Interview presentation- slides or not?

[anicecuppateaa]

I have a final interview on thurs for a senior role. I am meeting the CEO and COO of a (very) large corporate. I have major imposter syndrome and had been planning to pull out, but now it’s too late.

So, I’m going to prep and do the best I can.

I have to give a 5 min presentation at the start. Would you put a slide or two together or not necessary? They’ve said it’s my choice. To appear properly prepped I think I should BUT to actually prep, I would be better researching industry trends and presentation content. I’m naff at creative stuff so could waste hours trying to get the slides looking good. Equally if wise MNetters say slides, I will do them!

Are slides preferable? Please help!

Yes to slides as the interviewers will look at the slides and not you for 5 minutes. Good luck, they must think that you’re good enough to be interviewing you.

Definitely do up slides! And provide more than what they've asked. Practice in front of a friend/partner. I'm sure you'll be amazing x

Another yes, if used as a memory aid or to present graphs of trends.
If you are likely to read them out -no!

unless you need a graphic representation of something I would not bother with slides.

5 mins is no time at all.

Practice in front of a camera, at least several times, until it is perfect

Good luck

I had to do a presentation. In the end, the tech wasn't set up so I had to present without. I recommend taking 2-3 extra copies of just the slides, and have your copy with notes.

Yes, do slides because they've asked for a presentation not a talk (although I also don't think it would be a deal breaker).

Ok slides it is. The interview is virtual so tech shouldn’t be an issue. DH is wizzy with slides so has just said he’ll help once I’ve figured out the content.

Thank you all! Will practice many times so I feel confident with the content. Eek!

Make sure to practice and stick RIGIDLY to your time limit.

If you're using PowerPoint via 0365 then it has a content creator now. You put in whatever images/text you need onto the slide, go to the Designer tab and and it shows a load of nifty suggestions on the right hand side for how to lay it out and break it up to look the best.

yeah I bombed an interview this year because they wanted 5 minute talk only, they cut me off at 5. The job only rarely woudl ever involve presentations, btw. But I failed. Whole thing just died after that, my brain gave up even trying.

I never do slides if it's just a "talk". If there are diagrams or graphs that would add something just put those on some slides.

When you practice, practice online. Get your dh to sit upstairs on a laptop/tablet and do the teams call with him to help with the tech snd timing, it will help take away any nerves or nervous mistakes

Good luck! Even though tech wasn't on my side and the job was a massive leap up from my previous one (so I understand the imposter syndrome), I was offered and accepted the position. It's a job right in my happy zone and I've now been there 4 months.

Yes we ask for a presentation and I expect slides - usually key words or quotes or ideas etc. Agree with the pp that designer in PowerPoint is super helpful.

It entirely depends if you need them. One interview I did I didn't do them as I didn't feel it added anything to the presentation (which I explained) and the interviewer commended me on my approach saying they were overused. But most other interviews I have given involve showing (brief) lists so I find slides help in that regard.

Don't do it just because, but if it adds value, crack on (if you choose not to, just casually explain why as you are setting up).