Brevity is the soul of success: Why everyone needs a great elevator pitch

The modern attention span continues to shrink at an alarming rate. Roughly two decades ago the average person could spend two and a half minutes engrossed with any one particular item or activity displayed on a screen. Nowadays, people can’t even manage 50 seconds spent focusing on one piece of content before scrolling away in pursuit of another few fleeting seconds of entertainment.

This troubling trend that seems to have kicked into overdrive in recent years is no doubt at least partially fueled by the chaotic and frankly overwhelming state of social media and the greater internet in 2024. The majority of popular platforms absolutely flood users with enough videos and images (in some cases, upsetting, triggering and even violent) to induce sensory overload, and there’s always another post, video, or picture queued up and waiting to replace the last distraction.

Unfortunately, what happens online rarely stays there, and diminishing attention spans have become a very relevant real world problem in the business sphere. How are employees on any level, from entry-level to executive, supposed to get anything done if they can’t even focus for one meager minute on a particular task before their mind begins to wander and open a few more tabs? Similarly, say goodbye to attentive ears and interested eyes during company-wide presentations. Most people are barely able to stay focused past the second or third slide.

All of this just drives home the undeniable fact that if you’re looking to get ahead and cut out some success for yourself in today’s professional landscape, brevity should be a pillar of your approach across virtually all areas. Whether we’re talking cover letters, applications, resumes, or even in-person interviews, it’s a good idea to keep things short and sweet. In other words, you’re not writing a novel or addressing the United Nations – cut to the chase. Don’t assume hiring managers or any number of additional decision makers have the time or mental determination to devote more than a few moments to you. 

You’ve no doubt heard that we all only get one chance to make a first impression, well just in case that isn’t nerve wracking enough, remember people tend to form impressions of others within mere seconds of meeting. Luckily, refining and perfecting a compelling elevator pitch for yourself is the perfect panacea for shrinking attention spans in the boardroom.

What is an elevator pitch?

An abridged synopsis or general overview of your prior professional accomplishments and future ambitions, the elevator pitch owes its playful name to a key characteristic: The prepared speech (elevator pitches are also known as elevator speeches) should be short enough to complete during an elevator ride. In roughly one minute or less, a stellar elevator speech tells listeners who you are, what you do, and where you’re going. 

A great elevator pitch is akin to a career swiss army knife. You can utilize it while meeting new coworkers, introducing yourself to peers at job fairs and other networking events, and during pivotal job interviews. Of course, your elevator pitch should be tweaked a bit depending on who you’re speaking with and where you’re at in your career. If you’re actively searching for a new position and meeting with a recruiter, the speech should emphasize that you’re looking for a change. Alternatively, if you’re introducing yourself to an industry peer, the elevator speech should likely speak more to your current position and passions.

Keep in mind elevator speeches aren’t restricted to merely face-to-face interactions; they can also help tremendously when connecting with professionals on LinkedIn, or can even serve as a compelling and concise written biography on various online platforms. Additionally, an elevator speech made over a video chat or Zoom call works just as well.

Elevator pitch tips

• Practice makes perfect: While many people prefer “winging it” when it comes to important meetings, it’s advisable to take some time practicing your elevator speech. Statements often sound better in our heads than they do in the cold light of day. Consider asking a friend, loved one, or co-worker to help you prepare.

• Get persuasive: While an elevator pitch should be more casual than commandeering, remember you’re still selling yourself. Be sure to frame everything you say in a positive light.

• Slow and steady wins the race: Don’t bring a stopwatch with you to deliver each elevator speech. Talking too fast, or appearing especially rushed or frantic, is a surefire way to derail an interaction near instantly.

• End with a question or CTA: An elevator speech is all about fostering new connections, so try to always end yours with some type of way to extend the conversation at a later date. This can be as simple as asking for a business card, asking to schedule a follow-up meeting, or expressing interest in a newly posted position.

Elevator pitch examples

• “Hi there! My name is Kaitlin and it’s fantastic to meet you. I recently graduated with an MBA in management consulting and am particularly passionate about helping clients reach their goals through the right leadership tactics. I was impressed with your extensive accomplishments as a consultant yourself and was hoping we could connect on LinkedIn. If any positions in your organization become available I hope you’ll keep me in mind.”

• “It’s a pleasure to finally meet in person, and I just wanted to say thanks again for taking the time to see me today. I believe my background and prior accomplishments in digital marketing lend themselves perfectly to the position you’re looking to fill. I’m also especially interested in the ecological initiatives and partnerships your firm has rolled out in recent months. I believe there’s potential for a successful crossover advertising campaign highlighting the great work you’re doing.”

• “I’m Richard, and I just wanted to say I really enjoyed your presentation earlier today on the changing dynamics of elder law. I recently moved my legal practice to Wisconsin and I’m looking to build out a local network of like-minded attorneys. Here’s my business card. I’d love to stay in touch!”