Elevators aren’t the right place to build your network
Photo credit: twobees
I’ve been working on developing a new explanation of my current life mission. People give me funny looks when I say I do HR, labor relations and social media. Apparently this is a rather unlikely combination. So I’m trying out new versions in my head with mixed results.
I’m at the point where I am mentally composing my new elevator speech. You know about elevator speeches, right? Blogger Anne Wayman defines the elevator speech this way:
You know the thinking behind the much touted elevator speech. You’re supposed to figure out how to sum up your business in an intriguing way so it can be said between the 4th and 7th floor just in case someone asks you what you do.
Anne has some other advice on elevator speeches. It goes like this:
Trust me, you’ll never be asked what you do in an elevator; you’ll be lucky if someone even returns your guarded nod.
So, I don’t really need an elevator speech anyway, which is a good thing since I don’t have an elevator either. I live in a 2nd floor flat, and have to walk up the stairs. At the office, I work on the third floor and usually walk up there as well. When I ride the elevator, I am usually rudely checking my email.
Maybe I need to work on developing a stair speech or a ground level speech, or possibly even a beachfront speech.
Here’s what I am saying on Twitter these days.
Purveyor of information on HR and social media. I also walk dogs. Oh, and I dig Instagram, travel and Pinterest too.
Most of the time, I just start with hello.
Related articles
- Why You Need a Better Elevator Pitch (blogs.hbr.org)
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
.@luckypenny Elevators aren’t the right place to build your network! http://t.co/W4czgYHM #radchat #THLive #TRUlondon #hr #shrm #TEPHR #dthr
on HRH: It all starts when you say hello http://t.co/Xq596pZj #socialnetworking #business
Fr Human Race Horse: It all starts when you say hello:
Elevators aren’t the right place to build your network
… http://t.co/y7FT2WTV
RT It all starts when you say hello http://t.co/VtgpiRpc @MikeVanDervort
“@HRConnector: Fr Human Race Horse: It all starts when you say hello:
Elevators aren’t the right place to build … http://t.co/llQrhJcU
Screw the elevator speech! http://t.co/aQ6sAX1N #hrblogs
It all starts when you say hello: Elevators aren’t the right place to build your network
No related posts.
Rela… http://t.co/VGppasS5
.@luckypenny Elevators aren’t the right place to build your network! http://t.co/W4czgYHM #radchat #THLive #TRUlondon #hr #shrm #TEPHR #dthr
.@luckypenny Elevators aren’t the right place to build your network! http://t.co/W4czgYHM #radchat #THLive #TRUlondon #hr #shrm #TEPHR #dthr
MRT @MikeVanDervort @luckypenny Elevators aren’t right network! http://t.co/0vQPB0Wj #radchat #THLive #TRUlondon #hr #shrm #TEPHR #dthr
You really don't need an elevator speech, especially when you got no elevator! Just say "Hello" http://t.co/W4czgYHM #hrevolution #hrfl12
New blog post on HRH: Skip the elevator speech, just say hello http://t.co/fCwGgk0J
Skip the elevator speech, just say hello ##hr ##shrm # http://t.co/ahigdzym RT @MikeVanDervort
New blog post on HRH: Skip the elevator speech, just say hello http://t.co/fCwGgk0J
It all starts when you say hello – http://t.co/rLCMinmi @MikeVanDervort @MeghanMBiro @BonniToronto
It all starts when you say hello – http://t.co/rLCMinmi @MikeVanDervort @MeghanMBiro @BonniToronto
“@tanmaykverma: It all starts when you say hello – http://t.co/e4ualvtl @MikeVanDervort @MeghanMBiro @BonniToronto” thanks!
RT @MikeVanDervort: Skip the elevator speech, just say hello! http://t.co/fdgPnkPb
Love this—>RT @MikeVanDervort: New blog post on HRH: Skip the elevator speech, just say hello http://t.co/1ln4r4Fa
Via @mikevandervort Skip the elevator & just say hello! http://t.co/tr1v97xG #hrblogs #hr
“@SageHRMS: Via @mikevandervort Skip the elevator & just say hello! http://t.co/FuPnKAZt #hrblogs #hr” thnx!
RT @MikeVanDervort: Skip the elevator speech, just say hello ##hr ##shrm # http://t.co/aqkX3q7z #hr247
Hi #friends @tanmaykverma: It all starts when you say hello – http://t.co/RVdUtpBy @MikeVanDervort @BonniToronto
Hi #friends @tanmaykverma: It all starts when you say hello – http://t.co/RVdUtpBy @MikeVanDervort @BonniToronto
Good post this week from @MikeVanDervort : "Skip the elevator speech, just say hello" http://t.co/U5OeqXra
Twitter: Helping You Hire
March 16, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Great post! From a Staffing Solutions perspective, I feel that elevator pitches are effective but I believe it depends on your field. Whether or not you find them effective is one thing, but I do know that as a job seeker, you should be able to describe yourself, your strengths, what you can bring to the table, what you are looking for, and why you are the best candidate. These are things that recruiters definitely look for!