I have to do a presentation for a job interview..please help

[Donbean]

I dont want to do power point, i want to do flip chart or similar.

I havent a clue how to do this with a professional edge.

Any one know how i could do this, are there any useful websites that could help me with the lay out etc etc.

Thanks, i really really appreciate your help and i am desperate to get this job so i need to look very good.

[northerner]

Personally I feel powerpoint would look more professional. Flipchart more for brainstorming imo.

What's the job? How long have you got to present? What are you presenting about?

[SenoraPostrophe]

don't know about websites, but do you know what equipment they have? if they have an ohp those are much easier to impress with than flip charts because you can print off all your charts etc.

But really they'll be looking at your manner more than your visuals. what's the topic?

[USAUKMum]

Hey DonBean -- way back when I used to be a management consultant we always gave our presentations without powerpoint or flip charts etc. It can be very powerful, but you obviously need to know your talk inside out.

What kind of presentation is it?

[Donbean]

Its 10 mins on clinical governance and its impact on the workplace.
Ive got my info but need to know how to present it.
Ive NO clue about computers and any way, its just not me.
I would rather do it less formally iyswim.

[Donbean]

uSAUKMUM, how did you do yours if not with power point?

[Donbean]

Apparently the laptop jobby has been playing up lately so i dont want to risk it going wrong plus they havent specified power point.

[northerner]

Ok, 10 minutes not too long. Powerpoint the most preofessional, but if you are dead set against that I would avoid flipchart, it's definatley not a presenting tool imo.

So you can just present with no visuals, or use an OHP, or collare nice copies of visuals in a display folder and flick through it as you speak. This of course depends on how many you are presenting to. If it's a large group this won't work.

[northerner]

Am off to collect ds and his friend. Will pop back. In my job I present alot and on the other side of the coin I get presented to alot!

[SenoraPostrophe]

Yes, I'd go with Northerner's suggestions too. I prefer to just talk and then sum up with a handout usually myself. that way you don't have to stand up and be all teacher-ish - you can keep it informal.

other tips:

practice
eye contact
practice
avoid jokes (so they say. I always put some in anyway but it is really embarrassing when they fail)
practice
make sure you write your presentation for the right audience. don't assume too much knowledge, don't use jargon and allow time for questions.
and finally, practice.

[Donbean]

presentation is to 3 work colleagues who know the subject inside out.
Thanks northener, all help really appreciated.

[sallyrosie]

My random thoughts:

I'd go for either powerpoint or OHP slides.
If only 10 mins don't use too many slides, keep your slides basic, and don't put too much info on them. They should be the bare bones of your presentation which you then 'pad out' by talking - you don't want them just listening to you read out a slide.

I use a basic approach:
Tell them what you're going to tell them.
Tell them it.
Tell them what you've told them.
Let them ask questions.

They'll be looking to see that you know your subject AND how good your presenting skills are.
Practice LOTS, in front of a mirror so you can watch your facial expression and hand movements.
Get someone else to watch you and critique you.
Make sure you keep well within 10 minutes as you don't want them to stop you before you've finished.

Wear comfortable clothes and practice the presentation wearing your interview outfit - especially the shoes.


Good luck!!

[northerner]

I'm back. Do you have the use of a computer and printer at home? THen you can make some pretty impressive visuals.

Break up Presentaion into manageable chunks, it's difficult to make suggesstions when I don't know the topics you want to cover, but you are the expert so will know exactly how to do this.

Notmally end by listing benefits of your product, perhaps you could sell yourself here?

When presenting to a few people I usually direct my presentaion at 1 person in particular and remember to keep looking at the others also, saves flitting around round the room.

Are you feeling confident? How long have you got to prepare?

[Donbean]

Im fairly confident, ive got today to prepare!!!!

[USAUKMum]

I was just going to say with sallyrose has. Without any props, you can get your point across better. You just talk. But structure your talk as sallyrose said.

So for example:
"Today I am going to talk you you about how to give a fantastic presentation. First I will explain how to give a presentation without props, then I'll explain about body language and I'll finish with demonstrating how you endup with a great presentation."

To give a presentation witout props, you should rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Use your hands if you are comfortable to emphasize points. If you are standing it is effective to move as you introduce each point. So, as in this talk, in the first part I would move (naturally of course) towards one direction as I mentioned my three topics. Then move back to where I started to talk about the first one, and move accordingly as each new topic is presented. It is a subtle way to move on to the next topic which people understand without being overt.

In presentations without props, it is important to look your audience in the eye. With three, you should make sure to look at all of them, but not stare at them. Or if you don't find that comfortable look at their chin which is close enough to their eyes that they don't feel you are shy. Shoulders back, stand straight but not too straight. Just relax. Remember a smile will get you a long why. If you make a mistake, smile, say you are nervous then move on. People respect people who can admit they are nervous but still go on.

If you can manage without powerpoint or flipchart, you can connect better with your audience. They will remember you and what you say better -- which of course could result in them remembering you better when deciding who should have the job. "

AHhh I'm late now -- will check back in when I'm back from helping at school

[Donbean]

Thanks, this helps alot.
Ive been to staples and bought a folder thingy to put promps on and i thought that i would give a copy of my presentation to the panel for them to follow.
This post that i have applied for is a teaching post, therefore i must show confidence and control in the delivery because it will part of my role.
need to keep it short precise and to the point.

Got any other tips for me?

[sallyrosie]

I wouldn't necessarily give them a full copy - if you give them anything at all - you want them looking at you not a bit of paper.

Good luck!

Is this an NHS post? Clinical governance...

[sallyrosie]

oh - and make a point to look them in the eye at the beginning and end of the presentation and smile.

[samnbabes]

IME - I'd avoid giving everyone a copy of exactly what you're going to say for a no of reasons:

1. they read what you're saying rather than listening - and you loose the opp to communicate your 'you-ness'
2. you present to a lot of tops of heads - less engaging for you & them - if you present to faces you get 'automatic feedback' of the 'I've lost them/they like that' type
3. My personal bugbear - the buggers ALWAYS flip ahead

(bit late to add this, but I HAVE done presentations with flipcharts and think they can work in a 'I'm so creative and free-thinking' kind of a way, but prob not ideal for this occassion?? Most of mine are powerpoint nowdays

Other tips:

rehearse (a million times) with a timer, in front of a mirror, ideally wearing your posh clothes/heels. Painful but v helpful.

Do a trial run to an honest listener and get them to give you 3 suggestions for improvement, and 3 compliments/things they thought were good. Limit them to 3 of each.

Make sure you've got your links clear - ie the bits when you're moving from one issue/point/page to another - if those are smooth (rather than ... 'oh, and another thing') you suddenly look way more polished

As everyone's already said, lots of signposting/telling people the structure - esp if you don't have slides for them to look at - eg I believe there are three key issues here - then count them off on your fingers.

ANd agree with whoever said it - if you go wrong, come clean about it, smile, take a deep breath and carry on.

And, best advice I was ever given on presenting was that everyone in the audience will WANT you to do well - more people are afraid of public speaking than dying (!!!) so, even if it doesn't feel like it, they will be rooting for you underneath it all

GOOD LUCK!!!

[northerner]

Hey Donbean! Have you done it? We want an update!!!

[Donbean]

not yet!!!
Interview and presentation on Friday.
Ive decided to do power point presentation and im trying to put it all together.
Ive got beta blockers and im slowely getting my head around the subject.

Keep getting advice from people and offers to read presentation BUT ive got nothing but negative feed back so far so im feeling very dejected and depressed about the whole thing now.


I really want this job though and so im trying to keep my chin up.

It is an NHS position yes, and a difficult and HUGE subject to get to grips with....im not doing well...am fed up....

[Blackduck]

DB - notice you are doing PPT and mentioned laptop was playing up - just in case print off your slides using the slide option in the print menu (puts three or six on a page) then if the laptop bombs out you give them the sheets to follow.....(I'm doing a similar thing on Wed so know how you feel).
Don't put too much on each slide - they are headlines for you to talk around.
Check your spelling and grammer!

[Pollybloodyanna]

Donbean good luck with this - I had an interview with a presentation recently and it was disastrous. I got really penalised (and criticised) for running over the time limit - in fact they just told me to stop! So that is my tip - don't go over the time limit.

[poptot]

Donbean can I help, is it a nursing job or management job? I've got a couple of presentations I could forward to you.

[Donbean]

will do, thanks.

Good luck for Wed.