What is an elevator speech? The elevator speech is supposed to be all about you, and is meant to introduce yourself to hiring managers, company representatives, and at networking events. The speech should explain who you are, what you do, and what you are looking to do. It can also be used in interviews to answer the question “tell me about yourself.” But how do you write and prepare one? Use the tips below to help create the perfect elevator speech.

1. Keep it Brief

It’s important to keep in mind that it’s called an “elevator speech” because it should be completed in the time it takes to complete a ride in an elevator. This means that the speech should be between 30 and 60 seconds. Obviously, that does not give you a lot of time so remember to grab their attention and explain the best parts of yourself without giving your life story.

2. What do you do?

After introducing yourself to the listener, you should mention your background, skills, and qualifications. Also, talk about what you most recently have been up to, in relevance to what you wish to accomplish by the end of it, whether that be a job position, internship, or just contact information. If you currently have a job and are looking for a new one, mention your current position and the skills obtained there. If you do not currently have a job, explain your education and background. Any other skills or qualifications you mention should be relevant to your end goal.

3. What do you want?

Talk about what your goals are without being extremely specific. You are going to want to use this speech in a variety of situations, so specific goals limits your opportunities. However, it is very important to mention the goal you wish to accomplish by the end of this meeting. For example, you can say “I wish for an opportunity to apply my background in health science to work in the medical field.”

4. Uniqueness

What makes you different from everyone else that may want the position or internship you are looking into? When planning your speech try to cater your skills and information about yourself to explaining how you are different. Talk about what you specifically can bring to the table that would make you stand out, and be more memorable to the hiring manger, company representative or representative at the networking event you’re attending. If you can be memorable, you increase your chances of achieving your goal.

5. Delivery

Writing the speech is half the battle, actually delivering it is another obstacle. Practice makes perfect! Make sure you practice enough so you don’t rush through the speech, miss anything important, or ramble on past the 30-60 second window. You want to remain focused, but don’t speak robotically or with a bored expression. Keep your energy, positivity, and enthusiasm high. Smiling and showing you’re excited about what you are saying will help make your listener excited as well.