12 May 2023
The idea of delivering a presentation in an interview can be a daunting one, especially for people new to the jobs market. However, presentations are becoming an increasingly prevalent part of the selection process, especially when recruiting for senior positions or when presentation or advanced communication skills are vital for the job.
Here are some top tips to help you produce the perfect presentation to help you show your potential future employer exactly what you can do.
Step 1: Preparation and Planning
It is essential to understand exactly who you will be presenting to: this includes the number of people, their expertise and their position in the company, as this will help influence what you say and how you say it. Make sure your presentation is tailored to hit the right spots for the people who will be assessing it!
Step 2: Structuring the Presentation
Whilst planning your presentation, you should also take into account the structure; this should ideally be no longer than three parts, including a snappy opening, the development of your argument, and not forgetting a clear, memorable conclusion that will stick with your audience.
Also, remember to keep your presentation informative and concise, concentrating on your core message. Nobody wants to be on the receiving end of a fifty-slide presentation. You don’t win any points for boring the room. You will probably have been given a specified amount of time for your presentation, so make sure you keep it as brief as it needs to be.
A good tip is to find out how quickly you usually speak and then determine how many words you will need for the presentation based on how many minutes you will speak for. Be sure to consider how quickly you speak when taking extra care to enunciate every word, like you should during the interview and presentation. You can try getting friends or family to time you if you have trouble finding this measurement.
Step 3: Presentation Delivery
It can be very easy to let your nerves get the better of you, so make sure you are entirely comfortable with your presentation and have practised it repeatedly in front of friends or family. Try to maintain eye contact with your audience and ensure you speak with a steady upbeat tone; this will help keep your audience interested. For added bonus points, try to learn your presentation by heart, as this will give a fantastic impression of your confidence and professionalism.
Step 4: Answer any Questions
Make sure you leave time at the end to answer any questions the audience may have, as this allows you to demonstrate your knowledge further and show you can respond under pressure. Being able to answer questions about your presentation shows the ability to think on your feet, and this is something that is prized by many employers.
Finally, remember to breathe and enjoy it because it is your time to shine.
(Written by Ellie Cowell, making an excellent contribution to OurBob.com during a work experience placement.)
