Help! I have to do a presentation.
Discussion
Right, applied for an internal job at work as a Relief Supervisor (holiday cover etc). Got a letter this morning inviting me for an interview next week, which is brilliant news, but the letter states that they expect me to give a 5-10 minute presentation on "how you would motivate and engage with your team".
What the hell?
I'm a 42 year-old lorry driver, for god's sake; I've never had to do a presentation at a job interview in my life - always been a case of apply for job, get interview, dazzle, get job. Even when I had "proper" jobs in offices with ties and briefcases and s
t, it's always been this way.
And anyway, how does someone who struggles to motivate himself sometimes put across how he would motivate "his team"?
So, I would really appreciate any tips or pointers on what to do and how to do it.
NB: I'd really like to avoid any management cow-poo type stuff, as this would stick in my throat.
Many thanks.
What the hell?
I'm a 42 year-old lorry driver, for god's sake; I've never had to do a presentation at a job interview in my life - always been a case of apply for job, get interview, dazzle, get job. Even when I had "proper" jobs in offices with ties and briefcases and s
t, it's always been this way.And anyway, how does someone who struggles to motivate himself sometimes put across how he would motivate "his team"?
So, I would really appreciate any tips or pointers on what to do and how to do it.
NB: I'd really like to avoid any management cow-poo type stuff, as this would stick in my throat.
Many thanks.
I always get those wrong...It sounds like they really want to hear that you'll step up to the mark, set a good example and work to create a good team. You're much less likely to phone in sick of you like your boss.
If I was you I'd pick out 3 issues to cover. Understanding the job, setting a good example and getting on well with the staff - for example. If you can talk for 2 minutes about each plus an intro and conclusion you're done.
Intro - say who you are, why you're there (to show you're the right chap to be promoted) and that you'll talk for 5 minutes or so.
Conclusion - I've covered the 3 key areas I think make me the best candidate, repeat them and say thanks do you have any questions.
You know the job so just show you can make the bosses life easier and take on the responsibility.
Good luck.
If I was you I'd pick out 3 issues to cover. Understanding the job, setting a good example and getting on well with the staff - for example. If you can talk for 2 minutes about each plus an intro and conclusion you're done.
Intro - say who you are, why you're there (to show you're the right chap to be promoted) and that you'll talk for 5 minutes or so.
Conclusion - I've covered the 3 key areas I think make me the best candidate, repeat them and say thanks do you have any questions.
You know the job so just show you can make the bosses life easier and take on the responsibility.
Good luck.
what does your current boss do to motivate you and your team to better (for the company) work?
Does this work?
Can you see other ways that the same thing could be done?
Do not suggest "company credit card behind the bar after each shift .... " that never works.
Are you allowed visual aids? Knock up 2 or 3 powerpoint slides with the key statements on them,
1 - this gives you something to do with your hands
2 - reminds you what you are talking about
3 - stops you going off on a tangent
4 - stops them looking at you! (have seen your profile picture after all!!)
Does this work?
Can you see other ways that the same thing could be done?
Do not suggest "company credit card behind the bar after each shift .... " that never works.
Are you allowed visual aids? Knock up 2 or 3 powerpoint slides with the key statements on them,
1 - this gives you something to do with your hands
2 - reminds you what you are talking about
3 - stops you going off on a tangent
4 - stops them looking at you! (have seen your profile picture after all!!)
I spend quite a lot of time giving presentations and my tips would be:
1) When you have what you want to say... practice and I do mean out loud to your family/friends, anyone who will listen as they will tell you if it makes sense. For a big presentation, I will practice 3-5 times
2) If you are not used to doing slides, don´t do slides, but write down your objective and put a start, middle and end to what you want to say
3) Be prepared for questions (If it´s on motivation, there is no right answer, so they can ask you awkward questions and not be wrong)
4) Posture... I find that people who stand up straight, shoulders back and keep their chin up keep people´s attention more.
5) Don´t worry about killer 1st lines... Pose the question and use the reasoned argument you have
All the best
T-J-K
1) When you have what you want to say... practice and I do mean out loud to your family/friends, anyone who will listen as they will tell you if it makes sense. For a big presentation, I will practice 3-5 times
2) If you are not used to doing slides, don´t do slides, but write down your objective and put a start, middle and end to what you want to say
3) Be prepared for questions (If it´s on motivation, there is no right answer, so they can ask you awkward questions and not be wrong)
4) Posture... I find that people who stand up straight, shoulders back and keep their chin up keep people´s attention more.
5) Don´t worry about killer 1st lines... Pose the question and use the reasoned argument you have
All the best
T-J-K
Edited by The jiffle king on Friday 19th February 08:20
rhinochopig said:
ewenm said:
Decide what you want to say (doesn't have to be the truth, but that helps).
Practice.
Practice.
Practice.
Practice.
Practice.
Practice.
Or even:Practice.
Practice.
Practice.
Practice.
Practice.
Practice.
Practise
Practise
Practise
Practice!http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/practice?view...
The jiffle king said:
2) If you are not used to doing slides, don´t do slides, but write down your objective and put a start, middle and end to what you want to say
A fair point, but the end effect of having notes in your hand does cover alot of my points too (something to do with your hands, keep you on track etc)so would agree with TJK.Just don't recite word from word off your notes.
XJSJohn said:
The jiffle king said:
2) If you are not used to doing slides, don´t do slides, but write down your objective and put a start, middle and end to what you want to say
A fair point, but the end effect of having notes in your hand does cover alot of my points too (something to do with your hands, keep you on track etc)so would agree with TJK.Just don't recite word from word off your notes.
Thank you.
Well, I've been and gone and done it.
Admitted at the outset that I had never done anything like that before. Did the "tell them what you're going to say, say it, then tell them what you've just said" thing (which, frankly, seems silly to me, but hey ho), felt like I went on for ages, but was probably less than ten minutes.
Then there were some proper interview questions, which again I was out of practice for, but answered to the best of my ability.
Apparently, they've have five applicants with good interviews/presentations (including, somehow, mine) and I should know by Monday.
We shall see.
Well, I've been and gone and done it.
Admitted at the outset that I had never done anything like that before. Did the "tell them what you're going to say, say it, then tell them what you've just said" thing (which, frankly, seems silly to me, but hey ho), felt like I went on for ages, but was probably less than ten minutes.
Then there were some proper interview questions, which again I was out of practice for, but answered to the best of my ability.
Apparently, they've have five applicants with good interviews/presentations (including, somehow, mine) and I should know by Monday.
We shall see.
"Unfortunately, on this occasion, you have been unsuccessful. We had applicants whose skills and experience were more closely matched to our requirements."
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I'm being pragmatic; it was a good (if a little terrifying) experience. My first job interview in over ten years and my first presentation ever.
Maybe next time.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I'm being pragmatic; it was a good (if a little terrifying) experience. My first job interview in over ten years and my first presentation ever.
Maybe next time.
Cock Womble said:
"Unfortunately, on this occasion, you have been unsuccessful. We had applicants whose skills and experience were more closely matched to our requirements."
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I'm being pragmatic; it was a good (if a little terrifying) experience. My first job interview in over ten years and my first presentation ever.
Maybe next time.
better luck next time, but top marks for the effort.Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I'm being pragmatic; it was a good (if a little terrifying) experience. My first job interview in over ten years and my first presentation ever.
Maybe next time.
May well be worth asking HR / your interviewers if they can give you some feedback on what was both good and bad about your interviews and presentation so that you know what to improve on ready for the next opertunity.
As this is an internal interview this "enthusiasm" in itself may go towards you getting invited to stand for other positions, and will have you better prepaired too.
XJSJohn said:
May well be worth asking HR / your interviewers if they can give you some feedback on what was both good and bad about your interviews and presentation so that you know what to improve on ready for the next opportunity.
I was going to do just that John; find out what I did well and what I did not so well. The company's facing some big changes in the near future and they made it clear in the interview that there will be other opportunities coming up.We'll see.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff