Have you ever been asked to give a presentation during a job interview to a potential employer?
If so, it’s critical – but tough and nerve-wracking – to ensure your content is entertaining, current, and delivered to a professional standard. It can also mean the difference between receiving a job offer and being turned down.
This article explains the best interview presentation tips to give you an edge and ease your anxiety.
Table of contents
What is Interview Presentation
An interview presentation is defined as a short persuasive talk given at an interview or assessment day. During an interview, the company may request that you prepare a presentation in advance on a specific topic or give a blind presentation.
However, you can be asked to advertise or sell a product or predict a market trend if you work in marketing. Higher-level employment may demand you to offer an industry strategic outlook.
A lot of the assumptions are the same with blind presentations. Instead of preparing ahead of time, you will be given a topic on the day of the interview and given a limited amount of time (maybe half an hour) to prepare.
What Is the Employer Looking for in an Interview Presentation?
The employer is seeking a candidate that stands out at every level of the hiring process.
They want someone who knows what they’re doing and will fit in with the corporate culture.
Another approach for determining whether a candidate is appropriate for the post is to ask them to give a presentation.
Your employer will be able to see the following crucial talents through your interview presentations:
- Your manner of communication (verbal and written)
- Capacity to keep your listeners interested in what you’re saying
- Ones profession and industry knowledge Your ability to stick to a deadline
- Your ability to stay organized
- Your attention to detail is admirable.
The employer can also observe the following during a blind presentation:
- What do you do when you’re under pressure?
- How inventive are you?
Finally, the employer will look to see if you possess the core competencies listed in the job description, so go over it again throughout your preparation.
Read Also: 15 Crazy and Weird Interview Questions that Top Recruiters Ask
How to Prepare for Your Interview Presentation
It’s always a good idea to ask some or all of these important questions when you get a phone call or an email with information regarding your interview presentation:
- Inquire about the presentation’s topic or whether it is a blind presentation.
- Determine your target audience (and how many people you will be presenting to).
- Make certain you understand how long the presentation should last.
- Find out if you need to bring any visual assistance and what IT equipment will be accessible.
During your presentation, the interviewer, or a panel of interviewers, will watch you and judge your suitability for the position based on what you say and how you portray yourself.
As a result, it’s vital to be completely ready to relax and perform at your best on the big day.
What Kind of Topic Do Employers Give in Interview Presentations?
Your potential employer usually assigns an interview presentation topic. They aim at analyzing what you can give and how you can help the firm accomplish its goals.
The following are examples of common interview presentation topics:
- In your field, there have been some cutting-edge technological advancements.
- Your industry’s cutting-edge trends
- A persuasive sales pitch that uses effective persuasion strategies.
- Describe your experience and why you’re the ideal candidate for the job.
15 Presentaion for Interview Tips to Hit Success
The following tips can help you deliver a presentation in an interview successfully:
#1. Inquire for assistance.
Before you start working on your presentation, ask the hiring manager if there is anything more you need to know. First, read and reread all of the presentation instructions you received.
Whether the instructions don’t specify a topic, inquire as to whether the hiring team would want to hear about a specific issue or if you should choose your own.
Then inquire as to how long you should expect to chat with the hiring team. You will demonstrate that you are open to feedback and have great communication skills by asking for help.
Read Also: What To Do After an Interview | Ultimate Checklist you must Follow
#2. Be aware of your Audience
Inquire about the audience’s degree of experience so you can speak at an understandable level without being unnecessarily basic.
Request names and positions so you may research the audience and personalize your presentation to their knowledge, experience, and interests.
Any information you can obtain will aid you in making your presentation more relevant and compelling, which will help you increase your candidate rating.
#3. Choose a focus point
Make sure to identify a focus area when choosing a topic to present. Ensure your presentation focuses on a single message that resonates with your audience.
To ensure that your presentation appears complete, thoughtful, and well-designed, keep the number of points to a minimum.
#4. Tell an engaging story
Traditional storytelling tactics are among the most successful ways to frame a presentation, whether you’re discussing a completed project or a highly complex issue.
A tried-and-true method can help you captivate your audience and make your message stick. To tell a fascinating story, follow these steps:
- Create an issue to solve.
- Explain why the issue is important.
- Talk about the difficulties you ran across while looking for an answer.
- Finish with a powerful impact and resolution.
#5. Don’t Forget to have Back up
Even if you’re presenting this slide deck on your own device, make a backup copy on your USB and email it to yourself as well as the recruiter so they can forward it to the customer.
You should also bring printed copies to provide to each interviewer. In the worst-case situation, you have a backup plan and can still give a good presentation.
#6. Establish a strong position
Without being too self-promotional, use your presentation to position yourself as the hero of your narrative.
Include your most relevant experience and top qualities in your presentation to highlight your greatest qualities, and when feasible, utilize facts to back up your assertions.
Use this occasion to show that you are a candidate who can quickly contribute to the company’s primary objectives.
Read Also: Group Interview Tips: How To Stand Out Among the Crowd Easily
#7. Make it Simple
You only have to look at Apple to see that pure simplicity results from profound brilliance.
To design a basic notion requires a lot of thought – a lot of time deciding what to leave out and how to condense everything into one outstanding argument or example rather than a shaky bunch.
No one wants to see another light bulb representing innovative thinking, so use your imagination!
#8. Take an optimistic attitude
Maintain a cheerful attitude during your presentation, especially when discussing the challenges you overcame. Consider concentrating on how you improved a difficult situation or how you overcame adversity.
When appropriate, position yourself as proactive, highlighting how you took the initiative to solve a problem.
The interviewers must comprehend your thought processes if you’re giving a presentation about an assignment, topic, or project. Allow the data and information to take the lead.
#9. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse
To make a fantastic first impression on the hiring team, practice your presentation numerous times ahead of time. Try presenting without referring to your notes or reading your script after a few practice sessions.
You can time each practice session so you can obtain a sense of the appropriate pacing. Identify important ideas for each presentation segment to expand on as you speak to help your presentation sound natural and avoid sounding overly researched.
#10. Use nonverbal communication to your advantage.
Practice standing and speaking with confidence to successfully convey oneself. Keep a natural smile and a cheerful look on your face, and face the audience squarely.
To make a statement, stand up straight with your shoulders back and employ subtle hand motions. Maintaining natural eye contact throughout your job interview presentation, especially while delivering a critical point.
Dressing professionally for your presentation would also help. Before your interview, research the company’s dress code to blend in with potential coworkers while appearing highly qualified for the position.
#11. Produce visuals
Visuals provide additional explanations for complex issues, making it easier for your audience to follow along. Before designing visual aids, ask the hiring manager about any available technologies.
Consider putting together a slide show if you have access to a projector and screen. Consider scribbling ideas on a whiteboard or passing out printouts if you need a low-tech alternative.
#12. Keep track of the time you’ve been given.
If you haven’t been given a specific time limit, aim for 15 minutes. When you’re practicing your presentation, keep track of the time so you don’t go over your allotted time. Cut out the least relevant or weakest aspects if you need to condense the substance of your presentation.
#13. Finish on a positive note.
Create a memorable finale for your presentation to make it as persuasive as possible. Finish with a broad, open-ended question that came up throughout your investigation.
You might also close with a one- to three-word key takeaway that allows your audience to recall your presentation’s core idea.
Another method to affect your conclusion is to connect your message to an interesting quote related to the organization’s mission, vision, and ambitions.
Ask for questions at the end to show that you are open to feedback and conversation.
#14. Kill the Anxiety
It’s normal if you feel tense and nervous when preparing for an interview presentation. But don’t allow it to take over you completely. Try to kill anxiety!
#15. Keep an eye on your Body language
Keep an eye on your body language. Back up your shoulders and show off those dazzling whites.
Try not to fidget and stand up straight. It’s all about projecting confidence, even if you’re internally trembling like a leaf.
Use your body language and voice to convey your passion. Demonstrate that you care about what you’re talking about.
The more involved the audience feels, the more connected and interested you appear to be in the topic.
They will relax and appreciate your presentation if they perceive you are delighted to be there.
Presentation for Interview Template
Here’s an example of how your interview presentation should be structured. Use this as a starting point and adjust or reorder as needed based on the interviewer’s assignment.
Slide 1
Introduction – Reiterate the goals you’ve set for yourself and spell out the format of your presentation so the interviewers know what to expect.
Slide 2
About you — Include information about your professional background, skills, and working style.
Read Also: What Is Portfolio For Interview? Tips On How To Use
3rd slide
Company background – Give a brief overview of the company’s history, including any significant events or honors.
4–7 slides
Responding to the brief – Give your solutions to the questions you were asked to answer, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of your suggestions.
Slide 8
Include a slide headed “questions and answers” as a hint to pause for interaction.
Slide 9:
Conclusion – Summarize your main points, make a decision, and explain your reasoning.
Personal accomplishments (slide 10)
Finish the interview on a high note by showing a small slide of accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to excel in the role.
Certainly, taking these steps will help you succeed in your presentation interview.
Reference
- Reed.com- how-to-prepare-for-an-interview-presentation
- Robertwaltersgroup.com – 7 Tips for a Stand Out Interview Presentation
- Wikijob.co.uk– presentation
- Indeed.com – Deliver Presentation in Interview
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