accomplishments your work can confirm

11. Creating an
Elevator Speech
Step 1. Write out 4 interesting and
positive things about yourself that
reveal notable accomplishments.
Step 2. Relate each point to your
industry-related employability skills
that meet employer needs.
Step 3. Convert into a concise
personal brand story of 200 words
or less. This will take several drafts.
It will take some time to compose an effective
story to tell employers - in 2 minutes or less.

12. Include for an effective Elevator Speech
What differentiates you from your international student peers?
• List your goals and the specifics of how you plan to achieve them
• Describe something you took the initiative to do, organize or handle
• Think of some challenging task you completed, or difficult problem you solved
What establishes your relationship to the university?
• Your class status, major, minor, GPA, Dean’s List, awards/honors, notable recognition,
• List your involvement on campus, things you are planning to participate in
• Mention how you have taken advantage of university resources – met with a career coach, got
tutoring, study abroad, etc.
• Describe how you may have helped or supported others on campus

13. Competitive
of Skills
Articulation for International Students:
• Having or showing the ability to speak
fluently and coherently
• Genuinely expressing passion,
enthusiasm and vitality
• Effective, persuasive, assertive message
delivery
• Distinct description of a fact, creative
idea or innovation
• Confident use of English language and
industry terms
Combine a few professional, academic and
personal experiences that BEST communicate
why you are the best person for the job.

14. your Elevator Speech
“Hi Sandy,
I’m a young professional mechanical engineer that
would like to work as your next Hardware Test
Engineering coop hired from UC!
I can generate reports…and have expertise in…
I can speak 2 Chinese languages to help with your
work in China…
One notable project, as the team lead, I organized
weekly Skype meetings so those on coop could
still contribute to our final presentation…”
Custom Elements & Example:
1. Greet employer by first name……
2. Communicate who you are……….
3. State your objective………………….
4. State targeted position title………
5. Tell why you are qualified…………
6. Value (Global Citizen)……………….
7. Impact (tell a brief story using
PAR – problem, action, result)…..

15. Minimizing
Anxiety
International students
can Minimize
Communication Anxiety
through awareness of
the differences between
US Business Culture and
International Business
Cultures

16. Knowing differences between US and International culture
will help to minimize when talking to employers
What differences in cultural values are international students expected to know
and practice in the workplace and socially?
• US Employer: Race, gender, age, education, economic status, even attire - “should not” affect
professional relationships, hiring decisions and salaries
• International differences: Gender, caste status, city tier, country, religion – may affect communication,
jobs offered, and salaries
• US Employer: Shake hands, if on name tag use first names
• International differences: Greet w/namaste, bowing, use title w/surname

17. Common examples of differences business culture:
• Indian business - hierarchical organizational structures, resulting in a high individual achievement
drive for individual performance, with the goal of individual success and recognition
• US business - high performance teams, driving the belief that collective intelligence and collaboration
are superior to individual performance. Compensation is typically tied to the achievements of the
team.
• Chinese business - no rush to finalize deals, which are based on trust and how they will be perceived
by others with decisions commonly made for the greater good as opposed to personal gain
• US business - deals are made more quickly, with legal contracts - not on trust - “Time is Money”,
“The Art of the Deal”, decisions commonly made by group, one success predicts future success
• International business: Age = more knowledge/respect; proper to use a person’s title and surname
• US business: Young Professional = more technical knowledge/agility; use first name (w/permission)

18. KEY WORDS
help my resume
to standout Job Skills
Required
Include Your Strengths:
1. Experience & Job Relevance
2. Communication Skills
3. Leadership Experience
4. Problem Solving Skills
5. Expertise
6. Value (of hiring a Global Citizen)
7. Impact (of your work - outcomes)
Review, Edit & Practice:
• Before each event, edit
your elevator speech
• Focus on industry-related
employability factors
• Add fact facts from your
company research.

19. Practice Activity:
Record yourself doing a
30 second Self-introduction
Situation: Act as though
you are “Meeting an
employer at a
career fair”
PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE
Instructions: Set an alarm on your phone.
• Review any sample company profile & job info.
• Walk up to greet employer (ask a friend to help)
• Shake hands, smile, say, “Hi, … (their first name)
• “I’m a great candidate for the... (position)
because...” - Emphasize 2-3 strong skills and
accomplishments, relate to job requirements
• Speak on your interest in their company.
• Ask 2 leading questions - to get a response to 1.
• (See more in Module V. on networking)

20. MOD I.
repeats:
Prepare for the Fair
Seminar
1pm-2pm
Tues. Aug 29
Wed. Aug. 30
Tues. Sept. 5
Wed. Sept. 6
Activities: Resume
Critiques
2pm-3pm
Aug 30 Sept. 7
Sept. 1 Sept. 8
Sept. 5
MOD II.
repeats:
Write Competitive Resumes
Seminar
1pm-2pm
Fri. Sept. 1
Thur. Sept. 7
Fri. Sept. 8
Activities:
Tailgate Party & Football
Game 4:30-6:30
Aug. 31
MOD III.
repeats:
Perfect Your
Self-Introduction Seminar
1pm-2pm
Mon. Sept. 11
Tues . Sept. 12
Activities:
Self- Introduction Practice
& Video Recording
2pm-4pm
Mon. Sept. 11
Tues . Sept. 12
Module I – III. Schedule
See Blackboard Organization for full schedule, access Modules, Activity details, and more!
Repeating sessions & Activities

21. Self-Introduction Practice Session 4-5pm Sept. 8 TUC 415
Speed Networking Event 1-4pm Sept. 9 in CECH 407
For information email: Julia Montier-Ball montiej@ucmail.uc.edu
Do Module IV. Seminar Pre-work and review the Resources.
To receive your Certificate of Attendance:
• Attend at least 6 Seminars + 1 activity*
• Or combine completed Modules on Bb + attending Seminars + 2 activities*
• *(Activities include: a resume critique, networking event, self-intro video, mock
interview, job search lab, or a follow-up appointment).