Please Read, Some Basics on Interview Presentations

[giblets]

Firstly, a quick request that when you ask a question, you include as much information on the role and yourself as possible, such as what the position entails, type of products and so on, but also how much experience or background you have, as this will help people to reply more accurately.

Reading this discussion area it is evident that the majority of the pesentations are of two types. These may be obvious in the title, or a little more obscure, the first type, is the "why are you ideal from this position", and the second is "describe your first X months in the job" and how you wil handle it etc.

General Advice.
Make sure the presentation is not too busy, try to keep it to 5-6 points per page, and keep the points brief, you can then expand on them verbally. In terms of slides, probably give about 1.5mins per slide.

Look at the audience, having only key points will mean that both the audience and yourself will not be reading the screen, and will be concentrating on what YOU have to say.

Don't use animations or clip art are unless strictly necessary, they will be distracting for the audience

Examples! Use lots of them, if you are trying to show that you are ethical, show an example (when you are expanding on the point), that shows that you ARE ethical and that you understand what it means. It also shows your experience, and is another tick in the box.


Type 1: "What makes you ideal for the role?"

This type of question maybe obvious as in "what makes you ideal for ***", or maybe more obscure, such as "Bring a product that represents yourself"

In both these cases the employer is looking to see how closely you adhere to their own requirements for the role. They want to know that you are right for the job, and that you understand what the job requires. The key to answering these questions is more about finding out about the company, and the job requirements.
Check out their website, job details and any information you can. On these there will be a range of adjectives such as 'Ethical', 'innovative', 'driven' etc (clearly this will vary due to industry and the job).

The most important thing is that you try and match yourself to these criteria and try and get them into your presentation. A company that stresses its ethical approach will appreciate you saying you are honest for example. A company that describes itself as 'leading edge', will appreciate terms such as 'innovative', you get the idea? Don't necessarily make the slide titles, 'ethical', 'driven' etc, but make sure you reference/ discuss it in there.

Type 2: "What I will Achieve in *** months"
This is a competancy based presentation, they hopefully know that you have the key attributes for this role, and are now trying to see if you know what to do in this case. This is where your management skills should be shown, and more in depth knowledge of the company/ industry is required. Research the role, and again, compare company notes on their approach to business to adjust your pitch. Again if you have experience, give them examples.

Could you possibly help me. I have been out of work for a few months due to redundancy and I have just been given an interview for fantastic job. The only problem is that I have to give a 5 - 10 minute presentation about "a website - any website" I have never ever given a presentation and I dont even know where to begin. I have gone through your website and jotted done notes that I know will be helpful, i.e. the 3 rule and rehearsing, but my interview is in a few days time and I dont know where to start - can you possibly help ??
Thanks

[quote=giblets]Firstly, a quick request that when you ask a question, you include as much information on the role and yourself as possible, such as what the position entails, type of products and so on, but also how much experience or background you have, as this will help people to reply more accurately.

What is the best way to respond to this question in a presentation?
This is for a Tel/Online service role at the council. In the past I have worked as a Teamleader responsible for a team of 18 on a busy IT servicedesk for the last 5years.

The Tel/onlineservice managers role, will be responsible for a team providing customer services via tel and also online and through emails for a varied range of queries, request, complaints etc

[Maharaj]

The information here is real helpful. I will like to include just one point:

Any step you take, be careful not to make things up on the fly and trying to dupe your audience into giving you a job this way. Because, your audience isn't dumb, and they can smell humbug when it's put in front of them. Also, even if you get the job, you'll get caught soon enough.