Presentation within an interview

[Ray Singh]

Dear Friends. I have managed to secure an interview next week. Part of the interview will be a 15 min presentation of the skills and experience that i can bring to the role. This can include a project that I have completed.

The presentation must last 15 mins and no more and be completed using only handouts - no electronic devices allowed (no powerpoint etc).

Any ideas how to spice this up and make it exciting without over stepping the mark? I can see that the interviewers must get bored listening to these, so perhaps you could suggest a constructive way of making this interesting?

Perhaps you have recruited and recall a good presentation that you were shown?

[rog007]

Well, if you're not using PowerPoint, it's your ability to paint a picture with words, reinforced by a possible handout or maybe a demonstration of a product if that is applicable to what project you're going to use to highlight your competencies.

I'd start with working out what the employer is after from you; what competencies you have that they are interested in. Then identify a recent project where you have made a demonstrable impact and that you can use as the vehicle to highlight those competencies.

Use small cards for your prompt notes, practice, practice again, and when you think you're there, practice 3 more times. Ideally, practice in front of someone for feedback, better still, film yourself to spot any odd habits you may not be fully aware of (shuffling, lack of eye contact, odd facial expressions, etc, etc). But most of all, smile, relax and look like your enjoying the experience and give off an aura of confidence, but with a little humility thrown in.

Good luck!

[STW2010]

What I would do here is create a big diagram and talk them through this.

For example, a big arrow on an A3 sheet of paper going from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. The top left being the start of a project or a task, and then going down the arrow would be the progressive story of how you started the project, formulated your approach, planned for and tackled any problems along the way and then how you carried out the work (completing to the deadline, high quality outputs etc).

Then against any points I would specifically state the qualities that this demonstrates (logical thinking, planning, teamwork, assertiveness, motivation etc).

[TurricanII]

Your clear enthusiasm in what you are talking about is worth a lot I feel, and if you can pick an example that very closely matches the job you are going for then they will naturally start thinking about the scenario you describe.

If you are obviously excited about your achievements and the benefits returned, and the scenario matches the job they are trying to fill, then I am not sure what else you could do.

One book I read did suggest that you leave a handout for a lasting impression. If I was asked the same, in an IT role, then I would try and leave them with a high level diagram of a system which they might be able to refer to for inspiration themselves.

[condor]

I had to do a 10 minute presentation without the use of Powerpoint, projectors etc.
I just did a printout of 3 'would be' slides and talked as if I was presenting them as a slide, whilst showing them to the interviewers...didn't get the job.

[Grumpy old git]

STW2010 said:

What I would do here is create a big diagram and talk them through this.

For example, a big arrow on an A3 sheet of paper going from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. The top left being the start of a project or a task, and then going down the arrow would be the progressive story of how you started the project, formulated your approach, planned for and tackled any problems along the way and then how you carried out the work (completing to the deadline, high quality outputs etc).

Then against any points I would specifically state the qualities that this demonstrates (logical thinking, planning, teamwork, assertiveness, motivation etc).

I know it's just an example but with the arrow that way it looks like you started a project and it all went downhill after that

[rog007]

Of course the other it may seem as if it was all an uphill struggle!

[STW2010]

Ha, I can see what you mean actually!

The reason I did it that way was so that you can fit more on to the sheet of paper, but a horizontal line would work just as well I suppose.

[Ray Singh]

Thanks for all the responses.

I've decided to go with a single side of A4 paper with bullet points on it. I will take about each bullet in a little more detail, giving examples of what i did in my previous role with my current employer.

[Ray Singh]

I am going to this interview tomorrow and will update you with my thoughts when i return.

Thanks for the advice.

[Ray Singh]

Presentation should have lasted 15 mins, i made 11 mins plus 2 further minutes talking about my two pervious product successes.

I think it went well, fingers crossed whilst i wait.....

[rog007]

Ray Singh said:

Presentation should have lasted 15 mins, i made 11 mins plus 2 further minutes talking about my two pervious product successes.

I think it went well, fingers crossed whilst i wait.....

Good stuff. Always better to be just under (stops the panel from getting bored or irritated). Good luck!