An interview presentation can add an extra level of stress to the already daunting interview process. Not everyone is a natural public speaker, so preparation makes a huge difference when you’re trying to put forward a great presentation. Take a look at the tips below to help you get started.
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Ask questions
Before you even put pen to paper it is important to know exactly what it is the company is looking for. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially if the brief you’ve been given is vague. Make sure you at least know how long your presentation is expected to be, whether there will be any technology for you to use (no point preparing a PowerPoint if all you’ll get is a whiteboard) and who the people you’ll be presenting to are. The latter is important as it will dictate the level of jargon you should be using in your interview presentation.
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Structure
One of the most important parts of your presentation is the structure. Be sure to include a strong key message and build your presentation around that. Remember that this is your chance to show off your professional knowledge and skills, so be sure to do your research and be convincing in your arguments and recommendations. The fact that you have been invited to do the interview presentation means that they are interested in what you have to say, so don’t be shy about being assertive.
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Don’t overcrowd your slides
If you’re using PowerPoint or another form of slides then make sure not to overdo it on the slides. Try and stick to one key message per slide and don’t put too much information on there. If there’s too much text people will end up getting too focused on reading it all and they won’t listen to what you have to say. Give them a brief prompt or key sentence or two and then elaborate on that. This is also a good way to avoid reading your presentation straight from the slides!
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Practice!
It sounds obvious, but make sure you practice your presentation. If you can practice it in front of your partner, family member, or housemate that is ideal, but if you can’t find a willing audience to practice in front then try recording yourself. When you watch the recording back, you’ll be able to pick up on any areas of improvement. Make sure to pay close attention to your body language and the speed at which your talking!
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Be prepared for questions
It is more than likely that your interviewers will ask you questions after your presentation. Be prepared for this by thinking of the most likely follow-up questions the panel is likely to ask. Try and think of it from the perspective of the company, and make sure that your prepared answers are in line with the company’s activities and vision.
If you’ve been speaking to a recruitment consultant about the role, don’t be afraid to ask them questions! They will be able to give you more information with regards to what the company is looking for and how best to prepare for your interview. Looking for a new role? Why not check out our current vacancies or upload your CV here or stay up to date on our new vacancies by following us on LinkedIn.
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