presentation at an interview

aj9648

Hi

I just wondered if anyone had been asked to do a presentation as part of their interview and if so what did you do?

I have to do one in a few weeks time on what my plan is for the first 30 days. I am not allowed a laptop or to show it electronically. So any ideas of something innovative?

Any suggestions?

MoneySavingUser

Keep it simple - they want to know how well you can communicate and express yourself, the reason there is no computer allowed is because they don't want powerpoint gimmicks.

If you can think of something cool to do you can try it but don't get too hyped up about being 'innovative'

System

what is the job/sector

aj9648

Its in the R&D department of a manufacturing company....

denla

What's the topic you'll be presenting? If you haven't been given one, what does the company manufacture? Are you trying to present a new product line for the company? Are you trying to present to use a different supplier? Are you trying to present a particular product? What are you presenting?

colino

If its R&D, while I agree with keeping it simple (god save me from another full bells and whistles powerpoint pantomime!) if possible make it interactive. The whole point of a presentation is to make sure you can get on your hind legs and communicate, but by putting something in their hands or getting them to contribute comments on whatever you are presenting on, makes it much less easy for them to switch off and for you to be more memorable.

SueC_2

aj9648 wrote: »

Hi

I just wondered if anyone had been asked to do a presentation as part of their interview and if so what did you do?

I have to do one in a few weeks time on what my plan is for the first 30 days. I am not allowed a laptop or to show it electronically. So any ideas of something innovative?

Any suggestions?

Sounds like a perfect opportunity to really sell yourself to them - which after all is what the interview is really about.

Make a list of all the positive things you will be bringing to their organisation, then provide details of how you will be demonstrating that in the first 30 days.

ie. Make the presentation about you, but tie it back into the information they are looking for.

Don't be afraid of adding in a bit of light-heartedness or humour - but keep it appropriate to the subject. Remember the interviewers will be seeing x number of these presentations, so you want to do something that makes yours memorable and sets it apart from the others.

Pricivius

My advice would be - make it memorable.

Let's face it, they're probably interviewing at least 2 or 3 others, if not 5 or 6 or even more. You need to find a way to stand out so they remember you.

For example, I once did a presentation at an interview that asked me something along the lines of "research & development - a waste of time or no time to waste?". So I set about answering the question, but likened it to "jaffa cakes - biscuit or cake?", took in a plate of jaffa cakes which I offered round and discussed the VAT case which decided the issue. It added humour to the presentation and was creative, but I also made sure I answered their question too. I got the job and was known as the jaffa cake girl from then on. HR still spoke of it when I left and used it as an example of how to catch their attention and be remembered.

It's risky and you need to show the right attitude so they don't think you're taking the mickey, but it might just work.

SueC_2

Pricivius wrote: »

"jaffa cakes - biscuit or cake?", took in a plate of jaffa cakes which I offered round and discussed the VAT case which decided the issue.

Sod the VAT issue - if it goes hard when stale it's a cake, if it goes soft when stale, it's a biscuit!

firesidemaid

What about the potential to save money as a company?

aj9648

Pricivius wrote: »

My advice would be - make it memorable.

Let's face it, they're probably interviewing at least 2 or 3 others, if not 5 or 6 or even more. You need to find a way to stand out so they remember you.

For example, I once did a presentation at an interview that asked me something along the lines of "research & development - a waste of time or no time to waste?". So I set about answering the question, but likened it to "jaffa cakes - biscuit or cake?", took in a plate of jaffa cakes which I offered round and discussed the VAT case which decided the issue. It added humour to the presentation and was creative, but I also made sure I answered their question too. I got the job and was known as the jaffa cake girl from then on. HR still spoke of it when I left and used it as an example of how to catch their attention and be remembered.

It's risky and you need to show the right attitude so they don't think you're taking the mickey, but it might just work.

Whats Jaffa cakes to do with R&D???

Ok so if I was doing something memorable & and not 'cheesy' - any suggestions? I am presenting to the director (its a FTSe 100 company so pretty big).