Elevator statements are usually the domain of marketers and small business owners, but with a little adaption can also prove useful for career changers as a self promotional and networking tool.

Far from being some sort of presentation you make to the occupants of a lift (though I could imagine one or two would be stand up comedians, or politicians, relishing such a captive audience), an elevator statement is in-fact a way of effectively conveying information quickly, and where time is short.

Such as the brief amount of time you are in an elevator.

Here’s how it works. You walk into a lift and another occupant nods at you, and you nod back. By the time you have reached your floor, they have introduced themselves and explained their company provides various training and motivational courses for small to medium size enterprises.

You marvel at how, in the space of what seems like ten seconds, you have the lowdown on the services offered by the business of a complete stranger whom you are sharing an elevator with!

In a way an elevator statement is like a small pitch for business, and in a competitive marketplace such a simple device could be all it takes to snare a deal.

Despite the name though, they can be used in any situation where an opportunity to mention your work, or business, arises and time is very short. This could be in the queue at a bank, a taxi rank, or a chance encounter with a former associate as you are hurrying along the street to an appointment.

And while being great for those in sales and marketing, the concept can also be used by career changers as a way of networking and generating job leads.

Now I’m not suggesting you devise a self promotional spiel and then start eyeballing everyone you meet in an elevator. Rather, what you can do is prepare a short statement outlining your career change ambitions, that can be dropped into everyday conversation.

And sometimes just the simple fact that you are looking for something new is going around the grapevine can be enough to bring opportunities your way.

So think of your “elevator statement” as being more of a way of networking and spreading the word, like a mini press release if you like, that summarises your career change intentions.

Now it’s time to get to work. What’s the best way to describe the sort of work you are looking for, while being descriptive and also concise? How much could you say in the space of 20 seconds? In ten seconds?

Time yourself, you’ll be surprised at just how much information you can convey in that sort of a time frame, if you think it through carefully.

Try this “elevator statement” as a starting point:

“I’m a photographer but have spent the last few months doing IT courses, as I would like to do some web development work going forward.”

You are not only clearly expressing your intentions to become a web developer, but also conveying your commitment by mentioning your studies. Now start telling people, anyone, family, friends, neighbours, whoever you come into contact with.

It may only take the single instance of a say a neighbour, to hear that a business colleague is looking for a web developer, to set things in motion!

Here’s a summary of the benefits of a career change elevator statement;

1. Not only are you creating an elevator statement for public consumption, you are also composing a personal “mission statement” of sorts, as it put your objectives, and the way you intend achieving them, in clear focus.

2. Getting word about your career change intentions around through interpersonal networks just may generate the job lead you are looking for. Remember personal recommendations are often highly regarded, we all like hearing a “good word” about something, or someone, from a person we know or trust.

3. Also, bear in mind that only a quarter to a third of jobs are ever advertised, meaning the rest are filled by other means. Having word going around the streets you are after work can therefore only be a good thing.

4. Crafting a personal elevator statement is relatively quick and simple, and there is really nothing to lose from having one, even if nothing comes of it.