Developing Your Elevator Speech Networking is an important part of the recruitment process! Networking does not require that you know many people - it only requires that you want to know more people than you do now. All you need is preparation, time, and a lot of effort. Networking happens in a variety of settings. There are formal settings, like information sessions or career fairs, and there are informal settings, like when you run into a recruiter on an elevator or find yourself unexpectedly speaking to a potential career resource. How can you make a positive impression in a short amount of time? Prepare your own personal commercial! An elevator speech is a clear, brief message or “commercial” about you. It communicates who you are, what you are looking for and how you can benefit a company or organization. At a career fair, you can use your speech to introduce yourself to employers. Having a planned response that highlights your experiences and strengths in a concise (30 second) blurb will help you portray yourself as confident, prepared, and memorable. If you forget a detail, it’s OK. Just get down the major points you want to convey. In your commercial, you want to include the following: Your name, year in school at KSU, and the skills and experiences you have that connect you with that employer (for example: a related internship, leadership experience, or a class project). It is important to have your speech memorized and practiced. Rehearse your 30 second elevator speech with a friend or in front of a mirror. The important thing is to practice it OUT LOUD. You want it to sound natural. Get comfortable with what you have to say so you can breeze through it when the time comes. To develop you elevator speech, think about the following:
ELEVATOR SPEECH OUTLINE
Who are you? Name, year in school, and field of study “Hi. My name is __________. I’m a third-year Accounting student at Kennesaw State University.” What is your objective? State specifically what your goals are “I am interested in building on my experience in accounting with a tax internship. I would like to work for a Public Accounting firm and sit for the CPA exam after I graduate.” What are your strengths? “I have a 3.7 GPA and have completed numerous accounting classes, including Advanced Tax. In those classes I’ve worked on teams, but I am also a member Beta Alpha Psi and have a good understanding of the importance of working with others to get the job done. I also participated in XYZ’s Summer Leadership program in June. I have learned a lot about the accounting field and business professionalism as a result and am ready to take on a full-time internship.” Wrap it up! I was very excited to see that ___ would be here today, and I’d love to learn more about your Spring internships!
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Recruitment Handbook 2020-2021
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