Interview presentation (without powerpoint). Ideas please

[CTO]

Morning all,

I have an interview next week for a job. The interview is in three parts over 2 1/2 hours.

1) 2:1 interview (45mins)
2) Written exercise, case study to analyse and produce a report of findings and recommendations
3) Ten minute presentation of the main objectives of the role and how I will ensure I am a success.


The key part is that for 3, there will be no computer or projector facilities available. Like many I am used to having powerpoint running in the background to illustrate stuff, provide a structure to bounce off and to ignore when it doesn't work as it should.

I am trying to think of alternative ways/tips to present without just standing there and talking at the panel like Forrest Gump

People have suggested flip charts and the like, but to my mind that all seems a bit blue peter and the whole point of the lack of IT support is to see how well you present the topic on your own merits.... I guess.....

Any tips for ideas I can use, techniques etc?


Cheers,


CTO

[Frimley111R]

Is there anything physical to show (product?)

[GT03ROB]

Frimley111R said:

Is there anything physical to show (product?)

Yes......himself.

Seriously people are too obsessed with needing "props" for presentations. It's not necessary.

The key is how you structure what you say. He need to think about what he wants his audience to think (he's the best person for the job); what he wants his audience to do (hire him). What is it he's trying to tell them, that he can't actually say (I am the best person for the job). Then tell them the story that puts all this together.

And yes that means standing up there for 10 mins just talking (but hopefully not like Forest Gump)

[CTO]

Nope no product to show, other than (as Rob said) myself

The presentation is on the prospective role, my views on what that entails and then some stuff on how I will make the role successful.

I will be assessed on the content as well as the delivery.

Assessed against following competencies:

• Developing self and others
• Communicating with clarity and confidence
• Continually learning and improving
• Motivation for the role

I am just wondering what/how I am going to get the message across without droning on and on and windmilling my arms like I am landing a plane. They are a panel so I'm not sure how trying to get them involved would go down. They are interviewing me, not the other way round

[Simpo Two]

Perhaps you could think of it as kind of Best Man's speech - except it's about you. But practice your body language, don't talk too fast, don't sway from side to side. I'd still write down points as part of the preparation as it helps remember them. Use a nmemonic to remember them so you can call on mentally; you can always pause for a second or two to regroup your brain between sections.

[Mr Overheads]

Buy The Jelly Effect by Andy Bounds, you can read it in a few hours (skip the chapters about networking, not relevant to you right now)

[CTO]

I figured at ten minutes long then that is about 4 or 5 key points.

Have them in my head along with a few sub points for each key point and go for it.

Have a piece of paper with the above written on as an aide memoir and try and keep it as relaxed as possible.....

[Mr Overheads]

Basic rules for presentation:
Tell them what you are going to cover in short
Cover it in detal
Tell them what you've just covered in short again

i.e. effectively repeat everything 3 times.

[CTO]

Thanks MO.


Think I am going to put it together as a PP presentation and then condense it down into key points for me to memorise and expand on them individually as I go along...

[askew]

You can turn your presentation - or at least the notes - into your cue cards.

/captain obvious

[boyse7en]

Mr Overheads said:

Basic rules for presentation:
Tell them what you are going to cover in short
Cover it in detal
Tell them what you've just covered in short again

i.e. effectively repeat everything 3 times.

We use the same 'method'

Tell them what you are going to tell them
Tell them
Tell them what you just told them

The idea being that the first bit gets them interested, they'll probably only remember about a third of the middle bit, so you then sum it all up at the end for them to refresh their memory.

[Sharted]

Second the suggestion to use an Andy Bounds book, I used the Snowball effect when preparing a conference presentation and it was a great start.

Easy to read and digest and not a big book at all.

[CTO]

Thanks all.

I may use the odd cue card, or at least a sheet with some main points on.

I'll have a look at that book now.

BW

CTO

[Rich1973]

Include the people you are presenting to as well.
Engage them in what you are talking about and also ask them a question or two if you get the opportunity.

[snobetter]

Practice in front of somebody, or video yourself, find out if you're, er, sounding like a, er, footballer, er, also if your moving your arms exactly the same all the time.
I guess they want you to look calm and natural despite pooing yourself...

[hajaba123]

Time yourself when you practise, 10 minutes may not be as long (or short) as you think.

I did a similar one a few months ago, told no props/powerpoint etc. Worked really well as I was able to converse with the 2 interviewers after the scripted criteria based bit. It meant that I could get their steer on how I was getting on as I spoke. I also made sure that my titles were all related to the company values and quoted a load of stuff from the press/ website.

Sorry, didn't really answer the questions- Don't worry about no powerpoint, it's just a distraction/tool to hide behind. get your content nailed (ie your sales pitch) and you'll be fine

[surveyor]

Many moons ago for my professional interview I used one of these....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Durable-Landscape-Durastar...

[CTO]

Thanks Surveyor and habajabadaba (can't recall the correct spelling)

Initially when I found out no IT stuff I was a bit taken aback and couldn't work out how it would go.

Having read other people's posts I'm now coming at it from a slightly different angle. Public speaking I can do and have a good record of performing well at. If anything, PP and the like probably stifle things a bit and contribute to a stale atmosphere whereas getting stuck in and being more personable can only be a good thing. No one wants an automaton

Currently producing a document with all the background,legislative and factual stuff that has led to the role creation, going to go onto my responsibilities and role and then onto how I can do it, experience, leadership theory, developing people and businesses, that kind of thing.

Likely to feel a very short ten minutes if the dynamics are more relaxed.


(Apologies for speeeling etc, posting from my kindle.)

[jep]

Handouts with the key benefits of what you would bring to the role could help.

[mildmannered]

They want to ascertain whether you are personable, dynamic and can hold their attention for ten minutes without the use of visual aids.

If they have also had to listen to six earlier candidates prattling on about how brilliant they are in an "Apprentice" style, it may be worth asking for interaction from one or two of the panel by asking for a typical problem scenario, so you can demonstrate how you would address the issue.