Interview presentation...!!

[SuperZ]

This is the first time I am there..its a senior role. haven't said they expect a visual presentation or just an expanded "a tell me about your self" orally..I am going to ask that..

Or maybe the test is on you, what do you think is appropriate?
Personally I`d just lightly prepare a 5 minute oral introduction of yourself, not spending too much time on it to talk about who you are and your experience to date, starting first by telling them why you chose this presentation method (no wasted setup time for just a 5 minute presentation for example).

IMO, don`t go designing a visual presentation for just a 5 minute thang. Overkill. YOu`ll spend more than 5 minutes probably getting the laptop booted up

[northernrampage]

Visual presentations...

If you do end up going visual just put up a couple of projects you've worked on that really excite you (well, as much as work can get you going).

I don't know what you do for a job, but I've done a couple of visual presentations before. One, went really well for a PM role, as I just put up screenshots of websites I'd worked on as a producer and talked about those, my enthusiasm came over.

Next one didn't go too well, I put in too many bullet points, didn't keep it simple or put visuals in. Plus, I hadn't ran through it with colleagues that were friends before-hand as I had with the other. The run-throughs had relaxed me for the real thing, and I'd got their feedback. Sounds obvious but for some reason I thought I'd get away with it as I'd done a few presentations by that point. I didn't.

[Jeebo72]

If you are taking a laptop or doing a powerpoint, please tell them in advance so they have a projector etc. Don't turn up expecting them to.

[Darren_Test]

If you do end up going visual just put up a couple of projects you've worked on that really excite you (well, as much as work can get you going).

I don't know what you do for a job, but I've done a couple of visual presentations before. One, went really well for a PM role, as I just put up screenshots of websites I'd worked on as a producer and talked about those, my enthusiasm came over.

Next one didn't go too well, I put in too many bullet points, didn't keep it simple or put visuals in. Plus, I hadn't ran through it with colleagues that were friends before-hand as I had with the other. The run-throughs had relaxed me for the real thing, and I'd got their feedback. Sounds obvious but for some reason I thought I'd get away with it as I'd done a few presentations by that point. I didn't.

Thanks for the input..
Its 5 minutes presentation...I am not sure I will be able to go in deep on specific projects. I thought I will give an overview of experience then go to specific role & explain my typical day's work..!!

What was duration of your presentation..?? Did you go there with laptop etc or just got stuff in pendrive..?

[Darren_Test]

a few presentations by that point. I didn't.

BTW did the entire senior management was there to listen or just people interested in the position ..??

[TheFaQQer]

If you are taking a laptop or doing a powerpoint, please tell them in advance so they have a projector etc. Don't turn up expecting them to.

That's a very good point - don't fail the initiative test!

[northernrampage]

Thanks for the input..
Its 5 minutes presentation...I am not sure I will be able to go in deep on specific projects. I thought I will give an overview of experience then go to specific role & explain my typical day's work..!!

What was duration of your presentation..?? Did you go there with laptop etc or just got stuff in pendrive..?

Yeah, you're right.. you can't go into much detail.

One of them was internal, it was on the company network. I think that was a longish one... about 15 mins, I did about 15 slides from what I remember.

For the other, I burned it on a CD and a memory stick (because they kept changing the option), it was 10 mins and I did 10 slides. I brought them both on the day. It worked okay, but if you can do it on your own laptop may make it easier. A friend suggested I match my powerpoint to the company look and feel, all I did was match the basic colours and fonts, as I'm not that great at design. It looked okay, but depends if you have time/what you're going for.

And to be honest, it's also how you say it. I've been on presentation courses before. They just mention looking relaxed, eye contact, good posture and being a bit animated. All of which I didn't do for one of them. But if you try it out in advance it does help. Good luck.

[Jeebo72]

That's a very good point - don't fail the initiative test!

Why I made the point. I’ve had people turn up to an interview with me, holding their memory sticks, or having acetate slides … with nothing to view them on: it’s not a good start. Preparation!

Phone the guys that are interviewing and ask.

[northernrampage]

BTW did the entire senior management was there to listen or just people interested in the position ..??

HR, and managers, not senior mgrs. I've done stand-ups in front of senior mgrs before (as in around 60 people) but this has been people I work with, not interviews.

Do not like it, but am finding if I know my stuff, and I rehearse loads it starts to get easier.

Are you doing it in front of entire senior mgt? I'd just get a group of your mates/colleagues to try it out in front of. I know it's not the same but you can imagine that when you are in the room it's then your mates in front of you.

You may not be as nervous as me but this is what I do if it's something I'm dreading.

[northernladuk]

it was 10 mins and I did 10 slides.

Yuk!! Your kidding? 1 slide a minute?

Should I take laptop for this interview or just get presentation on a memory stick..???

Lots of good advice about what to take. Pendrive AND CD AND paper. Not all companies allow untested external pendrives to be installed so take a CD aswell. Give them a paper copy as well so they have something to fiddle with and write on. More distraction so they have less time to think bad things. You talking, screen and paper should keep all senses alert.

Personally I wouldn't bother with a laptop or informing them for need of projector. You gotta assume some level of competence from the customer. If he asks for a presentation then can't organise a laptop/projector you want to think long and hard about taking the job.

DO NOT do animations or any BS like that. So obvious but it never ceases to amaze the c**p people put up.

Use google and do a search for power point for the company. It is amazing how often you can get the companies master template from online ppts. Bonus points for initiave and stops you making mistake with garish free templates.

Some people saying these methods are rubbish. I strongly disagree. You can get someone that is a terrible interviewee and people that can BS it. You can be a totally different person leading a presentation and vice versa. It gives you the chance to see how someone answers questions as well as conducts themself when leading the information flow. For 5 mins it's worth the effort to the interviewer in my opinion... for certain jobs of course. It's a good tool when used correctly.

...I am not sure I will be able to go in deep on specific projects

Thats not really your experience at a high level though. Read every word of what they are asking for over and over and then think about the guys interviewing you. Ring the company to ask their positions if you know their names. They are the audience and it's all about them not you. What do THEY want to hear. If you can get to the bottom of the rest is easy. Are they techincal guys wanting details, are they senior managers wanting adaptable people, are they the actual end customer of the project and want results. These will shape your presentation.

Use at least one diagram! Senior managers like diagrams. Breaks up the tedium of bullet points. Use a mind map to cover all the projects if you are PM without listing them. Same map if you have many skills etc, then talk around it. Again you can't go deep in to projects but using MM you can put projec then off that the skills involved on each. Too many to talk about but they can read at their leisure.

Hope that helps