If you’ve made it to a final stage interview, you may well be asked to prepare a presentation. Organisations want to see hard proof of how hiring you will benefit the charity, and an interview presentation is an easy and visual way to do this.
Beyond that, presenting information is a talent that will come in handy the more you progress in your career. That means it’s worth mastering early on, even though it’s a skill that rarely comes easily for most of us.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to shake the nerves and become a pro at giving workplace presentations. Here are seven things to keep in mind when you’re preparing your next interview presentation.
1. Read the brief properly
You’d be surprised by just how many people misread these things, so give the brief careful consideration. Do you understand every single word used? Is it clear what you’re being asked to demonstrate?
If there’s any element you’re unsure of, ask your recruiter. It’s far better to get it sorted at this early stage, rather than to get to the end of the interview presentation and discover you interpreted the brief incorrectly.
2. Do your research
It almost goes without saying, but make sure to research the topic, the company, the competition, and anything else that could be relevant. You don’t want to get caught out making a glaring mistake. The less prepared you seem, the less interested they’ll think you are in the role.
3. Tailor the interview presentation to your audience
Following on from the point above, also research your recruiters. If you’ve been told before-hand who you’ll be presenting to, then consider their job titles. Take a look at their profiles on LinkedIn―don’t worry about them being notified you’ve viewed it, they’ll be glad that you’re being thorough.
Evaluate what each of your interviewers’ perspectives will be in regards to your topic. If any of them come from a different area of work, then will they know the meaning of specialist terms, or will you have to provide an explanation? If you haven’t been given the names or job titles of your audience, it’s safer to assume that don’t know as much about your subject as you do. In this case, keep language simple, and explain any niche terms or concepts.
4. Remember, clarity is key
Think about what’s being asked of you in this interview presentation. Whatever it is, they’re trying to figure out whether you possess the skills they’re looking for. So make sure you’re offering clarity on your topic, and doing it concisely.
Remember to go back and consider whether every single slide is relevant. It’s better to present fewer points but present them thoroughly than to try and cover everything.
5. It’s not all about the content
The information you’re presenting is important, but other skills are also being assessed when you perform your interview presentation. For example, your time management skills. This is why it’s important to make sure you stick to the time allocated for your presentation.
Verbal and non-verbal communication are also key skills being assessed. Try to present slowly and clearly. This will help you to come across as confident and allow your audience to follow what you’re saying. Keep an open posture, and smile so that your audience feels relaxed and comfortable.
6. Don’t forget the visuals
With so many good templates and tools, such as Canva, out there, there’s no excuse for a messy-looking presentation. Make sure the visuals enhance rather than detracts from your overall idea. Too much text on the slides will make people concentrate on reading every line instead of listening to what you have to say.
If design is your thing and you can make the layout of the presentation match the brand, great! Incorporate the charity logo, fonts and brand colours where you can. Small things like this will show you’ve gone the extra mile.
7. Have a backup plan for your backup plan
After all your preparation, the last thing you want is for technology to let you down. So have your interview presentation saved in multiple places (a USB, your desktop, google drive) and email it to yourself. Don’t let a technological fault throw you off course!
Anticipate follow up questions. Try to answer them within your interview presentation, but also give thorough consideration to what else might arise and be prepared for it. The questions at the end will be their lasting impression of you – make it a good one.
So now you know how to smash an interview presentation. If you’ve followed the steps above then your presentation will be thorough, effective and clear. The recruiters have invited you to a final stage interview for a reason, they want you to do well almost as much as you do. Good luck!
Ready to impress recruiters and land your dream job? Take a look at who’s hiring.
This post was originally published in 2019 and has been updated to ensure relevance and to reflect the current job seeker experience.
