The Elevator Speech

What could you say about yourself in 30 seconds that would sound memorable but not “needy”? Create a good sound bite that communicates your personal brand. This concise but comprehensive personal summary is often referred to as the “elevator speech” because you have a limited amount of time in which to deliver it.

The elevator speech should identify who you are, provide a unique and memorable fact, explain what you do, why you’re good at it, and how a business could benefit from your skills and experience. Remember, you have 30 seconds.

For example, if you’re an experienced truck driver with a background in logistics, you might say:
“Hi, I’m Tom Trucker. I’m a professional truck driver and logistics expert. I started out in the logistics field planning efficient truck delivery routes for a major company. I transitioned to driving cross-country truck routes 10 years ago. I’ve probably transported more live chickens back and forth on old Route 66 than anyone in the business! Still, I love having been on both sides of the fence, since it’s given me an understanding of both planning and executing transportation logistics in a variety of business settings.”

You’ve established that you’re a trucking expert, given them relevant background, provided a memorable fact – Route 66, and branded yourself as a professional and dedicated trucking/logistics product.