UEL Get That Job

Some employers give candidates a subject to present on in advance of an interview. You will usually have around a week to prepare. This gives you an excellent opportunity to get some really high scores.

The Rules

• Make sure you have understood what the presentation is about and how long you should speak for.
• If using PowerPoint :
  • Make sure that you have loaded the presentation correctly onto your memory stick – test it!
  • Ensure the presentation is visually pleasing by choosing an appropriate background colour, business font and font size.
  • Do not overcrowd slides by using too much text and avoid unnecessary transitions, sounds or animations.
  • If you use images to highlight points, make sure these are appropriate for the subject and the audience.
• Rehearse your timings. Ensure you stick to the time given.
• Speak slowly and clearly, making sure you can be heard. Do not read directly from the screen.
• If you have notes, don’t read them word for word. Consider using prompt cards with bullet points to help you to structure what you say.
• Take regular short pauses to gather your thoughts. A pause may seem like a lifetime to you, but your audience really won’t notice.
• Make regular eye contact with all of the people you are presenting to so everyone feels included.
• Don’t stand stiffly on the spot or pace up and down as these will both show your nerves. Relax and move occasionally. Don’t fiddle with a pen, jewellery, glasses etc as this can be very distracting for the panel.
• Follow the golden rule when structuring presentations:
  • Tell them what you are going to say
  • Say it
  • Tell them what you have said.