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How to give a speech about your job.

Talking about what you do, on the surface, seems like it should be an easy task. After all, you spend more than 40 hours a week focusing on your profession. But giving a speech about your job can be a tricky undertaking. If you aren’t used to speaking in front of large audiences or if the demographic for the speech differs from those you interact with daily, it might feel like a monumental task. Keep some key pointers in mind to ensure you wow the audience and clearly get your points across.

How Do You Write an Elevator Speech About Yourself?

If you’re a fan of the TV show “Shark Tank,” you’re probably familiar with the “elevator pitch” that entrepreneur-contestants give to the judges to introduce themselves and their product. Think of a speech about yourself and your work in the same way. Regardless of the length of the speech on your career journey, whether it’s 3 minutes or 30, ensure that you clearly talk about who you are, why you’re an expert on the topic and include digestible information that’s useful to the audience.

Understand the Audience

Before you can provide information that’s helpful to the audience, you need to understand who is sitting in the darkened seats. Consider the following likely audiences:

• College students or recent graduates : Focus your speech on actionable information about how you landed your job, what kind of preparation is needed for the job (think coursework or internships), and real-world advice that will help others transition from student to professional.
• Your peers : If you’re speaking at an industry conference or in front of a group of related professionals, you won’t need to lay out how you landed your job ‒ they’ve likely done the same. Tips are more useful to this audience: how you’re succeeding in the field, how to deal with common frustrations in your profession, other go-to resources that are helpful in career growth and aspirational career speech topics. 
• Executives or senior management : Maybe your boss tapped you to give a short speech about your department or your specific role at the company. At large organizations, it’s common for senior management to have quarterly or annual meetings with various departments to understand what’s working, what needs improvement, get a pulse on employee satisfaction and try to gain a 360-degree view of the organization. For a speech or presentation like this, keep it high level, insert any useful metrics, and focus on one or two key points. 

Determine the Goal of the Speech

After you understand whom you’re talking to, you need to determine the goal of your speech. What are two or three key points you want the audience to walk away knowing? It could be that you want recent graduates to understand how to interview and land a job in your field, or you might want stressed-out peers to understand three key points for hitting key targets with smaller budgets. Once you know the goals, be sure to clearly outline those points in your speech. This isn’t the place where you should be vague ‒ be direct in explaining the how, what and why to achieve these goals.

Lead With a Strong Hook

After you introduce yourself and title, get creative. Don’t list off your qualifications and job titles as if you were reading from a resume. This hook is one of the most important parts of getting people excited and tuned in to what you have to say. You have about 30 to 60 seconds to grasp the audience’s attention. Ways to get people on the edge of their seats include:

• Opening with an anecdote about how you overcame a massive challenge in your career.
• Listing an impressive accomplishment . “Employee of the month” does not count, but do note if you were one of the first or only people in your profession to accomplish something notable. 
• Stating a controversial or contrarian view to a topic that’s important in your industry. But don’t just list an opposing opinion; you’ll need to follow up with evidence as to why your differing view is legitimate.
• Revealing a dramatic statistic or data point that’s likely not common knowledge to the audience.

Use Classic Storytelling Techniques

While a bold statistic or anecdote is a good opener and a perfect way to get the audience’s attention, you then need to keep it. Don’t turn your time on stage into a listing of data points the audience can Google. Instead, use tried-and-true storytelling techniques that take the audience on a journey. Think back to literature class. A basis story contains:

• Narrator or characters to help provide perspective for the audience and make them more personally invested. 
• Setting , which helps the audience become more immersed in the place the speech about your job takes place.
• Plot , explaining what happens to whom and when.
• Conflict between the narrator (you) and any number of things: nature, other people or broader industry issues. In short, what kind of struggle did you face, even if small, and how did you overcome it?
• Theme that ties the entire story together. Maybe the theme is about teamwork or transitioning careers. Whatever it is, ensure that your speech stays focused on elements that all relate to the central theme. 

Exude Emotion

This is where it might be helpful to practice in front of a mirror. When you’re giving a speech about your job, be emotional in a way that’s appropriate to the audience. If you’ve overcome career struggles, make sure your facial expressions and tone of voice reflect the material. If you’re urging your peers to fight against an unjust industry practice, do so with measured emotion that reflects how much you care, but without using profanity or unprofessional language.

Include Vibrant Career Speech Topics

Think about other speeches you’ve heard that really moved you. Or, maybe you read an industry newsletter or website that included topics that inspired you to click, open and finish reading . Use those guidelines when thinking about the topics to include in your speech. If you’re excited about a topic or trend in your industry, it’s likely others in the audience are too. If you’re drawing a blank, take a look at a leading business magazine or trade publication and scan to see which topics have the most comments or the topics that appear issue after issue, or even think about the personal questions you often receive in your position.

How to Find Career Speech Examples

As you put pen to paper or gifs to PowerPoint slides, there are places to go for inspiration on topics, speech presentation tips, and ways to include media (beyond slides) that feel fresh and engaging.

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit organization, with regional chapters across the country that promotes and fosters communication and public speaking skills.

TED, the nonprofit behind the now-famous TED Talks, has a mission of spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful speeches.

Related Articles

Expository speech topics →.

How to Give a Career Perspective Speech →

How to Answer Questions in Narrative Form →

How to Write a Keynote Speech →

How to Write a Brief Job Bio on Yourself →

• Inc: How to Hook Your Audience Within the First 60 Seconds
• TED: Before Public Speaking

Kristin Amico is a career and business writer who spent more than a decade managing creative teams at digital agencies. She has written for The Muse, The Independent and USA Today.

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20 Career Speech: Tell Them Who You Are and Why You Matter to Them

A very excited college senior came to me and said, “Dr. Meade, I have the opportunity of a lifetime, will you please help me?” She went on to tell me she was a finalist for a very prestigious internship with a major magazine in New York. They were flying her out at the end of the month where she and three other finalists would each make a 3-5 minute presentation. The prompt was, “Tell us about yourself.”  Her dream internship hung on the outcome of her three-minute speech. That was a lot of pressure. There wasn’t a lot of information out there on how to succeed at such as speech, so I pulled resources from career centers, from persuasion theory, and from models of good speech practice and created a template for her. It worked– she got the internship! Since that time, more students have come with similar speech tasks, and each time we have applied this template with great success.

There are many ways employers determine which person is the right candidate for a particular position. You are likely familiar with the cover letters, resumes, and interviews, however, the concept of giving a speech as part of an interview may be new to you.

Let me share a few examples of what this speech “looks like.”

Example from a Student

E-MAIL FROM A STUDENT:

I learned a ton last semester and I have my first chance to put your teachings to work in a real-world situation. I recently interviewed with a company (XXX Oil Services) and what do you know I got called back for another interview! They are flying me out to Houston, and they will hold interviews over two days. Part of the requirements for the interview process is that I give a 5-7 minute speech. Here is a little sample of the e-mail they have sent me, and I have attached a short PowerPoint© guideline they have sent as well:

Student Presentations As part of the interview process, you are required to do a 5 – 7 minute presentation about your life accomplishments. Please review the attached PowerPoint for details and bring your presentation on a flash drive to your interview. Please prepare a presentation (5-7 minutes) in which you

Summarize the accomplishments of your life so far,

Explain what your goals are and

Demonstrate that you are the ideal candidate for XXX  Services

Example from a Human Resource Manager Regarding an Oral Resume

We give candidates 30 minutes to prepare for the exercise, but we have already informed the candidates that they should put together an oral resume presentation ahead of time.  That is to say, a few weeks prior to the assessment center I meet with the candidates and tell them that they will have this exercise.  They should put together a presentation of about 8 minutes in length that presents their qualifications for the job.  I typically emphasize that a simple listing of every course they’ve ever taken or every certification they hold is not very effective.  Instead, they should focus on how both their educational and experiential backgrounds have contributed to who they are, how they perform in their current position, and how they will perform in their promoted position. During the 30 minute preparation period, candidates are given the instructions that tell them they will have 8 minutes for their initial presentation on their resume (this time varies depending on the overall length of the exercise and maybe as long as 15 minutes), and the remaining 12 minutes (or longer depending on the overall length of the exercise) will be devoted to answering the interview questions which are presented to them on the next page.  Typically, for a 12-minute answer period, we would provide them 4 interview questions. We inform them both during the candidate orientations and the instructions that the assessors will be asking follow-up questions.  I believe this is an essential aspect of a good oral resume and a good assessment center.  I encourage follow-up questions from the assessors.  So often it is not the initial response that is revealing but rather the candidate’s rationale behind the decision that is so important in evaluating the candidate.

Example from a Career Services Specialist

I interviewed Renee Clay Director for Career Services and Students Programs, Walton Career Services and she said companies are asking students to give speeches at follow-up interviews. She said she has even encountered situations where they ask applicants to give a ten-minute speech on a topic of their choice.

What does this look like in the “Real World”?

• Companies are using career speech by asking applicants to give a speech with the prompt: Why are you a good fit for this company?
• Religious groups (Mostly, Christian Churches) are using career speeches by asking the applicants to give a speech with the prompt: What is your ministry philosophy?
• Educational groups are asking future teaches to give a career speech with the prompt: Show us a lesson plan and talk us through the pedagogy.
• Not for Profits are using this career speech by asking applicants to give a speech with a prompt: Tell us how your ideals align with our mission statement.
• Internships are using career speeches by asking applicants to give a career speech with prompts such as the following: What do you hope to get out of this internship?

This Speech Is Important

This may be one of the most important speeches you have to give.  Most of you will spend four to six years in college and this is the speech that can make all that studying finally pay off.  Resist the temptation to under prepare for this speech. Don’t put it off and don’t let the fear of failure or fear of success stop you from giving the best speech possible. You should put more work into this speech than the papers and tests you did in college.  “Procrastination is the fear of success,” according to motivational speaker Denis Waitley. “People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the ‘someday I’ll’ philosophy.”

Let’s get started on building the speech.

Step One: Learn Everything You Can About the Company.

All good speeches begin with knowing your audience. Start with the job posting and write down the specific things they are looking for. What are the specific skills, what values are represented, what can you learn about the company from what they say about themselves in the job posting?  Go to the company’s mission and values statement and add it to your research. If it is a larger company, look at the individual division and research its mission and purpose. If you are a college student, check with your career services office and see what information they know about the company. Many career service groups keep databases on major companies and what they look for in candidates, who they know are alums, and many even have lists of the most frequently asked items in their interviews.

If possible, find out who will be listening to your speech. Lauren Rivera, Associate Professor of Management and Organization conducted 120 interviews of hiring professionals and found interviewers are looking for people who are similar to themselves. She suggests there are three reasons for this:  (1)  interviewers believe the person will be the best fit, (2) interviewers look for people who define merit the same way that they do because it validates their own self-image, and (3) interviewers get excited about candidates that share their same passions. The more you know about those doing the interview, the more you can make connections.

You have three goals at this point:

• Research the company so you can make direct references to it in your speech.
• Familiarize yourself with the core competencies they are looking for so that you can match them to your skillset.
• Learn enough about the company and interviewees so you can find similarities.

Step Two: Brainstorm What You Have to Offer

They liked your resume, they interviewed you, and now they are inviting you back to see if you are a good fit for the company. At this point, it does not benefit you to stand and reread your resume to them.  You are qualified or they would not ask you back for another interview.  They want to know you will pull your weight in the company, but they also want to know if you are someone they would want to spend time with at the office and after work. Now, they are trying to decide if they LIKE. Y ou should pass the  Airport, Holiday Party, and Convention Tests.

• Would the interviewer want to be stranded in an airport in a snowstorm with you?
• Would the interviewer want to introduce their family to you at the holiday party?
• Would they want to have dinner with you at the three-day business convention?

Your goal is to be MEMORABLE, LIKABLE, and to DEMONSTRATE you have characteristics they NEED. In order to do that, you need to take a good, hard look at what you have to offer and I’m not talking about your previous jobs or even your GPA.

1. Take Personality, Leadership, and Career Assessment Tests

I suggest taking a version of the Myers-Briggs, Jung Typology. http://www.humanmetrics.com/personality.  *  Use the results to highlight some strengths you might not have thought of in your brainstorming. Once you get your results, cut and paste them into a document and highlight everything that applies to you that might be of value to the employer. For example, when I look up my type it says that I am creative and I like to come up with original solutions. Yes, that fits.

Let’s work with that for now. If I am trying to think of attributes that stand out about me, my creativity and ingenuity might be something that I want to highlight. I would check that attribute against what the company looks for and if it were something that the position would require, then I might decide to develop that. I will write that on my list of possible things to focus on–CREATIVITY and INGENUITY.

Take a variety of tests that you have access to.  Consider taking a leadership test and a personality test. If you are a college student, your career center likely has paid for those tests so you can take them.  If you have access to Strengths Quest© ,  Enneagram©, or the Myers-Briggs© Test, take them.  Use whatever test you can access to complete a worksheet of your strengths.

2. Ask Your Friends, Family, and Coworkers

Find those who know you and ask them a series of questions. Resist the temptation to disagree or defend when they share, just listen, and write the responses.

What could I bring to ___ company? Why would someone hire someone like me? What would set me apart from other candidates? What do you think is my strongest attribute?

3. Figure Out What Gets You Up in the Morning

A career advisor for the Walton College of Business asks students, “What gets you up in the morning?” and “What is your why?”  Think about what really drives you and make it part of the story you tell.

Step Three: Match Your Strengths to What the Company Needs

Now comes the deep thinking. Look at some of the words that came out from your personality tests and from the words that your friends used to describe you.  Look at what special qualities you have to offer. How can you match those with what the company is looking for? How do they relate to the core competencies that the company needs?   Try to find three strengths about you that will be valuable to the company.

Most speech prompts (and interview questions) can be answered with “these are my three strengths.”

Question: Tell me about yourself.

Answer: These are the strengths that set me apart.

Question: Why should I give you the job over someone else?

Question: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Answer: These are the strengths that set me apart and where they will take me.

Question: Why do you think you are a good fit for the company?

Answer: These are the strengths that make me a good fit.

Question: What is your leadership style?

Answer: These are the strengths that make me this type of leader.

Most of the time, you can develop your career speech by highlighting your three main strengths. It is worth mentioning that when colleges poll employers and ask them what they are looking for, they list problem-solving skills and the ability to work as a team at the top of the list. If these would be considered valuable where you are interviewing, you should talk about those.

Figure 1: Attributes Employers Seek on a Candidate’s Resume

Source:  Job Outlook 2020 , National Association of Colleges and Employers

Step Four: Develop Your Strengths into a Narrative

Let’s face it. Most of the time, the answers people give whether in an interview or speech are boring, they lack substance, and they sound like a form letter. “I am a people person who demonstrates good customer service. I believe in hard work and ….bla, bla, bla.” Meaningless words bounce off the ears. Nothing memorable.

If you want to be remembered, tell a story. First, start with your attribute. I had a student who said he was hard-working. He was worried because he didn’t have any “real” work experience they might not think of him as hard-working. Once we brainstormed, he realized that he spent every summer on his grandpa’s cattle farm. He was out mending fences before the sun rose and many days he would work until dark. He said, “Cows don’t care what day of the week it is.”  He told a story about how his grandfather taught him to work hard and how it was a family legacy to take pride in the work that was done–hard work was a badge of honor. By the time he was done with his story, I would have hired him for just about anything. By storytelling, he convinced me that he would give it his all. He didn’t tell me he was a hard worker, he proved he was a hard worker. His story was detailed enough that we could see him in our mind’s eye. He told a story we could remember. The added benefit of storytelling is that stories make us feel something. When your story is done, the audience doesn’t just know something about you, they feel something about you.

Anytime you apply for a position, think about the people tasked with listening to interviews all day long.  Get into their heads. The fact they need to hire someone means work is not getting done. Maybe, they are having to do extra work until you are hired. Maybe this is a new position, and they are hoping to make changes in the company once they get someone hired. The fact they are hiring often means they have a lot going on and they are eager to get it going, but they also may be feeling cautious because they need to find the right person.  In addition, to meeting with you, they have to do their own job, answer their own emails, deal with customers or coworkers, and figure out what to make for dinner. They may even have to coach the soccer team or volunteer at the food bank.  You get it– they are busy. They are busy, they may be stressed so do them a favor and make it easy for them to listen. Be interesting. Do not waste their time.

Imagine when you are writing this speech, that in addition to listening to you, they must listen to at least three other speeches. Imagine after hearing all these speeches that they are going to do their job, go home and do their home time, listen to the news on the way to work, and then come back 24 hours later to make their decision. After time and all those distractions, will they remember you and your strengths? If you only said, “I’m hardworking,” then probably not. If you told a story proving you are hardworking, they will remember your story; they will remember you, and they might even tell someone about this incredible presentation they heard.

When building this story, it can be one big story that hits on the three strengths that you want them to remember, or it can be three stories–one for each strength. I once had a student who took the three main ideas from the company’s mission statement and told one story of how she exemplified each of those. It was very direct and very audience-centered, and she used that speech to start a new career with her dream company right out of college.

If you are successful, any person listening should be able to repeat your main strengths and repeat your story.  Most importantly, they should feel you are competent and motivated.

Step Five: Start Writing and Write it Bird by Bird

It is hard to write about yourself and you are going to have to summons the courage to do it well. Writer Anne Lamont writes about this struggle.

Every writer you know writes really terrible first drafts, but they keep their butt in the chair. That’s the secret of life. That’s probably the main difference between you and them. They just do it. They do it by prearrangement with themselves. They do it as a debt of honor. They tell stories that come through them one day at a time, little by little. When my older brother was in fourth grade, he had a term paper on birds due the next day, and he hadn’t started. So my dad sat down with him with an Audubon book, paper, pencils, and brads — for those of you who have gotten a little less young and remember brads — and he said to my brother, “Just take it bird by bird, buddy. Just read about pelicans and then write about pelicans in your own voice. And then find out about chickadees, and tell us about them in your own voice. And then geese.” So, the two most important things about writing are bird by bird and really god-awful first drafts. If you don’t know where to start, remember that every single thing that happened to you is yours, and you get to tell it.

You too should write your really terrible first draft and you should tell a story in your own voice. With all your research in front of you, you should start writing bird by bird, story by story.

Step Six: Begin Strong

The very first sentence of your speech should be powerful. You should pluck that sentence out and you should test it on a trusted mentor. Each word in that sentence should be intentional. Soon after that strong first sentence should be your name. You want them to link the strength of those words with your name. You should memorize your opening so you can deliver it with strength.

I didn’t choose teaching, teaching chose me.  When I came home from kindergarten, I set up school in the back yard and taught the neighborhood kids their ABC’s. I guess you could say, I’ve always been a teacher. Good morning, my name is Frankie Lane, and I want to tell you why I am a good fit for the teaching position. As a teacher, I am enthusiastic, innovative, and encouraging and I would like to demonstrate those attributes to you today.  The regional manager flew into Northwest Arkansas to meet with me. He flew in so he could ask me face to face how my sales strategy resulted in 12% increase in computer sales. He brought with him a team that was ready to listen.  My name is Bob Smith, and I would like to share with you what three things I shared with them that day.  If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, and become more, you are a leader. John Quincy Adams.  I believe this quote summarize my leadership philosophy that I want to share with you today. Good morning my name is Frankie Lane, and I would like to tell you how this quote defines my leadership style and why I am a good fit for Amazing Example Company.

Not only should that first sentence be written to have an impact, but it should also be delivered well. Memorize your opening. Know it so well that you could recite it easily. Practice it in the car, practice it in the shower, practice it while talking to your pet.  Resist the temptation to start with “ok so” or “um.” You have been working up to this speech all your adult life, you spent hours studying for tests, writing papers, and completing assignments so you could get to this moment. You owe it to yourself to put in the work and to make this speech work for you.

Step Seven: Refer to the Company Throughout

Remember,  this is not really a speech about you, it is a speech about them and what they need.  Because of this, it is important to talk about the company throughout your speech. “As I was researching your company, I came across a headline that said you were developing one of the largest interactive art displays in the area. As a consumer of outdoor art, I…” or “Your organization’s commitment to the environment is inspiring. I became active in environmental issues as part of a collegewide initiative…” A career services specialist suggests, “Don’t tell me who you are, tell me why you matter to me.”

A common mistake is when speakers act as if they are informing the audience instead of talking to an audience that is familiar. Let me explain. I had a student say, Walmart’s mission statement is “to save people money so they can live better.” This sounds like the speaker is informing the audience of something they should already know. Instead, they should say “as you already know…” or “we can agree on a key component of the mission statement.”

Step Eight: Practice Your Speech

You have researched the company and decided on how to present yourself.  Make yourself brief notecards outlining your presentation and begin practicing. You need to practice your speech enough that you could say most of it without notes. Memorize the opening and the closing because those can be the most difficult parts and tend to be the places where the audience is most likely to build impressions of you. If you are required to use presentation slides, be sure to practice with your slides, and perfect the timing. ( For more help on slides refer to the chapter: Making Presentation Slides)

In addition to practicing by yourself, you should practice your speech in front of a trusted professional and ask them for honest and detailed feedback. You should also record your speech and watch it as if you were the hiring team. Oftentimes when I practice, I will draw a smiley face on a piece of paper and put a name under it President of the company, and then another with a smiley face and a name, future co-worker. It reminds me that I’m not delivering to a wall but to people. When you practice, tape your smiley audience around the room and speak to them directly, “The director of development will be happy to know that I have successfully…”

For more: Refer to the Chapter on Delivery Advice: Do Not Imagine the Audience Naked! Managing Eye Contact, Movement, and Gestures

Step Nine: End Strong

The very last sentence is where you “seal the deal.” Most of the time, this sentence will not come easily. I once read a book where the writer talked about sitting on the floor rocking back and forth wondering why she even bothered and why nothing good was coming to mind. Maybe writing the closing, is not quite that hard for you, but it will be for the rest of us. We will feel self-doubt and inadequacy and will even question why we are bothering in the first place.  If that happens to you, walk away and do something you love, and remember your “Why.” Why are you pushing yourself? Remember how hard you worked to get here. Remember what gets you up in the morning. After you walked off the self-doubt, come back and write that perfect ending. Look at the last three words and make sure they are words with power.

Example from a Career Speech

SPEECH OPENING

A job isn’t just a job. It’s who you are. I’m Kelsey Gomez, and today, I’m not going to tell you why I think I’m best suited for this job—I know I am. Instead, I’m here to prove to you that this isn’t just a job to me, it’s a position that I feel best brings out what I was born to do in life. Company’s Name is working to make America a better place to be a child and raise a family.  To do this, a person needs to have passion, strong communication skills, enthusiasm to learn and gain experience, and the flexibility to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment—and here’s how I possess all of these qualities.

She told 3 stories to prove her attributes

SPEECH CLOSING

  My whole life, I never dreamed of success—I worked for it.  I did this by helping others, educating myself, and handling everything that came my way with poise and determination. A job isn’t just a job, it’s who you are. And, who I am is a passionate, flexible, and driven person who yearns to make a difference in people’s lives.  The best way to predict the future is to create it.  And I believe, if you hire me, Company’s Name and I can create something worthwhile.

Step Ten: Present the Total Package

Your speech begins the moment they see you. Your “speech” begins whether you are speaking or not. I once worked for a firm that would have candidates wait in a waiting room before the interview. The administrative assistant would offer them water while they waited. Little did the job candidates know that the assistant was taking notes on their behavior in the waiting room. Were they polite when offered a drink? Were they poised while in the waiting room? Were they prepared? Another strategy I have witnessed firsthand is a business that had applicants write something, if they had to borrow a pen, they clearly weren’t prepared. I’ve even heard of interviewers who watched the applicant pull up to see if the person’s car is clean. It does little good to say you pay attention to details and drive up in a dirty car.

Potential employers begin sizing you up immediately. Are you dressed properly? Are your shoes clean?  Are you sitting attentively? Are you preoccupied with your phone in the waiting room? Are you walking with confidence? Are you picking your nails? Are you listening respectfully? Everything they see you do or say is part of the interview.

In nonverbal communication terms, trappings are those artifacts that enact stereotypes–a stethoscope around the neck means the person is a doctor or nurse, a briefcase means the person is a business professional.  It will benefit you to consider trappings and what yours say about you.  Think about the difference between a sports watch and a fancy watch and the message it sends. Depending on the job, one may be preferred. For example, I had a student who researched the group she was interviewing with and realized that high fashion handbags seemed to be important. She borrowed a friends’ name-brand bag and then was delighted when someone in the group commented about it in the interview meeting. She wrote me a message afterward that said, “They hired me over other candidates who had higher GPA’s and more experience and I think it is because I researched them so well that I knew what they were looking for. I really think my bag helped close the deal.”

It is worth noting that many career specialists suggest not carrying a bag–in this situation it was an intentional decision based on her research. 

Dress the part. Research the standard dress for the organization. Be cautious, however, because they may wear athleisure wear to work each day, but they expect job candidates to wear a suit for interviews. As a college student, you have a big advantage because you likely have a career center that keeps records of the clothing suggestions for interviewing and many will even have places that will loan you professional clothing items for interviews.  Pay close attention to your shoes–they are very important. If at all possible, buy new shoes.  Yes, it may be an expensive item, but so was your education. Time and time again human resources directors and career specialists tell me that the way that people know whether you pay attention to important details is to look at their shoes.

Handshake Matters

In American business, you should shake hands with the interviewer and key members of the group. Several things go into a good handshake. First is the condition of your hand.  You should have neatly manicured nails and clean hands. If you are prone to have sweaty hands, it is a good idea to keep a napkin in your pocket to wipe the sweat off your hand before you shake.

Next, have a firm but not overly aggressive grip. When you reach for someone’s hand, you should open your hand wide enough that the web of skin between your pointer finger and thumb is aiming for the web of their hand. Hands should be so neither person’s hand is on top. Pump your hand two to three times.  When you shake hands, look them in the eye and try to say the person’s name and something nice. “Mr. Jackson, I am so glad to have the opportunity to talk with you today. ”

When you shake hands with someone that it gives them a positive feeling (if it is an appropriate handshake). When you attach that handshake with their name, you activate even more positive feelings. Research even suggests that other people in the room who see you give a nice handshake will get positive feelings about you. Before an interview, it is a good idea to practice your handshake with friends.

Finally, handshakes vary by culture, so if you are interviewing in a different culture, you should research greeting traditions.

Career speeches are always about you being the best version of yourself. I never have more self-doubt than when I’m doing a job search. I usually have to remind myself that I am smart enough and good enough to apply for this job.

I want you to know, you are good enough. You have worked hard to get here, you are ready.  I give you permission to be powerful and confident–it’s time to shine.

Bonus Feature Presenting Academic Research at Conferences or at Job Talks

MIT Professor, Patrick Winston talks about the basics of public speaking and then gives his students advice on how to give a research talk or job talk. If you are headed to a conference or if you are showing your research at a conference, watch this talk for some great advice.

Key Takeaways

Remember This!

• A career speech is not the place you recite your resume, but rather it is where you prove your strengths.
• Telling a story helps your audience remember you.

åström, J. (1994). Introductory greeting behavior: A laboratory investigation of approaching and closing salutation phases. Perceptual and Motor Skills ,  79 (2), 863–897.  https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1994.79.2.863

Barrick, M. R., Swider, B. W., & Stewart, G. L. (2010). Initial evaluations in the interview: Relationships with subsequent interviewer evaluations and employment offers.  Journal of Applied Psychology, 95 , 1163–1172. doi:10.1037/a0019918

Chaplin, W. F., Phillips, J. B., Brown, J. D., Clanton, N. R., & Stein, J. L. (2000). Handshaking, gender, personality, and first impressions.  Journal of personality and social psychology ,  79 (1), 110–117. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.79.1.110 Available online: https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp791110.pdf

Clay, R.  Director for Career Services and Students Programs, Walton Career Services. (2020). Personal Interview.

Ellis, D. A., & Jenkins, R. (2015). Watch-wearing as a marker of conscientiousness.  PeerJ ,  3 , e1210. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1210

Renee Clay Director for Career Services and Students Programs, Walton Career Services. Personal Interview. November 22, 2020.

Dougherty, T. W., Turban, D. B., & Callender, J. C. (1994). Confirming first impressions in the employment interview: A field study of interviewer behavior.  Journal of Applied Psychology ,  79 , 659–665. DOI:  10.1037//0021-9010.79.5.659

Interviewing Skills. Walton College of Business Website. https://walton.uark.edu/career/students/interviewing.php 

Lamont, Anne, Twelve truths I learned from life and writing. TED Talk Feb 12, 2019. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.dailygood.org/story/2187/12-truths-i-learned-from-life-and-writing-anne-lamott/

National Association of College and Employers. (2020). The top attributes employers want to see on resumes. https://www.naceweb.org/about-us/press/2020/the-top-attributes-employers-want-to-see-on-resumes/

Rivera, L. (2013). Hirable like me. https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/hirable_like_me

Winston, P. (2019). How to speak by Patrick Winston. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unzc731iCUY

* (I could write an entire chapter on how a test can never tell you who you are, and I could debate the validity of most of these tests, but that won’t be necessary, because the way that I have you use it, it will be valuable. I don’t want the tests to tell you who you are or who you can be. I want you to look at the results of these tests and look at what you think fits. )

Media Attributions

• Man carrying a briefcase © Marten Bjork is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license
• tom-rogerson–PYkAUIVi_M-unsplash © Tom Rogerson
• Professional in front of a whiteboard © ThisisEngineering RAEng is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license
• Two women professionally dressed © Christina is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license

Advanced Public Speaking Copyright © 2021 by Lynn Meade is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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How to Give a Great Elevator Pitch (With Examples)

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How to Give a Great Elevator Pitch (With Examples) was originally published on Forage .

Though people are complex and so much more than just their jobs, in a new social situation you’re often asked, “So, what do you do?” or “What are you majoring in?” While you probably have a stock answer ready to go (I’m in sales; I’m majoring in English), the person asking may be able to help you achieve your career goals — but they won’t know unless you’ve got an elevator pitch ready to go.

An elevator pitch is an enticing and interesting three or four-sentence summary of you. But you do more than talk about yourself. Your elevator pitch gets the listener interested in what you’re capable of.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

What Is an Elevator Pitch?

How to write an elevator pitch, elevator pitch examples, elevator pitch bonus tips.

Mike Gardon of CareerCloud sums up elevator pitches like this: “When meeting someone for the first time, we all get asked what we do, right? Well, an elevator pitch is how you answer that question.”

At its core, an elevator pitch is a brief synopsis of who you are and what you do (or are trying to do). It’s named so because of the idea that you’re in an elevator with the one person who can make your career dreams come true. You’ve got the length of that elevator ride (approximately 30 seconds) to convince that person to keep listening to you.

Why You Need an Elevator Pitch (and When You’ll Use It)

In many respects, an elevator pitch is all about you. And though it may seem strange — uncomfortable even — to talk about yourself, a well-designed elevator pitch starts with you and ends with the listener.

Gardon explains, “The elevator pitch is designed to engage the person with whom you are communicating, and get them to take some next action. Think about it like this: if you were writing an email, the elevator pitch would be the subject line plus the next couple of lines that are shown in an inbox. The purpose is to get the recipient to open the email.”

In the case of your elevator pitch, you’re attempting to spark a longer conversation (or later meeting) with someone who could potentially help you professionally.

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Your elevator pitch comes in handy when you’re looking for a job. But you’ll also use various versions of your elevator pitch in situations like:

• Networking events
• Prospecting for new sales and clients
• When you’re interviewing and asked, “Tell me about yourself.”
• As the “about me” on LinkedIn, Twitter, or other social media page
• In the summary of qualifications on your resume

How Long Should an Elevator Pitch Be?

While elevator ride times vary, the general rule of thumb is that an elevator pitch is no longer than 30 seconds, which means your pitch needs to be concise.

So, you can’t include every accomplishment from your last three jobs, just the top most recent ones. As you’re honing your pitch, write it down and limit yourself to four sentences. This will help you focus on your top highlights.

In general, an elevator pitch includes four essential elements: who you are, what you do, what’s unique about you, and what your “ask” is. Though the “meat” of your pitch likely doesn’t change often, you should prepare multiple elevator pitches that you can tailor to your situation.

For example, if you’re a student, the pitch you use at a career fair may not be the same one you use at a networking event. Likewise, if you’re changing careers, you may need to switch up what your “ask” is depending on who you talk to.

Gardon offers an example. “I wear so many different hats and am involved in different businesses. So, if I want someone to be a guest on my podcast, I might tell them how we’ve done over 400 episodes, instead of telling them that I’m a former derivatives trader.”

Also, while the below elements are crucial, they can go in almost any order. While a good elevator pitch usually begins with your name, you may find that listing your skills before your accomplishments is better for your pitch.

Part 1: Who Are You?

Your elevator pitch starts with your name, of course, but also consider throwing in a “hook” that gives the person you’re speaking with an opening to ask you questions. Here are some examples:

“I’m [your name], a recent graduate of [university] with a degree in [your degree].”

“My name is [your name] and I’m a junior at [university] majoring in [your major].”

“I’m [your name] and while I’m currently in product development, I’ve decided I want to change gears and go into graphic design.”

Part 2: What Do You Do?

The second part of your elevator pitch explains what you do. However, you shouldn’t limit yourself to a job title. This is the place to mention one outstanding accomplishment from your job, internship, or even a class that will wow your listener.

Like all parts of your elevator speech, this needs to be brief, but it should also be detailed and help the listener get an idea of what you’re capable of:

“During my marketing internship at [name of company], I grew social media engagement by 43%, which resulted in an uptick in newsletter sign-ups year over year.”

“Our business is small, but that lets us have more personal interaction, which has helped us keep a small but loyal and profitable client base for 15 years.”

“After learning about the stock market, I wanted to test what I learned as well as my skills, so I created a mock portfolio that’s realized a 24% gain over the last year.”

Part 3: What’s Unique About You?

The next section of your elevator pitch includes something unique about you. While this can include specific skills, you can also trace your career path or accomplishments to illustrate how you use your skills.

Because you only have 30 seconds, you might be tempted to list your skills or accomplishments like a grocery list. But try to link them to an outcome or something you can do.

“I enjoy analyzing data and using the results to plan my content calendar, including social media posts.”

“I worked on my college newspaper, starting on the sports beat, eventually moving my way up to chief editor.”

The first example mentions one skill (data analysis ) and two outcomes (planning the content calendar and social media posts). The second example doesn’t mention any skills but illustrates the speaker’s career path (sports beat to chief editor), demonstrating an increase in skills and responsibilities.

>>>>>> Ready to level-up your data analysis skills? Try the Data & Analytics Virtual Work Experience

Part 4: Call to Action (or What’s Your Ask?)

The final part of your elevator pitch includes a call to action. Or, more specifically, what are you asking for?

Much like networking, you may not want to blurt out “a job!” even if that’s your desired outcome. This section is what you hope will happen, which could be a job, internship, or just a new networking connection.

“I would love to speak to you about being a potential mentor, if you have time.”

“I’d like to follow up with you about how I can get involved in and conduct summer research.”

“Can you tell me how you decided on [this] career?”

Each of these invites the listener to continue engaging with you either right now or in the future. 

Optional Part 5: Something Memorable

Finally, depending on the situation, you might want to include something memorable in your pitch. This is situation-dependent and only something you should do if you’re comfortable.

For example, the pitch on Gardon’s LinkedIn profile says, “Earned the Title ‘World Champion Funniest Person In The World (to my kids)’ 10 years running.”

Of course, not everyone can be the “Funniest Person in the World,” but your memorable moment could be your love of science fiction, who your favorite author is, or the fact that you just adopted a cat.

Here’s what all the elements look like when you put them together:

“I’m David, a rising senior at XYZ University and an education major. I spent last year student teaching at my old high school, and it was quite the experience being on the other side. I’m graduating in the spring and am looking to teach high school biology.”

“I’m Ella, and I’m currently an individual contributor at XYZ company running the social media accounts. I use Google Analytics to analyze and improve content performance, and my personal TikTok has XXX followers. I’m looking to move to a leadership role at a mid to large-size company where I can mentor others.”

“I’m Mike and I’m a sophomore at XYZ university. When I was a kid, I really wanted to communicate with animals, which is partly why I’m majoring in zoology. I’m not sure what career is best suited for me. Can you tell me how you ended up in yours?”

Once you’ve written (and rewritten) your elevator pitch, you’re almost ready to try it out. Before you do, though, ensure your delivery is memorable — for the right reasons!

• Practice. Practice makes perfect, of course. And while you don’t want to sound too rehearsed, you also don’t want to trip over your pitch or start rambling. Practice in front of a mirror, with friends or family, or record yourself to make sure you’re getting it right.
• Time yourself. Thirty seconds can feel like forever or fly right by. Time yourself to make sure your pitch isn’t too long or too short, and adjust as necessary.
• Use your “excited” voice. While you’ll want to use your “inside voice,” vary your tone. When you give a rehearsed speech, it should be polished but not robotic. Try to bring some excitement to your voice as you speak.
• Speak slowly. You may want to cram as much as possible into your 30 seconds, but that could result in you speaking too quickly to try to get it all in, making it tough for the listener to understand you. As hard as it might be, stick to one or two main points.
• Maintain eye contact. While you don’t want to stare at the listener the whole time, you don’t want to stare at the floor either. Maintain the level of eye contact that feels normal and natural to you, and break eye contact when appropriate.

Make Your Pitch

An elevator pitch is useful in all sorts of professional (and even personal!) situations. By taking stock of what you do and what you want to do, you’ll find the perfect elements to include in yours and impress the next person you pitch it to.

Want more insights into creating the perfect pitch? Check out Ashurst’s Building Your Personal Brand Virtual Experience Program .

Image credit: Canva

The post How to Give a Great Elevator Pitch (With Examples) appeared first on Forage .

How Can I Talk About My Career and Ambitions in English?

@bear_in_the_dark - Growth Hackers

App to learn english

Discussing your career and ambitions in English is not only a great way to practice the language but also to share your professional aspirations and goals. Whether you’re networking, interviewing for a job, or simply talking with friends, being able to articulate your career path and ambitions in English is a valuable skill. Here’s how you can approach this topic, along with a short story for inspiration.

1. Start with Your Current Position or Role

• Example: Describe your current job and main responsibilities.
• Dialogue: “I work as a software developer at a tech company, focusing on mobile application development.”

2. Explain Why You Chose This Career

• Example: Share what motivated or inspired you to pursue your current profession.
• Dialogue: “I’ve always been fascinated by technology and problem-solving, which led me to a career in software development.”

3. Discuss Your Professional Skills

• Example: Mention specific skills or expertise you have developed.
• Dialogue: “Over the years, I’ve honed my skills in coding and team collaboration.”

4. Talk About Your Achievements

• Example: Highlight any significant accomplishments or milestones in your career.
• Dialogue: “One of my key achievements was leading a project that successfully developed a popular app.”

5. Share Your Future Goals and Ambitions

• Example: Describe where you see yourself in the future or any goals you are working towards.
• Dialogue: “My long-term goal is to become a lead developer and work on innovative tech solutions.”

6. Discuss Challenges and Learning Experiences

• Example: Reflect on any challenges you’ve faced and what you’ve learned from them.
• Dialogue: “Navigating tight deadlines has been challenging, but it’s taught me valuable time management skills.”

7. Use Relevant Vocabulary

• Example: Incorporate industry-specific terms and phrases where appropriate.
• Dialogue: “I’m currently learning more about agile software development methodologies.”

8. Practice with Role-Playing Scenarios

• Example: Engage in mock interviews or discussions to practice talking about your career.
• Dialogue: “In my English class, we do role-plays where I practice discussing my job and career goals.”

A Short Story: Maria’s Networking Event

Maria, an intermediate English learner, was preparing to attend a professional networking event. She was anxious about discussing her career in English. Maria used Metakgram to learn and practice key phrases related to her job as a marketing specialist. At the event, she confidently introduced herself, talked about her current role, her passion for digital marketing, and her aspiration to lead major advertising campaigns. Maria’s preparation paid off, as she was able to network effectively and make meaningful connections.

Benefits of Visual Tags

Metakgram’s visual tags can be highly beneficial for learning and recalling professional vocabulary, making discussions about careers and ambitions more fluid and confident.

Learn More with Metakgram

Ready to articulate your professional aspirations in English? Explore Metakgram! Our app’s unique approach with annotated flashcards and a focus on reading is ideal for mastering the language of your career. Visit our official website: Metakgram Official Website . Also, prepare for professional discussions with our app titled “Learn English with Annotated Flashcards” on Google Play: Download Metakgram on Google Play .

Talking about your career and ambitions in English opens new doors for professional growth and opportunities. With practice and the right resources, you can confidently share your career story and aspirations!

Written by @bear_in_the_dark - Growth Hackers

Personal Growth Hacking and Language learning is our passion. Our Flagman-apps are Brainlighter for Better Life and Metkagram. We share a lot. Join us

Text to speech

How to Talk about your Job in English

Are you working? Do you have a job? Do you know how to talk about your job in English?

In the following guide, I want to show you what to say and how to say it when talking about your job.

You may be required to talk about your job at a party or a social event. But you may also have to talk about your job if you are changing from one company to another and having interviews.

In any situation, if you are working you should be able to express yourself in English when talking about your job.

Let’s dive right in.

Table of Contents

Questions about Work

In a social setting — at a party or over dinner — someone may ask you about your job.

They could use one of the following questions:

• What do you do?
• What do you do for a living?
• What is your job?
• What line of work are you in?

All of these questions mean the same thing — what is your job?

The first question is probably the most universal question that people ask when talking about work and jobs.

Let’s look at how to answer these questions and provide more information about your job.

So what to say?

Well, you just say the name of your job.

• I’m a teacher
• I’m an engineer
• I’m a website designer
• I’m a bus driver
• I’m a project manager
• I’m a farmer

Whatever your job is, you just say the name of it as in the examples above.

I work for a …

Another way you could answer the question — what do you do? — is to say the kind of place where you work.

This may not tell the other person what your job is, but they can get a clearer picture of what kind of work you are in.

• I work for a community college
• I work for an online English company
• I work for a training company
• I work for the local council
• I work for myself

So if I were to say the first answer — I work for a community college — the other person might think I am a teacher, or maybe an assistant, or doing some administration work in the college.

But they would understand that I am working in a place of education.

If I said I work for the local council, they would realise that I am a government employee — but I could have any kind of job.

And finally, if I said I work for myself, then they would know I am self-employed and don’t work in a company or for anyone else. I am independent.

With this phrase, you can talk about two different things about your work.

• The fields of work you are in
• The department in your company you work in

So if you were talking about the field of work you are in, you could say one of the following:

• I work in advertising
• I work in sales
• I work in agriculture
• I work in the fashion industry
• I work in the tech industry

The field is the general area of work that you are in. You are usually trained or educated to work in this field.

But you can also use this phrase to talk about the department where you work:

• I work in the sales department in a car company
• I work in the marketing department of a cosmetics company
• I work in the design department of a sports company

When using the phrase this way, you usually have to say what type of company it is.

Sometimes, people just use a more simple expression:

• I’m in sales
• I’m in marketing
• I’m in design
• I’m in education

This is the same meaning as saying I work in but in shorter form.

Combine All Phrases

We can combine all the above phrases and give more information.

• I’m a salesman — I work in the sales department for a local computer company.
• I’m a teacher — I work for a high school.
• I’m a designer — I’m in the design department in an advertising company

You can combine all of the phrases and give the listener more information about what your job is and what kind of company you work for.

You can say what your job is and the kind of company where you work:

• I’m a software engineer at a website company
• I’m a salesman in a mineral water company
• I’m a customer support clerk at a supermarket

Now You Try!

Use all of the phrases we looked at above and try to talk about what you do for a living.

Use these phrases:

I’m a _______

I work for a ________

I work in ________

I work in the ______ department in a ________ company

Where Do You Work?

You can also give information about the company where you work — or the kind of company where you work.

If you work for a company that is well known in the world — or in your area or country — then you can say the name of the company.

• I work for Facebook
• I work for the BBC
• I work for Google
• I work for Hoover
• I work for Coca-Cola

But if you work for a relatively unknown company, then you can use one of the following phrases:

I work for a company which/that ___________

I work for a local company which/that ________

I work for a national company which/that _______

I work for an international company which/that ________

So, for example, you might say:

• I work for a company that makes electrical goods
• I work for a local company which services fire alarms
• I work for a national company that rents cars to the public
• I work for an international company that supplies internet advertising

Try using one of these phrases to talk about your own company.

What are your Job Responsibilities?

As the conversation goes on with the other person, you may need to give them more information about your job and what you do.

The first phrase you can use is this:

So it could be:

• I teach maths in the local high school
• I write advertising copy for the big magazine publisher in the city
• I sell cars from the local Ford dealership in town
• I cook food at the hospital
• I design websites
• I take photographs
• I write website content
• I look after animals in the local animal shelter

One very useful verb when talking about creative jobs is make .

You could say:

• I make jewellery for a small shop in town
• I make card designs for a card company
• I make clothes for a local boutique shop
• I make furniture in a small furniture company

Another useful phrase is this:

I do ( noun-phrase)

You can use this phrase like this:

• I do marketing for a hair products company
• I do project management for a big construction company

Other Ways for You to Express your Responsibilities in your Job

• I take care of…
• I organise…
• I’m responsible for…
• Most of my time is spent…

I’m a marketing manager. I have to do the marketing for the company. I’m responsible for all the social media accounts we have and all the press releases. Most of my time is spent writing articles and blog posts.

Use the above phrases to talk about your job responsibilities and what you do.

Do You Like Your Job?

People might ask you if you like what you do for a living.

Let’s look at the most common topic people talk about when describing their likes and dislikes about the job.

• The money is great!
• The money is pretty good
• The money is not very good at all
• The pay is terrible
• I wish the money were better, but what can you do?
• I get paid very well
• I am on a pittance! (very low salary)
• I earn a lot of money
• I’m paid an average salary

And in most jobs, we have to work with others. We can talk about the things we like and dislike about the people we work with.

• I work with some great people
• I love the team I am working in
• We are like one big family
• I get on really well with all my colleagues
• My colleagues/ co-workers are great
• All the people I work with are good

Words Used to Describe the Work You Do

People often use a wide range of words to talk about their job.

Let’s take a look

• Stimulating
• Challenging
• Soul destroying

Using a Positive and a Negative Word to Describe your Job

When talking about their job, people often use a positive word followed by a negative word — or vice versa — to give an accurate picture of how they feel about it.

Here are some examples to show you what I mean:

• The money is great, but it is a lot of pressure
• I like the people I work with, but the money is not that great
• I like the job—it is very satisfying — but the management is not very good
• The people I work with are so friendly and supportive, but the job itself is very stressful
• I feel like it’s a bit of a dead-end job at times, but it can be a lot of fun
• The customers are so demanding, but the management can be very motivating
• Most of the time it is quite boring, then at certain times of the year it gets very busy

Take a positive and a negative word from the list above and make a sentence to describe how you feel about your job.

What Time Do You Start Work?

People might ask you one of the following questions:

• What time do you start work?
• What time do you finish work?
• When do you stop work?

They just want to know what time you begin, and what time you stop working. People may be curious about your work times.

You can say:

• I start work at nine
• I start work at eight-thirty
• I have to be at work at nine
• I get to work at eight-thirty
• I finish work at five
• I stop work at five-thirty

You might also hear people ask these questions:

• What time do you get off work?
• What time do you get off?

These both mean the same thing: What time do you finish work?

Do You Have To Do Shifts In Your Job?

Many jobs require people to do shifts. These are special times when workers are needed to continue working. Some places require people to work at any time of the day or night — for example, doctors, nurses, police and emergency staff.

If you do shifts, then you may start work early in the morning, in the afternoon or the evening.

You can express the times you start work like this:

• I work day shifts/ afternoon shifts / late shifts or night shifts
• I’m on days / afternoons / nights

Do You Have To Do Overtime In Your Job?

Some jobs require their staff to do overtime. This is where the staff stay at work after working hours and do extra time.

So they might finish work at five pm but stay until seven pm because they need to be there.

Overtime can be paid or unpaid — it depends on the company policy.

People might ask you the following questions:

• Do you have to do overtime in your job?
• Do you have much overtime this week?
• Are you doing overtime this evening?

Sometimes people refer to overtime as OT.

• Are you doing OT tonight?

You can reply by saying:

• I have to do so much overtime in my job
• I have to do OT every week
• I do OT most days — and I don’t get paid for it!
• I have to do OT sometimes but it’s okay as we get paid pretty well for it

Do You Get Sick Leave In Your Job?

Sick leave is when you take time off work and still get paid for it.

People might ask you:

• Do you get sick leave?
• Is there sick leave in your job?

If you are sick and want to take time off work, you can say:

• I called in sick this week
• I am calling in sick today

Sometimes people ‘pull a sickie’ — this means that they are not really sick, but just want to take a day off.

• I pulled a sickie yesterday!

Do You Get Annual Leave In Your Job?

Annual leave is when you are allowed to take a day or more off work and still get paid.

Some companies give as much as four weeks of annual leave to their staff every year. The staff can use these days to go on holiday, travel and take a vacation.

They might take other days off just to have a rest or attend to some personal business.

When talking about annual leave — or wanting to take some time off work — we can say:

• I really need a holiday
• I need some time out
• I want to take some annual leave
• I am exhausted — I think I will book some days off
• I’ve been working like a dog — I deserve a break!
• I’ve been working my ass off lately — I think I need some time out

When we say working like a dog — we mean working very hard.

And when we say working our ass off — it also means working very hard.

Are You Self-Employed?

To be self-employed means that you are working for yourself — not a company.

You don’t have a boss and you don’t answer to anyone. Only you.

Jobs that self-employed people do include:

• Any skilled trade worker — carpenter, electrician, bricklayer, construction worker

But also the following:

• Photographer
• Graphic designer
• Make-up artist
• Personal trainer

If you are self-employed, you can simply say:

• I am self-employed
• I am my own boss

Are You Working Right Now?

Maybe you don’t have a job. Maybe you are looking for a job. Maybe you have just graduated and want to have a rest for a short time before starting your job search.

You can say the following:

• I’m not working right now
• I’m between jobs at the moment
• I’ve just finished college and I need some time out
• I have just graduated and I am looking for a job now
• I’m taking some time out to be with my family
• I’m taking some time off to help my mother as she is getting old
• I’m taking some time out to sell my house

If you are working I think many of these phrases will be useful to you when talking about your job.

Or if you are looking for a job, they will be useful to you in the future.

Try to spend a little time each day going over the phrases. Make your own sentences and phrases using the prompts provided to help you express yourself when talking about your job and working life.

Good luck — and let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

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10 thoughts on “how to talk about your job in english”.

Since most people work, this subject is really rich for conversation. I like the way you built up on simply stating what your job is, to talking about the different aspects of your job both negative and positive. This opens up so many possibilities for conversation.

Many thanks, Leona! Hopefully this is useful to people in the workplace who wish to study English.

You wrote about such a common matter. People are feeling uneasy and uncomfortable to express themselves if they’re not belonging to English culture. You’ve well explained. Keep up the good work.

Hi Sneharika! Thank you for your comments. I am glad you liked it.

i like it . thank you

Hi Tayebeh! Many thanks!

Thank you so much. It is clear. Expressions are so useful.

Many thanks, Bermet!

thank you very much for that informative writing.

That’s great to hear! Thanks for reading!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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• Job Interview Tips

9 Elevator Pitch Examples to Ensure You Stand Out

You know the concept of an elevator pitch: a short, braggy speech you’re supposed to deliver in front of some big shot when you inevitably wind up in an elevator with them for 30 seconds.

Nowadays, it’s like an automated, generic LinkedIn message. It’s inflated, overly self-promotional, and incredibly outdated. This kind of approach just doesn’t resonate in today’s business landscape.

So what do you do if you need an elevator speech? You have hopes to sell yourself, land a job, get a client, or sell a product.

Well, you need to learn a better way to create and present an elevator pitch. It doesn’t require a lot of work, only a new angle.

In this article, we’ll talk about:

• What’s an elevator pitch and how to make it
• What a modern-day elevator pitch should include
• Elevator pitch examples for different situations
• The key to writing an elevator pitch that stands out

Don’t waste days compiling overused interview techniques. Get original answers to every single question you could expect.

Shifting the Perspective on Elevator Pitches

An elevator pitch or elevator speech is a 30–60-second long speech that informs listeners about you, what you do, and why it’s relevant to them — whether you’re trying to sell a product, services, or yourself as a candidate for a job.

You can use it to quickly introduce yourself in a job interview, at a job fair, during conferences, networking events, or other semiformal job-related gatherings.

But like we said, the standard elevator speech is slowly becoming outdated because people make it sound salesy and robotic.

This is why there’s a shift of perspective: the modern-day elevator pitch should be conversational, natural, and focused on human connection and authenticity. Otherwise, it might not have the power you’re expecting.

You should still introduce yourself, state what you do, what your mission is, and hint at how someone could benefit from that. But your main goal is to get the conversation started, so both parties (you and the person you’re speaking to) can exchange ideas and see if there’s space for collaboration.

How to Create an Elevator Pitch: General Template

Before we begin, we’d like to point out that this article will walk you through the basic structure of an elevator pitch. Then it’ll show you how to adjust it for different purposes (for a job interview, a networking event, and other job-related social gatherings).

We’ll also provide specific examples based on different situations.

Here’s what the general structure of such an elevator pitch looks like:

A “hook” or an attention-grabber

Finding a relevant topic, a common pain point, or an interesting question could be a casual, natural conversation starter. This makes for a perfect hook or an attention-grabber for an elevator pitch.

From there, you can gently steer the conversation in the direction of your expertise and create an inviting atmosphere for people to share their experiences with you.

For example: Imagine you’re attending a seminar/conference about Google updates and how they affect content marketing. You can start a convo by mentioning an interesting initiative you took regarding content update best practices, and how it helped you keep the traffic during turbulent times.

You can expand then, mentioning what you do and how somebody could benefit from that. Potentially, a decline in traffic is someone’s pain point, and that person would be interested in what you have to say right away.

You could start a conversation by asking: “How did you fare after the last major update?” It’s a nice way to put them first and show curiosity about their situation.

Then, you could say something like “My last client’s blog traffic took quite a hit. At first, they were reacting the same way everyone else was, just kind of freaking out. Once I came on, we identified 5 specific things that could help them with authority and their traffic shot back up.” This would grab their attention and give them something to relate to. Plus, it would present you as the solution to the problem, and they would be more than interested to hear about the 5 ways to increase traffic.

Which brings us to our next step.

A quick explanation of what you do

In this part of your elevator pitch, you can speak more about your work and how you solve different pain points.

It shouldn’t be bragging, but an honest, realistic story about your relevant experiences. If you can back them with hard data (maybe one key accomplishment, because you need to be short), even better. You can also mention some of your biggest clients, your mission and vision, or any other relevant detail.

The space for questions

Every good elevator speech will leave enough room for the person you’re speaking with to ask questions. Perhaps they’ll ask for more details about your expertise and company. That would be the perfect opportunity for you to elaborate and show how you could potentially solve their problems and contribute to their success.

Perhaps they’ll ask for recommendations, be it for software, strategy, or people. That’s a nice way to start building relationships.

Or, someone might straight up ask you if you could help them because they’re facing the same problem, and then the case is closed. You “sold” yourself during the elevator pitch purely because you were able to strike up a valuable conversation and provide value.

The questions you ask

You can ask questions in your elevator pitch! We’re moving away from sales-dudes-bragging pitches. People don’t want to listen to the monologue you learned by heart and recited to five people in the room. They want authentic conversations now.

Use the opportunity to ask relevant questions to keep the conversation going.

You can ask about how their company is dealing with the topic at hand, if they heard about a recent event in the industry, or anything else that would help you connect with and understand the person you’re speaking with.

✅ Pro tip: Elevator speeches don’t have to follow the same pattern . The more your elevator speech sounds like a natural part of the conversation, the more success you’ll have. If you can make your elevator speech a chameleon, perfectly blended with the rest of the talk, people won’t recognize that you’re “pitching” anything. What they will recognize is your expertise and authenticity, and they’d be drawn to you.

Elevator Pitch Examples for Different Scenarios

Elevator pitch examples for a job interview.

If you’re looking for a job, you’ll likely hear “Tell me about yourself” in every interview. This is the perfect opportunity to bring out your elevator pitch and start a conversation.

Here’s how to create an elevator pitch for a job interview:

A recent graduate offering fresh perspectives and motivation to learn

A career switcher who shows transferable skills and eagerness to evolve, a seasoned professional highlighting vast experience and adaptability.

Elevator pitch examples for a networking event

Notice how these elevator speech examples will be a lot more conversational and a lot less rehearsed than the ones for job interviews. You should be as natural as possible when networking — focus on creating a connection first and a collaboration second.

An industry expert pitching unique insights and records of accomplishments

An aspiring leader focusing on the vision and leadership potential, an eager student highlighting the desire to learn more and make valuable connections, elevator pitch examples for social gatherings and other semi-formal situations, a freelancer discussing flexibility, bespoke solutions, and diverse experiences, a hobbyist-turned-professional conveying passion and talking about their unique journey., an introverted specialist emphasizing deep knowledge and precision in specific areas, elevator pitch examples: popular opinion vs. expert advice.

The internet is full of all kinds of advice — terrible, alright, and some that’s actually pretty solid. Let’s see if popular opinion moved away from seeing elevator pitches as highly structured, salesy, learned-by-heart pieces of text to deliver.

Zak7062 from Reddit said:

“I’m better at writing software than I am at writing elevator pitches” is what I usually go with. Usually, it gets a laugh and is a decent icebreaker that gets me more time to talk to them.

Career expert comments:

If the occasion is not too formal, this is the perfect icebreaker that will set a positive tone right away and start the conversation in the right direction. My immediate reaction would be to inquire more about this person’s coding skills, so I guess the hardest part of their job is done. But bear in mind this is just a hook, an ice-breaker, and not a real elevator pitch. So make sure to prepare at least a few bullet points describing your skills and the value you’d bring to their company. It’s cool to have such a nice ice-breaker, but you need to follow up with something substantial.

From ConsulIncitatus :

“My job is to make us look good and I do that by measuring results and improving them. That’s also good for the company. I’m the ears and mouth for my teams and occasionally the brain. I believe in servant leadership. I clear the path for my technical staff to build our vision for our products. I focus on their growth and that in turn grows us.”

One might argue that this is a nice overview of the duties of this person. But not me. There are 6 pieces of general information here that don’t reveal anything about the person’s skills and ability to accomplish results. Everyone who has a job has to measure results and improve them.

This, if heavily edited, could be the middle part of an elevator pitch where a person briefly explains what they do and their key skills.

In that case, the person would have to narrow down their choice of information. If they want to highlight they’re result-oriented, they need to pick an example of when they improved poor performance and back it up by % or $. If they believe in servant leadership, they need to quickly elaborate the principles. And so on.

Bottom line: Pick one or two key things/values/principles/achievements and prove them. Don’t list generalizations — you’ll risk blending in with every other candidate.

From Gordon Miller on Quora:

A mentor of mine taught me “a pitch is complete not when nothing else can be added, but when nothing else can be taken away.” Another mentor told me “It is all about the ONE THING. You need to figure out what the one thing is.”

Career expert comments: 

This is a nice way to look at it. I’m not saying you should focus on only one thing in your elevator pitch, but having a differentiator, a single thing that makes you different and potentially better from the competition is a nice thing to build your pitch around. Everything else you add should complement that differentiator, prove your worth, and hint at how you can help others who have the same problem.

Tips to Make Your Elevator Pitch Stand Out

Let’s see how you can make your elevator pitch more fun and engaging.

Personalize your pitch to show your unique value

A generic elevator pitch, the one you’d learn by heart and recite to anyone you meet, would blow your chances because it wouldn’t be relevant or valuable to the person you’re speaking to.

That’s why an elevator pitch needs to be personalized.

Creating a new elevator pitch for every person you’re speaking to makes no sense. But coming up with a nice basis and then adjusting the details each time might work pretty well.

If you know in advance who you’ll be speaking to, make sure to research their company so you’re in the loop with their initiatives and potential pain points. Then, highlight your specific achievements that directly relate to the company’s needs. Identify their pain points and address how your skills and experience could be the solution.

✅ Pro tip: If you don’t know who you’ll be speaking to, try to ask questions while you speak (if the situation allows it), or personalize the pitch to the company they work for.

Here’s a story my friend told me. One of her professors, who was also a hiring manager for Mondelez, often manned booths at career fairs. He said he used to hear thousands of bland elevator pitches with students listing their accomplishments, each similar to the previous one.

The ones who actually stood out always knew something about the company. He gave an example of one guy who started a conversation about Mondelez’s sustainability efforts in hazelnut production. The guy talked about how he was passionate about that and pitched some other ideas of ways they could improve these processes.

So even though the guy didn’t know who he would be speaking to, he made his elevator speech relevant by researching the company, obtaining important info, and adding it to the speech, along with additional ideas on how to improve the processes.

Keep the pitch conversational

Nobody wants to hear about you assisting in optimizing synergistic solutions for seamless integration in the tech ecosystem. They don’t understand what it means and they don’t care.

You need to keep your pitch conversational to hold the listener’s attention. By not sounding robotic and rehearsed, you’ll be more relatable and interesting to talk to. You’ll stand out by being memorable and authentic.

Plus, you’ll create a space for you and the person you’re speaking with to build a real connection and see how you can help each other.

How to keep it conversational:

• Avoid formal language or complex and vague terms.
• Use storytelling in your pitch
• Engage the listener: ask questions and create a dynamic discussion
• Pay attention to your tone and pace of speech

Highlight the benefits of working with you

When appropriate, highlight the benefits of working with you or your company, not just your skills or what you do in general.

Having sharp skills is great, but people probably want to know how you can use those skills to help them .

Try to address the why by bringing up unique points about yourself, highlighting your strengths, and mentioning your key achievements. Make sure those achievements are somehow connected to the industry/role/pain point/challenge/goal of the person you’re speaking to.

If you can prepare in advance and do some digging on the person’s company and challenges, even better.

Summary of the Main Points

• It’s important to move away from the old-school, salesy elevator pitches that make you boring and robotic.
• Nowadays, elevator pitches need to be authentic and conversational.
• Be aware that there are differences between an elevator pitch for a job interview and an elevator pitch for seminars, conferences, meetups, and any other job-related occasions.
• Your ideal elevator pitch should have a hook or another kind of an attention-grabber.
• It also needs to explain what you do and what’s in it for them.
• It should create a dynamic conversation where both you and the person you’re speaking to can ask questions.
• Keep your elevator speech conversational, personalized, and make sure to highlight the benefits of working with you.

_____________________________

Need a hand? There’s 3 ways we can help:

• Learn how to turn job interviews into offers . (Rated 4.9/5 by 1,000,000 users)
• Learn how to answer “What Can You Contribute to the Company?”
• Read about how to handle interview anxiety

How long should my elevator pitch be?

30–60 seconds. It should be enough for you to get your key points across and start a conversation. This makes it suitable for most networking situations.

Do I need to write my elevator speech down?

It’s not mandatory, but it might help during the initial elevator pitch brainstorming session. Writing down different elevator pitch ideas and versions will give you clarity and structure. It might also help with setting up your arguments. You could adjust, rearrange, add, or remove ideas until you get the perfect version. Plus, having a written pitch makes it easier to customize for different situations. You can adjust it based on the audience, occasion, the context of a conversation, and similar.

What is the objective of an elevator pitch?

To succinctly communicate key information about your expertise, capture attention, build a memorable impression of you, and initiate conversation, opening the door for exploration of partnerships and opportunities.

Are there any famous elevator pitch examples?

Steve Jobs’ elevator pitch to John Sculley back in 1983 when Sculley was still at Pepsi: “Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water, or do you want a chance to change the world?”

Airbnb’s early pitch was interesting too: “Book rooms with locals, rather than hotels,” hinting at their unique selling point — connecting travelers with locals who provide authentic lodging experiences. That’s Airbnb’s one thing, their differentiator.

What’s a good example of an elevator pitch for someone with no experience?

If you have little to no relevant experience, you can focus on your enthusiasm, potential, and transferable skills. Show enthusiasm about the field, industry, or company, showcase potential by bringing up a relevant accomplishment from the academic field, volunteer work, or internship, and highlight how you could use key transferable skills to contribute. Make sure you pick the transferable skills relevant to the speaker, depending on their company, industry, or the type of role you’re discussing. You can also demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role/company by researching and pitching interesting ideas (like that Mondelez example we mentioned above).

What to say in my elevator pitch if I don’t do anything unique and am just a solid employee?

If you don’t have a particular achievement or a unique role, you can still emphasize your hard work, reliability, work ethic, and ability to contribute. Being a solid employee is quite a desired skill and should be highlighted. Additionally, you can quantify your work to prove it. Using a number to back up your claims will spice your pitch up. For example, you could say, “I truly believe that hard work and reliability are the keys to success in this job. I’ve been working for ABC Auto for the past 5 years — I’ve never showed up late and always gotten my work done on time. My boss once told me: ‘Whenever I ask you to do something, I know I’ll never have to worry about following up.’ It’s my favorite compliment I ever received.”

Maja Stojanovic

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How To Write A Killer Elevator Pitch (Examples Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

You’re on the elevator, riding up from the lobby to the top floor to drop off your resume with Human Resources in response to a job posting for your dream career.

You’re excited, but nervous, because you know your resume is going to be just one of hundreds that the hiring manager is going to look over before even thinking about inviting anyone in for an interview.

If only there were a way to make yourself stand out. If only…

The doors open and a woman in a sharp looking business suit steps in with you. She looks over and sees the top floor button is already lit. She smiles and in that instant a current of nervous energy rips through your body. This isn’t just any generic passenger you’re sharing the ride with…this is the hiring manager you’re hoping to impress!

Your heart starts pounding, your palms are sweaty, you feel light headed…

This is your chance!

You have a 12 floor uninterrupted ride up with her and in those moments, in that tiny elevator, she’s your captive audience.

You open your mouth and turn to her with a look of enthusiasm…and speak.

Let’s hope that elevator pitch  (or elevator speech) is ready!

Here’s the deal, after you make your successful elevator pitch (which you will after reading this article!), you need to know that you will get an interview…

But here’s the thing: there are over 100 other difficult interview questions you could be asked in your job interview. Sounds stressful right?

Well don’t worry, because we created a free PDF that outlines the most common questions and gives you word for word sample answers that you can use at your next interview.

Click the link below to get your copy now!

Get Our Job Interview Questions & Answers Cheat Sheet!

FREE BONUS PDF CHEAT SHEET: Get our " Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet " that gives you " word-word sample answers to the most common job interview questions you'll face at your next interview .

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What Is An Elevator Pitch?

So what exactly is an elevator pitch?

In a nutshell it’s just what it sounds like: a short, 30-60 second well crafted business pitch telling someone who you are and why they should want to hire you .

It’s called the elevator pitch because it’s meant to represent the amount of time you’d have if you were stuck in an elevator with someone riding from the bottom of the building to the top.

“Well, this stinks. I live in a town of nothing but one floor buildings. How am I supposed to use an elevator pitch? Clearly this article means nothing to someone who doesn’t live in the heart of a big city or surrounded by high rise buildings.”

Elevator speeches are good for so much more than just catching someone in a small enclosed space. You never know who you might run into at a cocktail party, or the movie theater, or grocery store…or any other number of places.

A solid elevator pitch will allow you to distill down to the most pure form exactly who you are and what you offer, and that focus can help to set you apart from all the other candidates who are vying for the same job.

Think of it as a commercial and you’re the product . You’ve got 30 seconds to market yourself and convince whoever is listening to not only NOT change the channel, but to buy what you’re selling…you as the Perfect Candidate!!

“So where do I start? Should I lock myself in the bathroom with a stopwatch and pretend it’s an elevator? Do I need a jingle?”

Hmmm…all we’ll say is do whatever works for you…but let’s all agree to skip the singing…for now. Instead, let’s focus on answering a few basic questions by doing a little pretending.

How To Write An Elevator Pitch

Let’s imagine you’re in sales and you just got into an elevator with the CEO of a huge manufacturing company. The doors shut…it’s just the two of you…and you have 60 seconds to convince him to not only listen to you, but to consider you as a potential employee, not just a fellow passenger on a short ride upstairs. So how do you do that!?

Let’s watch…er, we mean, read:

What do you do? Can you tell someone what you do in such a way that it’s interesting? Can you turn it into a quick little anecdote or story that will capture someone’s attention?

“Let me tell you about the time I took our products all the way to the North Pole. I’m in sales. I started out selling refrigerators to moose in Canada.”

Now that we’ve got your job title, can you tell us what you do when you’re doing what you were hired to do?

“In four short years, I’ve helped lead my team to the number one spot in sales…”

Okay, great…but what’s next?! What’s your objective ? What’s your goal?

“…but I knew we could do better. That’s why I took our refrigerators all the way up to the penguins in the North Pole.”

What makes you the best at what you do? Okay, now’s your chance to shine. Why are you the Perfect Candidate?

“Did you know that broken beaks from trying to eat frozen fish is the number one problem facing penguins today? Their issue isn’t that it’s not cold enough for them to keep their fish fresh, it’s that it’s too cold. I knew that by putting their fish in our double insulated hermetically sealed refrigerators instead of the traditional snow bank, the penguins would be able to keep fish fresh longer without having to freeze them, making it easier for the penguins to eat. As a result, we’ve more than quadrupling our current sales and are not only ranked number one regionally, but nationally as well.”

What’s your hook? You’ve just told a great story, but besides being entertained, why should your audience care?

“Now, just imagine what I can do for your products…”

Wait, who are you? D’oh! Nothing says missed opportunity quite like totally forgetting to tell someone your name.

“My name is Bob Mackrel,”

And most importantly…what do you want?

“…and I’m looking for my next big sales challenge. My I give you my business card?”

Boom. And there you have it: the perfect (if not a little outlandish) elevator pitch. In 30 seconds you’ve told your audience what you do, why what you do is important, hooked them in with what you plan to do next for their company, and who you are.

Easy, cheesy, right?

Penguins and refrigerators aside, this pitch was clearly perfect for the audience because our boy Bob knew the CEO, knew the company, and knew that his skills with sales would be a great match. Bob tailored his pitch.

“Again with the tailoring! That’s all you guys talk about…tailoring!”

That’s because it works! Again, think of our commercial analogy. When you’re watching TV, which ads do you skip over or tune out? The ones that don’t apply to you…right? And the ones you listen to and remember are the ones that DO apply to you.

“Ahh…I see what you’re saying. That does make sense!”

The nice thing about an elevator pitch is that it’s short and sweet and to the point, which means once you get the basics figured out, you should be able to use it on just about anyone in any situation…as long as you make sure to always tailor your hook to your specific audience.

Elevator Pitch Mistakes To Avoid

So now that you know what to do in your elevator pitch, let’s quickly talk about what NOT to do.

Speaking too fast.

Yes, you only have about 60 seconds, but try to avoid cramming 15 minutes of information into one minute.

Using highly technical terms, acronyms or slang.

You want your pitch to be easily understood by any audience and that means try to avoid using words that will confuse the average person. The last thing you want is for whoever is listening to you to feel dumb. Remember, think commercial!

Not being focused.

This isn’t a general conversation and you’re not discussing the weather (unless that’s your job, in which case, never mind). Keep your pitch clear and focused.

Not practicing what you’re going to say.

First, write down your pitch. Read it over. Have your friends and family read it. Does it make sense? Make sure it flows well and that there aren’t any spots that feel rough or awkward. Then practice it. Practice it again. Keep practicing it until it becomes so easy for you to pitch that you can do it at the drop of a hat.

Being robotic.

This is all about a face to face interaction with someone you want to impress. Having an easy, approachable, conversational style to your pitch will get you much further than an overly rehearsed monologue approach.

Not having a business card or other take-away with you.

Okay, you’ve sold them on you…now how are they going to get a hold of you when they decide it’s time to bring you in? Make sure you always have something on you to pass on that will allow people to not only remember you, but contact you later on.

Not saying anything.

It does absolutely nothing for you to have a killer elevator pitch if you never use it. Now it’s your turn! Here are three example elevator pitches to get you started. Remember, these are just examples! Make sure you do the work to craft one specific to you and your audience!

3 Great Examples To Use As Inspiration

Graphic designer/logo branding specialist.

Hi, I’m Pam Tone and I’m a graphic designer. Did you know it takes the average person just two seconds to look at a company logo and decide if they like it? Did you know that a badly designed logo can do irreversible damage to a company brand and that most companies go through at least three to four versions in a single year before settling on their final design, costing both time and money? Having worked for over 10 years as a professional graphic designer specializing in brand identification means I’ve built my reputation on the longevity of my logo designs. I can say that not only are my clients happy with what I’ve done for them, but my designs have gone on to win national and international logo and branding awards. I have worked hand in hand with some of the biggest advertising agencies and companies and out of over 300 contracts, have had only one logo changed, and that was as a result of a merger, not poor design. I’d like to bring that award winning history to your company. Would you be willing to meet with me for 20 minutes to go over my portfolio and see how I can help make sure your logo properly reflects your brand?

TEACHER/EDUCATOR

Mobile app developer.

Hi, I’m Chip Ohm and I’m a developer. Did you know one of the biggest challenges facing companies these days is tracking employee work time? Of course, when you have a building where your employees are required to clock in and out it makes things easier, but what about employees who work from home or are on the road? I’ve come up with an easy way for both employees and employers to log and keep track of hours using just their cell phones and an app I’ve designed. The app allows employees to log in from wherever they are and input their start and stop times at the push of a button. You don’t even need to be in an area with a signal. The program captures all the data and holds it in a file which is then automatically uploaded to the employer’s servers as soon as the user is back in signal range. The system is not only simple, but it’s tamper proof. Not only has this app helped streamline the timecard process for remote employees, but it’s reduced timecard inconsistencies and paycheck errors by 90%, saving both time and money. So, how does your company handle logging in hours for your remote clients?

So there you have it! Now that you’ve read through this article and seen a few examples, it’s time to craft your own elevator pitch. Remember, keep it simple, keep it short, and keep it tailored.

And as always…good luck!

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Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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3 Minute Self Introduction Speech Examples (5+ Examples)

Whether you’re giving your first speech in front of your class or vying for that promotion, impressing your audience with your self introduction speech can make all the difference in the world. Whether you are writing out your speech ahead of time or winging it on the spot, these three-minute self-introduction speech examples will give you great ideas to stand out from the crowd and leave a lasting impression.

How to write 3 Minute Self Introduction Speech Examples?

This is how to craft a 3 Minute Self Introduction Speech that shows why you are qualified for the job or position you seek while engaging your audience simultaneously.

1. Write the script with a handful of ideas to introduce yourself.

Remember that you’re not writing a speech. You’re writing an introduction. And the goal is to get the person on your side, not make them feel like they’ve been hit with a brick.

To write a speech and make it sound natural, you must consider how people introduce themselves in real life. They don’t sit down and think, “I’m going to give this speech,” they start talking, and then they keep talking until they run out of things to say.

And even if you find yourself with a lot of things to say, there’s no reason you can’t put them into three minutes or less. As long as it’s something that makes sense, it doesn’t matter if it’s long or short.

2. Start with a greeting and your name.

Start with a greeting and your name. This is important because it helps you get your audience’s attention and allows them to be more interested in what you have to say.

Then, use the most important words from your speech outline to introduce yourself and talk about what you’re passionate about. Remember to keep it short and sweet!

3. Add your educational background.

If you’re like me, you may have started your career in education.

Add your educational background. If you graduated from a university or college, mention it in the introduction. You can also use your educational background to help explain how you became interested in becoming a speechwriter.

For example, if you were a student at a school like Johns Hopkins University, which is known for its strong writing program and has been ranked as one of the top 5 colleges for writers by The Princeton Review, mention that fact in your introduction.

If you attended an Ivy League institution, use it as part of your introduction. This will make people think you are intelligent but not necessarily impressive (since most Ivy League graduates have impressive resumes).

You can also use your degree to show that you have experience with specific topics: if you majored in English and minored in creative writing, mention this fact in the introduction so that people know that this interests you.

4. Your current position should be next in the introduction speech outline.

Your current position should be next in the introduction speech outline. This is where you will explain why you have chosen this particular job. You can also talk about how it fits into your career goals, what skills and experiences are needed for the job, and any other relevant information that might help a hiring manager understand your qualifications.

If you are not currently employed, then use this opportunity to create a list of all your skills and interests and any accomplishments or projects you’ve undertaken in the past. This will help show how you can fit in with other employees at your new company.

This is where you will explain why you have chosen this particular job. You can also talk about how it fits into your career goals, what skills and experiences are needed for the job, and any other relevant information that might help a hiring manager understand your qualifications.

5. Include brief information about your family.

Your family is probably the essential thing in your life. Include brief information about your family in your self introduction speech. If you are a parent, tell them how proud you are of their achievements and how much you love them. If you are not a parent, tell the audience about your siblings or cousins and how they mean the world to you.

6. Mention anything about your hobbies or interest that make you unique.

Mention anything about your hobbies or interest that make you unique. This can be anything from a particular sport you play to your favorite TV series. It’s important to mention something that makes you stand out from the crowd, but it’s also important not to go too far off-topic. Suppose you don’t have any hobbies or interests. In that case, it’s best to focus on what makes you unique as a person instead of listing everything about yourself.

Make sure you correct all of your facts in the introduction speech. Make sure everything is accurate, including your years of experience, where you live, and who your parents are. Do not leave anything out!

7. Wrap it up by telling something about your plans and aspirations.

Wrap it up by telling something about your plans and aspirations. You may want to mention that you are looking for a job in the same field or industry as the company, or you may plan to move on to a different one.

Finally, you can take a final moment of reflection and thank the audience for listening.

Takeaway:  It takes practice to write a healthy polished introduction speech, but it will be well worth the effort when you are finished!

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You can check the video to learn more about it.

3 Minute Self Introduction Speech Examples

Example 1: 

Hi, I’m [name], and I’m going to talk about what I do for a living.

I’m a [type of business/job]. Many people have told me they love doing what I do. It makes them feel better when they’re sad or stressed out and gives them hope when things are tough.

I work with [people]. They come from all different backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common: they want to be successful. And by being successful, I mean successful! They want to make a lot of money and live in a big house with their family somewhere beautiful.

They are amazed when I tell my clients that this is what I do (and how much money we can make together). They always say something like, “That’s not possible!” But then, when we start working together, they see how much money they can make and get excited about the possibilities. Do you see? That’s why people hire me—because there’s no limit!

Example 2: 

Hey, I’m [name], and I’m here to help you build your brand.

My name is [name], and I’m going to be talking to you today about how you can use the power of social media to build your business.

Social media can feel like a minefield, but don’t worry! I’ve got some great tips for using it effectively and getting the most out of it.

I’ll also share with you some tools that make it easy for businesses to create content without worrying about writing or editing—it’s as simple as drag-and-drop!

If you’re ready, let’s get started!

• How To Introduce Yourself In College Class?( With 5+ Examples)
• 5+ Examples of Self Introduction For Work

Example 3: 

Hi, I’m [name], and I’m an [job] at [company].

I started in the field as a [category 1] and then transitioned to [category 2] while still working in that role. Now, I’m working as a [category 3] at [company], where I’m doing what I love most: learning new things every day.

I enjoy working with people, which is why I love my job. I also love coming to work daily—you never know what you’ll get!

Example 4: 

Hi! I’m [name]. I’m so excited to be here today, and I hope you are too.

I’ve been a freelance writer for over five years, but this is my first time speaking at an event like this. It’s so exciting to me!

I write about many different things, including fitness and nutrition—and even though it sounds boring, I think it’s pretty cool that we can learn things from each other.

A few years ago, I was working on a project about teens’ healthy eating habits, and one of my friends recommended that I try writing for [company name]. I just loved creating content that helps people make better choices, especially ones that aren’t flashy or expensive (like gym memberships). And once I started working with them, they helped me grow as a writer by giving me opportunities to write about topics like how to eat healthy while traveling abroad or what’s good for your skin when you live in a city with air pollution is high.

It’s been a fantastic journey so far! If you have any questions about our services or would like to schedule an interview with one of our writers, please feel free.

Example 5: 

Hi, my name is [name] and I am a [job title] at [company].

I’m a [age] year old, single mom of two amazing kids who are now getting ready to go to college.

I have been working at this company for three years now and love every minute of it.

My job is fascinating because it involves helping others succeed in their careers, whether they are looking for a new job or just starting on their own.

I love to travel, especially visiting other countries like England!

The Verdict: 3 Minute Self Introduction Speech Examples

We hope you found the speech examples in this article helpful. They’re certainly intended for your entertainment. Hopefully, they’ve helped you see how simple it is to develop a self-introduction of your own. But whether or not you want to put on a slide show as Mike did, you can still achieve that same personal touch with the self-introductions you give next week.

Just ask yourself how you want to influence those around you and what kind of image you want to project. And above all else: have fun!

Hi, I a Usmaan Ali, a content writer. I’ve always been passionate about writing and blogging. I hope you enjoy my blog posts as much as I enjoy writing it!

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How to Talk About Your Career Change in Your Elevator Pitch

The thing about making a career change is that, eventually, you have to tell everyone. It might be something you want to put off for a while, but actually, you’re better off telling people sooner rather than later. After all, the sooner your contacts know, the more likely they’ll be able to help you with your transition.

So, incorporating your career change into your elevator pitch makes a lot of sense. The question is: How do you include your upcoming career change and still keep your previous experience in your pitch? Here’s a four-step guide for doing just that.

1. Describe Yourself in a Few Words

The first part of your elevator pitch should be used to introduce yourself and your personal brand. If you’re not sure what your personal brand is yet, try going through this workbook , or just use your current occupation and add a few things you’re interested in. So, the beginning of your elevator pitch might be:

I’m an English teacher obsessed with clean and precise language.

2. Talk About Your Experience and Skills

Next, move into your previous experience. Don’t sell yourself short in this bit, even if your previous experience isn’t directly relevant. This is the stuff that makes you special. We’ll tie it all together in the next part. For example:

I’ve been teaching for five years now, and every year I push students to read and think and discuss, but more than anything I push them to write. They start with sloppy five paragraph essays in September, but by the time summer rolls around, they leave my classroom with their own beautifully complex short stories.

3. Pick Your Favorite Parts

Here’s the part where you make the connection. Pick out the parts of your previous experience that you love and are hoping to bring with you to your new role . Highlight them as a way to point out the kind of work you hope to be seeking in the near future. It should be structured something like this:

I love working with my students. They’re so creative, especially after they realize there’s no ‘right’ answer in English. In the end though, my favorite part of my job is actually diving deep into the language. For me, polishing text and teasing out meaning are the highlights of my day.

4. Connect to Your Career Change

Finally, bring it all together and spell out that you’re seeking a career change. Don’t dance around the subject. Wrap up your pitch by making it abundantly clear what you want to move on to:

That’s why, after some serious self-reflection, I’ve started looking into becoming an editor. I know it’s a competitive field, but this is the kind of work that’s really exciting to me.

Of course, your elevator pitch is just the beginning of the conversation, but getting this right is an important step in steering the conversation in a direction that might help you learn more about the industry or connect with others.

Photo of train tracks courtesy of Shutterstock .

Best Elevator Pitch With Examples For Job Seekers

By Biron Clark

Published: November 8, 2023

Interview Preparation | Networking

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

In this article, I’m going to quickly show you some great elevator pitch examples for job seekers, plus how to go create your own quickly and easily so you can find a job faster.

What Is An Elevator Pitch?

Essentially it’s a short summary about yourself and what you do, in the time it takes to ride an elevator. You have to be able to deliver and convince in that time frame. That’s the famous 30-second “elevator pitch.” And it can be for anything. Finding a new job, going to a networking event, starting a sales relationship, etc. Here’s the thing about an elevator pitch- you have one whether you know it or not.  Any time somebody asks you about your work or asks what you do, you’re saying something… right? And if you’re looking for a new job, your elevator pitch is going to be a big part of how you respond when they ask, “tell me about yourself” . This could be a phone conversation with a recruiter , or an in-person interview when you first sit down. If you’re at a networking event , your elevator pitch will be the information you share when somebody asks what type of work you do. It’s your one and only chance to get their attention and set the tone for how they view the rest of what you tell them. That’s why it’s so important.

Here are the 2 best elevator pitch methods, with examples…

Method 1: Elevator Pitch for Job Seekers

There are a few key pieces that your elevator pitch should contain. This is assuming you are looking for a job or looking to grow your network. If you’re trying to create an elevator pitch while working in sales , it’ll be a bit different and you should read the alternate method below this first method.

Here are the key pieces to creating a perfect elevator pitch…

1. Who Are You And What Do You Do?

The first piece of what you actually say needs to tell them who you are. This might include a bit about your background, what you do, what your skills and interests are, etc. This is where you need to tailor your answer to fit the outcome you want. If you describe yourself as an expert in finance, do you think people will pay attention to you on financial topics? Yes! But what if you made yourself sound more like a generalist who knows a little about many areas, and finance is just one of them? Nobody is going to respect your opinion nearly as much, and they might not even remember you mentioned it. That’s why it’s important to tailor your answer to fit the result you’re hoping to achieve and what you want to be known/remembered for.

To recap, the first part of your elevator pitch might sound like this example: “Hi,  I’m David. I’m a Scientist with a background in chemistry. I specialize in research and development, and new product discovery. ”

2. Why Should They Care?

Now you want to get a bit more specific and draw their attention in. What are you working on right now or what have you accomplished recently?

Here’s an example:

“I currently work at Johnson & Johnson and my team is working on developing a new antibacterial cream that’s set to go into clinical trials this month.”

Now they know your expertise, and assuming it’s relevant to them, you’ve caught their attention and opened up the conversation. This is why the first step was so important though… if you don’t decide what you want to be known for, and tailor your answer to emphasize those strengths, you’ve lost them!The same goes for job interviews . If you’re applying to be a supervisor, don’t talk about how you love focusing on your individual goals in your job interview answers . Talk about how you’re a good manager or how you take the lead on projects.

I can’t emphasize this enough- it’s all about deciding what you want your audience to remember you for. And you need to pick only one or two things. If you mention more, they’ll assume you’re not particularly talented in any!

3. What Do You Want?

After the two steps above, you need to conclude your elevator pitch and this is your chance to be upfront and tell them your objective. Why are you in this conversation to begin with? If you’re at a networking event because you’re starting a job search soon, say something like this:

“So, I’m interested in meeting people with similar backgrounds, and I’m considering changing jobs this year so I’m curious to learn about the work environments in different companies.”

It’s rare that someone would turn down the chance to hear about how another company does things, so you’ve offered a pretty good trade-off! They might also ask why you’re considering a job change. Either way, you’ve opened up multiple ways for them to expand the conversation. Get comfortable with these three steps and you will have a MUCH easier time answering basic interview questions , introducing yourself at networking events, and more.

Full Elevator Pitch Example Based On The 3 Steps Above:

“I’m a Scientist specializing in chemistry and new product discovery. I currently work at Johnson & Johnson and my team is working on developing a new antibacterial cream that’s set to go into clinical trials this month. So, I’m interested in meeting people with similar backgrounds, and I’m also considering changing jobs this year so I’m hoping to learn about the work environments in different companies.”

Method 2: For Business Owners, Salespeople, And Job Seekers Who Want A More Direct Elevator Pitch

The method above can work for pretty much anybody, but it’s really designed to create the best elevator pitch possible for job seekers. But if you own a business or you work in sales, you should be much more direct… I recently came across a great formula and have yet to find anything better in terms of a very specific, direct elevator pitch. So I’ll share the formula here and then give you some elevator pitch examples with this method.

I suggest you try it if you want a more direct approach.

The Basic Formula/Template:

I help who wants to get without having to . Do you know any who wants to get ?

Elevator Pitch Example With This Method:

“I help job seekers who want to advance their careers and find a job in 60 days or less, without having to memorize hundreds of answers or spend hours studying. Do you know any job seekers who want to find a job in 60 days or less?”

Use a definitive period of time if possible. Don’t just say “fast.” And narrow down your market as much as possible. I didn’t say “working professionals.” I said, “job seekers who want to advance their careers.”

Another Example:

“I help restaurants with multiple locations organize their customer data and boost their sales up to 10%, without having to spend any additional time or money on advertising. Do you know any restaurants with multiple locations that want to boost their sales up to 10%?”

This direct approach could be adapted back to your job search too. Let’s look at one final example of this second method for a job search:

“I’m an R&D Scientist who helps companies use their existing patents and technologies to develop new skincare products. Right now at Johnson & Johnson, I’m finishing a successful project for an antibacterial cream and I’m looking for my next challenge. Do you know any companies that are involved in discovering and developing new skincare products?”

How To Deliver Your Elevator Pitch

Now that we covered how to create the best possible elevator pitch… with plenty of elevator pitch examples… there’s something just as important we should talk about.

You need to be convincing and memorable. Without this, the content won’t matter.

The First Impression

People want to know they are talking to a good, honest, reliable person that they can trust and perhaps even like. They won’t get this by looking at your resume. You need to open up by having great body language and being confident and excited about what you’re saying. You have to appear like you know they’ll be interested. You cannot be hesitant here so practice. And pay attention to body language too. Smile, look confident, and stand or sit up straight. When you’re slouched over, not only are you not using the full potential of your brain (yes, there’s been research ), you also look untrustworthy.

Make Them Feel Important

Who doesn’t like to hear that their own background or story is interesting? Or that you feel their opinion is needed on something! So, here are ways to make the other person feel important, which will help you be more memorable and convincing to them!

• Ask Questions When they tell you something about their background or give their own elevator pitch, show interest and ask a follow-up question. Don’t just sit there waiting for your turn to talk.
• Compliment Their Expertise If you are asking them a question or hoping to get information from them, compliment their experience first and give a reason why you’d value their response. Example (in a job interview): “You mentioned working here for ten years and rising from an entry level position to Manager. What tips for success can you offer if I were to start in this role?”
• Remember The Facts Don’t make somebody repeat important pieces about their background. How do you feel if somebody can’t remember your name or a story you just shared? So if they’re taking the time to tell you about their latest project, try to capture the details. You don’t want to be standing there two minutes later asking, “wait, you said you were involved in a research project, right?” It’ll immediately make them take less interest in what you’re saying as well.

When you’re nervous or anxious, you breathe with short, shallow breaths in the upper chest. Here’s how you should breathe:

Use your stomach and take long, deep breaths. I had to teach myself this, it didn’t feel natural at first. I couldn’t figure out how to breathe in a way that’d get my stomach to go in and out, at least not when I was paying attention and “trying.” I was filling my upper chest with as much air as possible but my stomach wasn’t moving. That’s not the right way.

Practice, figure it out, and then use it as a way to relax when you’re waiting for a job interview or a meeting.

Nothing comes out perfect the first time. Having the best elevator pitch is useless if you don’t practice. Give it a test run a few times and make sure you’re hitting the key points and keeping it short. 30 or 60 seconds is about as long as your elevator speech should take. It’s a good idea to practice job interview questions and answers, too. In general, practicing makes your responses better. Don’t try to memorize your elevator pitch or interview answers word-for-word, though. It’ll come out sounding scripted and rehearsed (not good). Instead, focus on hitting the key points you want to mention. It might sound a bit different each time but if you have three key points to hit, and you go through a few elevator pitch practice runs and hit all three, you’re ready to go!

What Happens If You Don’t Prepare An Elevator Pitch?

You only get one chance to make a first impression. If you sound unsure of yourself and don’t have a clear story of what it is you do, you’re going to be less convincing and immediately turn people off! And they’ll be less likely to remember you when you follow-up by email after an interview , or after meeting them at any type of networking event.

I’ve learned this myself the hard way. I’ve met new people, mentioned five different things I do, and just came across like I was average (or worse) at all five. People want to meet experts that they can feel confident in, not generalists that know a bit about everything but can’t really lead the way on any given topic! Your elevator pitch needs to come out smoothly and be designed to share your strengths and facts that relate to the direction you’re heading in. And that doesn’t happen without practice. Even if you outline an average elevator pitch and just practice it a few times in your head, it will be so much better than making it up on the spot!

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

36 thoughts on “Best Elevator Pitch With Examples For Job Seekers”

Very helpful. After being out of the workforce for a while it’s a big help.

Excellent information with examples. Great and effective approach. Even I was consumed with the initial intro and info (about you). Although I am prepping for a far different career, and have a basic bus mgmnt degree under my belt, I shall follow your examples here. Starting a new career and haven’t interviewed in years, oh my. But, maybe I will make it now, gulp. Not sunk yet, shiver, (lol). You’re one of the best teachers for this kind of stuff. Thank you, thank you.

Hey, i saw your video and i have this question – i am a undergraduate and want to go for a consulting interview and i dont have much internships so how can i make my answer more interesting

Talk about what you’ve studied, projects you’ve led or participated in, etc. You just have to do the best you can and talk about the most relevant/interesting things you have done in your elevator pitch.

We’re all searching for that almost PERFECT, direct, clear, concise and TOTALLY USABLE place/template of advice. We rarely find it. , Most of the time, it’s not even close. YET this material is the best I have seen” it is PERFECT in terms of the message, need, delivery and ease of use.

Thanks, These were useful

This was awesome.

Very good information on the small ins and out on the interviewing process( especially on the elevator part of the interview).

A sincere thank you! You are precise, to the point and relevant. Your integrity shows so again, thank you, Biron

Can somebody give a good engaging pitch of IT field Student

Thanks for sharing, some really good suggestions

I’m so nervous about interviewing and Biron’s advice makes me feel like I can do it. I especially like when he comments about being nervous, i.e. even if I only remember 70% … I am so much more prepared for the whole process.

Thank you Biron. It was really helpful. I am looking for a job, would you please share some tips or do’s and don’s.

My background is customer service representative in call centers. My last job is a phone banker. I’ve worked in different call centers so I have experience in different fields. Do you have examples that I can use for my elevator pitch along with the question on why I want to work for the company I’m applying for? I’ve been on several interviews where I have the experience but I’m getting turned down a lot.

Thank you so much for the help this I will sure use to my advantage on my next interview, greatly appreciated

This is wonderful advice and so practical . What about those of is who haven’t worked in a long time? I have been a SAHM for 18 years , always meaning to go back to work but always was busy w my son’s sports , academics or Church . I have a master’s degree but not had an interview in 4 years . I have applied for over 40 jobs at my Alma mater , all entry level jobs except a handful that required my degree . I can’t afford to retrain . I wanted to to an accelerated BSN program but can’t afford the 50k price tag . We need to move to pay instate tuition, but my husband refuses . I’m in a hole feeling quite hopeless . Thanks

Great guide! Thank you!

I’m this kid with good grades in class but so naive about the real world. this info is just incredible for me.

very helpful..

I hate these standard interview questions.It is really meaningless.When I had interview I asked from recruiter please dont ask me standard interview questions:)

How did that turn out for you? Telling the recruiter which questions they can ask? :)

I’m an unemployed top producing sales executive re-entering the workforce. I need your help, for a fee, to develop my elevator pitch.

Hi Paula, I appreciate the request. Unfortunately I’m not available for one-on-one consulting/coaching right now, or in the near future. Sorry I couldn’t help more directly on this.

You are never ready for any interview until you have read through Biron’s work!!!!!

Haha thanks, appreciate that :)

What if your resume looks like a jumper. You’ve held temp jobs for the last five years. How do you answer to get out of the stigma while at a job career fair?

Biron, thank you very much for the excellent tips! Examples you provide make it very clear how a good elevator pitch should look like, and are a great help to write my own. Kudos! :)

Thank you Biron you the best :) .

Glad it helped Darin :) Good luck!

What are most common interview questions and answers

You can find a lot of them in this article:

https://careersidekick.com/what-to-say-in-a-job-interview-questions-and-answers/

Great information and thanks for sharing.

You’re welcome, Angela. Glad you found it helpful!

Thanks Biron

I was an hour away from blowing up my chance … thanks,you saved the planet

This video was extremely helpful ! It helped me understand what I really want in a job more towards a career. Thank you so much

Comments are closed.

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2 Minute Speech On Career In English

A person’s life goals typically center on the person they hope to become. The career path we choose becomes a part of who we are as people. Good morning to the teachers and students present today. A person’s life is significantly impacted by their career. We begin investing extensively in our future jobs at a very young age, whether consciously or unconsciously.

Careers play a significant part in our lives. Beyond providing us with the means to survive, occupations give us meaning and direction in life. Work is worship, and it is where we find satisfaction. Our lives will therefore be more complete and meaningful if we choose a career that allows us to enjoy it. It aids in the structuring of our viewpoint and our positioning across ideological divides.

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9 Career Day Speech and Presentation Ideas (2024)

Last updated: May 28, 2024

I was a speaker at an elementary school career day. When I received the invite, I had no idea what to talk about.

What should I say? What questions should I ask?

How should I structure my speech? What were some presentation ideas?

Now I know. And I will tell you everything that I learned.

These are the best tips, tricks, and advice for speakers at an elementary school career day.

The speech and presentation ideas are collected from educators, colleagues, friends, and my own experience. You’ll read in this article about my learnings from hosting a career day, including:

• How to write your speech
• What things to bring (props)
• How to interact with the kids, and more.

Table of Contents

Introduction

My girlfriend invited me to speak to her 2nd grade class at their Career Day.

I immediately thought: How do I speak to children? What do elementary school kids want to hear at a Career Day?

What I learned is that there are many differences in speaking to kids compared to speaking to adults .

You should be aware of the following:

• The kids were very participative. They gave many more questions and interactions and interruptions than I’ve ever had with an adult audience.
• If I was asking a question to the audience and getting answers from multiple people, I had to remind each student of the question. In a presentation to adults, if I ask a question, I can just point at different adults and quickly get multiple answers around the room. Today I found that I had to repeat the question each time I pointed at a new student in order to help them remember what I was specifically asking for.
• The kids all sat on the floor. To raise engagement levels, it was helpful for me to also sit on the floor or in a small chair.

Best Career Day Tips

Here are my best tips that you can use when writing your speech or presentation.

Write your speech with simple language

But don’t “talk down” to the kids in class, even at an elementary school.

Be prepared to answer questions.

The students will be very curious! They had a LOT of questions for me.

Have Good Stories Ready

You should also have good stories that you can tell about situations at work which describe your daily duties.

I received lots of tips and advice for my own talk from my network. Here at the best tips that I used:

• Sit At Their Level

Sit at their level. Either on a little chair or on the floor. Grownups can be scary! — Jason Hackett

• Bring Props

My friend Jarrod suggested that I bring some props. I brought large printed examples of some objects at the museum.

Props are a great way to keep the students engaged and allow them to look at and fiddle with something while they’re speaking with you. — Ecka

• Have High Energy / Be Excited

I think my girlfriend told me this: Get excited! Kids can feel the energy. Be animated and expressive with my body and face.

My friend Danielle said: “Be silly, yet firm.”

Ask the Students Questions

This was one of the best pieces of advice, and a lot of people suggested it.

Make sure there is a back and forth. Ask them questions, encourage them to ask questions. — Sarah Marsom

Ask tons of questions. I start by asking them if they have ever been on a field trip and then explain that I plan field trips for adults. — Theresa

Ask questions throughout!!! It will empower them to feel like they are part of the conversation and promote active listening throughout!!! — Camellia

Questions That I Asked

• Who here has ever been to a museum? (raise your hand)
• Who can name a museum in New York City?
• What are some things that you find inside of a museum?
• Entrepreneurship: If you were going to sell something to your friends, what would you sell and why?
• Interactive Play

Think about a game or activity about your job. Allow the children to role play as if they are in a day of your career.

• Bring a Box of Snacks

Check with the teachers beforehand to get approval or dietary restrictions, but this can be a big win! Kids love snacks.

Tell a lot of stories about your job

Kids also love stories. Imagine you’re telling a bedtime story: how would you talk about your career? What is one of your favorite memories from work? What was it like when you first started your job?

Give the students examples

One of the things kids can relate to is toys. Bringing up one of the best toys like SLIME can surely make the whole class excited! Ask them what type of slimes would they like to put if they have a Slime Museum?

Give out handouts or prizes

Do you have any brochures from your job that you can pass around, ideally with photos?

Are there objects that you could pass around the room?

Bring those to your career day speech to make it more interactive.

Sample Career Day Speech

Here’s what you could say for a sample career day speech. It is based on my own presentation to a group of 2nd graders when I introduced myself as a museum tour guide.

Hello everyone! My name is Nick Gray and I am a museum tour guide. Who here has ever been to a museum? Raise your hand if you’ve ever been to a museum before. My job is to be a museum tour guide. That means I walk people around as a guide at an art museum. I tell them about the works of art. Who has ever seen a paining before? Raise your hand if you have ever seen a painting. Keep your hands up. I am going to call on someone now to ask you about what painting you saw, or what you remember. (ask a few students about any painting they have seen before, and what they liked about it) The times that I work for my job are 10AM to 6PM every day. Sometimes I even have to work on Saturday and Sundays, because those are very busy days at the museum. Do you think you would want to work on the weekend? My favorite parts about my job are meeting new people, and doing research about the new works of art. To do my job, you have to be very good at talking to people. Who here likes talking to people? Raise you hand if you like talking to people.

Presentation Feedback

In two of the classes that I spoke to, I asked the teachers to fill out these “Comment Cards” for my career day presentation. I love to get feedback whenever I speak.

Class 1 — It was effective when:

• Positive narrating good behavior.
• Contextualizing your occupation with a fun launch that engaged kiddos.
• The harmonica was captivating!
• Introducing pieces from the museum, but pushing kiddos to inquir & think critically of the pieces.

Class 2 — It was effective when:

• You brought resources.
• You brought tons of enthusiasm!
• Gave many opportunities for the kids to speak and share.
• Good job sounds! (That was when I played my harmonica.)

Areas for improvement:

• Limiting students called on for each question in the interest of time (time conflicts that are not your fault, though). Nick’s note: I can certainly improve a lot here. There were just SO MANY kids wanting to participate. I didn’t want to make kids feel left out by not calling on them, so I think I tried to call on everyone. This wasted a lot of valuable time.
• I have lots more things that I could improve on! But the teachers were too nice not to critique me more.

Presenting at Career Day as an elementary school speaker was challenging, rewarding, and fun.

In summary, my best advice for career day speakers is:

• Ask Them Questions
• Tell A Lot Of Stories
• Give The Students Examples They Can Relate To
• Give Out Handouts Or Prizes

I have a newfound respect for teachers at all grade levels. To deal with so many active students for hours every day… wow. It was tiring after one hour and I can’t imagine a whole day of being “on” like that.

What advice do you have for someone who is presenting to elementary school kids on Career Day? Send me an email and let me know.

Thank you to KIPP Infinity in Harlem for inviting me to speak, Zach for organizing and managing the morning, Rachel for proof-reading this post and inviting me, and all my friends on my private Facebook who gave tips and advice.  

Video Example of Teaching Style

This is the best video I found online showing classroom management by a teacher. It was helpful to watch and try to emulate some of these things when I presented to the students for Career Day.

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50 Example Phrases: How to Introduce Yourself in a Job Interview

How to introduce yourself in a job interview.

When introducing yourself in a job interview, it’s important to tailor your introduction to the specific job you are applying for.

To customize your introduction:

• Research the company and job position : A successful introduction demonstrates your knowledge about the company and the position you’re pursuing. Take the time to learn about the organization’s values, culture and key accomplishments. Understand the main requirements and duties of the job, and be prepared to discuss how your skills or experience relate to them. Example: “I’m very excited to be here for this marketing coordinator position. I’ve been following your company’s growth and the award-winning campaigns you’ve produced, and I feel strongly aligned with your innovative and results-driven approach.”
• Highlight relevant skills and experience : You don’t need to list all your skills or work accomplishments. Choose a few that are directly related to the job and will be of interest to the interviewer. Focus on your strengths that match the position’s requirements and explain how they can benefit the company. Example: “In my previous role as a content marketing specialist, I gained experience in writing engaging newsletters, managing multiple social media accounts, and coordinating with freelance designers. I believe my background in content creation and project management would make me a valuable member of your team.”
• Connect your values to the company’s : Emphasize the shared beliefs that make you a good fit for the organization. Talk about what you admire in their work and demonstrate how your personal values align with the company’s mission or culture. Example: “I value your company’s focus on sustainability and community involvement, as I have been volunteering at a local environmental nonprofit for the past two years. I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to your marketing initiatives and benefit both the environment and our community.”

Examples of Effective Introductions

• The Classic Approach: Start by briefly mentioning your name, current role, and your key accomplishments. For example, “I’m Alex. I recently completed my degree in Marketing and managed a successful social media campaign for my university’s annual event.”
• Highlight Your Skills: Mention one or two skills that are relevant to the role you’re applying for. You could say, “I’m a web developer with extensive experience in JavaScript and PHP, and I’ve created several high-performing websites for local businesses.”
• Connect with the Company: Show your enthusiasm and knowledge about the company by mentioning a specific project or accomplishment that resonates with you. For instance, “I’m a graphic designer with a passion for eco-friendly product packaging. I was impressed by your recent sustainable packaging initiative and would love to contribute my creativity to your team.”
• Tell a Short Story: Use a brief, engaging anecdote that aligns with the job you’re interviewing for. This can demonstrate your personality and ability to think on your feet. For example, “I’m Emma, last year I organized a charity event where I managed 50 volunteers and raised over $10,000 for a local hospital. I’m excited about the opportunity to apply my project management skills to this position.”
• Emphasize Mutual Connections: If you have a connection with someone who already works at the company, mentioning it can provide a personal touch. Just make sure to ask for permission first. An example could be, “Hi, I’m Mike. I’ve been working as a data analyst for five years and recently met your colleague, Laura, at a conference. She spoke highly of your company, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to interview for the team.”

How to Introduce Yourself in a Job Interview: 50 Example Phrases

• Hi, my name is [Your Name].
• Thank you for inviting me to interview for [Position Name].
• I’m excited to be here and learn more about this opportunity.
• I’ve always been interested in [Industry Name].
• My background is in [Your Field].
• I studied [Your Major] at [Your College/University].
• While attending [Your College/University], I [Relevant Experience].
• My most recent role was as a [Your Previous Position].
• I have [Number of Years] of experience in [Your Area of Expertise].
• I’ve worked with companies such as [Company Names].
• I’ve held positions like [List Relevant Positions].
• I’ve successfully managed projects like [Project Names or Descriptions].
• My skills include [List Relevant Skills].
• I’m particularly adept at [Specific Skill or Experience].
• I pride myself on my strong work ethic and dedication.
• My attention to detail has led to various successes in my career.
• I’m a strong communicator, both written and verbal.
• People often describe me as [Positive Personal Trait].
• I enjoy working in teams and believe in the importance of collaboration.
• I excel at working under pressure and meeting tight deadlines.
• I am particularly passionate about [Area of Interest].
• In my spare time, I like to [Personal Interest or Hobby].
• I’m always eager to learn new skills and take on new challenges.
• I have experience with [Software/Tools] commonly used in this field.
• I’ve taken courses in [Relevant Coursework].
• My proudest accomplishment in my career so far was [Achievement].
• I think my experience aligns well with the requirements for this position.
• I’m drawn to this opportunity because [What Attracted You to the Job].
• I believe I can make a strong impact in this role by [How You Can Contribute].
• I have a proven track record of [Positive Outcome].
• I’m confident in my ability to take on this role and exceed expectations.
• I understand the importance of [Key Concept in Industry].
• I’ve kept up-to-date with recent developments and trends in [Industry].
• I am well-versed in [Industry Knowledge].
• My experience includes working with [Diverse Groups or Clients].
• I’ve honed my leadership skills through [Experience or Specific Role].
• In addition to my professional experience, I have a [Certification or License].
• I am fluent in [Languages Spoken].
• My technical skills include [Programming Languages or Other Technical Skills].
• My expertise covers [Broad Aspect of Your Field].
• I’m eager to bring my unique perspective and experiences to this position.
• I’m confident in my ability to work independently and efficiently.
• I enjoy connecting with others and building strong relationships.
• My approach to problem-solving is both analytical and creative.
• My resilience and adaptability have been valuable assets throughout my career.
• I have experience working with [Specific Demographics or Clientele].
• I’ve developed a strong understanding of [Industry-Specific Processes].
• I’m not afraid to tackle complex projects head-on.
• I am confident that my experience and passion make me an ideal candidate.
• I’m looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to [Company Name] and grow in this role.

Closing Your Introduction

To leave a lasting impression at the end of your introduction, it’s important to emphasize your enthusiasm for the role and tie your experiences to the position. Use a simple yet strong closing statement that reiterates your enthusiasm for the job. For example, you can say:

Thank you for this opportunity, I am really excited about the prospect of joining your team and believe my skills are a great fit for this position.

When closing your introduction:

• Reiterate your interest : Showing genuine interest in the job lets potential employers know that you are truly passionate about the role.
• Highlight your skills again : Remind your interviewers of your key skills and how they make you the ideal candidate. You can use a phrase like “ I am confident that my expertise in [your top skills] would make a valuable contribution to [company name] “.
• Stay positive and upbeat : Maintain a friendly and positive tone at the end of your introduction to give the interviewer a sense of your attitude and energy.
• Show gratitude : Don’t forget to express your appreciation for the interview opportunity, because it leaves a good impression and shows your respect for the process.

Following Up After the Interview

In order to make the most of your job interview experience, following up is a crucial step that you should not overlook. Here are some key points to remember when it comes to following up after the interview:

Example 1 Hi [Interviewer’s name], Thank you for taking the time to discuss the [job position] with me. I enjoyed learning more about [company name] and the role, and I believe my skills and experience, such as [mention specific skills], would be a great fit for this position. Please let me know if there’s any additional information I can provide. Best regards, [Your name]

Example 2 Hi [Interviewer’s name],

I hope all is well. I was wondering if there’s any update regarding the [job position] hiring process. You mentioned the selection process might take around two weeks, and I wanted to follow up on my candidacy. Please let me know if you require any further information from me.

Thank you, [Your name]

• Keep track of your interviews: It’s helpful to maintain a record of all the companies you have interviewed with, including their contact information, interview date, and position you applied for. This way, you can easily monitor your job search progress and organize your follow-ups in a timely manner.
• Stay connected on LinkedIn: If you had a positive interview experience and you believe there could be future opportunities at the company, consider connecting with the interviewer or relevant team members on LinkedIn. This can help keep you on their radar for potential future openings and strengthen your professional network.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an effective structure for a self-introduction in a job interview.

An effective structure for a self-introduction consists of a greet, stating your name, a brief overview of your background, sharing your relevant experience and skills, and expressing your interest in the position. This format allows you to convey the most pertinent information while displaying enthusiasm for the opportunity.

What are some key points to include in a self-introduction as a student in an interview?

When you’re a student, key points in your self-introduction should focus on your educational background, any relevant coursework or projects you have completed, and your passions or interests that align with the job at hand. Be sure to mention any extracurricular activities, internships, or volunteer work that showcase your skills and enthusiasm for the position.

Can you provide an example of a good self-introduction for a fresh graduate at a job interview?

“Hello, I’m Jane Smith. I recently graduated from (…) University with a degree in (…). During my time in school, I developed my (…) skills and completed an internship at (…) Company, where I worked on (…). I’m excited to apply my knowledge and skills to this position, and I believe my strong work ethic and eagerness to learn make me a great fit for your team.”

How should an experienced professional introduce themselves in a job interview?

“Hi, I’m John Smith. I have over ten years of experience in the marketing industry, with a focus on digital marketing. I’ve had the privilege to work with clients in various sectors, including finance and technology. My expertise in social media marketing has resulted in increased visibility and revenue for those clients. I’m enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute my skills and experience to your organization and help drive further success.”

What are some tips for crafting a memorable and engaging self-introduction for an interview?

To make your self-introduction memorable and engaging, practice emphasizing your unique qualities and experiences that set you apart from other candidates. You can tell a brief, impactful story about a relevant accomplishment or how you overcame a challenge. Also, tailor your introduction to the particular company and role to demonstrate your genuine interest and understanding of their values and goals.

• 26 Examples of Smart Questions to Ask in an Interview
• 3 Detailed Examples: Job Interview Request Email Responses
• 40 Examples: How to Make a Great Impression in a Job Interview
• 8 Examples of Effective Interview Confirmation Emails
• 6 Smart Questions To Ask in an Informational Interview
• 10 Smart Examples of An Interview Thank You Email

11 Sample Answers To “What Do You Like The Most About Your Job?”

Does this question “What do you like the most about your job?” keep you thinking, what to answer?

To give a proper answer, you should be ready with something to say. 

How To Answer To “What Do You Like The Most About Your Job”?

You just have to mention what you like about this job, field, or work you do .  

Mean to say, they want to see your positive response here. 

1. “I’m so grateful that I got a chance to work with this company. This job taught me a lot.”

You’re not looking for your second job after being working for the first for years. 

2. “The growth and learning opportunities this job offers excite me the most.”

This way you tell the employer what you like about their company the most.

3. “Well, the experience of working in this challenging job helps me to grow both professionally and personally.”  

And you look forward to the same job role and industry. 

4. “It’s the work environment that I like the most about this job. And, I can feel the same in this company as well.”  

Whereas, you also hope to get the same working environment in this new job, too. 

5. “So, this is a dynamic industry and I like doing the work that challenges me every day.” 

6. “working with experts and professionals always challenges me to do more.” .

But you believe that being around professionals at your job is something that motivates you every day. 

READ NEXT:  Best Answers To ‘How Are You Today?’ At Interview

7. “It’s a creative field, where you always have to come up with new ideas. And, this is something I have been looking for.”

8. “this job allows me to manage work-life balance. this helps me to fulfill my personal and professional responsibility better.” .

But your present job doesn’t create any issues in managing your life outside. 

9. “What I like the most about this job is it provides me the flexibility to work from anywhere.”

Sitting at one place and doing work for years is not for you. 

10. “Honestly, what I like the most about this job is that it pays me well. Not only that, but I got paid on time.”  

Anytime, when your friendly coworker asks what you like the most about this job, you want to share this.  

11. “The daily challenges are something that keeps me up on Monday morning. I like this work and I believe that I’m in the right field.”

Why do interviewers ask “what do you like about your job”.

Well, they might have a different reason to ask this question. 

Normally, during a job interview when interviewers ask what you like the most about your job or present company, they want to know your personality. 

When you have to take time to think about your favorite thing about your present job or position, this indicates that you’re only giving answers to their questions. 

So you can refer to these example answers and see what is something that you learned or like the most about your job, position, or this line of work. 

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Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I’ve ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That’s it. No big deal. Just three stories.

The first story is about connecting the dots.

I dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months, but then stayed around as a drop-in for another 18 months or so before I really quit. So why did I drop out?

It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed college graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates, so everything was all set for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife. Except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl. So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking: “We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?” They said: “Of course.” My biological mother later found out that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers. She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would someday go to college.

And 17 years later I did go to college. But I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and all of my working-class parents’ savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months, I couldn’t see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out. And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life. So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out I could stop taking the required classes that didn’t interest me, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting.

It wasn’t all romantic. I didn’t have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends’ rooms, I returned Coke bottles for the 5¢ deposits to buy food with, and I would walk the 7 miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. I loved it. And much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on. Let me give you one example:

Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country. Throughout the campus every poster, every label on every drawer, was beautifully hand calligraphed. Because I had dropped out and didn’t have to take the normal classes, I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to do this. I learned about serif and sans serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can’t capture, and I found it fascinating.

None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life. But 10 years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac, it’s likely that no personal computer would have them. If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do. Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backward 10 years later.

Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.

My second story is about love and loss.

I was lucky — I found what I loved to do early in life. Woz and I started Apple in my parents’ garage when I was 20. We worked hard, and in 10 years Apple had grown from just the two of us in a garage into a $2 billion company with over 4,000 employees. We had just released our finest creation — the Macintosh — a year earlier, and I had just turned 30. And then I got fired. How can you get fired from a company you started? Well, as Apple grew we hired someone who I thought was very talented to run the company with me, and for the first year or so things went well. But then our visions of the future began to diverge and eventually we had a falling out. When we did, our Board of Directors sided with him. So at 30 I was out. And very publicly out. What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was devastating.

I really didn’t know what to do for a few months. I felt that I had let the previous generation of entrepreneurs down — that I had dropped the baton as it was being passed to me. I met with David Packard and Bob Noyce and tried to apologize for screwing up so badly. I was a very public failure, and I even thought about running away from the valley. But something slowly began to dawn on me — I still loved what I did. The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit. I had been rejected, but I was still in love. And so I decided to start over.

I didn’t see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.

During the next five years, I started a company named NeXT, another company named Pixar, and fell in love with an amazing woman who would become my wife. Pixar went on to create the world’s first computer animated feature film,  Toy Story , and is now the most successful animation studio in the world. In a remarkable turn of events, Apple bought NeXT, I returned to Apple, and the technology we developed at NeXT is at the heart of Apple’s current renaissance. And Laurene and I have a wonderful family together.

I’m pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn’t been fired from Apple. It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.

My third story is about death.

When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

About a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I had a scan at 7:30 in the morning, and it clearly showed a tumor on my pancreas. I didn’t even know what a pancreas was. The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that is incurable, and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six months. My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is doctor’s code for prepare to die. It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought you’d have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. It means to say your goodbyes.

I lived with that diagnosis all day. Later that evening I had a biopsy, where they stuck an endoscope down my throat, through my stomach and into my intestines, put a needle into my pancreas and got a few cells from the tumor. I was sedated, but my wife, who was there, told me that when they viewed the cells under a microscope the doctors started crying because it turned out to be a very rare form of pancreatic cancer that is curable with surgery. I had the surgery and I’m fine now.

This was the closest I’ve been to facing death, and I hope it’s the closest I get for a few more decades. Having lived through it, I can now say this to you with a bit more certainty than when death was a useful but purely intellectual concept:

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

When I was young, there was an amazing publication called  The Whole Earth Catalog , which was one of the bibles of my generation. It was created by a fellow named Stewart Brand not far from here in Menlo Park, and he brought it to life with his poetic touch. This was in the late 1960s, before personal computers and desktop publishing, so it was all made with typewriters, scissors and Polaroid cameras. It was sort of like Google in paperback form, 35 years before Google came along: It was idealistic, and overflowing with neat tools and great notions.

Stewart and his team put out several issues of  The Whole Earth Catalog , and then when it had run its course, they put out a final issue. It was the mid-1970s, and I was your age. On the back cover of their final issue was a photograph of an early morning country road, the kind you might find yourself hitchhiking on if you were so adventurous. Beneath it were the words: “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.” It was their farewell message as they signed off. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Thank you all very much.

Small Talk: Talking about Your Job

A fun lesson for beginner to low intermediate level ESL students to learn grammar, vocabulary, and expressions for talking about your job and how to make small talk about your job. Watch the ESL video to learn how to make small talk about your job and use the ESL Printable and Digital storytelling flashcards to retell the story and practice using new vocabulary and expressions. Download the ESL printable worksheets by clicking the link below and subscribing.

Warm Up Questions to Talk about Your Job

• What do you do?
• Where’s your office?
• What do you like/dislike about your job?
• Do you like your co-workers?
• Do you like your boss?

ESL Video and Listening Practice Talking about Your Job

Watch the YouTube video:

ESL Listening Questions on Talking about Your Job

• What does Jim do for a living?
• What does Jim buy Tony?
• Who does he work for?
• Does Tony know the company that Jim works for?
• Where is Jim’s office?
• What does Tony do?
• Where is Tony’s office?
• How does Tony get to work?

ESL Printable and Digital Flashcards to Talk about Your Job

Use the following flashcards to talk about your job.

ESL Conversation about Talking about Your Job

Tony: Cheers! Thanks for the beer.

Jim: Cheers! It’s my pleasure!

Tony: So, what do you do for a living?

Jim: I’m a salesperson.

Tony: Who do you work for?

Jim: I work for GetLife Software Company. Do you know it?

Tony: Of course, I know it. It’s very famous. Where is your office ?

Jim: My office is downtown next to city hall.

Tony: Oh, I see! That’s very convenient.

Jim: How about you? What do you do?

Tony: I’m a lawyer.

Jim: Wow, really? Where’s your office?

Tony: My office is near Central station. I usually take the train to work. I’m sorry. I really should go now.

ESL Gamification: Digital Badges and Stamps for the ESL Classroom

A powerful way to motivate and inspire students. Assign digital badges and stamps to lesson objectives. Hundreds of stamps to choose from.

www.pocketpassport.com Questions? [email protected]

Reference: B2L4

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