Home Blog Presentation Ideas How to Give A Compelling Interview Presentation: Tips, Examples and Topic Ideas

How to Give A Compelling Interview Presentation: Tips, Examples and Topic Ideas

How to Give A Compelling Interview Presentation

Interview presentations have now become the new norm for most industries. They are popular for sales, marketing, technology, and academic positions. If you have been asked to deliver one for your job interview presentation, prepare to build a strong case for yourself as a candidate.

Giving a general presentation is already daunting. But selling yourself is always the hardest. Spectacular credentials and stellar expertise don’t count much if you cannot present them clearly, which you are expected to do during your interview presentation.

So, let’s prime you up for the challenge. This post is action-packed with job interview PowerPoint presentation examples and will teach you the best way to do a presentation without stressing too much!

Table of Contents

What is an Interview Presentation?

What should an interview presentation look like, how to prepare for a job interview presentation: the basics, define your structure, what slides to include, how to come up with 15-minute interview presentation ideas, how to conclude your interview presentation, how to prepare for an interview: the final tips, what to do at the first interaction with the company elevator pitch for interview, presentation design tips, how to overcome presentation anxiety, tips on maintaining positive body language throughout the presentation, your final act.

An interview presentation, also known as a job interview presentation or interview portfolio, is a formal and structured way for candidates to showcase their skills, qualifications, and suitability for a specific job position during an interview. It goes beyond the typical Q&A format of interviews, allowing candidates to demonstrate their expertise through a prepared presentation. Employers commonly request interview presentations in various industries, such as sales, marketing, technology, academia, and management roles. These presentations serve several important purposes: assessing communication skills, evaluating cultural fit, measuring expertise, analyzing problem-solving skills, and observing presentation skills. While the specific format and requirements of interview presentations vary widely, candidates typically receive guidelines from the employer regarding the topic, duration, and any specific criteria to be addressed. In essence, an interview presentation is an opportunity for candidates to make a compelling case for their candidacy, showcasing their qualifications, experience, and suitability for the job. It requires careful preparation, effective communication, and the ability to engage and persuade the interview panel. A successful interview presentation can significantly enhance a candidate’s chances of securing the desired position.

Think of your interview presentation as a sales pitch.

Your goal is to convince the human resources team that you are the best candidate. The kick here is that you will present to a warm audience – you already impressed them enough with your resume to be called in for an interview. We recommend generating 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 ensuring your presentation fits the criteria. Review the company’s job description again and jot down all the candidate requirements. Take the time to read about their company values and mission. Be proactive and ask precisely what you should cover during your presentation.

Most interview presentations will differ in content and style, but here’s a quick example to give you more context:

Iterview PowerPoint template design

[ Use This Template ]

Before you get elbow-deep in designing that PowerPoint for a job interview presentation, do some scouting and reach out to the HR team with a few questions.

You want your presentation to be on-point and technically accurate, so ask your contact the following:

  • How long should an interview presentation be? Fifteen minutes is the golden standard, though some employers may ask to cut it down to just 10 minutes or extend it to 20-25.
  • Who exactly will be present? A conversational presentation would undoubtedly be welcomed by your peers and a team leader but may appear too casual for the senior managers or board of directors.
  • Does the HR team have a particular agenda in mind? Ask some leading questions to understand what kind of skills/experience they want you to demonstrate. If needed, use a proper agenda slide to include your content.
  • What’s the IT setup? Should you bring your laptop? Do you need an adapter to connect to their projector? What kind of presentation software have they installed – PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides?

Everyone appreciates clarity.

In fact, 89% of professionals state their ability to communicate with clarity directly impacts their career and income.

Your presentation should flow, not rumble. Make sure that your story is easy to follow and your key message is easy to digest, remember, and pass on. If you want people to retain your main points, opt for the following structure:

3D Ladder with arrow PowerPoint infographic

Source: this infographic was created with  3 Steps Editable 3D Ladder Infographic

Here’s an interview presentation example styled in this fashion.

What is: The company’s presence in the Middle East is low. Only 15% of revenues come from the top markets.

Why this matters: The UAE fashion market alone is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21% during the next five years.

What could be: I have helped my previous employer open a flagship store in Dubai, have a lot of industry contacts, and am familiar with the local legislature. Your brand can expect a 17% revenue growth within one year of opening.

You can find even more ideas for designing your presentations in this post .

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 (e.g., create marketing campaigns).

Most interview presentation templates feature the following slides:

  • Opening Slide
  • Quick Bio/Personal Summary
  • Career Path
  • Education timeline
  • Key Skills and Expertise
  • Case studies/examples of the problems you have solved at your past jobs
  • Your vision for your future role.
  • What exactly can you bring in as the candidate (we will come back to this one later on!)

Can’t figure out where to start? Check out our AI PowerPoint generator to create an entire interview slide deck in a couple of clicks, or just download a job interview template . Swipe down to learn from the either of the following job interview presentation samples.

Typically, a talent acquisition team will suggest broad interview presentation topics for you. For example, if you are applying for a sales position, they may ask you to develop a sales presentation for some product (real or imaginary).

Some employers will request a short presentation about you or your hobbies to understand whether you are a good “fit” for the team and share the company’s values. Remember this: your audience will be assessing your aptitude for the role, no matter which topic you were given.

In fact, the interviewers at this point don’t care that much about your experience and skills. They want to know how you can apply those to solve the company’s pressing problems – meet sales targets, improve ROI from social media marketing or help them earn more revenue.

Your job is to make an educated guess
 predict the most wrenching problem, and pitch your “magic pill” during your interview presentation.

I know what you are thinking – but how do I find the right opportunity/problem to tackle?

Businesses across different industries pretty much struggle with the same generic challenges related to either of the following:

Your topic should clearly address one of these areas and offer a potential roadmap for solving some specific problem within it.

Let’s say that you are applying for a sales role. Clearly, you will want to tackle the “customer audience” set of problems. To refine your idea, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Can you think of a new customer segment the company should target? Who are they, what do they want, and how you can help the company reach them?
  • Do you have a network or experience to identify and pitch new clients?
  • Can you think of new collaboration opportunities the company could use to attract a whole new niche of customers?

So a sample job interview presentation about yourself should include a series of Problem & Solution Slides , showing exactly how you will address that issue if the company hires you.

Here’s another PowerPoint presentation about yourself for job interview example worth using – incorporate a case study slide, showing how you have successfully solved a similar problem for your past employer.

Wrap up your presentation by laying out the key steps the company needs to take. Give an estimate of how much time it will take to tackle the problem, and what changes/investments should be made.

Your conclusion should tell this: “Hire me and I will solve this problem for you in no time!”.

How to Prepare for an Interview: The Final Tips

Source: StockSnap

Dial-Up Your Power

Take a deep breath and strike a “power pose” before you enter the room.

According to her research, power posers performed better during interviews and were more likely to get hired. Another study also proved this theory: unaware judges gave major preference to the power-primed applicants. So yes, pep talks do work!

The 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.

Try To Appear Similar to the Interviewer

Lauren Rivera, a professor from Kellogg School,  came to the conclusion that interviewers tend to hire “people like them” .

Even the top human resource management folks fall for this bias and tend to base their evaluations on how similar a candidate is to them, instead of trying to decide whether the person’s skill set is ideal for the position. So to be liked, you will have to act relatable.

Back up your statements with facts

To deliver a presentation with a bang, you can make use of pre-analyzed facts to support your hypothesis. Make sure to do your homework, study the company and its competitive landscape, and do the professional work you would have done as a member of the company crew. At some point in your interview presentation, you go “off the script”, and pull out a bunch of documents, supporting your statements.

giving a presentation in a job interview

For example, you can give away a quick plan indicating a number of things the employer could do today to save money, even if they don’t hire you. Make sure to be meticulous; your work will speak for you. But giving away this work will show the employer your commitment, skills, and focus.

And that’s exactly how to make your job interview presentation stand out. Most candidates just ramble about their skills and past career moves. You bring specificity and proof to the platter, showing exactly what makes you a great hire fair and square.

Within a selection process, there are many interactions (interviews and dynamics) that you must successfully complete in order to be the next selected candidate. One of your objectives in this first interaction should be to generate a great first impression in the company. For this, we recommend using the Elevator Pitch for Interview technique.

The Elevator Pitch for Interview will allow you to present yourself in a solid and professional way in less than 60 seconds, in order to generate an outstanding first impression.

What is an Elevator Pitch for an Interview?

The Elevator Pitch is a condensed speech about yourself that aims to generate engagement in no more than 60 seconds. Entrepreneurs widely use this type of speech to persuade investors and job seekers in job interviews. Your Elevator Pitch for the Interview will generate a great first impression to the employer and be better positioned than other candidates. If your goal is to make a convincing presentation in a job interview, your Elevator Pitch needs to be well crafted.

How to Make an Elevator Pitch for an Interview

There are many ways and tips to make an excellent Elevator Pitch for a job interview. This section provides you with essential advice to make your interview more convincing.

Identify your target

You need to know to whom you are presenting yourself. Is it a recruiter? or an executive?. Your Elevator Pitch will change depending on the receiver.

Comprehend the needs of the hiring company

Make an advanced study about the search requirements for the job position. Identify your strengths. Highlight them. Demonstrate your experience. Identify your weaknesses. Show that you have a profile that seeks constant improvement

Create a clear, concise, and truthful Elevator Pitch

This point is critical. Your Elevator Pitch must be clear, concise, genuine, and impactful. Go from less to more. Generate a real hook in your audience. Try not to go off-topic or talk too much, and be brief in everything you want to say.

Speak naturally and confidently

If you can speak fluently and naturally, you can show a confident profile. Show you know what you are talking about and what you want.

Elevator Pitch Example for Job Seekers

This section illustrates an Elevator Pitch Example targeted to Recruiters. It will help you put together your own.

“My name is [NAME]. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, I have spent the last five years accumulating professional experience as a Project Assistant and Project Manager. I have successfully managed intangible products’ planning, strategy, and launch these past few years. I was excited to learn about this opportunity in Big Data – I’ve always been passionate about how technology and the use of information can greatly improve the way we live. I would love the opportunity to bring my project management and leadership skills to this position.”

Ways to avoid common mistakes in your Elevator Pitch

Keep in mind the following points to avoid making mistakes in your Elevator Pitch for an Interview.

Don’t hurry to make your Elevator Pitch

The Elevator Pitch lasts approximately 60 seconds. Do it on your own time and naturally, as long as you make it clear and concise.

Do not always use the same Elevator Pitch for all cases

One recommendation is not to repeat the same Elevator Pitch in all your interviews. Make changes. Try new options and ways of saying the information. Try different versions and check with your experience which generates more engagement and persuasion.

Make it easy to understand

Articulate your pitch as a story. Think that the person in front of you does not know you and is interested in learning more about your profile. Don’t make your Elevator Pitch challenging to appear more sophisticated. Simply generate a clear and easy-to-understand narrative, where all the data you tell is factual and verifiable.

Don’t forget to practice it

Practice is the key to success. Your Elevator Pitch for Interview will become more professional, convincing, and natural with practice.

How to End an Elevator Pitch?

An essential aspect of ending an Elevator Pitch for an Interview is demonstrating interest and passion for the position. You have already presented yourself and established that you have the necessary background for the job. Closing with phrases revealing passion and attitude will help reinforce your pitch.

We recommend you use expressions such as:

“I have always been interested and curious about the area in which the company operates, and it would be a great challenge for me to be able to perform in this position.”

“I have been interested in moving into your company for a while, and I love what your team is doing in IT.”

“I would like to advance my career with an employer with the same values. I know that thanks to my profile and experience, I can make excellent contributions to your company.”

Keep It Visual: Use visuals like images, graphs, and charts to convey your points effectively. Visuals can make complex information more accessible and engaging. Consistency Matters: Maintain a consistent design throughout your presentation. Use the same fonts, color schemes, and formatting to create a cohesive look. Practice Timing: Be mindful of the allotted time for your presentation. Practice to ensure you can comfortably cover your content within the time limit. Engage the Audience: Incorporate elements that engage the audience, such as questions, anecdotes, or real-world examples. Interaction keeps the interview panel interested. Use White Space: Avoid cluttered slides. Use white space to create a clean and uncluttered design that enhances readability.

Presenting during a job interview can be nerve-wracking. Here are some strategies to overcome presentation anxiety:

  • Practice: Practice your presentation multiple times, ideally in front of a friend or mentor. The more you rehearse, the more confident you’ll become.
  • Visualization: Visualize yourself by giving a successful presentation. Imagine yourself speaking confidently and engaging the audience.
  • Breathing Techniques: Deep breathing can help calm nerves. Take slow, deep breaths before and during your presentation to reduce anxiety.
  • Positive Self-Talk: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of your qualifications and the value you bring to the role.
  • Focus on the Message: Concentrate on delivering your message rather than dwelling on your anxiety. Remember that the interviewers want to learn about your skills and experiences.
  • Arrive Early: Arrive at the interview location early. This gives you time to get comfortable with the environment and set up any technical equipment you use.

Maintain Good Posture: Stand or sit up straight with your shoulders back. Good posture conveys confidence and attentiveness. Make Eye Contact: Establish and maintain eye contact with your audience to show confidence and engagement. Use Open Gestures: Employ open gestures, like open palms and expansive arm movements, to convey enthusiasm and openness. Smile and Show Enthusiasm: Genuine smiles and enthusiastic facial expressions demonstrate passion and eagerness. Control Nervous Habits: Be mindful of nervous habits like tapping or fidgeting, which can distract your audience and convey anxiety.

Stop fretting and start prepping for your interview presentation. You now have all the nitty-gritty presentation tips to ace that interview. If you are feeling overwhelmed with the design part, browse our extensive gallery of PowerPoint templates and cherry-pick specific elements ( diagrams , shapes , and data charts ) to give your interview presentation the top visual appeal.

Here you can see some 100% editable templates available on SlideModel that could be useful for preparing an interview presentation.

1. Versatile Self-Introduction PowerPoint Template

giving a presentation in a job interview

Use This Template

2. Professional Curriculum Vitae PowerPoint Template

giving a presentation in a job interview

This a sample of PowerPoint presentation template that you can use to present a curriculum and prepare for a job interview presentation. The PPT template is compatible with PowerPoint but also with Google Slides.

3. Modern 1-Page Resume Template for PowerPoint

giving a presentation in a job interview

4. Multi-Slide Resume PowerPoint Template

giving a presentation in a job interview

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HR, Human Resources, Interview, Job, Resume Filed under Presentation Ideas

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Interview presentation preparation tips

The interview presentation is becoming more common in the hiring process. It gives employers a better overview of your general aptitude and provides you with an opportunity to showcase your skills, knowledge, and experience. But how should you prepare for an interview presentation? What should you include? What if it goes wrong?

A man confidently gives an interview presentation.

4th Jun, 2021

Olivia Maguire

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What is an interview presentation?

As you progress further in your career, particularly to executive level, you may be asked to give a presentation for interview. Perhaps you’ve been asked to conduct research and present your findings to a panel, complete a task and show how you approached it, put together a business plan and present your ideas, or even give a presentation about yourself and how you would excel in the role. Whatever you are presenting about, how you approach it should remain the same.

Many people find giving presentations intimidating, especially during an interview when you’re already nervous, but it’s something that you may have to do throughout your career – the sooner you tackle this skill, the better.

Why are you being asked to do a presentation for a job interview?

Many employers opt for a presentation-style interview as it gives a better overview of your general aptitude when compared to, or combined with, a traditional question and answer interview, like a competency-based interview . The interviewer is looking for proof that you can do the job and that you possess the required skills and traits.

Additionally, if you put time and effort into your presentation, this will highlight to the hiring manager that you are committed to the role and enthusiastic about joining the company. How many times have you been asked in an interview ‘Why do you want this position?’ or ‘What is it about this role that attracted you to it?’. They want to know how much you want this position, rather than just any position.

How to prepare a presentation for an interview

Where do you start? What should you include? The presentation is your opportunity to showcase your knowledge, experience, and communication skills as well as your organisational skills and diligence – so start with the job description and person specification and pick out key skills and traits that the company is looking for. Then you can prepare your presentation around what they want to see.

For example, if the business is looking for someone creative, pay great attention to the style of your presentation. If it is looking for someone who is a confident public speaker, spend more time perfecting your speech. If attention to detail is paramount in the role, double and triple check your spelling and grammar. This is a great starting point and gives you something to build your presentation around.

What to include in an interview presentation

Although you may be tempted to go all out and show your potential employer that you are committed to the job, don’t fall into the trap of creating a 30-slide presentation with reams of text. Try to keep each slide short and significant and aim for no more than 10 slides. This ensures the information you deliver is memorable and will help you to stand out from other interviewees. Some interviewers may even give you a specific amount of time for your presentation, make sure you factor this in and don’t go over the time limit – otherwise you may appear to have poor time management skills.

Another way to make sure your presentation engages hiring managers is to include a range of formats to help you illustrate your points. Include graphs, statistics, diagrams, video clips, and images to help break up large volumes of text and maintain the attention of the interviewers.

If you are conducting research as part of your presentation, include quotes from industry leaders and/or research pieces. This gives your points authority and demonstrates your commercial awareness.

You should also try to incorporate the company’s colours, fonts, or style in your presentation. This will show that you have done your research and highlights your brand awareness.

Finally, check your spelling and grammar thoroughly! Small mistakes can really undermine the content of your presentation.

Tips for presenting at the interview

Presenting is a skill which can be learnt. Even if you are not a confident public speaker, the more you practice, the better you will become.

Present confidently and enthusiastically - Remember to speak clearly, make eye contact, and use open body language.

Don’t just read the slides - There is nothing worse than watching a presentation where the presenter has their back to you the whole time just reading reams of text from their PowerPoint notes.

Try not to talk too fast - Make sure you breathe, and take your time.

Practice, practice, practice - Ensure you are well rehearsed so that you are familiar with the structure of your presentation and are able to deliver it smoothly. If possible, practice your presentation with family members or friends to get used to speaking in front of other people.

Arrive early to give yourself time to set up the presentation and settle any nerves - Get comfortable with PowerPoint and presentation equipment. Make sure you know how to work any projectors, screens, or remote controls before you begin to avoid any awkward stumbles or pauses.

Stay within the allocated time - If you have not been given guidance on length, aim for the 10-minute mark. Time your presentation when you are practising to make sure it will fit within the time limit. If you need to reduce the content of your presentation, cut out the least relevant or weakest points.

Be prepared to adapt - You may have practised your presentation in a certain way, but the interviewer might not respond accordingly. Be prepared to be interrupted by questions or further discussion unexpectedly.

Breathe and try to enjoy it - By relaxing, you will find yourself presenting better and, if you enjoy it, your interviewers will respond to that and be better engaged with what you are saying.

Tips for keeping the interview presentation simple

It can take a lot of work to make something simple, yet effective, and when it comes to interview presentations less is often more. Keep it short - As previously mentioned, try to keep each slide short and aim for no more than 10 slides in total.

One idea per slide - To make sure your presentation is clear and concise, each slide should represent a different point/idea you want to make.

Stick to the important bits only - If you don’t think it’s important enough to spend time on, don’t have it on your slide.

Use the 4x6 rule - Aim for either four bullet points with six words per bullet point, or six bullet points with four words per bullet point. This way, your slides won’t look too busy.

Minimal text - Instead of writing paragraphs of text, use bullet points and a minimum font size of 24.

What's better for your interview presentation? Cue cards or presenting from memory?

Should you use cue cards in your presentation for interview or try to present from memory?

The answer to this question depends on what you feel most comfortable doing. If you find that having cue cards will help ease your nerves and ensure that you don’t forget your speech, then there is nothing wrong with that.

However, if you choose to use cue cards, you should not rely too heavily on them. You shouldn’t stand in front of the interviewers and look down at the cards continuously, neither should you write your whole speech out on the cards and read directly from them. They are cue cards for a reason and should only give you prompts on what to talk about. If your interview presentation has a lot of statistics on, using cue cards to remember the figures if you are unable to memorise them all is an excellent strategy.

What to do when things go wrong

You can practice your interview presentation as much as possible, but something may still go wrong and it’s important to be prepared for this eventuality. Here are some things that could go wrong and how to deal with them: Technical issues

There is not a lot you can do to prevent technical issues, especially if you are using someone else’s computer. But there are ways you can prepare just in case. Ensuring you have access to multiple sources of your presentation is key. Email the file to yourself and the recruiter, bring a copy on a USB stick and printed handouts. This way you are covered if anything goes wrong with the file you’re intending to use.

Your mind goes blank

Even those who are pros at presenting can sometimes lose their train of thought and find that their mind goes blank. The key here is not to panic. If possible, take a bottle or glass of water in with you and use this chance to take a sip, breathe and try to relax. Then look at your presentation slide or your cue cards and pick up where you left off. It may be helpful to repeat the last point you made as saying it out loud could spark your memory for your next point.

You are asked a question that you don’t know how to respond to

If you have allotted time at the end of your presentation to allow the interviewer to ask any questions (which is recommended), don’t worry if someone asks a question that you are not sure on. It may be that the interviewer is looking to see how you respond to a challenging question, so how you react is often more important than the answer itself.

If you do not understand the question, ask the person to explain. There is nothing wrong with doing this and shows more confidence than just saying that you don’t know. If you understand the question but are not sure of the answer, then admit that you don’t have the full answer, provide what information you do have, and offer to come back to them at a later date with a complete answer.

10-minute interview presentation template

Below is a presentation for interview example. Use this as a baseline and adapt or reorder where appropriate based on the task you have been set by the interviewer. Slide 1 - Introduction – Reiterate the objectives you have been set and lay out the structure of your presentation so that the interviewers know what to expect. Slide 2 - About you – Detail your professional experience, skills and working style. Slide 3 - Company history – Give a brief summary of the company history, any milestones or awards. Slides 4-7 - Answering the brief – Give your responses to questions you’ve been asked to answer, the benefits and limitations of your suggestions. Slide 8 - Question and answers – Include a slide titled ‘questions and answers’ as a cue to pause for interaction. Slide 9 - Conclusion – Sum up the key points you have made, reach a decision, and explain your reasoning. Slide 10 - Personal achievements – End the interview on a high with a brief slide highlighting achievements that show how you will succeed in the role.

For more information on how to ace your interview, download our free guide, ‘ Getting the best from your interview: Candidate interview tips and tricks ’, or contact your local recruitment specialist today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A job interview presentation is all about selling yourself. Be confident, speak clearly, and make eye contact with the interviewer. Don’t be afraid to promote yourself and highlight your achievements. This is your chance to really show the interviewer that you are capable and have the necessary skills to do the job. By putting time and effort into your presentation, you can show them how dedicated you are to the role and the company. For more information on how to ace your interview, download our free guide, ‘ Getting the best from your interview: Candidate interview tips and tricks ’.

Using cue cards can support you with your interview presentation, as long as you use them for their intended purpose. Do not write your entire presentation for interview out on cards and read from them word for word or constantly hold them in your hand and fail to make eye contact with the interviewer. Use them only to prompt you or for remembering key facts and figures. For more tips, read our article on ‘interview tips & questions’ .

If you have been sent a presentation brief that you do not understand – don’t panic. If there are words that you are not sure about, do some research and try your best to figure out what the organisation is asking of you. If you are still unsure, you could ask your recruiter as they may have seen this brief before and can give you an idea. If you are dealing directly with the hiring manager, then it may be worth checking that your interpretation of the brief is correct.

It is better to ask the question than present on something completely different to what the interviewer has asked. However, instead of saying to them that you don’t understand the brief and leaving it at that, tell them your understanding of it and ask if this is correct. This will show that even though you are unsure, you have taken the time to try to come to a conclusion yourself before asking for help. Download our free interviewing guide for more tips and advice.

How long your job interview presentation should last depends on what guidance you have been given. Thoroughly read the brief, as the recruiter or hiring manager may have specified the length of time you have for your presentation. If they haven’t given any indication, you should aim for 10 minutes, including time for questions and answers. For more tips on interviewing, read our article on ‘interview tips & questions’ .

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Job Interview Presentation Guides The Secret to Crushing Your Job Interview

  • Career Tips
  • 27th October 2023

During your job search and as a part of your interview process, it’s not uncommon to have to give an interview presentation. 

Here at Dynamic, the professionals we help with their job search regularly give interview presentations. And we offer support throughout this process: From helping them to understand what the interviewer is looking for from the presentation, to actually helping with the content of their presentations.

We’re here to help you answer the questions you’ve been wondering like: What exactly is an interview presentation? What should you include? And what to do when your interview presentation doesn’t quite go as planned.

What is an Interview Presentation?

At any stage in your career you may be asked to give an interview presentation. This interview will likely test you on one or more of the skills that are most important to the role.

The interview presentation you are asked to give can vary largely, depending on the role you are applying for and the industry you work in.

For example, a Solutions Architect may have to give an interview presentation that shows their technical ability, but also highlighting communication and presentation skills. 

Meanwhile someone earlier in their career at a Network Engineer level, will likely have to give a presentation that focuses purely on their technical ability: Because that is what is most important to the employer when hiring at this level.

But the core approach and things to remember about giving an interview presentation

Why Are You Being Asked to Give an Interview Presentation?

When an employer asks you to give a presentation in your interview, it is typically to gain a greater understanding of your skills or experience. These will be the skills or experience that are most important to the role, and can offer you insight into what will be expected of you in the role.

The questions you are asked in an interview are obviously important, and it’s always a good idea to research the typical interview questions that you are likely to face . 

But the interview presentation can be just as, and is likely more important than, the questions you answer: And is typically where many potential candidates are rejected from the interview process.

The interview presentation will also help you to understand whether the job is one that would be right for you. The presentation task will likely be something you will be doing in the role everyday, or something that is of crucial importance. So the interview presentation task can give you more insight into the role than you can get from asking questions in the interview.

The 5 Things Your Job Interview Presentation Needs to Show

Before we get into the practical tips for your interview presentation, there are a few essential things that your presentation must show:

1. That you understood the task and the job you’ll be doing.

All too often we see candidates who have rushed into an interview task, without really taking the time to understand the task or understand what the employer was really looking to see. 

Because it’s feedback we hear from the employers we work with all the time. It’s crucial to make sure you understand what the employer wants to see from your task.

2. Your technical experience and expertise.

Pretty obvious, but pretty important. If you’re given a technical task, you need to show that you’re an expert at what you’ve been asked. This can mean going back and doing some revision around this area, to refresh your memory and prepare yourself for any questions you might face.

3. That you can handle yourself in a high-pressure situation.

Being cool under pressure is an essential skill and is an attractive quality in almost every job. Conversely, while someone may be great on paper, if they can’t articulate themselves or crumble under pressure, that can be a huge red flag to employers.

4. You can communicate well with clients and colleagues.

Communication is key, especially in a position where you’ll be working closely with clients or colleagues. And if you can’t articulate yourself effectively in a presentation setting, employers will be hesitant to put you in a role where you will be presenting to clients.

5. That you really want the job.

If you’re in the interview, then it’s fairly obvious that you want the job you’re interviewing for. But one of the things that employers will look for is who really wants the job.

Putting in the effort, preparing for any questions they may have and rehearsing your presentation, will show the interviewer that you’re serious about the opportunity.

13 Interview Presentation Tips and Steps to Success

These 13 tips will outline the steps you need to take when creating, presenting and what you need to do after your interview presentation.

1. Understand your audience and what they are looking for

The most important tip we can give is to understand what your audience, the interviewer, is looking for from your presentation. 

If you’re interviewing for an IT Account Manager position and asked to give a mock pitch to clients, is it the contents of your presentation that really matters? Probably not. 

Instead, the interviewers are looking to see that you present yourself well, can communicate effectively, and have a technical understanding of what you’re selling.

2. Keep it nice and short

Nobody wants to sit through a seemingly endless presentation. So try to keep the presentation you give nice and short: As concise as it needs to be.

If you’re really not sure about the length of the presentation, you can always ask the interviewer about how long they would like the interview presentation to be.

If you haven’t been given an outline for how long your presentation should take, you might be tempted to put in as much useful information as you can, to show off your knowledge and skills. But we advise having only the necessary information you need to complete the task at hand or answer the questions that you need to.

3. Have a structure for your presentation

Imperative to having a streamlined and professional interview presentation, is having a solid structure. Whatever the subject of your presentation, you should have an introduction, the main points you want to address, and a conclusion.

4. Use images and graphs, not just text

Make your presentation more engaging by including images, graphs, diagrams and maybe even a video if you’re feeling a bit creative. 

This prevents your presentation from becoming monotonous, and can help to break up slides of text after text or large sets of data.

5. Don’t try to fit too much information on each slide

It can be tempting to try and use up all the real estate on your presentation slides, cramming them with information.

But we advise having slides with just the key points that you want to explore, or a graph that will support what you say.

Keeping the majority of the information off the slides gives you more to talk about, stops everyone from sitting and reading the slides in silence, and will keep the interviewers attention on you. 

6. Try to match the branding of the business

Something we advise that doesn’t take too much effort, is mirroring the branding of the business you’re applying for a role at. 

What we mean by this, is to say you’re applying for a job at BT. Going on the BT website and downloading some pamphlet or e-book from their website and matching the logos and overall colour scheme that they use.

It’s not the most important thing in the world, as it won’t save your interview presentation if everything else goes wrong. But it does show you’re putting in the extra effort to impress the interviewer.

7. Double check for any mistakes

And in opposition to this, is making sure that there are no mistakes in your presentation. Because having simple errors or spelling mistakes in your presentation isn’t a great look, and the interviewer will be sure to notice. 

So make sure to proofread your presentation. And even better, have someone else double check it for you.

8. Practise presenting to yourself, or to friends/ family

The difference between someone presenting for the first time and someone who has rehearsed is absolutely noticeable to a hiring manager. So we strongly advise taking the time to practise your interview presentation beforehand. 

Not only will this help you appear more natural when you present, it will also help you to know if your presentation is too long and needs to be cut down.

9. Be confident when presenting

Not everyone is a natural born public speaker. But exuding confidence in your presentation is essential. Which means:

  • Taking your time and not rushing through your presentation. 
  • Speaking confidently and clearly.
  • Asking whether you’ve been clear with what you’ve said so far.
  • Even your body language.

Because if you struggle to present confidently and can’t articulate yourself properly, then the employer won’t be confident that you will be confident in front of customers or clients.

10. Be confident with your body language

When you present, the interviewer will be aware of your body language and what it says about you: So it’s important that you are aware of it too, and you’re in control of it. This can involve making eye contact, using appropriate and positive hand gestures, having a good posture, and smiling.

These are just a few tips, but for more information on how to convey confidence with body language throughout the interview, read our guide on interview body language here .

11. Don’t go overboard on time, and leave time for questions

We’ve mentioned the length of your presentation earlier, but it’s important that you don’t go over the assigned time limit. 

It shows poor time management, poor communication skills (if you take too long to get to the point), and an employer would likely be more hesitant to put you in front of customers or clients.

You should also aim to leave about 5 minutes of time at the end of your presentation to give the interviewers the opportunity to ask any questions, without going overboard on time.

12. Think what questions you need to expect

Predicting the questions you’re going to face seems like an impossible task. After all, you could be asked about pretty much anything. But in reality, understanding the task and what the interviewer is looking for will help you to have an idea of the kinds of questions you’ll be asked.

For example, if you’re giving an interview presentation that is a mock pitch to clients, then you can attempt to think of some objections that a client would raise about your pitch. Or if you were listening to your presentation, what are the questions you would ask?

13. Thank them for their time, and reiterate your interest in the position

When you’ve finished your presentation and interview, remember to thank the interviewer for their time and say again how interested you are in the position and in joining the company.

When an interviewer is trying to make a decision between a few competitive candidates, being the one who is eager and actively wants the job can be a deciding factor.

What to Do If Your Interview Presentation Doesn’t Go to Plan?

Hopefully your interview presentation goes perfectly and you can skip this section completely. But just in case it doesn’t, here are a few things that could go wrong in your presentation and how to avoid them.

Technical difficulties

Technical difficulties can be frustrating at the best of times but especially in a high-pressure situation like an interview. And even worse, they can be completely out of your control.

The best thing you can do is to prepare for any eventuality.

Email a copy of your presentation to yourself. Have another copy on a USB memory stick that you bring with you. Print out a few copies to hand out as a backup. Try to cover all bases where possible.

You are asked a question you don’t know the answer to

While you can try to predict the questions you’ll be asked, it’s unlikely you’ll get them all. And you may even be asked a question to which you simply don’t have the answer. 

So instead of trying to come up with an answer on the spot, it’s best to pause and ask for a minute to consider. Or if you’re truly stumped, be upfront and say you don’t have an answer at that time but will revisit at the end of the interview, or at a later date.

While it would be an ideal situation to have an answer to every question, asking for time to revisit shows confidence and self-awareness.

Your audience seem disinterested or not engaged

Interview presentations are necessarily the most exciting things in the world. Especially if an interviewer has conducted multiple of the same interview. 

So don’t be disheartened if the interviewers don’t seem the most engaged. And if they do, you can always ask the interviewers if everything you have said makes sense so far or if they have any questions about anything you’ve discussed up to that point.

This also helps to stop your interview presentation turning into a lecture and gives yourself a pause to collect your thoughts and take a break.

You’re going overboard on time

Before you go in, you should have a good idea of how long your presentation will last. Even so, you can find yourself going overboard on time when in the interview.

It’s important to be aware of how much time you have left and if you’re going to go overboard on time.

But you can prepare for this beforehand. Before you go into the interview, try to think of areas that you can trim or cut from your presentation just in case. That you would like to include if you have the time, but aren’t 100% necessary to keep in, or that you can summarise quickly if you need to.

5 Ways How Working With a Recruitment Agency Can Help Your Interview Presentation

Interview presentations can be incredibly stressful, and the whole interview process is hardly a barrel of laughs. But working with a recruitment agency can be helpful for a number of reasons:

  • Recruiters often have insight into exactly what the interviewer is looking for, giving you an edge over the competition.
  • Recruiters have seen hundreds of interview tasks and presentations, and can give you individually tailored advice.
  • It gives you someone to rehearse with, or give you feedback on your presentation.
  • And the recruiter may also know where previous candidates for the job have gone wrong in their presentations, telling you how to avoid these mistakes.
  • All of which can give you a big confidence boost, knowing that you have a recruitment professional in your corner to support you

Support with your job interview presentation is just one of the many benefits of working with a recruitment partner. Have a look at our open IT jobs here , or reach out to register your interest here .

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How to Deliver a Winning Interview Presentation

How to Deliver a Winning Interview Presentation

Written by: Unenabasi Ekeruke

giving a presentation in a job interview

The average corporate job opening receives about 250 resumes . To find the most suitable candidates, many companies make interview presentations a decisive part of their hiring process.

Whether you're looking to switch jobs or move up the ladder in your organization, a well-crafted interview presentation might be the key to landing your next role.

Interview presentations give you a chance to pitch your skills and showcase your knowledge about the position. Delivering an exceptional presentation will put you a step ahead of other candidates.

But how do you make your interview presentation stand out?

In this article, we've rounded up the best tips for preparing and delivering a winning interview presentation that will help you stand out and land you the job.

Let's get to it.

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Table of Contents

What is an interview presentation, what employers look for in an interview presentation, how to prepare for your interview presentation.

  • 11 Interview Presentation Tips to Help You Stand Out

In many industries, interview presentations help recruiters pick the best candidate for the job.

They also help managers gauge a candidate's presentation skills, especially if the job role involves pitching to clients or top management.

Interview presentations often involve presenting formal talks about subjects that interest recruiters. These subjects could be directly related to your job role or the industry your prospective organization operates in.

Your interview presentation could potentially revolve around topics like:

  • Emerging trends and innovations in a particular industry
  • Competitive landscape and future predictions
  • Business, operations and marketing strategies
  • Improving sales and customer retention

It could also be about pitching your work experience, ideas and why you're the best fit for the role.

Let's say you're interviewing for a high-level position in the sales and marketing department. You may be asked to pitch the company's product or services to prospects or do these things:

  • Predict trends in the industry where the company operates
  • Talk about how the current market trend may affect sales for a particular line of products
  • Present a marketing plan for your prospective role

Below is an interview presentation template that you can edit and use.

Sometimes, prospective employers may give you specific topics in advance, giving you ample time to prepare.

At other times, you may have to make blind presentations. This means you'll get topics shortly before the presentation and may have limited time to prepare.

Whatever be the case, nailing your interview presentations will up your chances of landing your new role.

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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

What specific presentation skills do employers look for?

Excellent presentation skills are a must-have for most client-facing roles or high-level positions. Therefore, asking a candidate to make presentations during interviews can help companies assess whether they can deliver on the job.

Not only that, interview presentations provide deeper insight into your abilities and skills, such as:

  • Presentation design skills
  • Verbal and written communication style
  • The ability to hook, engage and interact with your audiences
  • Ability to deliver the message with clarity
  • Diligence and attention to details
  • Work experience and sector knowledge
  • Ability to read and interpret the mindset of listeners
  • Use of visual aids
  • Time management and organization skills

For a blind presentation, the employer may want to feel your pulse or perspective on issues or take notice of things like:

  • The ability to think on your feet
  • How you perform under pressure
  • How persuasive and creative you can be

Ultimately, the recruiter is also checking to see if you meet the core competencies for the job. Therefore, make sure to revisit them during the blind presentation.

Beyond landing the job, getting it right with your presentation can set the tone for further engagements with your colleagues and top management.

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.

giving a presentation in a job interview

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.

1. 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 (recruitment agencies, HR, supervisors, top-level management).
  • 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.

By asking these questions, you'll know what recruiters expect from you and align your presentation to match their needs. Plus, they'll judge your suitability for the role based on how you pay attention to the finest details.

2. Research the Company and the Position Before the Interview

Now you have answers to the fundamental questions, go ahead and research the company and the position you've applied for.

That's not all. Find out the industry the company operates, the major players and where the company ranks within the industry.

Doing this will enable you to:

  • Structure your presentation and
  • Interpret your job role within the context of the industry where the company operates.

For example, if you're an accounting professional, it's not enough to understand general accounting principles.

You'll have to understand what your role entails within the context of the industry you'll be working in. It could be oil and gas, mining, tech, construction, health, finance or entertainment.

Here are other things you should find out during your research.

Company Vision, Mission and Goals

Find out the company's history, what they stand for and their area of interest. It's also a good idea to research their major competitors and how they've fared in the market.

But how do you find this valuable information?

The company's website and social media channels are good starting points. News, blogs and third-party sites can provide more information about what the company has been up to.

Having this essential info will help you:

  • Determine subjects relevant to the company and the area you should focus on,
  • Tailor your interview presentation to their needs and
  • Impress your potential employers.

Not only that, but it also shows you're prepared to be part of that organization's culture.

Potential Audience

Part of your research should be to find out who is going to be interviewing you. One way to get that information is by asking the company's HR or using your intuition.

For example, if you're applying for a sales and marketing position, the marketing, sales and HR managers will most likely be on the interview panel.

Next, find out their interests and job responsibilities. Platforms like LinkedIn , Meetup , Indeed and other job boards can come in handy.

You might want to take note of their experience levels.

Professionals with different experience levels have varying concerns.

For example, while top management may care about your administrative or leadership abilities, a team lead may be more interested in your technical or problem-solving skills.

If you focus on what matters most to your audience, you'll attract their interest and win them over.

3. 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.

Check out this article for more tips on how to structure your presentation .

Structure your interview presentation to make it appealing and impactful like the one below.

giving a presentation in a job interview

4. Pay Attention to Design

Remember, first impressions count. And your interview presentation isn't an exception to this rule. Excellent presentation designs help you create an impactful first impression on your interviewers.

Think of your design as the aesthetic element that etches your presentation in your viewer's minds and sways them in your favor.

Whether you're pitching the company's product or your resume , having flawless interview presentation designs will help you tell stories better.

Not only does it create a memorable impression, but it also makes your presentation pack a punch.

You can start from scratch or jumpstart your creativity with interview presentation examples like the one below.

giving a presentation in a job interview

While creating your presentation slides , here are some things you should keep in mind:

Keep It On-Brand

Try to tailor your presentation design (font, color scheme, background, image) to the company's identity and visual language. Companies like Starbucks, Skype, Spotify and Netflix provide brand guidelines on their website.

Brand guidelines generally contain a set of rules on using the company’s branding elements. If the company doesn't have a brand guide, you can use the colors on their logo or website for your slide design.

Interviewers will most likely focus on a presentation designed in their organization's brand format. And doing this will show you've done your research about the company.

Pro Tip:  Use Visme's Brand Design Tool to automatically generate a branded presentation template with your employer's logo, colors and fonts. Simply enter in the URL to their website and watch the magic happen!

Create branded content & graphics with ease

  • Add your brand color’s hex codes for easy access
  • Upload or select your brand fonts
  • Easily incorporate brand elements into your Vismes

Create branded content & graphics with ease

Use Lots of White Space

Avoid cluttering your interview presentation slides with too many ideas, text or images. This could overwhelm your audience and make your presentation a pain in the eyes.

When designing a clean and effective presentation, it's important to use lots of white space. Don't use more than six words per slide . Stick to one idea and a minimum of two images per slide.

Use High-Quality Images

Be sure to use high-quality visuals that drive an emotional appeal.

Better yet, every visual you use should have a purpose behind it. If you're presenting an overview of yourself, it makes sense to use a nice, high-quality headshot of yourself. Take a cue from the interview presentation sample to create yours.

giving a presentation in a job interview

Even if you're using stock photos  to spice up your slides, make sure the images are carefully selected to balance the text on each slide and are relevant to the topic that's being discussed.

Using low-quality, irrelevant or pixelated images can not only make your presentation boring, but it can also negatively impact your image and make you come across as careless or lazy.

Make Your Slides Easy to Read

When selecting fonts and sizing them, use fonts that are readable on small and large screens. Stick a font size of 36 pixels for titles and at least 30 pixels for body text.

Additionally, to make your message pop, maintain a solid contrast between your text and background. If you use a dark background, use a white font color and vice versa. You can grab inspiration from the job interview presentation sample below.

giving a presentation in a job interview

In the template above, notice how the dark text color pops vibrantly on the white background. Additionally, the fonts are legible enough for readers to digest the message in the slide.

If you want to learn more about making your slide designs shine, read our in-depth article on how to create good presentation design .

5. Use Charts and Graphs to Visualize Data

As mentioned before, sprawling text and bullets aren't enough to drive visual appeal. You need to use visual aids to break up text and boost visual appeal.

By using a range of formats like graphs, statistics, diagrams , video clips and images, you can easily maintain audience attention and get your points across.

Notice how the job interview presentation sample below uses data visualization to present information.

giving a presentation in a job interview

Are you looking for high-resolution visuals for your interview presentations?

If the answer is yes, Visme's presentation maker has everything you need. The tool has a robust library of free and premium stock images, elegant fonts, icons, graphs, charts, infographics and other visual aids.

6. Keep Your Presentation Clear, Unique and Impactful

When it comes to making presentations or a pitch deck, less is more.

As a presenter, you want recruiters to glance at your slide, gain interest and listen to you. Hence it's best to keep your slide short and simple, aiming for ten slides or less.

Be careful not to load too much information on your slides or break off tangents that don't support your topic.

Just like you, other applicants are looking to give an impressive presentation. Make your presentation memorable and unique. This will convince your employer that you are the ideal candidate for the job.

One way to make your presentation unique is by:

  • Creating a simulated project or demo
  • Using case studies related to the company's operations
  • Creating a strategic plan for your intended role or department
  • Depicting how you would use your skills to achieve the desired project goals

If you're doing a job presentation for a marketing position, for example, you can create a detailed strategic plan that wins the heart and minds of your interviewers using the template below.

giving a presentation in a job interview

7. Practice Your Delivery

Your interview presentation is a critical stage in the recruiting process. And having an excellent delivery will solidify your chances of getting the job.

However, having a flawless delivery starts with practice, practice and more practice.

For example, Steve Jobs was one of the most phenomenal speakers of his time. His keynotes and demos were compelling and filled with passion and energy.

But if you pull back the curtain, you'll realize why presentations were magical. What seemed spontaneous took hours and hours of practice.

Here's the thing. Rehearsing your presentation beforehand will help avoid babbling or being caught off guard.

Not only that, practice will make you become confident, familiar with you presentation outline or structure and deliver your presentation smoothly.

How do you practice your interview presentation?

First off, deliver your presentation in front of a mirror and record yourself while you're at it. Repeat this as many times as possible and watch out for mistakes that could hurt your presentation.

Next, practice your presentation before your friends and ask them to take notes. Doing this will enable you to get feedback or work on areas that require improvements.

Encourage them to provide detailed feedback rather than general feedback like: "you did well" or "great design".

Before presenting his first TED Talk, author and business podcaster Tim Ferriss practiced his presentation with a group of friends and strangers. He went ahead to incorporate their feedback and suggestions in his next rehearsal.

During practice, go ahead and do these things:

  • Time yourself to ensure your presentation falls within the allowed time
  • Keep your shoulder and head high up
  • Maintain eye contact with your audience (friends, family or professional colleagues)
  • Be expressive and articulate your words with confidence.
  • Take deep breaths and pauses in between your presentation
  • Be audible and avoid speaking too fast

As you practice repeatedly, you'll have your points at your fingertips. Plus, you'll become more confident about your interview.

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor practiced her 18-minute TED Talk about 200 times before getting on stage. Her speech below, “ My Stroke of Insight,” has amassed well over 25 million views on the TED site alone.

8. Follow Presentation Guidelines

While preparing for your big day, adhere to the employer's rules for the interview presentation.

The interview rules could include:

  • Interview arrival time
  • Document required
  • The focus of the presentation and allotted time

For instance, if your interviewer says candidates must complete their presentation in 10 minutes, don't exceed the allocated time.

If you've not been given a time limit, keep your presentation between 10-20 minutes. Remember — people have short attention spans.

When you adhere to the guidelines, employers will believe you're reliable and can work with available resources.

9. Use the Right Presentation Tool

The tool you use to prepare your presentation is as important as the content. You'll find tons of presentation software out there, including PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides, Visme, Prezi and more.

Sometimes, your potential employer may favor a particular platform for your interview presentation. But more often than not, they'll leave you to make a choice.

In this case, it's advisable to build your presentations using a tool that's not only familiar but has everything you need to make your content shine. We strongly recommend a feature-rich tool like Visme .

Whether you're a novice or expert, Visme is precisely made to help you craft beautiful presentations and nail your delivery. The tool has 500+ templates, animations, fonts, and design themes that match your style and any niche you can think of.

You can also check out our quick video on how to create beautiful and professional interview presentations in Visme.

giving a presentation in a job interview

10. Have a Backup Plan

Keep in mind that complications could arise. Having a backup plan can help you put things back on track and complete your presentation successfully.

Your employer will mainly provide a screen, laptop, USB and other equipment.

Still, it would help to bring along your laptop and USB drive. They could come in handy if you want to quickly make some adjustments to your slide or review them before the presentation.

In addition, make sure to:

  • Have duplicate copies of your presentation. You can save a copy on a USB stick, external drive or cloud drive.
  • Email the file to yourself and the interviewers.
  • Bring along a few printed handouts or copies of your slides, which you'll share with your audience.

Taking these steps can save the day if anything goes wrong such as computer breakdown, corrupt files, power disruption and other technical glitches.

11. Determine Follow-up Questions and Provide Answers

Now your preparation is in top gear. But wait, there's one more thing.

After creating your presentation, review the content and check for readability and spelling errors.

Then think up questions your audience might ask after your delivery. You'll want to brace up for questions that are both related and not related to the topic.

Here is a list of the common interview presentation questions that you can expect:

  • What solutions do you recommend in light of the current realities and trends?
  • Why do you recommend this solution?
  • What strategy do we use to solve this problem?
  • How do we convince investors to buy into this project?
  • What resources do we need to execute these projects?
  • What processes can we put in place to ensure the success of this project
  • How do you plan to minimize the risks of this project?
  • How does your recommendation align with the company's short-term and long-term goals?

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11 Interview Presentation Tips

You've put in the work to prepare your interview presentation. Great job! Now the day and time of your presentation have arrived.

These 11 interview presentation tips will help you win your employers over.

1. Pick the Right Outfit

There's no hard and fast rule to picking the right interview outfit. And that’s because different companies and industries have preferred dress codes.

So your best bet will be to ask the hiring manager before the interview date. This will enable you to align your attire with the company culture.

Whether the acceptable dress code is formal or casual, wear something that makes you appear smart and confident. But when in doubt, stick to formal and smart business attire.

2. Arrive Early and Settle In

Whether you have an online or physical interview or presentation, this is a no-brainer. Showing up late doesn't only leave a bad impression, but it could cost you the job.

Arriving early to your interview will give you enough time to settle your nerves and tie loose ends.

A good rule of thumb is to arrive 15 to 20 minutes before your presentation. You'll have ample time to get comfortable with the equipment and the environment.

3. Start Strong and Build Rapport

The opening part of your interview presentation is where you set the mood for the rest of the presentation.

Here, you have to draw your audience in and convince them to listen to you. So aim to make it impactful and enthralling.

Once you get on the stage, build rapport with your audience.

Start by introducing yourself, professional experience, skills and educational background. Then, highlight your career achievements, records, awards and portfolio like the example interview presentation slide below.

giving a presentation in a job interview

The goal is to impress and attract your audience's attention. This is the moment where you convince recruiters that you’re worth listening to.

When it comes to your presenting your topics, you can kick off your presentation with the following techniques:

  • Use captivating quotes
  • Mention compelling statistics about the organization, industry or subject
  • Tell an interesting story about yourself or the subject
  • Talk about a trending news topic

Not only will this help draw your interviewers in, but it will engross them and set the mood for the rest of the presentation.

4. Be Confident

You've worked so hard to get to this point. Be confident that you've got this. Projecting confidence is also as important as having an incredible resume.

Recruiters love to listen to confident candidates. And developing this mindset will help you inspire trust and build connections with your potential employer.

If you're looking to keep your confidence high, do these things:

  • Speak with authority and make eye contact with your audience: This is you selling yourself and reiterating that you've got all it takes to do the job.
  • Pay attention to your body language: That's the first thing people notice. The way you carry yourself says a lot about how confident you are. Do your best to maintain the right body posture, smile, keep your head up and appear comfortable.
  • Use hand gestures: Utilizing strong hand gestures adds personality to your speech and makes you expressive. For example, moving your hand in an upward motion can describe growth rate or increase. Likewise, opening or closing your hands depicts sizes.

5. Deliver Like a Pro

While making your presentation, ensure your delivery is crisp and clear.

Whether you're using your voice or microphone, command attention by enunciating words clearly and projecting them to the back of the room. Otherwise, you'll come across as timid or unsure of your assertions.

Resist the temptation to use a dull tone or communicate without facial expressions.

Instead, deliver your speech with passion and vary your pitch to convey feelings and different emotional intensities. Delivering your message with emotion and liveliness will keep your audience hooked.

Most people tend to speak fast when they're nervous. Well, if this happens, your interviewer may miss out on important points.

Thus, maintain a reasonable pace and have occasional pauses in between. This will give you time to catch your breath, collect your thoughts and let your messages sink in.

Remember your slide is supposed to support your presentation, so avoid reading your slides or notes. Doing this will bore your audience and give them the impression that you're inept on the subject.

Showcase your expertise with the help of the presentation interview template below.

giving a presentation in a job interview

6. Tell a Compelling Story

Storytelling is one the most effective ways to structure your interview presentation.

Whether you're simulating a project, discussing a technical topic or pitching your skills, storytelling is the key to winning audience interest.

Top business leaders are making the most of it. You should make it the foundation of your interview presentation.

For example, in the video below, Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, leverages storytelling to explain how she built a successful product.

One of the reasons why Steve Jobs stood out during presentations is his ability to tell captivating stories. He used storytelling during his keynote addresses, pitches and notably during the launch of the first iPhone in 2007.

Here's the thing. Telling stories engages your audience and helps understand your points. Also, it makes your presentation more impactful and memorable.

Here's how to use storytelling during your interview presentation

  • Plot: Select an area of focus and make it resonate with your audiences
  • Characters: Highlight the major players in your story. It could be you, the company, the industry, competitors, etc.
  • Opposition: Present a problem and why it matters to the organization or audience
  • Journey: Discuss what you bring to the table regarding the solution, planning, execution, monitoring, problem-solving and management
  • Conclusion: End with a strong resolution

What's more? To make your presentation cohesive and well-thought-out, use practical examples.

For example, the slide below highlights current gaps or problems.

giving a presentation in a job interview

Then, the next slide suggests practical steps to address the gaps or solve the problems.

giving a presentation in a job interview

7. Use Visual Aids

We discussed this during the preparation phase. And you've got to make it count while delivering your presentation.

Adding visuals to your story is a winning formula that works all the time.

Why? Interestingly about 65% of people are visual learners. Plus, our brains are wired to pay more attention to visual content.

But those are not the only reasons you should incorporate visuals into your presentation.

  • Visuals attract audience attention and enhance your delivery
  • With visuals, your audiences can quickly understand complex ideas
  • They appeal to your viewer's imagination and drive an emotional connection
  • Visual add power to your words and keeps your speech on track

You can use video, images, infographics and symbols to describe ideas or concepts. Map charts or statistical maps can help visualize geographical information.

You can visualize numbers using graphs, line charts, pie charts, bar charts and maps like in the slide template below.

giving a presentation in a job interview

8. Use Speaker Notes

While creating your slides, you can store essential talking points in your presenter notes. These notes are visible to you but aren't visible to your audience.

They help you recall key points like quotes, stats or ideas as you present.

Visme makes it super easy to add presenter notes to your slides. You can view your notes for the current and next slides as you present.

giving a presentation in a job interview

The tool also comes with a timer that helps you stay within the allocated time. If you're pressed for time, cut out the least relevant points and move the most important ones. Ultimately make sure you don't exceed the allotted time.

9. Be Prepared To Adapt

We get it. You've practiced your presentation and put other things in the right place.

However, keep in mind that things don't always go as planned. So you have to be willing to adapt to changes.

For example, you may have prepared a 10 minute presentation for interview and you’re given less than five minutes. Also, you may have planned to deliver your presentation and then take questions. But your interview may commence with questions or ask questions while you’re presenting.

Whatever the case, be prepared to pause for questions or switch to further discussion unexpectedly.

10. Have a Strong Closing

Your conclusion is as important as the intro. It determines what your audiences will walk away with and how they will feel about you.

Generally, it should be a summary of everything you discussed earlier. Therefore you have to bring it full circle and make it connected to the rest of your presentation.

Most importantly, make it convincing and memorable.

If your interviewer can remember the key takeaways from your presentation, you'll have the edge over other candidates.

Here's how to end your interview presentation in a memorable way:

  • Ask your audience questions about the topic that sparks curiosity and gets them thinking.
  • End with key takeaways that highlight the main points of your presentation.
  • Double down on the problems and how you can help solve them.
  • Mention how your recommended solution can help the company grow and increase their competitive edge
  • Tie your message to an interesting quote that aligns with the company vision, mission and goals
  • Highlight intriguing milestones and figures you can help the company achieve like profit margins, growth rate, market valuation, increased productivity, revenue growth, etc.
  • Demonstrate that you are open to feedback, questions and further discussion about the topic

Use the job interview presentation example below to craft a striking conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

giving a presentation in a job interview

11. Take Questions and Feedback at the End

After you've concluded your presentation, get ready for questions and feedback from interviewers.

Keep in mind that the questions may differ from what you rehearsed. Still, make sure you answer the question with confidence and demonstrate expertise.

If the question is challenging, take a moment to compose your thoughts before responding. Also, if the question isn't clear, don't be afraid to ask for clarification.

In any case, the panel will judge your suitability for the role based on what you say, how you present yourself and how you approach questions.

Ace Your Interview Presentations with Visme

Creating an effective interview presentation can be your weapon to launch or advance your career. With a winning interview, you can outperform other candidates and convince your prospective employers that you're the right fit for the job.

But it all starts with setting aside hours to prepare for your presentations. In addition, make sure you follow all the tips we've shared for delivering your presentation.

Looking to create a presentation that will land you that new role? Then you need to use intuitive presentation software like Visme.

Whether you're a learner or an expert, Visme is easy to use. We guarantee that it will pay off more than you can imagine. The tool offers hundreds of pre-built presentation templates, built-in graphics, multimedia, design elements and more.

Beyond creating stunning presentations, you'll be able to share your presentation live. You can also embed it to your website or download it as a video or editable file formats like PDF, PPTX and more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you start an interview presentation.

There are a few great ways to start your presentation with style, immediately grabbing your audience’s attention:

  • Start with a provocative question or statement.
  • Tell a story.
  • Quote an influential person.
  • Ask a question.
  • Tell a joke.

What is a good presentation topic for an interview?

When creating a presentation as a part of a job interview, you want to choose a topic that will help to sell yourself and your knowledge. This might mean a prior project you worked on, some new tech in your industry, new industry trends, etc.

What is the point of an interview presentation?

An interview presentation helps potential employers understand your actual knowledge level in the industry. If you’re able to give an in-depth presentation showcasing how well you know about something related to your field, they’re much more likely to want you on their team.

How do you improve your interview presentation skills?

Looking to improve your presentation skills ? A few key interview presentation ideas and tips include:

  • Keep your slides short and sweet.
  • Practice before you present.
  • Don’t read off your slides.
  • Create a visually appealing presentation design .
  • Show off your personality.

Easily put together winning interview presentations in Visme

giving a presentation in a job interview

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giving a presentation in a job interview

About the Author

Unenabasi is a content expert with many years of experience in digital marketing, business development, and strategy. He loves to help brands tell stories that drive engagement, growth, and competitive advantage. He’s adept at creating compelling content on lifestyle, marketing, business, e-commerce, and technology. When he’s not taking the content world by storm, Unenabasi enjoys playing or watching soccer.

giving a presentation in a job interview

How To Give a Successful Presentation During an Interview

Learn how to prepare for and ace a job interview presentation

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  • Job Interviews
  • Skills & Keywords
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  • Cover Letters
  • Career Advice
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Why Employers Request Presentations

What interviewers will be evaluating, how to prepare for an interview presentation, tips for a successful presentation, how to ace a video interview presentation.

Madeleine Burry writes about careers and job searching. She covers topics around career changes, job searching, and returning from maternity leave.

For certain roles at some companies, the interview process may require that candidates give a presentation. Even confident speakers can feel some nerves about presenting in an interview setting. It can be a challenge to showcase your ability in front of a prospective employer, regardless of how much experience you have.

The keys to giving strong, effective presentations that wow interviewers are planning and practice.

Review advice on when employers request presentations from candidates for employment, tips for preparing for in-person and video presentations, and advice on how to ace your presentation during a job interview.

Interviewers are most interested in seeing you present if presentation skills are a key part of the role.

“The goal of having candidates present in interviews is to make sure whoever is hired can speak eloquently,” Melissa Hirsch wrote in an email to The Balance. Hirsch is the principal recruiter at Betts, a nationwide technology and recruiting services firm. 

Presentations are most often requested of candidates seeking roles in sales or leadership, according to Leslie Schmidt, vice president of recruiting at Betts, via an email to The Balance. 

Depending on the role, other factors may be at play. For sales roles, for instance, it’s typical to ask candidates to present on the company’s product.

“When a company asks a candidate to demo their current product, they are listening to their communication style, sales process, how well they qualify and close, and overall selling strategy,” Schmidt said.

Interviewers may also be looking for how well you understand the company’s product and the common pain points for customers. 

If you’re applying for a leadership role, you may be asked to share your plans for your first three months on the job, Schmidt said. If that’s the case, be specific. Talk about exactly what you would do, and how. 

Giving a presentation on top of a job interview may feel overwhelming. It may help to remember that, in a way, the job interview itself is also a presentation.

“You are presenting yourself as the product to be ‘sold’ to the hiring manager,” Tom Cobin wrote in an email to The Balance. Cobin is the founder of DynamiCoach, which offers coaching and workshops to improve public speaking and presentation skills.

Follow these strategies to prepare for and ace an interview presentation. 

 During presentations, interviewers will be keeping an eye on your communication skills and organizational skills.

Communication Skills

Interviewers will want to see if you are well-spoken and can share information clearly.

“Depending on the job you're applying for, they may be interested in analyzing whether or not you communicate in a way that will connect with the appropriate level of individuals (for example, senior leadership),” said Lisa Nichols, career and leadership consultant and CEO of Love Your Niche, LLC, in an email interview with The Balance.

Organizational Skills

They’re also looking to see how you organize and share information. Interviewers will be looking for a well-organized presentation and assessing how you use visuals and handouts and get participants involved. 

As with thinking through answers to common interview questions, a bit of preparation will help you feel at ease during a presentation. Try these strategies below. 

Confirm What’s Expected

Before you fire up your PowerPoint, make sure you have a good sense of what the hiring manager is looking to see.

“Most companies are more than happy to provide extra information and answer questions about the presentation prior to your interview, but make sure you can’t find the answer yourself first,” Schmidt said. 

Before you begin preparing, you should have a sense of the following presentation details:

  • Audience (e.g., whether the presentation is geared toward C-suite executives, clients, or another group)

Keep It Short 

You’ll want to adhere to any time guidelines set by the hiring manager. As a general rule, if the timeline is uncertain, keep it short.  And remember to leave time for questions at the end.

“If an interviewer says you’ll be given 20 minutes to present with extra time for Q&A at the end, then your presentation shouldn’t be 10 minutes or 30,” Schmidt said. 

In terms of slides, 10 is a good maximum, with an intro slide, agenda slide, and a final slide with the next steps or Q&A.

Go ahead and share your slides with peers for feedback, too.

“The more eyes and feedback you can get, the better” Hirsch said.

Don’t Procrastinate

If you’re pulling an all-nighter to get it done, that might show. Spend sufficient time, and focus on the project.

“Hiring managers can tell when there was a lack of effort and time put into a presentation,” Schmidt said. 

Keep in mind that multiple candidates may be presenting on the same topic, making it easy for hiring managers to compare your work to others. Investing time in your presentation will help you make the best impression.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Once you’ve planned your presentation and perfected your slides, you’ll want to practice. The goal is to be very familiar with the material—without memorizing it, according to Cobin. That way, you won’t stumble if you forget something, but your delivery will still be natural: Memorizing can lead to a stiff, stilted presentation. To get comfortable, try rehearsing in front of a mirror or recording yourself.

Take a look at some additional tips for giving a strong interview presentation. 

Make Slides Attractive

Your slides should look good. Here are some tips for creating effective supporting visuals: 

  • Don’t use too much text : Aim for a few bullet points. “The goal is to engage your audience and make it interactive," Hirsch said. "Nobody wants to be talked at for 30 minutes, and nobody wants to read a 10-paragraph essay that's a size 6 font either."
  • Don’t read your slides : Instead of reading slides out loud, you should use them as backup, including data, tips, and charts or summarizing your points, Nichols said. Consider printing out copies of your presentation for the interviewers, as well.
  • Add color and logos : But don’t overdo it. Your slides shouldn't look busy or distracting.
  • Add your contact information : This will help with follow-ups.
  • Check for errors—then check again : A typo on a big projector screen is particularly embarrassing. Review for accuracy, spelling, and grammar. Consider having someone else proofread, too.

Visual materials should support—not detract or distract from—your core message and any supporting points you’re trying to make.

Be Clear and Succinct 

A presentation should show off your verbal communication skills. That means you don’t 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. 

Be Mindful of Your Nonverbal Presence 

You’ll want to seem engaged, poised, and knowledgeable during a presentation. To that end, pay attention to your tone of voice, facial expressions, gestures, and other nonverbal body language. 

It’s not uncommon for interviews to occur over video. That’s true for interview presentations, too. Here are some tips for performing well if your presentation is occurring on a video screen: 

  • Get in front of a good background : You’ll want to be well lit (but not backlit), with a professional background. Remove kids, pets, and other distractions from the room beforehand. 
  • Master the technology before the presentation : Make sure you’re comfortable sharing your screen, for instance.
  • Make eye contact : Look at the camera to make eye contact while also monitoring the faces of your audience. Avoid looking at another monitor for your notes or the presentation deck. That can be confusing for your interviewer. 
  • Stay high energy : It’s a bit harder to be engaged during a video presentation (whether you’re giving one or in the audience). Still, make sure to keep your energy high. “If you can visualize yourself standing in front of a live audience while you speak, it can help you feel more energized,” Schmidt said.

Key Takeaways

  • Make sure your presentation meets the interviewer’s guidelines for topic and length. If you’re not sure, check with the hiring manager.
  • Prepare your presentation well in advance, and practice it beforehand.
  • Consider getting feedback from peers, friends, or family on both your presentation and your slides.
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7 Tips to Help You Nail That Interview Presentation

interview

You’ve been offered an interview for your dream job, and you are pumped! But as you hear more about your upcoming meeting, you realize you’re expected to deliver a presentation.

Your first instinct may be to panic, especially if you dislike public speaking . But don’t worry. As nerve-wracking as doing a presentation during an interview may sound, it’s also a chance for you to show just how awesome you are. (And if you’ve reached this round, odds are you are awesome!)

These seven steps will help you nail it.

1. Ask Lots of Questions

Before you begin crafting a 40-minute keynote, ask lots of questions about what to expect (like, if they actually only want you to speak for 10). Be sure to cover these:

  • How long should the presentation be?
  • Is your point of contact looking for you to demonstrate particular skills?
  • How many people will be in the room?
  • Are there facilities for slides?
  • What’s the IT setup?

2. Follow Instructions

If the hiring manager’s asked for a 10-minute presentation where you talk through how you’d plan a communications strategy, that’s exactly what you should give her. Don’t be tempted to go on for 12, 15, or (gasp!) 20 minutes.

Staying on target shows that you can manage your time, that you respect your audience, and that you can follow directions . If you run over, you’ll either be cut off halfway through or you’ll cost yourself time to discuss your other skills. So, stay within the constraints you’re given.

3. Have a Clear Structure

There are two benefits to organizing your presentation according to a specific structure: One, it’ll help you stay on track, and two, it’ll make it easier for the audience to follow along.

For example, if you’re using your presentation to share an app you’ve built, you might break it up into four parts: what you chose to build, why you built it in a particular way, how it works, and what the results were. You can even begin by explaining that that’s how your talk will be structured: This technique is a simple but effective way to help your audience follow (and remember) your presentation.

4. Differentiate Yourself

The presentation section of an interview is the perfect opportunity to let your personality shine. True story: A friend of mine was going for his dream job in tech and had to demonstrate his web development skills. He’d built lots of sophisticated apps at work, but he took a risk and decided to use the presentation section of the interview to demonstrate one of his personal projects. It was a custom animation of the Star Wars character Admiral Ackbar, shouting “It’s a trap!”

The panel loved it. It demonstrated the skills they were looking for, but also my friend’s sense of humor, creativity, and genuine passion for programming. In a competitive market, standing out from the crowd is what’s going to land you the job.

5. Stick to Technology You Know

Things have come a long way from PowerPoint. There’s now a ton of online programs and applications available to help you craft an all-singing, all-dancing presentation. But unless you’re already a pro at using one of these platforms, now is not the moment to spend hours teaching yourself Prezi or slides.com .

Your time is much better spent on the content of your presentation. Once you’re happy with that, you can start planning your slides, using whichever software you’re already comfortable with.

6. Have a Plan (and a Back-up Plan)

Let’s say you’re a Mac user, so you’ve prepared your presentation in Keynote. You’ve checked that the company’s technology is Mac compatible, you save your file to a USB, drop it in your bag and head to your interview. But when you get there, the office is full of PCs, your USB doesn’t work, and all of the beautiful slides you prepared exist only in your head.

It’s a nightmare scenario, but there are many things you can do to prevent it. Firstly, take your laptop. Even if the screen is small, it’s unlikely you’ll be presenting to more than three people, so they should be able to see. Also, if you have your laptop you may be able to save the file to a compatible format and still have your slides up on a big screen. (Pro tip: Don’t forget to pack the charger! Dead battery equals epic fail.)

If you don’t have a laptop always, always make sure you’ve emailed the slides to yourself and saved them as a PDF—which should work on anything. Finally, the one thing that never breaks down? Paper. Print a few copies of your slides and take them with you, just in case.

7. Practice (and Practice Again)

The only way to know whether your presentation is the right length is by practicing. And, rehearsing will also build your confidence and make you more fluent for the real thing. Ideally, perform your talk for someone you trust so you can get some honest feedback. But even if your only audience member is your cat, a trial run is still an essential part of your preparation.

When the day comes, try and remember that you’ve been invited to interview because the company has seen something in you and wants you to succeed. If you get nervous or lose your place, pause, have a sip of water, take a deep breath, check your notes, and get back into it.

giving a presentation in a job interview

InterviewPrep

Top 20 Presentation Interview Questions & Answers

Master your responses to Presentation related interview questions with our example questions and answers. Boost your chances of landing the job by learning how to effectively communicate your Presentation capabilities.

giving a presentation in a job interview

Mastering the art of delivering a captivating presentation is an invaluable skill that transcends industries and job titles. Whether you’re pitching to potential clients, sharing insights with colleagues, or inspiring an audience at a large conference, your ability to communicate clearly, engage listeners, and convey information effectively can be a game-changer in your professional journey.

But what makes a great presentation? How do you prepare content that resonates, design slides that captivate, and deliver your message with confidence? In this article, we delve into the key components of crafting and executing a powerful presentation. We’ll provide you with strategic insights, practical tips, and answers to common questions that will help elevate your public speaking skills and enable you to present like a seasoned pro.

Common Presentation Interview Questions

1. how do you tailor a presentation to an audience with varied levels of expertise.

Delivering effective presentations requires understanding the range of expertise within your audience. A speaker must strike a balance, ensuring the content is accessible to novices without being overly simplistic for experts. This question reveals the candidate’s ability to assess audience needs, adapt their message accordingly, and communicate complex ideas in an inclusive manner that engages all participants. Mastery of this skill demonstrates an awareness of the diversity within any group and a commitment to inclusive communication, which is crucial for successful knowledge transfer and audience engagement.

When responding, outline your approach to audience analysis, such as conducting pre-presentation surveys or interviews to gauge expertise levels. Discuss how you would structure your presentation to introduce fundamental concepts while also providing depth for those more knowledgeable. Share techniques for interactive elements that can engage all levels, such as Q&A sessions, and how you might provide supplemental materials for further learning. Highlight past experiences where you successfully managed such a scenario, underscoring your adaptability and consideration for audience diversity.

Example: “ In tailoring a presentation to a diverse audience, I begin with a thorough audience analysis, often leveraging pre-presentation surveys to understand the varying degrees of expertise. This data informs the structure of my presentation, ensuring I lay a foundational narrative that is accessible to novices while incorporating advanced insights to challenge and engage experts. I carefully craft the content to enable a layered approach, where core concepts are clear and additional complexity is introduced progressively.

Interactive elements are pivotal; I integrate Q&A sessions at strategic intervals, which allow for real-time assessment and adaptation to audience needs. These sessions serve a dual purpose: they clarify uncertainties for beginners and open the floor to deeper discussions for seasoned attendees. To cater to ongoing learning, I provide supplemental materials post-presentation, such as advanced reading lists or access to online resources. This approach not only accommodates all levels of expertise during the session but also extends the learning experience beyond the presentation itself. My experience with this method has consistently yielded positive feedback, demonstrating its effectiveness in engaging and educating heterogeneous groups.”

2. What strategies do you employ for maintaining audience engagement during a lengthy presentation?

To keep an audience attentive and invested throughout lengthy presentations, a presenter must understand audience psychology, content structuring, and dynamic delivery. It’s not merely about disseminating information; it’s about crafting a narrative that resonates, using pacing techniques to maintain energy, and incorporating interactive elements to foster active participation. An effective presenter must be adept at reading the room and adapting on the fly, ensuring the material remains relevant and the delivery compelling.

When responding to this question, focus on concrete strategies you use, such as breaking up the presentation into digestible segments, using storytelling techniques, incorporating multimedia, and facilitating audience interaction through questions or activities. Discuss how you monitor audience body language and feedback to make real-time adjustments, ensuring your presentation is a dialogue rather than a monologue. Highlight your ability to weave in anecdotes or analogies that relate to your audience’s interests or experiences, which can create a more personalized and memorable presentation experience.

Example: “ To maintain audience engagement during a lengthy presentation, I segment the content into digestible parts, each with a clear focus and purpose. This modular approach not only helps in keeping the audience’s attention but also makes it easier for them to process and remember the information. I integrate multimedia elements strategically, such as short videos or interactive graphics, to provide a visual break and reinforce key points.

I employ storytelling techniques, crafting a narrative that connects the dots between the data and the real-world implications. This not only humanizes the content but also makes it more relatable and engaging. To ensure the presentation remains a dialogue, I incorporate moments for audience interaction. This could be through direct questions, quick polls, or even small group discussions if the format allows. I’m always attuned to the audience’s body language and feedback, ready to adjust the pace or dive deeper into topics that resonate. By weaving in relevant anecdotes and analogies, I create a personalized experience, making the content stick and the presentation memorable.”

3. Describe your process for distilling complex information into understandable slides.

Bridging the gap between intricate, detailed data and the audience’s comprehension is a key aspect of presentations. The ability to synthesize and simplify complex information is not just about making slides—it’s about grasping the essence of the data, identifying the key messages, and crafting a narrative that resonates. This skill demonstrates a presenter’s capacity to think critically, focus on what’s most important, and communicate effectively, ensuring that the audience walks away with the intended knowledge without being overwhelmed by technicalities or jargon.

When responding, outline a structured approach that starts with thoroughly understanding the complex material yourself. Emphasize how you prioritize the most relevant points for your audience’s needs and interests. Discuss your method for creating a storyline or framework that guides the presentation, and mention any tools or techniques you use to make data visually appealing and digestible, such as infographics, analogies, or real-world examples. Be prepared to provide a specific example of a time you successfully transformed a complicated subject into an engaging and informative presentation.

Example: “ My process begins with a deep dive into the material to ensure I have a solid grasp of the subject matter. Once I fully understand the complexities, I identify the key messages that are most pertinent to the audience’s needs. This involves discerning the essential information from the peripheral details, which often requires a critical evaluation of the data’s relevance and impact.

Next, I construct a narrative that not only conveys these key points but also tells a compelling story. This narrative framework is crucial as it provides a logical flow that guides the audience through the information without overwhelming them. To enhance comprehension, I employ visual aids such as infographics, which distill data into a more accessible format. I also use analogies and real-world examples to create relatable touchpoints for the audience. For instance, when presenting a complex financial strategy, I once used a simple kitchen recipe analogy to illustrate the step-by-step process, which resonated well with the audience and made the strategy easy to understand and remember.”

4. In what ways have you utilized storytelling within a professional presentation?

Transforming a mundane topic into a captivating journey is the hallmark of an adept storyteller within presentations. Storytelling is not merely a method of conveying information; it’s a powerful tool for engagement, making complex data relatable, and driving a message home. Employers seek individuals who can harness the art of narrative to communicate ideas compellingly, ensuring that key points resonate with their audience long after the presentation concludes.

When responding to this question, articulate how you’ve woven narratives into your presentations to illustrate concepts, humanize data, and create memorable moments. Share specific examples where your storytelling skills have enhanced understanding, fostered emotional connections, or inspired action. It’s essential to convey that your use of storytelling is strategic, intentionally crafted to support the presentation’s objectives and cater to the interests and needs of your audience.

Example: “ In leveraging storytelling, I’ve found that anchoring complex data within relatable narratives significantly enhances comprehension and retention. For instance, when presenting market analysis, I’ve utilized customer journey stories that encapsulate data points within the lived experiences of representative personas. This approach not only humanizes abstract figures but also fosters empathy, enabling stakeholders to grasp the practical implications of trends and figures.

Additionally, I’ve employed storytelling to catalyze action, particularly during strategic pitches. By crafting a narrative arc that mirrors the classic hero’s journey, I’ve positioned the product or initiative as the ‘hero’ equipped to overcome the audience’s challenges, which are framed as the ‘villain’. This technique not only makes the presentation more engaging but also aligns the audience’s emotional investment with the desired outcome, often resulting in a compelling call to action that resonates on both an intellectual and emotional level.”

5. Share an example where you had to adjust your presentation style on the fly due to unforeseen circumstances.

Adaptability and audience engagement are critical components of effective presentation skills. When unforeseen circumstances arise—such as technical difficulties, an unexpected change in audience demographics, or a drastic shift in the mood of the room—presenters must be capable of pivoting quickly and effectively. This question allows interviewers to assess a candidate’s ability to think on their feet, demonstrate flexibility, and maintain composure under pressure. It also reveals how a candidate can tailor their communication to suit the audience’s needs and still achieve the presentation’s objectives, even when conditions are less than ideal.

When responding, it’s crucial to describe a specific instance that showcases your adaptability without losing sight of your presentation goals. Begin by outlining the initial plan and the unexpected issue that arose. Then, detail the changes you implemented, explaining why you chose that particular adjustment and how you kept your audience engaged. Conclude with the outcome, emphasizing how your quick thinking and flexibility led to a successful presentation despite the challenges.

Example: “ In one instance, I was delivering a presentation to a diverse group of stakeholders when I noticed a significant portion of the audience was not fully engaged, likely due to varying levels of familiarity with the topic. Recognizing this, I pivoted from the planned technical deep-dive to a more high-level approach, interspersing relatable analogies and interactive elements to foster a more inclusive atmosphere. This shift not only recaptured the audience’s attention but also encouraged a dialogue that allowed for a more tailored and dynamic presentation.

The adjustment resulted in a positive shift in the room’s energy, with increased participation and pertinent questions that enriched the session. Post-presentation feedback underscored the effectiveness of the adaptation, with attendees expressing appreciation for the accessible content and the interactive nature of the experience. The ability to read the room and seamlessly modify the delivery ensured that the presentation’s objectives were met and the message was successfully conveyed to all participants.”

6. Outline your approach to handling challenging questions from the audience post-presentation.

Fielding challenging questions after delivering a presentation is where a presenter demonstrates their depth of knowledge and composure. This question is a litmus test for a candidate’s expertise on the subject matter, their critical thinking skills, and their capacity to maintain professionalism under pressure. It also reveals how well they can think on their feet and manage potentially adversarial situations, ensuring that the presentation’s objectives are not undermined by a tough Q&A session.

When responding to this question, articulate a structured approach that includes active listening, acknowledging the questioner, and providing a clear, concise, and confident answer. If unsure about a question, it’s acceptable to admit it and offer to follow up with a more informed response later. It’s vital to stay calm and respectful, using the opportunity to further demonstrate your expertise and enhance the audience’s understanding of the topic.

Example: “ In addressing challenging questions post-presentation, my initial step is to ensure that I fully comprehend the inquiry by actively listening and, if necessary, seeking clarification. This not only shows respect to the questioner but also allows me to tailor my response more effectively. I acknowledge the question and the individual asking it, which maintains a positive and engaging atmosphere.

When formulating a response, I prioritize clarity and conciseness, drawing upon relevant data and examples to substantiate my points. If the question touches on an area outside my immediate expertise, I maintain transparency by acknowledging the limits of my current knowledge. In such cases, I commit to providing a detailed follow-up after consulting additional resources or colleagues. This approach not only upholds my credibility but also demonstrates a commitment to accuracy and ongoing learning. Throughout the interaction, I remain composed and courteous, leveraging challenging questions as opportunities to deepen the audience’s understanding and to reinforce key messages from my presentation.”

7. What is your experience with using interactive elements in presentations?

Enhancing understanding, retention, and participation are the goals of incorporating interactive elements in presentations. They transform passive listeners into active participants, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and ensuring the message is not just heard but experienced. Employers are looking for individuals who can leverage these tools to create memorable and effective presentations that stand out in an era where attention spans are short and the need to impactfully convey information is high.

When responding to this question, it’s essential to provide concrete examples of when you have incorporated interactive elements such as real-time polls, Q&A sessions, or interactive demonstrations. Discuss the impact these elements had on the presentation’s effectiveness, how they helped you achieve your objectives, and the feedback received. This demonstrates your understanding of the value of interactivity and your ability to successfully implement it.

Example: “ Incorporating interactive elements into presentations has been a key strategy in my approach to engaging audiences and reinforcing key messages. For instance, I’ve utilized real-time polls during market analysis presentations to gauge audience sentiment, which not only captures attention but also provides immediate data to tailor the discussion. The dynamic nature of the poll results sparks a conversation and allows me to address specific interests or concerns on the spot, making the presentation more relevant and impactful.

Additionally, I’ve leveraged Q&A sessions effectively by integrating them at strategic points in the presentation rather than leaving them for the end. This ensures that the content remains fresh in the audience’s mind and encourages a more active participation, leading to a deeper understanding of the material. The feedback from these sessions has consistently highlighted their effectiveness in making the presentations more memorable and informative, as they foster a two-way dialogue that enriches the experience for both the audience and myself as the presenter.”

8. Detail how you measure the effectiveness of a presentation.

Gauging the effectiveness of a presentation is essential for continuous improvement and ensuring that the intended message resonates with the audience. Effectiveness can be measured through various quantitative and qualitative metrics, such as audience engagement, comprehension, feedback, and the subsequent actions taken by attendees. A skilled presenter knows that the success of a presentation extends beyond the applause—it’s about the lasting impact and the ability to drive the audience toward a desired outcome or understanding.

When responding to this question, you should discuss specific methods you use to evaluate your presentations. For instance, you might mention using real-time polls or surveys to gather immediate audience reactions, employing Q&A sessions to gauge understanding, or analyzing post-presentation feedback forms. You could also talk about tracking the implementation of ideas or strategies presented, or following up with attendees to see how the information has impacted their work or perspective. It’s important to convey that you have a systematic approach to evaluation and that you use these insights to refine your presentation skills and content.

Example: “ To measure the effectiveness of a presentation, I employ a combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics. Immediately following the presentation, I utilize real-time audience engagement tools, such as polls or interactive Q&A sessions, to assess understanding and retention of the content. This provides instant feedback on the clarity and impact of the presentation, allowing me to gauge whether the audience is aligning with the intended message.

In the days following the presentation, I distribute post-presentation surveys to collect more reflective feedback on the content, delivery, and overall value provided. I analyze this data to identify patterns and areas for improvement. Additionally, I track the long-term effects by following up with attendees to understand how they have applied the information or strategies discussed. This not only helps in assessing the practical impact of the presentation but also informs future presentations, ensuring that they are tailored to foster actionable outcomes and sustained engagement.”

9. Have you ever experienced technical difficulties during a presentation and how did you handle it?

Handling technical difficulties during presentations is a common challenge that can test a presenter’s composure and problem-solving skills. The ability to handle such disruptions showcases flexibility, preparedness, and professionalism. Employers are interested in how potential candidates deal with unexpected challenges and maintain their ability to communicate effectively under pressure. They also look for evidence of a candidate’s technical acumen and whether they have a plan B, such as backup materials or alternative methods to convey their message when technology fails.

When responding, it’s crucial to recount a specific instance where you faced technical difficulties, emphasizing your thought process and actions taken to resolve the issue. Highlight your calm demeanor, your quick thinking to implement a solution, or your decision to proceed without the aid of technology, if necessary. If you had contingency plans in place, such as printed handouts or a whiteboard illustration, mention these. Demonstrating that you can keep your audience engaged despite setbacks will illustrate your resilience and capability as a presenter.

Example: “ Absolutely, technical difficulties are almost an inevitable part of modern presentations. On one occasion, I was in the midst of a critical presentation when the projector suddenly failed. Without skipping a beat, I shifted to a whiteboard to illustrate the key points while the technical issue was being addressed. This not only demonstrated my ability to adapt quickly but also my preparation; I had ensured that the main points could be communicated without reliance on slides. Meanwhile, I engaged the audience with relevant questions to maintain their attention and encourage participation, turning the potential disruption into an interactive discussion.

In another instance, the presentation software crashed, and it was clear that a quick fix was not available. I had anticipated such a scenario and brought printed copies of the slides as a backup. I distributed these to the audience and proceeded with the presentation, effectively turning it into a guided discussion. These experiences have reinforced the importance of always having a Plan B, whether it’s a hard copy of the presentation or an alternative method of delivery, ensuring that the message is conveyed effectively regardless of technological challenges.”

10. Which software platforms are you proficient in for creating compelling visual aids?

Crafting compelling visual aids is a crucial aspect of presentations, as they are the visual voice of the speaker’s ideas. Proficiency in a range of software platforms demonstrates versatility and the capacity to tailor the presentation to the audience’s needs and the context of the information. It also suggests an awareness of current technologies and an aptitude for visual storytelling, which are valuable in creating engaging, informative, and memorable presentations.

When responding to this question, it’s best to list the specific software platforms you’re skilled in, such as PowerPoint, Prezi, Keynote, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or any other specialized tools you might use. Provide examples of presentations you’ve created using these platforms and discuss how you leveraged their unique features to enhance your message. If possible, share anecdotes about how your visual aids positively influenced the outcome of a presentation or helped convey complex information in an accessible manner.

Example: “ I am proficient in a variety of software platforms that are essential for creating compelling visual aids, including PowerPoint, Prezi, Keynote, and Adobe Creative Suite, with a particular emphasis on Illustrator and Photoshop for custom graphics. Additionally, I am adept at using Canva for quick yet professional designs when time is of the essence.

In leveraging PowerPoint, I have utilized its advanced animation and transition capabilities to craft a narrative flow that underscores key points, ensuring the audience remains engaged throughout the presentation. With Prezi, I’ve created dynamic, non-linear presentations that are particularly effective for storytelling and keeping viewers intrigued by the spatial journey. For executive briefings, I’ve turned to Keynote for its clean design aesthetics and seamless integration with Apple products, which often match the technological preferences of the audience. Adobe Creative Suite has been my go-to for developing high-quality, original graphics and editing images to a professional standard, ensuring that every visual element is tailored to the presentation’s message. These tools, combined with a strategic approach to visual storytelling, have consistently led to successful outcomes, such as securing stakeholder buy-in or simplifying the communication of complex data.”

11. Relate a time when you had to present a topic outside your area of expertise.

Showcasing flexibility, the ability to research comprehensively, and the skill to learn quickly are essential when conveying information on unfamiliar topics. It also demonstrates confidence and the competence to step outside one’s comfort zone, which are indicative of a growth mindset and leadership potential. Interviewers are looking for evidence of how you approach the challenge of presenting on an unknown subject, the strategies you use to become knowledgeable, and how you ensure that the information is understood by your audience.

When responding to this question, focus on a specific instance where you had to present on an unfamiliar topic. Detail the steps you took to familiarize yourself with the subject matter, including any research or learning methods you employed. Discuss how you ensured your presentation was engaging and understandable, and reflect on the outcome. Highlight any feedback you received and what you learned from the experience, emphasizing your adaptability and commitment to professional development.

Example: “ When tasked with presenting a topic outside my expertise, I immediately immersed myself in intensive research, seeking out the most current and relevant information from credible sources. I prioritized understanding the fundamental concepts and terminology to ensure I could speak with confidence and clarity. To make the material engaging, I employed storytelling techniques, relating the new information to common experiences and using analogies that resonated with the audience’s background.

During the presentation, I focused on interactive elements, such as Q&A sessions, to foster a collaborative learning environment. This approach not only enhanced audience engagement but also allowed me to gauge their understanding in real-time, adjusting my delivery as needed. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees appreciating the digestible format and the clear conveyance of complex material. This experience underscored the importance of thorough preparation and the ability to translate intricate concepts into accessible content, reinforcing my adaptability and dedication to continuous learning.”

12. How do you ensure that your body language positively contributes to your message delivery?

Nonverbal cues like body language play a significant role in engaging the audience and reinforcing the message during presentations. Your stance, gestures, and facial expressions can either distract from or enhance the clarity and impact of your communication. Presenters who are self-aware and intentionally use their body to add depth to their message ensure that it resonates more powerfully with their audience.

When responding, it’s essential to highlight your awareness of common body language principles, such as maintaining eye contact, using gestures to emphasize points, and adopting an open stance to appear approachable and confident. Discuss your strategies for practicing these techniques, perhaps through videotaping your rehearsals or receiving feedback from peers. Emphasize your commitment to continuous improvement and how you actively work to align your nonverbal communication with your spoken words to deliver a coherent and compelling presentation.

Example: “ In ensuring that my body language aligns positively with my message delivery, I prioritize the synchronization of verbal and nonverbal cues. This involves maintaining steady eye contact to foster engagement and demonstrate confidence, as well as utilizing purposeful gestures that underscore key points, thereby enhancing the audience’s comprehension and retention of the content. An open stance is adopted not only to appear approachable but also to project an aura of confidence and authority.

To refine these techniques, I engage in deliberate practice, often recording my presentations to critically evaluate my body language and its impact on the message conveyed. This self-review is complemented by seeking candid feedback from peers, which provides external perspectives on my nonverbal communication. This iterative process of rehearsal, feedback, and adjustment fosters a heightened awareness of my physical presence and ensures that my body language consistently reinforces the clarity and persuasiveness of my presentations.”

13. What techniques do you use to open and close a presentation memorably?

Understanding the psychological impact of a strong start and finish is crucial for presenters. The opening and closing of a presentation are pivotal moments that can captivate an audience or leave them with a lasting impression. A powerful opening can hook the audience’s attention, while an effective closing can reinforce the key message and call to action, ensuring the presentation’s objectives are achieved.

When responding, highlight specific techniques you employ to engage your audience from the outset, such as starting with a thought-provoking question, a relevant anecdote, or an interesting statistic. Explain how you establish the relevance of your topic to your audience’s interests and needs. For concluding your presentation, discuss methods you use to summarize the main points succinctly and clearly, possibly circling back to your opening hook for a cohesive effect. Mention any strategies you use to inspire or motivate your audience to take action, reflecting on how you ensure your final words resonate and drive home the purpose of your presentation.

Example: “ To open a presentation memorably, I often begin with a compelling hook that directly relates to the core message—this could be a surprising statistic that challenges common perceptions, a brief story that illustrates the stakes involved, or a question that prompts the audience to think critically about the topic. This technique not only captures attention but also sets the stage for the narrative arc of the presentation. It’s crucial to establish the relevance of the topic early on, so I make sure to articulate how the content will address the audience’s interests or solve a problem they care about.

Closing a presentation is just as critical as the opening, as it’s the last opportunity to reinforce the key message. I employ a strategy of bookending, where I circle back to the opening hook, creating a sense of closure and reinforcing the central theme. I summarize the main points succinctly, ensuring they are clear and memorable, and end with a call to action that is both inspiring and practical. This could be an invitation to adopt a new perspective, a challenge to apply the information presented, or a tangible next step they can take. By doing so, I ensure the presentation has a lasting impact and drives the audience toward the intended outcome.”

14. How do you incorporate feedback from previous presentations into future ones?

Incorporating feedback into presentations is an exploration into your ability to self-reflect, adapt, and evolve your approach. It demonstrates whether you see feedback as a gift for growth or as criticism to be dismissed. Employers are looking for individuals who actively seek out and apply constructive criticism to enhance their performance, ensuring their message resonates more effectively with each iteration.

To respond, outline a systematic approach: First, explain how you solicit feedback, whether through formal surveys, informal conversations, or even by observing audience engagement during the presentation. Then, discuss how you analyze this information to identify patterns or specific areas for enhancement. Finally, share examples of how you’ve altered your presentation style, content, or delivery method based on this feedback, leading to tangible improvements in audience reception or desired outcomes.

Example: “ Incorporating feedback into future presentations is a critical aspect of refining and improving the effectiveness of my communication. Following each presentation, I actively seek out both qualitative and quantitative feedback through structured surveys and open-ended discussions. This dual approach allows me to gather specific insights and gauge the emotional resonance of the content with the audience.

Upon collecting the feedback, I conduct a thorough analysis to identify recurring themes or suggestions for improvement. For instance, if multiple participants point out that certain sections were too complex or not sufficiently engaging, I prioritize those areas for modification. I then iterate on the content, simplifying complex ideas or incorporating storytelling elements to enhance engagement. Additionally, if the feedback indicates that the pacing was off or that the visuals were not impactful, I adjust the tempo of my delivery and redesign the visual aids accordingly. This process of continuous refinement, guided by targeted feedback, has consistently led to more dynamic presentations and measurable increases in audience understanding and interaction.”

15. When have you successfully adapted a presentation for multicultural audiences?

Adapting content, tone, and delivery to suit multicultural audiences is paramount when delivering presentations. The ability to navigate the subtleties of cross-cultural interactions ensures your message resonates with everyone in the room, regardless of their background. This skill is particularly valuable in a globalized business environment where teams and clientele are often international.

When responding to this question, recount a specific instance where you tailored a presentation to cater to a multicultural audience. Detail the research and preparation you undertook to understand the cultural expectations and norms of the audience. Explain how you adjusted your language, examples, humor, and even visual aids to be culturally sensitive and engaging. Highlight the feedback you received and how it informed your approach to future presentations, demonstrating continuous learning and adaptability.

Example: “ In preparation for a presentation to a multicultural audience, I conducted thorough research to understand the cultural nuances and communication styles of the participants. Recognizing the diversity in the room, I carefully selected universal themes and designed the content to resonate across cultural boundaries. I avoided idioms and region-specific references that could lead to misunderstandings, and instead, used clear, concise language.

I adapted visual aids to include a variety of cultural contexts, ensuring that imagery and examples were inclusive and relatable. Humor was used judiciously, with a focus on light, universally understandable jokes that did not hinge on cultural knowledge. The success of this approach was evident in the engaged reactions during the presentation and the positive feedback afterward, which highlighted the clarity and inclusiveness of the content. This experience reinforced the importance of cultural sensitivity and has since guided my approach to crafting and delivering presentations to diverse groups.”

16. Describe how you prioritize content when faced with strict time constraints.

Distilling complex ideas into digestible, impactful points is essential when presenting information under tight time constraints. This question serves to reveal your critical thinking and content curation skills. It also sheds light on your understanding of the audience’s needs and your ability to focus on key messages that align with the objectives of the presentation. Employers are looking for your capability to identify what’s most important and to convey it in a clear, concise manner that respects the audience’s time and attention span.

To respond, illustrate your process for determining the priority of content, which might involve identifying the core message, understanding the audience’s level of knowledge on the topic, and considering the outcomes you want to achieve. Share a specific example of a time when you successfully navigated this challenge, explaining how you decided what to include, what to leave out, and how you structured your presentation to ensure it was effective within the allotted time.

Example: “ When prioritizing content under time constraints, my approach is to distill the presentation down to its essence by focusing on the objectives of the presentation and the key takeaways for the audience. I start by identifying the core message and the most critical pieces of information that support that message. I then assess the audience’s existing knowledge and tailor the content to fill gaps or build on their understanding, ensuring that the content is neither too basic nor too complex.

For example, in a recent high-stakes presentation with a 10-minute limit, I was tasked with conveying the potential impact of a new technology. I honed in on the three most compelling benefits of the technology, supported by succinct data points that underscored its value. I omitted technical jargon and detailed methodology, which would have taken up valuable time and potentially lost the audience’s interest. Instead, I structured the presentation to open with a strong, relatable narrative that illustrated the technology’s significance, followed by the key benefits and closing with a clear call to action. This approach kept the presentation within the time frame and resonated well with the audience, leading to a successful outcome.”

17. What methods do you use to foster collaboration during group presentations?

Transforming a collection of individual contributions into a cohesive, impactful performance is the essence of effective collaboration in group presentations. Beyond assessing your skills in orchestrating a group effort, this question seeks to understand your ability to harness diverse perspectives, navigate interpersonal dynamics, and leverage each team member’s strengths to achieve a common goal. It’s about your approach to leadership, your capacity for empathy, and your strategic planning to ensure all voices are heard and integrated into the final product.

When responding, outline a structured approach: start by explaining how you set clear objectives and expectations from the outset. Discuss the importance of creating an inclusive environment where all participants feel valued, mentioning specific techniques like round-robin brainstorming or utilizing digital collaboration tools. Highlight any processes you implement to ensure accountability, such as regular check-ins or progress reports. Lastly, share a brief example from your experience where your methods led to a successful group presentation outcome, emphasizing the positive feedback and results achieved through your facilitation of teamwork.

Example: “ To foster collaboration during group presentations, I begin by establishing clear objectives and expectations, ensuring that each team member understands the goals and their role in achieving them. I create an inclusive environment by employing techniques such as round-robin brainstorming, which guarantees that everyone has a voice, and by leveraging digital collaboration tools like shared documents and real-time editing platforms to facilitate seamless communication and idea sharing.

Accountability is maintained through regular check-ins and progress reports, which help keep the team aligned and focused. For instance, in a recent project, this approach led to the development of a highly engaging presentation that received commendable feedback for its cohesiveness and the way it leveraged each team member’s strengths. The success was evident not just in the outcome, but also in the team’s increased confidence and the client’s satisfaction with our collaborative process.”

18. Give an instance where persuasive presentation skills led to a tangible outcome.

Influencing and persuading an audience to take action or to view a topic from a different perspective is a key element of effective presentation skills. Employers seek individuals who can not only present information clearly but who can also compel stakeholders, sway opinions, secure buy-in, or drive organizational change through their presentations. This question is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to impact decision-making and achieve real-world results through their communication prowess.

When responding, select a specific example that showcases your ability to craft and deliver a persuasive presentation. Focus on the preparation work, the audience analysis you conducted, and how you tailored your message for maximum impact. Discuss the strategies you used to engage the audience, any visual or data-driven aids that supported your case, and how you handled objections or questions. Conclude with the outcome, detailing how your presentation directly influenced a decision, action, or shift in perspective, and, if possible, mention any measurable results that followed.

Example: “ In a recent instance, I developed a presentation aimed at persuading a panel of stakeholders to adopt a new software solution that promised to enhance operational efficiency. I began by conducting a thorough audience analysis, identifying the key concerns and motivations of each stakeholder. This enabled me to tailor the content, focusing on the software’s ability to address specific pain points such as reducing manual errors and streamlining workflow processes.

I employed a narrative structure, anchoring the presentation around a central story of a hypothetical yet relatable scenario where the software dramatically improved productivity. To bolster my argument, I integrated compelling data visualizations that clearly demonstrated the potential return on investment and comparative analyses with existing systems. Throughout the presentation, I engaged the audience with rhetorical questions and interactive elements, maintaining their attention and fostering a collaborative atmosphere.

When faced with skepticism, I addressed questions with evidence-based responses, reinforcing the software’s benefits with real-world success stories from similar organizations. The outcome was a unanimous decision to proceed with implementation, and within six months, the organization reported a 25% increase in operational efficiency, validating the effectiveness of the persuasive strategies employed in the presentation.”

19. How do you maintain coherence when integrating data and statistics into your narrative?

Weaving data and statistics into a narrative without losing the audience’s attention or confusing them is an art form. It requires a clear understanding of the story you’re trying to tell and the role that data plays in that story. It’s not just about presenting numbers; it’s about making those numbers meaningful and relevant to your audience. Employers are looking for individuals who can take complex information and distill it into a compelling, accessible format that supports the overarching message. This skill demonstrates critical thinking, analytical prowess, and the capacity to engage and persuade an audience.

When responding to this question, emphasize your approach to storytelling with data. Discuss how you prioritize the most impactful statistics, use analogies or visual aids to illustrate your points, and ensure each piece of data reinforces the narrative thread. Mention any techniques you use to make complex data more digestible, such as breaking it down into simpler terms, building it up piece by piece, or relating it to something familiar to the audience. The goal is to show that you can make data a tool for storytelling rather than a stumbling block.

Example: “ To maintain coherence when integrating data and statistics into a narrative, I prioritize selecting data points that directly support the story’s core message. This involves a careful curation process where I identify the most impactful statistics that align with the narrative’s objective and resonate with the intended audience. I also use analogies and visual aids to contextualize the data, grounding abstract numbers in concrete and relatable terms. For instance, if I’m presenting on the growth of renewable energy, I might compare the increase in solar panel installations to a familiar concept, like the growth of a city’s population, to make the scale more understandable.

In addition, I employ a progressive disclosure technique, introducing data in layers to avoid overwhelming the audience. I start with a high-level overview, then gradually delve into more detailed statistics as the story unfolds, ensuring each data point is a logical extension of the previous information. This scaffolding approach helps the audience to assimilate complex data in manageable increments. By using these strategies, I ensure that data enhances the narrative, providing evidence and clarity, rather than detracting from the story’s flow and coherence.”

20. Reflect on a moment when you effectively used silence as a tool in your presentation.

Controlling the room and the audience’s attention can be achieved by mastering the art of silence in a presentation. Effective use of silence can emphasize important points, give the audience time to absorb information, and create a dynamic rhythm that keeps listeners engaged. It demonstrates a presenter’s confidence and comfort with the material and the presentation space. Silence can also serve as a non-verbal cue, signaling to the audience that something significant is being communicated, which can heighten interest and focus.

When responding to this question, you should recount a specific instance where you strategically employed a pause. Describe the lead-up to the moment of silence, the audience’s reaction, and the impact it had on the overall presentation. Explain your thought process behind the decision to use silence at that particular juncture and how it contributed to the effectiveness of your communication. Your response should convey your understanding of pacing and your ability to use silence not as an absence of words, but as a powerful communication tool in itself.

Example: “ In a recent presentation on the impact of strategic pauses in speech, I deliberately incorporated a prolonged silence following a key point about the power of pausing to enhance audience engagement. After discussing the cognitive overload that can occur with a constant stream of information, I paused for a full ten seconds. This silence not only allowed the audience to digest the information but also served as a live demonstration of the concept. The room’s dynamic shifted palpably; attendees leaned forward, anticipation built, and when I resumed speaking, the engagement was markedly heightened. This silence punctuated the importance of the point and underscored the effectiveness of the technique.

The decision to use silence at that moment was informed by the understanding that strategic pauses can act as an auditory underline, giving weight to the preceding statement. It was a calculated risk, but the payoff was evident in the audience’s renewed focus and the lively Q&A session that followed. This approach reinforced the message that silence, when used purposefully, is not a void but a tool for emphasizing content and facilitating deeper comprehension.”

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How to give a job interview presentation (job interview presentation tips).

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You are being asked to give an interview presentation to assess your confidence levels, your ability to give a presentation under pressure, and whether you are going to ADD VALUE to their organization.

INTERVIEW PRESENTATION TIP #1 – Understand what is required.

Get a clear brief on what you are required to do during the presentation.

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– What technical equipment is provided?

– How much time will you have to set up and prepare on the day?

INTERVIEW PRESENTATION TIP #2 – Use the ‘1 slide per minute’ rule!

How many slides should there be in an interview presentation?

If you are giving the presentation using PowerPoint, aim for 1 slide per minute. A 10-minute presentation should have 10 slides.

INTERVIEW PRESENTATION TIP #3 – Use the slides as prompts or reminders.

giving a presentation in a job interview

Use your slides or the flipchart as bullet points and prompts for what you are going to talk about. This is a great way to reduce preparation time!

INTERVIEW PRESENTATION TIP #4 – Make the presentation about their company.

– Make the presentation more about their company than you!

– Explain how you are going to ADD VALUE to their organization.

– Showcase the skills and qualities you have!

– Show you are human, and someone relatable. Make it personable!

INTERVIEW PRESENTATION TIP #5 – Keep it simple!

– Keep your presentation simple.

– Don’t try to impress the panel with fancy words or statistics.

– Consider using images and colour within your presentation (PowerPoint) to enhance the visual nature of your talk.

INTERVIEW PRESENTATION TIP #6 – Practice, practice, practice!

– Practice your presentation at least twice before your interview!

– Stand up and give your presentation in front of someone.

– The start of your presentation is the most important because you will be nervous!

(Practice this until you are comfortable)

EXAMPLE INTERVIEW PRESENTATION INTRODUCTION:

“Hello, my name is Jane and thank you for inviting me to give you a presentation today. The subject of my presentation is XYZ, and to simplify things, I will be covering the following three sections.”

INTERVIEW PRESENTATION TIP #7 – Use a simple, 3-stage structure!

HOW TO GIVE A JOB INTERVIEW PRESENTATION STRUCTURE

If you split your job interview presentation into 3 SIMPLE SECTIONS, it will be easy for you to remember, and your audience will pay attention throughout!

  • INTRODUCTION (Tell them what you are going to tell them.)
  • MIDDLE (Tell them!)
  • END (Tell them what you told them.)
  • Summary or conclusion.

JOB INTERVIEW PRESENTATION IDEAS!

“What I can bring to this position!”

“How I will adapt to make my job successful.”

“My greatest achievement!”

“Why I have applied for this job and why I am the ideal candidate.”

giving a presentation in a job interview

Richard McMunn

2 thoughts on “ how to give a job interview presentation (job interview presentation tips) ”.

giving a presentation in a job interview

Thank you very much for the job interview skills you have given me.

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giving a presentation in a job interview

Categories:

  • Storytelling

How to Nail Your Next Job Interview Presentation

giving a presentation in a job interview

What would you do if your next job required you to give a Job interview presentation?

Do you know how to prepare?

Do you know what to say?

Do you know what to talk about?

You have to start thinking and preparing for it before it happens. Because the higher your position in an organization, the more likely you will be asked to present during your interview.

Working with hundreds of professionals over the years ( Professionals from Rosetta Stone, Genentech, SalesForce.com, Coiler, City of San Francisco, Chronicle Books, etc.) to help them prepare for their job interview presentations, I came up with a list of 5 tips to help you do well and get the job.

Focus: Interview presentation tip

1 – Focus

Don’t talk about everything; Talk about one thing (maybe two). It’s important to stay “on message” so that your audience does not get confused.

It’s very tempting to talk about everything you know because you want to show your skills and knowledge. I once worked with a senior scientist who interviewed for a job and in the first draft of her presentation; she had included a list of all the techniques she knew instead of keeping the relevant ones. That’s normal; I see it all the time with clients. However, once you finish the first draft, you want to become brutal with scraping to maintain a tight focus.

The main purpose of the presentation interview is to see how well you communicate your ideas. So pick something you can communicate well and stay on point.

The main purpose of the presentation interview is to see how well you communicate your ideas!

  • Instead of talking about all your x-projects, talk about one of them.
  • Instead of talking about 5 experiments, talk about one or two experiments to support one point.
  • Instead of having multiple lessons, have “one” take-home message.
  • Instead of having 10 ideas to flesh out, just have one.

Context is king: Interview presentation

2 – Set the context

Before you start talking about the details, make sure your audience knows the background of your topic. This is especially important if you speak on previous projects or technologies you worked on.

You are interviewing at a new company who might not know about your previous company or position. So it’s important to give them some background to set the stage.

One of my clients was interviewing with a medical device company and in her previous work experience was on a vaccine for Prostate Cancer. When speaking about her past job, if she had started talking about the complex technology she used for her previous work without giving context, most of the audience would have been lost.

Instead, she dedicated 2 minutes in her introduction to cover the background of Cancer Vaccine Technology (At a very high level). Also, during the presentation, she linked what she was talking about to medical devices.

Always give context even if you think it is evident.

Additional Example:

If you are going to talk about a software update for your previous employer, then make sure your audience knows why you were doing the update in the first place. Mention and explain the problem you were trying to solve and tell them why that was important.

Setting the context in the “introduction” of your talk is crucial. It is so important that we spend a big portion in the Magnetic Presentations Boot Camp showing participants how to do it the right way – this part could make or break your presentation.

3- Ideas for interview presentation topics:

Unless you are doing a sales presentation for a company like Salesforce.com (Which gives you a case study to use for your presentation), you are usually free to pick your topic.

Here are some ideas to help you select a topic:

  • A previous project you worked on
  • New technology in your field
  • Technology that could be helpful in your field
  • Industry trends (no more than 3)
  • Explore a published paper (yours or someone else’s)
  • New or old process you have worked on or helped improve
  • New or old product you have worked on
  • Portfolio of your work
  • State of the economy/ industry/ technology etc
  • Sales presentation example

The list above should give you some ideas of what you need to talk about.

Think outside the box: Job interview presentation tip

4- Think outside the box for presentation topics

Most professionals will do a presentation on a project they have done with their previous employer. That’s OK.

However, if you want to stand out, it’s a good idea to think outside the box. A client of mine once did a presentation on “Three Industry Trends For Social Media Marketing,” as she interviewed for a senior marketing position.

That was outside the box (because her competition talked about a previous company project) My client ended up getting the job – She stood out as a competent leader of industry trends (She did a lot of research for the presentation and weaved in her personal experience as well).

Toot your own horn in a job interview

5- Toot your own horn

No one likes a show-off, yet, you have to do it a little in a job interview presentation. You have to share what you did, and how you contributed. In most circumstances, that’s shied away from but in a job interview , it is required and expected.

A recent study conducted at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln demonstrated that people who “self-promote” at the job interview presentation were rated as more superior, more capable, and more hireable than those who did not self-promote.

Regardless of what you are presenting on, you are introducing yourself, so you need to toot your own horn throughout the presentation.

Regardless of what you are presenting on, you are introducing yourself

Ok now here are some things to avoid.

Things to avoid in an interview presentation

  • Avoid critiquing the company you are interviewing for (unless they specifically request it).
  • Avoid bad-mouthing previous employers.
  • Avoid making recommendations for the company regarding their processes unless you are sure this is what they want.
  • Avoid ending your presentation on a bad note.
  • Avoid making the whole presenting about you. Tooting your horn is a good few times during the presentation but not all the way through.
  • Avoid looking too prepared or not prepared: you should come across natural and authentic.
  • Avoid overwhelming your audience with data dumps .
  • Avoid rambling

These were just four tips. There are more of course, but using them will help you stand out from almost everyone who interviews for the same position.

I see that a lot of companies start to require presentation as part of the interview process, and the trend will keep rising – are you ready for it?

giving a presentation in a job interview

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Home Powerpoint Deck Professional Job Interview PowerPoint Presentation Templates

Professional Job Interview PowerPoint Presentation Templates

Job Interview PowerPoint Presentation Template and Google Slides Cover Image

Job Interview PowerPoint Presentation Template: Create a Detailed and Professional Interview Slide Deck  

Job Interview PowerPoint Presentation Template is designed for job seekers to create an impressive and detailed personal profile. Unlike traditional one-pager resume slides that limit the amount of self-introductory information, this Interview Presentation Template offers multiple slides dedicated to showcasing key aspects of your professional life. 

The Presentation Template for Interview begins with a customizable cover slide featuring both image and text placeholders to create a strong first impression. Following this, the “About Me” slide allows you to introduce yourself with ample space to infuse your bio-data, giving you the freedom to highlight your personality, background, and goals. The next slide focuses on career objectives, using bullet points to clearly present your aspirations to potential employers. 

For those with significant experience, the template includes a four-section infographic to break down your work history, making it visually engaging and easy to follow. Additionally, there are separate slides to cover your education, skills, and achievements. Unique to this deck is the language skills slide, where you can showcase your linguistic capabilities with country flags for visual appeal. The template also allows you to present completed projects and personal interests, further giving interviewers a comprehensive view of who you are. 

Built on a blue background with white borders, this Interview Presentation Template is not only eye-catching but fully customizable. Each slide is editable, allowing users to tailor the content and design to fit their professional brand. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a fresh graduate, this template provides an excellent framework for standing out in today’s competitive job market. 

This deck is perfect for those looking to provide a detailed overview during job interviews, making it especially beneficial for professionals in creative, technical, and management roles. By offering multiple slides for an in-depth presentation, it helps job seekers demonstrate their expertise and qualifications clearly and effectively, setting them apart from others. Get it now! 

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Other use cases of the template, can i customize the powerpoint templates to match my branding.

Yes, all our PowerPoint templates are fully customizable, allowing you to edit colors, fonts, and content to align with your branding and messaging needs.

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Yes, our templates are compatible with various versions of Microsoft PowerPoint, ensuring smooth usage regardless of your software version.

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  1. How to Give the Best PowerPoint Presentation for Job Interview

    giving a presentation in a job interview

  2. How to Give a Job Interview Presentation

    giving a presentation in a job interview

  3. Four Tips for Delivering Job Interview Presentations

    giving a presentation in a job interview

  4. HOW TO GIVE A JOB INTERVIEW PRESENTATION! (Job Interview Presentation TIPS!)

    giving a presentation in a job interview

  5. how to create a powerpoint presentation for a job interview

    giving a presentation in a job interview

  6. Must-have Job Interview Presentation Template with Samples and Examples

    giving a presentation in a job interview

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  1. VIDEO GROUP PRESENTATION JOB COSTING ACC116_AM1103D

  2. Presentation for Admission Interview

  3. The Presentation That Got Me Hired At Nike

  4. Quick Presentation Skills Tips That Everyone Can Use: Introduction

  5. How to Start Your Interview

  6. Interviewing Basics and How to Present Your Work

COMMENTS

  1. 10 Tips for Delivering a Winning Interview Presentation

    How to give a good job interview presentation. Use these tips to deliver a presentation in an interview: Ask for guidance. Know your audience. Find a focal point. Tell a compelling story. Position yourself effectively. Take a positive approach. Practice your delivery.

  2. Interview Presentation Templates (Plus Examples)

    What to include in an interview presentation template. Here are seven components you can think about when preparing your interview presentation template: 1. Type and topic of presentation. Before you begin preparing for a presentation, consider selecting a method of presentation. This can influence the type of template you create.

  3. 12 Tips for Delivering a Successful Interview Presentation

    Deliver your presentation to family or friends in advance of the interview to learn more about what you might be saying nonverbally. 9. Use clear diction and adequate volume. A benefit of standing is that it makes it easier to breathe deeply and speak with adequate volume, so you are easily understood.

  4. How to Give A Compelling Interview Presentation: Tips, Examples and

    Interview presentations have now become the new norm for most industries. They are popular for sales, marketing, technology, and academic positions. If you have been asked to deliver one for your job interview presentation, prepare to build a strong case for yourself as a candidate. Giving a general presentation is already daunting.

  5. Interview Presentation Preparation & 10-Minute Template

    Answering the brief - Give your responses to questions you've been asked to answer, the benefits and limitations of your suggestions. Question and answers - Include a slide titled 'questions and answers' as a cue to pause for interaction. Conclusion - Sum up the key points you have made, reach a decision, and explain your reasoning.

  6. 13 Tips to Create a Stand Out Job Interview Presentation

    4. Use images and graphs, not just text. Make your presentation more engaging by including images, graphs, diagrams and maybe even a video if you're feeling a bit creative. This prevents your presentation from becoming monotonous, and can help to break up slides of text after text or large sets of data. 5.

  7. How to Deliver a Winning Interview Presentation

    Arriving early to your interview will give you enough time to settle your nerves and tie loose ends. A good rule of thumb is to arrive 15 to 20 minutes before your presentation. You'll have ample time to get comfortable with the equipment and the environment. 3.

  8. How to Ace an Interview Presentation

    Here are the steps you need to take to improve your chances at an interview presentation: 1. Research the company and the position ahead of the presentation. Before the date of the presentation, research the company and the position you are applying for. Doing this will help you determine the type of pitch to create for your presentation.

  9. How To Give a Successful Presentation During an Interview

    A presentation should show off your verbal communication skills. That means you don't 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.

  10. 5 Steps to Acing Your Interview Presentation

    Try these steps for interview presentation success. 1. Know What You're Working With. As soon as you're 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 you'll have, and ask what technology, if any, you'll have access to.

  11. How To Prepare for an Interview Presentation (With Tips)

    Here are the five steps you can take to prepare a presentation for a job interview: 1. Research the company. The first step is to research the organization to which you are applying for the job. Researching the company allows you to include important information in your presentation.

  12. 10 Steps for Giving Better Presentations in Interviews

    How to give quality presentations in interviews. Follow this list of tips to help you give a better presentation during your next interview: 1. Ask for guidance. Before developing your presentation, ask the hiring manager for any clarification you may need. First, read and review all the instructions you received about the presentation.

  13. How to prepare a PowerPoint presentation for an interview

    Here's a list of steps to consider if you want to make a presentation: 1. Do your research. The first step is to do some research and gather all of the information you require. The nature of this information depends on the subject of your presentation. For instance, if you're applying for a marketing position, the hiring organisation might want ...

  14. How to Give an Interview Presentation (With Tips to Prepare)

    How to create an interview presentation. Follow these steps: 1. Ask for guidance. Before developing your presentation, ask the hiring manager for guidelines on what they're expecting. Clarify if they had a topic in mind and how long your presentation should be. If you aren't given a topic, consider developing your presentation around a subject ...

  15. Tips for Preparing a Presentation for an Interview

    Ensure logical structuring of your arguments. Towards the end, give a summary of your arguments to encapsulate the main ideas of your presentation. Finish with a brief conclusion that gives recommendations or suggestions, if applicable to the topic at hand. Related: How to create a presentation for interview template.

  16. JOB INTERVIEW PRESENTATION! (How To Give A Brilliant ...

    JOB INTERVIEW PRESENTATION (How To Give A Brilliant Presentation In An INTERVIEW!) EXAMPLE INCLUDED! https://passmyinterview.com/how-to-give-a-job-interview-...

  17. 7 Tips for Nailing an Interview Presentation

    7. Practice (and Practice Again) The only way to know whether your presentation is the right length is by practicing. And, rehearsing will also build your confidence and make you more fluent for the real thing. Ideally, perform your talk for someone you trust so you can get some honest feedback.

  18. Top 20 Presentation Interview Questions & Answers

    Top 20 Presentation Interview Questions & Answers. Master your responses to Presentation related interview questions with our example questions and answers. Boost your chances of landing the job by learning how to effectively communicate your Presentation capabilities. InterviewPrep Skills Career Coach. Published Nov 19, 2023.

  19. Presentation at an Interview

    Here is a checklist to use when preparing for your next presentation at interview. Seek clarification on what you must do. Identify your audience. Get confirmation on the use of technology in the room. Revisit the job description and person specification. Spend time planning your presentation. Practice your presentation in front of others.

  20. How to Give a Presentation in a Job Interview

    How to Give a Presentation in a Job Interview🌞 FREE DOWNLOAD: Ace Your Job Interview: Master on the best answers to the 14 most effective job interview ques...

  21. How to Give a Job Interview Presentation

    This is a great way to reduce preparation time! INTERVIEW PRESENTATION TIP #4. - Make the presentation about their company. - Make the presentation more about their company than you! - Explain how you are going to ADD VALUE to their organization. - Showcase the skills and qualities you have! - Show you are human, and someone relatable.

  22. HOW TO GIVE A JOB INTERVIEW PRESENTATION! (Easiest Way!)

    Get your FREE Interview Prep Checklist at www.interviewprepchecklist.comWant to STRESS LESS and Impress in ANY interview? Get my Impressive Interview Kit at ...

  23. How to Nail Your Next Job Interview Presentation

    2 - Set the context. Before you start talking about the details, make sure your audience knows the background of your topic. This is especially important if you speak on previous projects or technologies you worked on. You are interviewing at a new company who might not know about your previous company or position.

  24. Professional Job Interview PowerPoint Presentation Templates

    Job Interview PowerPoint Presentation Template: Create a Detailed and Professional Interview Slide Deck . ... Following this, the "About Me" slide allows you to introduce yourself with ample space to infuse your bio-data, giving you the freedom to highlight your personality, background, and goals. The next slide focuses on career objectives ...