• Interview Presentation Tips

    Whether you are doing a face-to-face presentation or an online one, here are some handy tips to help you.


    Preparation

    If there were a mantra on how to make a presentation, then it would probably be “Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance” - AKA the 5 Ps.

    • Firstly, make sure that you understand exactly what your objective is whilst also ensuring you know what the client wants you to present.
    • Make sure you know the format you are expected to use and also very importantly the length – including questions.

    Depending on the importance of the meeting you should spend anything up to 15 minutes of preparation per minute of the actual presentation, possibly longer


    Structure

    There are three basic steps to the structure of a presentation:

    • Tell them what you are going to tell them (outline the presentation)
    • Tell them (deliver the presentation)
    • Tell them what you told them (summarise the key points delivered)

    The best way to start is to write a brief - a rough outline of the presentation, always keeping in mind your objective and what the client wants to know. You can then start to add more detail to this section by section.

    Make sure that you are clear about why you are making each point – do they follow a structured path leading to your objective?

    Try to target each point to the client and the presentation’s overall purpose making them not only relevant and succinct but also demonstrating your knowledge of the client’s business.


    Visual aids

    These are good since they:

    • Help the audience focus on what you are saying
    • Make the presentation more interesting
    • Help to explain the points you make more clearly

    Make sure that your visual aids add to your presentation and that you can use them properly – e.g. know how PowerPoint actually works before the presentation.

    Ask yourself if the point you are making is relevant to both the audience and the presentation itself

    • Ideally use only three or four bullet points per slide
    • Keep the points short using keywords – you can then verbally expand on each one in turn
    • Do not simply read out what’s on the visual!

    If you have handouts, then leave them until the end – they will only distract people during the presentation.


    Delivery

    You may have an excellent presentation lined up, but if you don’t deliver it in the right manner then you may as well not be there.

    • Relax and be natural – but not casual
    • Be positive and enthusiastic – it can be infectious!
    • Be aware of your body language – be open
    • Smile in a genuine and friendly manner
    • Use eye contact as much as possible
    • Stand up straight and don’t lean on anything
    • Don’t have hands in pockets or playing with pens etc.
    • Remember their name, use it and get it right!
    • Be courteous and cheerful even if they are not
    • Always put yourself in the client’s shoes

    Speak up and speak clearly to your audience – set your volume to the person furthest away from you.

    Practice makes perfect so rehearsing on your own, in front of a mirror or even with willing friends/family will help give you a relaxed and professional delivery.

    Learn your presentation so that you can concentrate on your audience rather than reading your notes.

    Pace your speech since you will always tend to speak faster than normal or how you practised it.

    Also try to leave questions until the end of the presentation, unless they are vitally important to the client’s understanding, otherwise it may break your and their train of thought.

    Do ask at the end if they have any questions and also to thank them for their time.

    You should feel confident and satisfied with what you have prepared. If you are thinking “well, that’ll do” then it probably won’t…

    Good luck!