Create an Elevator Speech That Draws People In

Your elevator speech represents one key element to getting hired that you may not consider because you spend so much time focused on the cover letter, resume and interviews. The first words out of your mouth to a recruiter or hiring manager can make all the difference when trying to land an interview. Discover a few techniques to creating a pitch that sells your personal brand in just one line.

What Not to Do

First, destroy any notions of having a generic elevator speech. Just like generic qualifications and skills in a resume kills your chances of standing out from the crowd, so, too, does a generic introduction to someone over the phone. When someone needs to know your top-level skills that you bring to the table, saying you went to college, talking about your career aspirations or stating that worked 10 years for one firm doesn't cut it.

Avoid buzzwords in your elevator speech. Don't drop someone's name into the conversation, because that person should already get a mention in your cover letter. You have one line to make an instant first impression with your introduction, so you have to make every word count. Talking about someone else isn't a unique thing about you that no one else has.

What's Your Impact?

What problems do you solve? Examine your previous positions by looking over your testimonials from colleagues or clients, reaching out to previous supervisors and finding your LinkedIn profile's recommendations. Come up with a quick way to say, "I do this or that."

For example, instead of saying "I sell bricks," you can say, "I sell high-quality construction materials that help clients create sturdy buildings. I save clients money over the long term by reducing energy bills, even though their building looks great with a classic exterior look." Again, you can adapt your elevator speech to any career you have, so long as it tells the truth and starts a conversation.

What's Your Why?

An elevator speech should leave the other person wanting to know more. Get to the heart of the matter: why do you want this job? Consider answering the question, "Why do I work in this field?" Sure, you went to college to further your career, but why did you choose your career? The answers to these questions are unique to you because no one else has the same reasons.

"I became a writer because when I was a kid I turned a disadvantage into an advantage because I stuttered a lot and had hearing problems. I focused on written communication to overcome my difficulties with verbal communication." In this example, that one-sentence elevator pitch describes why you have a passion for writing. This technique works for any field. Practice your speech often until it becomes second nature.

A succinct pitch leaves the other person wanting to find out more. When you deliver a unique elevator speech, you stand out from the crowd and make people remember your name.

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