Insider - For the latest job hunting and recruitment news and views

Powerful Presentations

I have just been informed I have an interview for 24th February and need to do a 10 minute presentation, I would like to do this with PowerPoint. Has anyone got any ideas that would give it a bit of “wow factor”? I really would love to get this job, any ideas would be gratefully received.

| More
avatarcareersurgery13 February 2006Career Surgery
  • Maz

    Keep it simple and to the point.
    Do not overcrowd your slides, keep to summaries of what you want to get accross on your slide in the form of bullet points (people can read and don’t want to be read to!).
    Point size 24 is the usual standard for clarity.
    Clear visuals that can be interpreted easily are always good.
    Make sure you rehearse (out loud!, yes that might sound strange but it will be worth it).
    As for the wow factor – that depends on what job you are going for really, you don’t want to start over-animating your presentation/ adding bright colours/ fancy backgrounds as this won’t look professional at all (think kindergarten instead!).
    I think the wow factor will be in the way you present: coherently and confidently, with the powerpoint as a visual aid to your presentation. Perhaps even provide handouts – this will tie in nicely with the different ways in which people respond to information (I will spare you the detail but if you do happen to be curious, cut and paste the following link into your browser: http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.MI.htm
    Good Luck!

  • Alan Matthews

    A few do’s and dont’s about Powerpoint.
    Do
    1) Keep it simple, don’t use more than 5 slides for a 10 minute presentation, especially if you are having 2 or 3 sections to one slide.
    2) Pick colours or theme and fonts that are sympathetic with the company you are presenting to
    3) Use graphics and pictures to either tell the same story or supplement the content.
    4) Have an End Slide that says ‘Thank You – Are there Any Questions?’
    5) Plan it and run through several times to check the timing.
    6) Make sure you smile and make eye contact, it is You that is presenting, aided by Powerpoint, not the other way round.
    Don’t
    1) Keep going back and forth to the laptop, have a mouse plugged in that you can keep in your hand.
    2) Use loads of flying text and marching ants, it is irritating when left on screen.
    3) Have sounds, You are the sound.
    4) Just repeat whats on the screen, put up a fact and then talk about it.
    5) Mumble
    Good Luck!

  • Liam

    If you want to get the wow factor into what you are doing make it something memorable. This could be through the look and design of your presentation or a running metaphore through the presentation.
    I have delviered a few presenations over the years and the ones that have worked the best have been those that have not been hung up on getting all the information on your slide but by be able to paint a better picture using a visual tool.
    * Do have graphs and figures if relevant.
    * Make sure the points are not long winded.
    * Keep the interest in what you are saying.
    * Be prepared to have questions thrown at you as you are making the presentation, I have never delivered a presentation where there are no questions.
    * If questions are being asked it is not because you have forgotten something, it is a sign of interest.
    Most of all remember YOU are the presentation not the slides in powerpoint, they are the tool.

  • Julian

    Rehearse your presentation as many times as you can, prefeably with some sympthetic friends who will ask some questions just like the real panel will.
    The worst thing you can do is find that, with questions and the surrounding discussion, a presentation that takes you 15 minutes gogin through it a home and trying to imagine the questions you will get actually takes 45 minutes when the real panel is there and the adrenaline is flowing.
    Take my word for it. Running over time by 30 minutes won’t get you the job. Especially for jobs where time management is critical. Like the one I interviewed for when I…. you get the rest, I’m sure.

  • GTS

    Most of what has been said so far is sound, but crucial to an effective presentation, especially when using technology is laying the foundations.
    Before writing the presentation find out what AV facilities are available and what kind of audience you are expected to present to. Presenting using Powerpoint to 20 people without some sort of projection technology will make an impression, but probably not that which is intended.
    Have a fallback position, have transparencies that can be used on an OHP in case of technical problems with the PC.. Handouts will also aid any presentation.
    Having worked in IT in Higher Education for 20 years or so, I have lost count of the number of presentations I have seen fall apart. Either because individuals have failed to check that the facilities they need exist, or other technical failures of one form or another.
    On the presentation…
    Be careful to engage your audience and NOT the Powerpoint presentation. Do not set up the presentation so that fiddly mouse selections are required to navigate or bring info onto the screen. Try for simple key or click navigation, so that you can navigate the presentation and retain contact with the audience.
    Remember the rule of 3… Tell them what you are going to say, say it, then say that you said it. (But dont over do it, because you could appear patronising).
    Keeping the graphics simple is probably a good idea unless applying for something in an area such as creative media where form may be more important than substance.

  • Mark

    Hi there,
    If you want the wow factor you should try to create visual images of the points you are highlighting as apposed to using text. e.g http://www.voip-x.net/go/wholesale If you are presenting to an audience you want the focus to be on you, the power point slides should act as a reference and there is no point having wording in the slide if this is what you intend to say. Summarising, use as many images to get you message across and make you sure you prepare and practise, practise, practise. Hopes this helps you and good luck

  • Andrew Durham

    “Keep it simple stupid”
    Forget the wow factor, but have colourful slides
    and present in a colourful way.
    The manner in which it is presented is what counts! Forget about trying to stand out, just execute professionally
    Best of luck
    Andy

  • Mike Startup

    Hi there,
    Don’t rely on just reading your presentation.
    KNOW your presentation so you can concentrate on the meaning and not just the words.
    When you practice make your presentation 11

  • John

    Hello,
    I can relate to that.
    I dont mind doing presentations but a word of advice. I had to do a presentation for a job and, even if I said so myself, it was very professional and to the point. I had copies to hand out and the 20 minutes flew by.
    The theme for the job was “What I could bring to the role and how to grow the business over the next 24 months” I stupidly left a copy of my presentation in the room. I found out 2 months later that the company had used my presentation and that of another candidate to formulate a sales plan. So now they can get a copy, but only if I get the job.
    Tips
    Relax before hand
    Stay focused
    And rehearse, rehearse, rehearse
    if you have a partner or best friend, try it in front of them.
    Oh and one last thing, on the last page put
    Your Name
    The Role
    Available to start on ????
    Good luck

  • Sam Edwards

    On the suvject of AV technology, it wouldn’t hurt to check out just how you hook yourself up to the projector. Technical things need rehearsal too. In fact, you should have ten minutes or more right before the presentation to make sure you are set up properly.
    Also some projectors come with a hand-held clicking device so you can stand away from the laptop a bit and engage with your audience.

Disclaimer: Any views here do not necessarily reflect the views of Jobsite. As such we cannot be held responsible for the views expressed here or any actions taken as a consequence.

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Most Commented