Interview advice please

[Needanadultgapyear]

I posted a couple of months ago about applying for my first academic role. You all gave me brilliant advice.
I had one interview for an FE role got great feedback, but not the role as whilst their advert didn't say it they were looking for level 1 and 2 teaching. They felt I was better suited to level 3 or HE.
I have an interview for an HE role on Tuesday. I have been asked to make a slide and present for 3 mins on why I am suited to the role. They have sent me the job spec again, do I just really emphasis the person spec again or do I cover other areas. How much should I blow my own trumpet - a little bit or full scale ad?
Thank you so much, Tuesdays riole is my dream job very unique to my industry on a vocational degree course.

Brilliant news and I wish you the best of luck. I have sat through hundreds of interview presentations so my tips are as follows -
You must already meet at least the essential person specs or you wouldn’t be getting an interview. You could cover that by just stating that you meet the essential elements of the spec. No need for any text though as that could be seen as boasting. If there are desirable parts that you maybe haven’t met, may a couple of slides on how you are partly there and what you would do to develop so you get there.
Don’t have too many slides, maybe 6, max 8. Do not pack full of text and just read it! They will be using this presentation to judge your teaching and communication skills so keep text brief. Use visuals and colour without going mad 🤣. Maybe have a colour theme so it looks seamless. I’d say max 4 points per slide.
Maybe a slide to highlight your soft skills, giving some examples. A slide on what you bring to teaching.
A slide on research plans. I appreciate details such as working name of paper, stage you are at (eg literature review), and planned submission date to X journal. 2 or 3 example are fine. Another slide on impact routes.

Also be as enthusiastic as you can. Look each of your audience in the eye. Positive body language. I’ve seen a fair few where the candidate mumbles into their notes, or turns their back to audience to read off a screen, or looks off into the distance, crosses their arms etc. I would neither boast or underplay. Just be factual.

So 3 mins is basically an elevator pitch. Have a look on YouTube, there’s some great guidance on how to make an impact in this type of presentation. Also set yourself a timer when delivering the pitch and make sure you stop on time, even if that means winding up before the end of what you’ve intended to say.

Yes I was going to say - I would definitely not want a candidate to have 6-8 slides for a 3 minute presentation. No slides or single slide with key points only.

you say it’s your dream job - in the 3 mins it’s your job to tell them why and then convince them that you’re their dream candidate. They need to go away with the impression that 1) you can do the job well, 2) are lovely to work with, 3) won’t cause problems!

If you are intending to use a slide(s) have a back up plan if you can't get your tech to work. Smoothly coping with unexpected issues always looks impressive

@Pepperama
agree if an elevator pitch. However, this is something that the interview panel would find strange for an academic interview as they will be judging for teaching style, although this hasn’t been explicitly stated. Agree with your other points. We do also judge on timing so OP please keep to time

Thank you. Sorry I forgot to include that it is single slide in 3 mins. So bullet points. I was going to make sure I used animations in PowerPoint as presentation and ability to use Microsoft office is one of the points assessed at interview.
It is a funny position as it is working with external providers giving placements for industry experience for students. So I feel one of the key features of the role is the ability to form good relationships. Would discussing my net promoter scores from clients be weird. I always get great scores for listening to problems. Enduring clients understand and making them feel involved in decisions. I think these are great features for liaising with placements and supporting students in placements.

Definitely discuss your scores - data to support your point is great!

But don’t just say you’re good at relationships and here are the scores to prove it. Expand that point by explaining the positive impact your skills would have on this particular role - increased number of placements, building programme’s profile as having excellent links with industry etc

Talk about how you'll make sure that students are prepared for being in their vocation for the long term, so the transferable graduate attributes and your experience in supporting new colleagues etc.
Good luck! They know you can do the job or you wouldn't have got an interview. Tell them how lucky they are to be getting you. Oh, and it's you interviewing them too. Why do you want to work for them?

I haven’t interviewed in this sector but I have interviewed having to do a similar presentation and also been on the interview panel for the same.

Genuine passion for the role always shines through, if you really believe what you’re saying, it’ll show.

If it’s 3 mins, you’ve got to sell yourself, I’d try sections… so first section is something like, this is what I’ve done. Then this is what I will bring to this role. Then this is why I really want this job and will be a good fit.

Definitely practice so you are on track with time and take a back up incase technology fails. With the PowerPoint if it’s only one slide just don’t overload it with text. Maybe the odd picture or something for them to associate with what you’re saying.

Good Luck 🍀

Oh and avoid 80’s style animations like spinning text 😂😂

Thank you all so much.

Thank you all sadly I didn't get the role. I have asked for some feedback.
It is a strange role as there is a huge pastoral element and I was asked how I would deal with homesickness.