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Making a Good First Impression: The Elevator Talk

Learn how to deliver a compelling elevator talk in 30-60 seconds that showcases your field of work, its importance, and what makes it unique. Ideal for scientists, academics, and researchers looking to master concise communication strategies.

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Making a Good First Impression: The Elevator Talk

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  1. Making a Good First Impression: The Elevator Talk Heather Macdonald and David McConnell Photo and some content from Carolyn Gale’s presentation to 2006 Preparing for an Academic Career in the Geosciences workshop

  2. Elevator Talk Imagine that you are in a elevator (or on an escalator) Someone asks you, “What do you do?” You have 30-60 seconds to tell them. Now what? Michael Tobias http://init4au.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/escalator.jpg

  3. Consider these questions • What is the field I work in? • What is the work I do? • Why is it important? • What makes it new/different/significant?

  4. Some Situations • Audience • Other scientists, other geoscientists • the Dean or Provost during an interview (this person may not be a scientist) • Undergraduates during an interview • Graduate students during an interview • Program officers from funding agencies

  5. Clarity, content, delivery • Clarity appropriate to audience • Watch out for technical terms • Short sentences • I rather than we (when possible) • Making the content compelling • What excites you most about your research? Start with what you do (not a history of the discipline). • Why should we care? What is the significance of your research? • Delivery • Show passion/enthusiasm for your work (being true to your personality and style) • Vary the tone of your voice • Establish eye contact • Concentrate on a "I'm glad you asked" expression and posture • Watch the time and watch for eyes glazing over • It’s a conversation

  6. Additional advice • Audience should learn something new, but not learn EVERYTHING there is to know about your work. • Goal: “That sounds really interesting. Tell me more (about your work).” • If this is during the interview, consider yourself as a (faculty) colleague, not as a graduate student

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