Title: Elevator Shaft Presentation
Course: Canvas Practice Course > Section: August 9th Business Communications

ELEVATOR SHAFT PRESENTATION

Purpose:

During an interview you likely will be asked an open ended question, such as “Why do you believe you are qualified for this position?”.  To prepare to respond convincingly to that sort of question, you need to prepare and rehearse a two to three minute summary of your qualifications and how these qualifications respond to and mesh with the specific requirements of the position and the minimum qualifications of the successful applicant.  These qualifications include academic, employment related, volunteer work related, and/or personal.

Role and Audience:

Your role is a prospective employee of a business within the graphics arts industry.  You have just submitted a hard copy of your resume and cover letter in person at the company’s offices.  As you are leaving the building, you meet a person in the elevator.  That person is an employee of the organization who has authority to select the candidate to be hired for this position.  You recognize that person from seeing his/her photo on the company’s website or because you perhaps met him/her at a job expo.  In any event, you introduce yourself and proceed to tell that person why you believe you are qualified for the job for which you just applied.

The Assignment:

This assignment is an oral assignment.  You should rehearse your presentation aloud, at least three times, either to a friend or family member or, at the very least, to yourself, looking in a mirror.  You will address your presentation to me, in class.  You will introduce yourself. Then, you will talk about how you are qualified for the position you just applied for, speaking about 3-4 specific job requirements and how you satisfy them by way of education, experience, volunteer work, affiliations, and/or otherwise. You will tell me anything else about you that would serve to convince me you should be considered for a formal interview for the position. You will complete your presentation with a cordial closing.

Evaluation Criteria:

⁯         Clear introduction

⁯         Indicate job sought

⁯         Discuss job qualifications required

⁯         Discuss personal qualifications that link to job requirements

⁯         Education

⁯         Work Experience

⁯         Awards, Honors

⁯         Professional Affiliations

⁯         Volunteer Activities

⁯         Other Qualifications

⁯         Cordial Closing