The-Passionate-30-Second-Elevator-Speech

We’ve all been to those networking events to meet ‘n greet and learn more about each others businesses. Among the attendees are people in transition—either looking for a job or a new career. As I have presented at a number of job seekers meetings in the Atlanta area, I’ve enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life and who have a wealth of experiences and talents. One of the things I have noticed as I meet and greet people is that they are wonderfully effervescent and friendly—until they… talk… about… what… they… do.

As I make a new acquaintance, it will start with a smile and a hello. I’ll learn his/her name and where s/he is from. But then my new friend will tell me what s/he does. At that point, I see the eyes glaze over and a stiffness form in the body. Then an automaton appears and speaks with all the warmth of a concrete bridge abutment: “I’m in IT and I’m looking for something in IT programming or management. I’m skilled in C language and JAVA technology, etc., etc.” {NOTE: Automatons are not exclusive to IT job seekers.}

What strikes me about this entire routine is that it lacks passion. All of the enjoyment about the work that one does disappears. It’s almost as if it’s inappropriate to express enthusiasm or, even worse, the enthusiasm is totally lost in the process.

Passion is infectious. People get caught up in it, because it comes from your heart. I can speak from personal experience on that one. Whenever I talk about coaching, people can’t help but get caught up in my excitement about what I do because I’m truly excited about it. Imagine for a moment what it would be like to reactivate your passion, to regain some of the excitement you had about the kind of work that you do or that you want to do!

Let’s talk about what an elevator speech is. It’s a short 15- to 30-second sound byte about you and what you want in your career that includes a(n):

· Brief and memorable introduction
· Spotlight on what’s unique about you
· Focus on the benefits and services you provide
· Effortless delivery

Elevator speeches are intended to prepare you for brief, chance encounters in elevators, or at supermarkets, Starbuck’s, parties, or wherever you want to present yourself as a possible job candidate.

The elevator speech should include the services or features you provide and the benefits your clients or employers could receive from these services. It should also begin with a sentence that grabs the listener’s attention. The best openers leave the listener wanting more information. For example, I have a friend and associate who sells natural botanical cosmetics. Her elevator speech opening is, “I save faces,” and she always says it with a smile. Doesn’t that just pique your curiosity? It really makes you want to learn more about what she does.

A great elevator speech also rolls off your tongue easily. Practice your speech in front of a mirror. Present it to your friends. You might even record it on a tape recorder and listen to it. Check to see if you sound confident, sincere, and engaging to your listener.

Last, but not least, add your passion. Take a moment to write down all the things you love about what you do. Incorporate that passion into your elevator speech. Work with a partner to talk about the things that you truly love/like about the work you do. Talk about a really good day at work. What was good about it? How did it make you feel? What was exciting about choosing your career and the work you do?

If you don’t like what you do and want to make a change in your career, determine where your own passions lie. There are a number of resources that can help you find out what it is you truly want to do in your life and how you want to contribute to the world[1]. Of course, you can always call a professional career transition coach to chat about a new career direction.

So what’s the point of adding the passion? Think about how you can bring that passion for your work wherever you go; e.g., information and job interviews, chats with neighbors, friends, and associates. Adding the passion will truly make you memorable!

Employers want people who bring and share enthusiasm in their work. Recruiters tell me that they really focus on candidates who share an enthusiasm for the work they do. They know that these candidates will most likely stay on the job—because they love it. Imagine the advantage you will have over candidates who simply recite their experience.

So send the automaton away. Present yourself with a new fervor. Let everyone know you’re saying, “Look out, World. Here I come!” Create your own passionate 30‑second elevator speech and watch what happens!

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