Powerpoint Presentation for Interview

chooey

I'm hoping that you could give me some tips for a presentation for an interview that I have coming up in the next couple of weeks. They have asked me to do a 5 minute presentation, preferably on how my experience will help with the job. I'm just not sure how to frame the presentation slides, how many is too many and whether to use any special effects or just do keywords on a slide and talk.
Also should I stand up when I do the presentation even if not asked to? Does it look better if I stand to give it?
Thanks for your help.

j4vier

As a general rule, I would say that standing up and position yourself at the side of the screen would be suitable for an interview context.

If possible, have a graphical approach to your talk. Lines and lines of text rarely make an impact

I'd make sure that you don't go above the allocated time and you don't stare at the screen but engage visually with the audience

Also I'd invest in a good laser pointer.

wally1990

Make eye contact with all of the people

Minimum text and use bullet points that you will elaborate on when speaking so your not just reading loads of text from the PP

Standing up straight with good posture when presentation at the side of the screen

Keep visual effects to a minimum (eg fade in text etc ) and use only where required

Keep slides to 4/5 etc

Be confident and practice before you go into the interview

Have a good structure to the slide show

Have a QandA slide maybe at the end and be prepared for different questions and have prepared answered based info in your slide

Use a bit of color or images

Don’t just have black text

Ensure it looks professional

Best of luck

banie01

If the company has/uses a branded deck for presentations be sure to use that for yours.

j4vier

Mr.S wrote:

Print off hand out versions (3 slides per page) and bring them with you for each person at the interview.

Good point

Expect the unexpected

What if there are technical problems on the day? Bring printouts with you to account for that

chooey

Great tips. Thanks so much to you all. I feel that it will be quite difficult to keep to 5 minutes as I have to talk about how my experience makes me suitable for the role so what I was thinking of doing is listing what they're looking for and then talking about how I have experience for that. Not sure if that will be too boring though

Redser87

No, your idea sounds perfect, it shows that you are motivated enough to respond to the specific needs of the company and the role. Practice with a timer and a tactfully honest friend!

Tell me how

Practice, practice, practice.

It won't actually take that much effort but get to the point where you know what's on the screen without having to constantly stare at it.

Agree wrt animations, keep it simple.
Don't include any gifs, meme images either would be my advice.

Don't waste first slide or last with introducing yourself and then asking do they have any questions, you can verbally say that at the end and leave the last slide with content you'd be very happy discussing.

Dog walker 1234

5 minutes is a short time. I would prioritise a max of 5 key skills/qualities you have that would be beneficial to the job. Then one minute per point.

I would think that the interviewers will frame some of their questions off your presentation. Use it to your advantage!

Best of luck.