Learn how to create a persuasive elevator speech that hooks listeners immediately.

An elevator speech is a quick and effective way of getting someone’s attention, and getting them to see things your way.

In academia, the ability to communicate complex ideas succinctly is not a peripheral skill; it is a core professional competency. The concept of the elevator speech, typically a 30- to 90-second, ...

The elevator speech is that tightly scripted, 30-second introduction that should pack as much information about a person as possible in an engaging, persuasive, and interesting way, right?

In college, one of my roommates got squished against the back of a packed dorm elevator. I couldn’t see her, but I heard her sardonic voice, “The thing about elevators is, you see people you wouldn’t ...

In many professional scenarios, when introducing yourself, you’ll have a limited period of time to capture the attention of the person you are meeting. From networking events to first-round interviews ...

First impressions stick. It’s obviously an overused cliche, but it’s a cliche for a reason. People remember how you make them feel the first time you meet them. Did you make them feel uncomfortable?

Since I’ve devoted the last two columns to the dangers of being either too quick or too slow with one’s words while conducting a job search, it seems natural to round out the conversation (so to speak ...