Giving a presentation for an interview?
Discussion
Ok - looking to those with recruitment experience.
You're looking to recruit a tall, dark, handsome data analyst into your team*. You've interviewed him - he's got the experience, he knows what he's talking about, his references are fine, and he wants to job. Great.
You decide to ask him to come for a second interview, but part of this is going to be him giving a 15 minute powerpoint presentation on a subject you've chosen (and told him).
What are you looking for in this presentation?
Any advice?
You're looking to recruit a tall, dark, handsome data analyst into your team*. You've interviewed him - he's got the experience, he knows what he's talking about, his references are fine, and he wants to job. Great.
You decide to ask him to come for a second interview, but part of this is going to be him giving a 15 minute powerpoint presentation on a subject you've chosen (and told him).
What are you looking for in this presentation?
Any advice?
* God, you were lucky I applied. 
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
This presentation at interview is all guff if you ask me. (unless giving presentations are part of the job)
Yes, they would be part of the job - I'd taken that as a given Obviously the way I deliver the presentation will be important...but is there anything else you'd want to see?
For a start, not PowerPoint!! If I use a Presentation as part of the interview process (which sometimes I do) I'm looking for someone who is confident and creative. A load of slides in Powerpoint is a real turn off. If you do use PowerPoint then use 2 - 3 slides at a very high level and use them as discussion points.
Know your subject matter and come at it from a different angle - that will get their attention.
Know your subject matter and come at it from a different angle - that will get their attention.
the biggest downfall of an analyst in my world is not getting the message across clearly. Be that in a presentation of 2,000 people or to a team of five. Not sure if you job involves verbally communicating whatever data you analyse but presummably they want to check out how well you come across
When it comes to presentations I try to
1) develop the presentation like your would a story - so there is a flow to what you're saying, rather than it randomly jumping all over the place
2) think of your target audience - do they already know about what you are communicating? Do you need to be simplistic, or dig down to the very detailed level? Your presentation on the same topic to engineers would likely be very different to senior management. Same story, different content
3) if time allows think of the best use of colour and layout and charts/pictures to get across what you mean. One well placed graph or picture will stick in someones mind a lot lnger than dozens of lines of text
4) be relaxed, as best you can
finally - good luck!
When it comes to presentations I try to
1) develop the presentation like your would a story - so there is a flow to what you're saying, rather than it randomly jumping all over the place
2) think of your target audience - do they already know about what you are communicating? Do you need to be simplistic, or dig down to the very detailed level? Your presentation on the same topic to engineers would likely be very different to senior management. Same story, different content
3) if time allows think of the best use of colour and layout and charts/pictures to get across what you mean. One well placed graph or picture will stick in someones mind a lot lnger than dozens of lines of text
4) be relaxed, as best you can
finally - good luck!
It may not be what they want, but things i'd look for are:
1) Does this person know how to use PowerPoint as a presentation tool?
I want to see your ability to create a usable set of slides. Out of the box, PowerPoint is a bit pants, so things I'd spot are:
2) Do you know how to structure a presentation?
There are several rules of presentation, but I'm looking for logic and flow relevant to the type of presentation. For example, most of my presentations are proposals, and they follow a pretty standard structure:
- What you've asked me to do
- Interpreting that into a clearer request
- Considerations/Issues I need to address
- Objectives
- Strategy
- Proposals
- Dirty stuff (budgets, etc.)
- Checklist/Review: How my ideas address the previously stated objectives
- Next Steps
Whatever your structure, I'd be looking for:
3) How good are you at presenting to an audience?
Are you comfortable, interesting? Do you know your presentation? Do you have a good balance between what you say and what's on screen? Have you prepared handout copies? Have you got props (if relevant)? Are you able to deal with questions & interruptions? Do you finish on time? Have you covered the little things (which machine is it presented on? Do you have a backup on a flash drive?)?
This shows that I can leave you to do the whole thing.
4) Finally, are you talking sense?
In this case, perhaps least important is the message rather than the means. Have you understood the brief? Have you answered it? Have you come up with some interesting insights and ideas?
This shows that not only can you do the mechanics of creating and delivering a presentation, but as a bonus you actually know what you're talking about, and youre going to add value to the business. You should really have done this in the interview already, but it's always nice to have that idea reinforced.
Cover these four points, and you've shown me that:
1) Does this person know how to use PowerPoint as a presentation tool?
I want to see your ability to create a usable set of slides. Out of the box, PowerPoint is a bit pants, so things I'd spot are:
- You've created a decent template: played with text sizes, added a colour motif (something clean like a coloured line between title & body), and it remains consistent between slides.
- You know how to create a readable slide, limiting how much appears on each slide.
- Careful highlighting of key points: bold, colour, where useful.
- Effective use of charts, tables and images (not MS Clipart)
- You can use slide builds correctly (but appropriately - some buids, some straight to full slide)
- Judicious use of graphics & effects. Don't show off, only use them where they add value.
2) Do you know how to structure a presentation?
There are several rules of presentation, but I'm looking for logic and flow relevant to the type of presentation. For example, most of my presentations are proposals, and they follow a pretty standard structure:
- What you've asked me to do
- Interpreting that into a clearer request
- Considerations/Issues I need to address
- Objectives
- Strategy
- Proposals
- Dirty stuff (budgets, etc.)
- Checklist/Review: How my ideas address the previously stated objectives
- Next Steps
Whatever your structure, I'd be looking for:
- A structure as a series of chapters. Probably started with a title page, often closed with a summary page.
- A clear logic through the presentation. Close off one issue before you move onto the next.
- Where necessary, very clear recapping to be sure that the key messages are understood.
- Where appropriate, clear referencing back to previous points to show how they've been addressed.
3) How good are you at presenting to an audience?
Are you comfortable, interesting? Do you know your presentation? Do you have a good balance between what you say and what's on screen? Have you prepared handout copies? Have you got props (if relevant)? Are you able to deal with questions & interruptions? Do you finish on time? Have you covered the little things (which machine is it presented on? Do you have a backup on a flash drive?)?
This shows that I can leave you to do the whole thing.
4) Finally, are you talking sense?
In this case, perhaps least important is the message rather than the means. Have you understood the brief? Have you answered it? Have you come up with some interesting insights and ideas?
This shows that not only can you do the mechanics of creating and delivering a presentation, but as a bonus you actually know what you're talking about, and youre going to add value to the business. You should really have done this in the interview already, but it's always nice to have that idea reinforced.
Cover these four points, and you've shown me that:
- You actually know the what you're talking about
- You know how to communicate information clearly
- You're capable and comfortable running the whole show. From the initial brief you can develop an idea, structure an argument, and present that argument (both in slides and speech). I won't have to nanny you.
Rich, that's brilliant, thank you.
I've "borrowed" the companies own standard template - a quick web-search for "<company name> powerpoint" brings back lots of their presentations, and they ALL use exactly the same layout / template, so I figured that was the least offensive way to lay it out to them, it's what they're used to seeing.
I'll have a think about what you've said tonight, I'm at the final rehearsing stage now, so hopefully I've included the things you've said...but I'll be checking!
I've "borrowed" the companies own standard template - a quick web-search for "<company name> powerpoint" brings back lots of their presentations, and they ALL use exactly the same layout / template, so I figured that was the least offensive way to lay it out to them, it's what they're used to seeing.
I'll have a think about what you've said tonight, I'm at the final rehearsing stage now, so hopefully I've included the things you've said...but I'll be checking!
HiRich said:
2) Do you know how to structure a presentation?
There are several rules of presentation, but I'm looking for logic and flow relevant to the type of presentation. For example, most of my presentations are proposals, and they follow a pretty standard structure:
- What you've asked me to do
- Interpreting that into a clearer request
- Considerations/Issues I need to address
- Objectives
- Strategy
- Proposals
- Dirty stuff (budgets, etc.)
- Checklist/Review: How my ideas address the previously stated objectives
- Next Steps
Whatever your structure, I'd be looking for:
Excellent advice there - as an outsider to the company and dependant on the subject given you could include Assumptions along with the considerations/issues section described above. You may have to make some assumptions in reaching your conclusion/recommendation - these need to be explained early on to minimise potential misunderstandings.There are several rules of presentation, but I'm looking for logic and flow relevant to the type of presentation. For example, most of my presentations are proposals, and they follow a pretty standard structure:
- What you've asked me to do
- Interpreting that into a clearer request
- Considerations/Issues I need to address
- Objectives
- Strategy
- Proposals
- Dirty stuff (budgets, etc.)
- Checklist/Review: How my ideas address the previously stated objectives
- Next Steps
Whatever your structure, I'd be looking for:
- A structure as a series of chapters. Probably started with a title page, often closed with a summary page.
- A clear logic through the presentation. Close off one issue before you move onto the next.
- Where necessary, very clear recapping to be sure that the key messages are understood.
- Where appropriate, clear referencing back to previous points to show how they've been addressed.
HTH
The presentations I like are those which pose a question to the audience, something to make them think/interact instead of thinking "I'm going to have 15 minutes of stuff thrown at me then a "any questions" at the end... and a how did you like my presentation form".. Try to give them something a little different - maybe a 1-2 minute session where they get to talk as opposed to only hearing your voice.
Run through it, run through it again and again and... Defo. saying it out loud or possibly to someone that will listen to it to guage their reaction..
Slides shouldn't have more than about 5-7 items on them.
1) Tell them hat you're going to tell them.
2) Tell them. Possibly with a "what do you think encapsulates this, in one word.." and note them down, etc..
3) Tell them what you've told them.
above all good luck
when is it?
Run through it, run through it again and again and... Defo. saying it out loud or possibly to someone that will listen to it to guage their reaction..
Slides shouldn't have more than about 5-7 items on them.
1) Tell them hat you're going to tell them.
2) Tell them. Possibly with a "what do you think encapsulates this, in one word.." and note them down, etc..
3) Tell them what you've told them.
above all good luck
when is it?Sounds like a classic 30 60 90 day presentation....
So... listen and absorb... plan what neeeds to be done... then execute is the required pitch...
I'd suggest keep it simple... one slide listen, one plan and one execute
No more than 5 bullets per slide
No gimicks or animations, definately content over style here... it's not a marketing excercise
Don't read verbatim from the screen or from notes
And finally, the very best of luck
So... listen and absorb... plan what neeeds to be done... then execute is the required pitch...
I'd suggest keep it simple... one slide listen, one plan and one execute
No more than 5 bullets per slide
No gimicks or animations, definately content over style here... it's not a marketing excercise
Don't read verbatim from the screen or from notes
And finally, the very best of luck
Ranger 6 said:
Excellent advice there - as an outsider to the company and dependant on the subject given you could include Assumptions along with the considerations/issues section described above. You may have to make some assumptions in reaching your conclusion/recommendation - these need to be explained early on to minimise potential misunderstandings.
HTH
Perhaps a bit late, but that's good general advice - especially if you can keep it to one page. Be aware that someone might pee on your bonfire by blurting out that one of your assumptions is completely wrong, so have escape routes planned. In the nightmare scenario that it fundamentally scuppers your proposals, be prepared to bail out of the presentation "Well there's no point presenting something you're going to fundamentally disagree with, so let's discuss why I made that assumption and what you think is wrong with it." That will knock them sideways.HTH
Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:
Intro: Tell them what you're going to tell them.
Presentation: Tell Them
Conclusion: Tell them what you told them.
And a great big "after the event" thanks Presentation: Tell Them
Conclusion: Tell them what you told them.
ETA: I've been offered the job.
So, tonight, my house, beers on Pete Tong.
Edited further: I hope none of you reprobates know where I live!
Edited by tigger1 on Wednesday 19th March 16:26
Edited by tigger1 on Wednesday 19th March 16:26
Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff