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Presentation advice - better to focus on refining your delivery OR minimise text on screen?

33 replies

ErinAndTonic · 19/09/2023 22:38

I've been invited to another interview for a role I really really want. The beginner stage was a zoom style general interview with all the usual questions and is probably where my strengths lie in interviews.

This next stage is in person and I've been asked to do a presentation for part of this. I only got the topic Sunday evening and the presentation along with interview is Thursday morning.

It's taken me ages to get the framework built and refined and I need to practice it further. I've also researched good presentation techniques and styles - and constantly see to really trim your text down.

Given my really limited time here - what should I be focusing on more, practicing the delivery out loud to ensure I'm more confident and comfortable - or really reducing the copy down (when I would likely need to have cue cards to help remember what needs to be said - adhd so terrible memory and multi tasking 😅)

The slides aren't a wall of text it is bulleted but definitely has more than say 6-7 words per bullet but still somewhat paraphrased. Something has to give to allow me to brush up on the questions too and try and still function in my day job!

Any advice would be super appreciated as i'm stressing like a madwoman and prepping until midnight each night which isn't helping my stress!

OP posts:
ErinAndTonic · 20/09/2023 11:20

RausageSoul · 20/09/2023 09:04

PowerPoint slides are to help assist tell your story or get your point across. Imagine someone pinched your file, they should not be able to present it in your absence!

They are not subtitles or a script, make them visual and engaging. If I have delegates who are ND I make them available pre and post event, with some notes to help. Online on Teams I use the presenter mode so others can click through at their own pace or return back.

Good luck!!!

Also probably should say I've not told them yet about my ADHD. I know it's likely they are going to be supportive (their application process said so) but I do still worry about stigma and am fairly newly diagnosed and did worry it may be seen as a negative from someone.

I guess if I'm unsuccessful I could let them know this then just in case how I presented something differently was a reason they thought I was a weaker candidate.

OP posts:
GodessOfThunder · 20/09/2023 11:21

Also don’t use the notes section. Memorise everything. If you can’t remember it all you are trying to say too much so cut down.

BIWI · 20/09/2023 11:23

Can you not c+p their logo from an image online? (If you do, make sure it's high resolution).

And if you're using PowerPoint - for heavens sake don't use Clipart! It looks so childish and amateur.

How long are you supposed to be presenting for?

ErinAndTonic · 20/09/2023 11:23

Thank you so so much everyone for all your tips it's been super helpful.

I will continue learning the presentation with the extra text and hoping once I'm more confident and starting to learn it I can whip some extra words out

🤞🏼

OP posts:
ErinAndTonic · 20/09/2023 11:25

BIWI · 20/09/2023 11:23

Can you not c+p their logo from an image online? (If you do, make sure it's high resolution).

And if you're using PowerPoint - for heavens sake don't use Clipart! It looks so childish and amateur.

How long are you supposed to be presenting for?

It's only ten minutes.

I haven't used clip art - I have a bit of a colour theme going as I'm quite creative. So chosen images that subtly illustrate the point while looking aesthetically pleasing.

No cheesy corporate generic images. Tried to bring a smidge of personality in while still keeping it professional.

OP posts:
BIWI · 20/09/2023 11:41

If only ten minutes, then that's 5 slides max.

I wasn't suggesting cheesey corporate imagery! I was suggesting that you could find their logo online, as you said you didn't have their fonts to recreate it.

ErinAndTonic · 20/09/2023 11:48

BIWI · 20/09/2023 11:41

If only ten minutes, then that's 5 slides max.

I wasn't suggesting cheesey corporate imagery! I was suggesting that you could find their logo online, as you said you didn't have their fonts to recreate it.

Oh I know 😊 I was just saying that I haven't used that type of stuff off Google etc if you know what I mean. Just that I've tried to keep the visuals engaging (as someone who frequently zones out of presentations herself!)

OP posts:
JFDIYOLO · 01/10/2023 01:23

Top tips for creating slides

One point per slide

Have a headline

When you're watching a TV documentary you don't see the presenters words on screen, you hear them and you see the pictures.

Strip most of the text off the slides - they are not your speaking notes.

Why? Asking the audience to listen to your voice while they're also reading the words is asking the language processing bits of the brain to do two things at once. It's confusing.

Instead, find pictures that illustrate your points. Two different bits of the brain.

Have your notes separately on the screen where you can see them and they can't.

When speaking, aim for about 100-150 words per minute. Slower than conversational pace because they need to take it in and think about what you're introducing.

You'll feel nervous and that may make you want to speed up.

Breathe from your diaphragm (waistband level) not your chest

Breathe slowly and deeply to calm your racing heart and thoughts

Have a cup of plain water nearby.

Good luck!

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