1. Making a Good First Impression: The Elevator Talk
Rachel O’Brien
Photo and some content from Heather Macdonald and David McConnell’s 2012 presentation and Carolyn Gale’s 2006 presentation to Preparing for an Academic Career in the Geosciences workshop

2. What is an elevator talk?
Imagine that you are in a elevator (or sitting on plane and someone asks you, “What do you do?” You have seconds to tell them. What will you say?
Michael Tobias

3. Consider these questions to craft your talk
What is the field in which I work?
What methods and/or techniques do I use?
What is the question I am trying to answer (or the topic I am working on)?
Why is this work important?

4. There is more than one type of audience for this talk
Other geoscientists
Program officers from funding agencies
Other scientists
The Dean or Provost (often an academic but not necessarily a scientist)
Graduate and/or undergraduate students
Your grandmother

5. Tips on content Goal: A clear and compelling synopsis
Avoid technical terms and jargon
Use short sentences
Use “I” rather than “we” (when possible)
• Communicate what excites you most about your research
Explain why your work has relevance and/or significance

6. Tips on delivery Goal: An engaged and instructive conversation
Show passion/enthusiasm for your work
Vary the tone of your voice
Approach this as a conversation
Establish eye contact; watch to see if your audience understands you
Concentrate on a "I'm glad you asked" expression and posture

7. Additional comments
Your audience should gain a general understanding of what you do. An elevator talk is not intended to teach your audience everything about your work.
You will have been successful if you get a response like this: “That sounds really interesting. Tell me more about ....”
If this is during the interview, present yourself as a potential colleague, not as a graduate student
It’s a bridge for further discussion.