Features - Interview Technique
Interviews - Presentations - A CV Centre Guide
It is becoming increasingly common for presentations to be delivered as part
of the recruitment process, enabling employers to assess your talent for
effective organisation, your communication skills, and your ability to
collate and analyse information.
Usually, you will be given a specific topic for your presentation and
allowed time in advance to prepare. You will also be given an indication
of how long it should take to deliver and it is extremely important that
you adhere to this as you will also be assessed on your ability to follow
instructions. Sometimes, an employer may even surprise you on the day
of your interview by asking you to deliver a short presentation and, if
this is the case, it is important to remain calm. Remember that, as you
have not been given the opportunity to prepare, it is most likely that
you will only be expected to deliver a presentation on a subject you are
already familiar with.
Visual Aids
Once you know the subject and the target audience, you can start to gather the information you need for the presentation. The most effective presentations have proven to be those which utilise visual aids so, as well as researching the information you actually need to talk about, it can be a good idea to obtain pictures, charts or diagrams to be presented as handouts, overhead projections or in the form of computer generated images. Visual aids must be clear, concise, easy to read and understand and of a high quality.
Practice Makes Perfect
Although it may be ideal to memorise your presentation, don't be afraid to also have cue cards or notes with you, to ensure your presentation is fluent. Employers do not like to see someone simply reading from a script, but equally they do not want someone standing in front of them who is lost for words. If you have been told in advance about your presentation, you should have plenty of time in which to practice. This gives you the chance to iron out any possible glitches and to decide how you will actually present yourself. It is also essential that you time your presentation to make sure it is neither too long nor too short.
Format
When finalising your presentation, make sure that it follows a clear format with an introduction of the topic to be discussed, the main content and a conclusion. A clearly defined structure not only makes the presentation easier to prepare but should also mean it will make more sense to your audience.
Delivery
When it comes to the actual delivery of the presentation, the key is to try really hard to overcome any nerves. This can lead you to speak too quickly, mumble and even fidget, all of which will give the audience a negative impression. Eye contact with your audience is important throughout the presentation, although this should not be over used as it can be unnerving. Avoid the use of unnatural hand movements but also try to be visually expressive where appropriate. Using a dull, monotonous voice will not impress the audience and can make the topic sound uninteresting. Make sure that any visual aids you are using are only visible at the relevant times.
Further Help
We can offer no better recommendation than to get hold of a copy of the book "Great Answers To Tough Interview Questions" which, despite its title, actually covers every single aspect of the job-hunting process. It’s the best book on the subject, is sponsored by The CV Centre, and is available from them for just £12.50. Of course, to get to the interview stage you do need an outstanding CV and there really is no substitute for taking advantage of in-depth professional experience. The CV Centre is the UK's leading CV consultancy; their CVs are carefully crafted to have the strongest possible appeal to potential employers, rather than being just an uninspiring typed summary of an individual's basic information. Their team of consultants also has a broad range of previous experience within recruitment and personnel management, which enables them to produce CVs of the highest standards. Find out how The CV Centre's professional CV writing services can help to maximise your chances of getting the job you deserve.
