What Should An Interview Presentation Look Like
Think of your interview presentation as a sales pitch.
Your goal is to convince the human resources team that you are the best candidate for the job. The kick here is that you will be presenting to a warm audience you already impressed them enough with your resume to be called in for an interview. We recommend that you generate a strategy and presentation based on a 30 60 90 Day Plan.
Employers request interview presentations for a few simple reasons:
- To assess your communication and public speaking skills.
- To understand whether you are the right cultural fit for the company.
- To develop a better sense of how well versed you are in the domain.
So your first job is to make sure that your presentation fits the criteria. Go through the companys job description again and jot down all the candidate requirements. Take the time to read about their company values and mission. In general, be proactive and ask exactly what you should cover during your presentation.
Most interview presentations will differ in content and style, but heres a quick example to give you more context:
Be Clear And Succinct
A presentation should show off your verbal communication skills. That means you dont want to ramble or be poorly organized in how you share information. Limit filler words, such as um, like, and you know.
Aim to make your presentation interesting and engaging.
Connect with interviewers on a human level. If you start with a stat or a story that grabs their attention and makes it interesting for them, you will be more memorable, Nichols said.
Then, be clear on the main points you want to communicate.
How To Prepare A Powerpoint Presentation For A Job Interview
Related
Unless a PowerPoint presentation is requested as a portion of your job interview, it can be a double-edged sword. A well-conceived, succinct presentation may help a hiring manager remember you, while also putting your skills on full display. A botched presentation, however, will make you memorable for all the wrong reasons. To leave a good impression, your talents need to be well-honed and on display, from the first slide to the last.
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Presenting In A Remote Interview
It is not unreasonable to be asked to make a presentation in an online interview.
However, it brings some additional challenges on top of presenting in person.
First, you need to be confident that you will be able to handle the technology, and share your slides with the interviewers. If you have not done this before, you have a choice. You can avoid having slides altogether, email through a one-page handout before the interview, or ask someone for help beforehand so that you know how to share your slides.
Second, you need to think about how you will appear. The section on presenting in our page on Remote Meetings and Conferences may be helpful here.
What Slides To Include
The choice of slides will largely depend on whether you are asked to talk about yourself, or present on some task that you will be required to do as part of your job .
Most interview presentation templates feature the next slides:
- Opening Slide
- Case studies/examples of the problems you have solved at your past jobs
- Your vision for your future role.
- What exactly you can bring in as the candidate
Cant figure out where to start? Swipe either of the following job interview presentation samples:
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How To Prepare For Your Interview Presentation
Preparation is one of the keys to delivering an excellent interview presentation.
Once you’ve received the details about the interview, don’t leave your preparation till the last minute or assume you can wing it. Use the days leading up to the interview to put the necessary things in place.
Here’s what you should know. Preparing for your interview presentation puts you in control and increases your chances of securing the job.
Unfortunately, knowing how to prepare for interviews may be a big challenge for many people.
But we’ve got you covered.
Use these tips below to get yourself interview-ready.
Have A Clear Structure
Structure can go a long way to boost your confidence and ensure you give a stellar performance. Make sure from the outset that you have a clear understanding of each of the relevant sections of the presentation. Each part of the presentation should naturally follow from the other. Introduce the subject: tell the audience what your presentation is about. Explain the points you wish to convey. End with a summary of your points.
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Presentation For An Interview Tips To Follow
To impress during a job interview presentation, you need to be fully prepared and deliver your very best work. Since the presentation is usually the last step in the hiring process, it’s all the more important to create a good impression on the interview panel to encourage them to hire you based on your skills and presentation calibre. Here are some of the main interview presentation tips to help you prepare:
Overview Of Preparing For An Interview Presentation
There are many ways interviewers can test your suitability for their role, one of which is an interview presentation. Presenting at an interview can help your employer gauge your communications skills, confidence, and professionalism, which makes it vital to prepare adequately to impress your audience. We will discuss how to deliver a powerful interview presentation that will increase your chances of getting the job.
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Show That You Are Diligent
Finally, the interviewer will want to see evidence during your interview presentation that you are diligent, organised and conscientious in the way you approach tasks, and that you have fantastic attention to detail.
- Plan for the technology. Will you be using their devices or one of your own? Make sure you ascertain this beforehand, and know how to use whatever device you will be working on. Ask someone to check your slide deck beforehand to ensure that everything works.
- Bring a backup with you. Even if you are presenting this slide deck on your own device, take a backup copy on your USB. Email it to yourself and the recruiter to pass onto the client. You should also bring printed copies to hand out to all of the interviewers. In the worst-case scenario, this means you have a Plan B and could still deliver your presentation effectively.
- Stay conscious of time. Find out how long the presentation needs to be and make sure you dont run over. When practising your presentation, remember to time it and leave room for questions at the end.
- Try to be on brand. Look at the fonts and colours on the company website and use these in your presentation. You could also try to find existing presentations and webinars on their website and match the format.
- Double-check everything, from the formatting to the layout, as well as the spelling and grammar. Get somebody else to proof your presentation for you, too.
Top Free Job Interview Powerpoint Templates To Download
Premium PPT templates offer the most slides and features. But if budget is a concern, you may be looking for a free template. Envato has free offerings that you can check out. These freebies are refreshed monthly, so you may find a job interview presentation template up for grabs.
Get 12 free unique monthly files from Envato Elements.
Here’s the deal:
- Envato Elements offers 12 monthly free files. You can download templates, audio, photos, videos, and more. Create a free account to download this month’s premium freebie.
Do you still want to look at free options found online? Here are 19 job interview template backgrounds to start with:
This is a light template with an off-white background. There are colorful geometry graphics at the corners of each slide.
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Ask The Right Questions
Whether you receive a phone call or email about your interview, ensure you’re clear about the details. Rather than make sweeping assumptions, go ahead and do these things:
- Find out what your prospective employers expect from you.
- Ask if you’ll get a topic before the presentation date or if it’s a blind presentation. Also, find out if you’ll be allowed to choose from a list of topics.
- Find out who your audience will be .
- Ask how many people will be present at the interview.
- Make sure to ask how long the presentation will last. Having a timeframe will help you decide what to add or delete from the presentation.
- Find out if they have a preferred presentation style.
- Ask what technical equipment and presentation tools will be available.
- Find out whether there’ll be provision for sound, audio and visuals.
Create An Interesting Presentation For Your Upcoming Interview
You have to be sure that you provide enough information in your presentation to wow those who are doing the hiring. This means that theyre going to look at the interesting presentation topic youve chosen and how youve presented it.
Communication is a critical component in so many different jobs, from representatives to analysts to managers. You have to demonstrate your confidence and your capabilities, which include public speaking skills.
Here are a few tips to help you nail your interview presentation:
- Use innovative technology throughout
- Bring a prop to use, such as a small dry erase board
- Practice your presentation in front of a mirror
Run through your presentation a few times. Write it out, time it, and practice it until youre comfortable with every aspect.
You only get one interview with a hiring team of a company, so its critical that you deliver the best possible presentation. Give some thought to the companys objectives so you can incorporate them into your presentation.
With the right interview presentation topics, you can be thoughtful and highlight your skills. Each presentation you make should be a learning experience. If you dont get the first job you present for, youll know where to improve for the next one.
Read More:
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Follow A Clear Structure
Your presentation should follow a clear structure, with a strong opening, main body and ending, remaining focused on one clear message throughout with facts and evidence to support it. Your opening should clearly communicate your key message and should be kept succinct and to the point with short sentences. The main body should be limited to three main sections. This will enable you to stay strongly focused on your core message and ensure people remember the three main points. The ending should be memorable and reemphasize your key message.
Think Outside The Box
PowerPoint, used by companies and individuals around the world, is the most widely recognised presentation tool. Indeed, some employers will specifically require you to demonstrate your PowerPoint skills.
If the company does not clarify this, however, consider using other formats to highlight your creativity and technical skills.
Prezi is a unique way to create presentations in a non-linear 3D format, allowing you to zoom in and out of different bullet points as you present.
Haiku Deck is another useful option if you’re looking to inject some imagination into your presentation, offering access to an extensive image library.
For something simple and effective, Google Presentations is another good alternative to PowerPoint.
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Know What Youre Working With
As soon as youre asked to give a presentation, start by asking the hiring manager a few questions. Learn more about the topics you should present on, see how much time youll have, and ask what technology, if any, youll have access to.
Its particularly important to ask to whom youll be presenting. What is the knowledge or expertise level of the audience? Will they be your colleagues, your bosses, or your potential clients? Knowing this will help you determine how to pitch your presentation, what focus you should take, and what tone would be most appropriate.
What Employers Look For In An Interview Presentation
Take a moment to think about your best job interview.
Why did your employer choose to hire you ahead of other candidates? You probably ticked all the right boxes in terms of skills, experiences, education, personality and other factors.
But most importantly, it’s how you presented your skills, capabilities and knowledge about the role that probably blew their minds.
At every stage of the hiring process, employers look for outstanding candidates who measure up to their expectations. These expectations may differ based on the job role, industry and organizational structure.
However, on a general note, recruiters will readily opt for candidates who:
- Understand the organization and its line of business
- Know their job role and what’s expected
- Understand the company mission and will fit into the company culture
- Show passion, ambition and leadership qualities
- Demonstrate the ability to use their skills and experience to drive the company forward
- Know how to communicate and present in front of a small or large group of people
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Not Following The Instructions
Prior to your job interview presentation, the hiring manager or panel will give you instructions or a brief which you’ll use for your demonstration. It’s important that you keep the instructions at the forefront of your mind as you prepare every aspect of the presentation. This will help you focus on the key requirements that the panellists want from you.
Create Slides That Enhance Your Presentation Content
Your slides should complement and enhance your presentation content. I remind my interview coaching clients that people learn through different methods, so it is helpful for content to be both spoken and visual, without being overly repetitive. However, you do not want people to be reading off your slides. Rather, you want your slides to communicate your ideas visually and further engage the panel in your interview presentation.
Prioritize quality over quantity when adding text to your slides to avoid attendees reading your slides instead of listening to you present. Consider incorporating photos and other visuals throughout your slides, when appropriate, to nimbly engage your audience. You can also stand out from other interviewers by incorporating the company logo, fonts, and colors into your presentation you can often find the companyâs style guide online.
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What Is An Interview Presentation
An interview presentation is a formal presentation delivered to a human resources team, management team or another group of people to convince them that you are the best candidate for a position. Employers may request a presentation to assess your public speaking and communication skills, determine whether you are a good cultural fit for the organization or develop a better idea of how well-versed you are in the industry. Interview presentations are particularly popular in:
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Sales
Do Not Put Us Under Pressure Let Us Lead The Interviews
Most interviewers have an exact schedule for their interviews, and the template, and they try to follow both of them. You should not interrupt them at the beginning and tell that you want to present your portfolio, or certain project with the help of MS PowerPoint.
You should wait for a good time, and a good time comes when:
- We ask about your working experience.
- At the end of the interview, when everything else has been said and done.
- When they ask you a practical question, and the answer can be explained with the help of your presentation .
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First 30 Seconds Count The Most
What you do and say in the first 30 seconds will make the most impact. Psychological research shows that listeners form opinions about your personality and intelligence in the first 30 seconds of the interview. So be sure to start with a compelling opening, framing exactly how you want to be perceived.
How Do You Start An Interview Presentation
As soon as you enter the meeting , be confident, enthusiastic, and engaging. Also, remember to smile. Keep this personality from the start of the presentation through to the end. Make sure you stand as soon as the presentation begins No matter what the topic you cover, use the start of the interview presentation to give a quick overview of who you are and what youll be discussing.
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Know That Less Can Be More
Often, the best presentations are those that are succinct and impactful. Rather than including every word you plan to say on your slides or providing a transcript of your presentation, use multimedia and handouts as supports to your message. Keep your language clear and use simple but effective imagery.
Structure Your Interview Presentation
If you want to keep your audiences hooked to your slides, ensure your presentation is well-structured.
Doing this will keep you on track and prevent your audience from zoning out of your presentation.
Here’s how to create an excellent presentation structure.
In its simplest form, a well-structured presentation should have an introduction, body and conclusion.
- Compelling introduction: Your introduction should briefly sum everything about you, your presentation objectives and why it’s relevant to your audience. You can ask a question, tell a story, share facts or use humor to spark interest.
- Engaging body: This is where you present the main details of your topic. Make sure to back your argument with facts or a wealth of information that shows that you’re the best candidate for the job. Talk about the company goals and how you’ll help to achieve them.
- Memorable conclusion: Here, you should present your key takeaways about the topic. Likewise, briefly reiterate your skills, experience, expertise, past achievements and why they should hire you.
You can use presenter notes to ensure you stick to the structure. Throughout your presentation, keep your message clear. Plus, make sure every part of your presentation relates to the topic.
Use Lots of White Space
Avoid cluttering your slide with too many ideas, text or images. This could overwhelm your audience and make your presentation a pain in the eyes.
Use High-Quality Images
Make Your Slides Easy to Read
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