| If you get to the second stage of the job | | | | make it 5 minutes, not 10. A few seconds over |
| application process and are invited for interview, | | | | or under is fine and for a longer presentation, |
| you may well find that candidates are required to | | | | you'll get away with a minute or two. But if you |
| give a presentation - a prospect which terrifies | | | | ramble on for 10 or 15 minutes in a supposedly 5 |
| many jobhunters! The presentation generally lasts | | | | minute talk, you will not make a good impression. |
| for 5 or 10 minutes and usually applicants are | | | | What will this say about you? That you are not |
| warned before the interview, but sometimes it's | | | | good at managing time and/or you are not good |
| sprung upon them on arrival. | | | | at following instructions. |
| Whichever scenario you encounter, you can make | | | | How can you ensure your presentation is the |
| sure you are well prepared. If you know the | | | | correct length? |
| subject of your presentation in advance, this is | | | | You can practise! |
| obviously a great deal easier, but also means | | | | In this case, practice does make perfect. So |
| much more will be expected of you. So you must | | | | practise aloud, with actions, until you get it right. |
| take the time to put together a professional | | | | Perform to your friends, relatives, the cat or |
| presentation and practise it until you can do it in | | | | anyone else who will listen. They can also give you |
| your sleep! | | | | some feedback on content. Well, except the cat, |
| Let's assume you know your subject in advance. | | | | perhaps. Although if it walks off in disgust, you |
| Here are a few pointers to ensure a smooth | | | | might want to consider making a few changes! |
| presentation. | | | | The more presentations you give, the easier it |
| Read the Brief | | | | gets in all respects, including timing. So if you are |
| You must make sure you understand exactly | | | | used to presenting, being put on the spot should |
| what you are required to talk about in your | | | | not cause a problem with timing. |
| presentation and to whom it will be addressed. | | | | And What If You are Dropped in at the Deep |
| The subject matter is likely to be something | | | | End? |
| specific about the company itself or an aspect of | | | | If you suspect you might be required to give a |
| the job. Your audience could be anyone - staff | | | | presentation without warning, you can still do |
| members, clients, potential partners, students | | | | plenty of preparation. Choose the topics which |
| considering joining the organisation. | | | | you think are likely to come up and prepare |
| Be Aware of your Audience | | | | those. Think about the job and what will be |
| It's important to prepare a talk aimed at the | | | | expected of you - what sort of knowledge and |
| audience, rather than the interviewers. For | | | | skills will you be expected to have already? And |
| example, if you are being interviewed for a post | | | | make sure you do your research on the |
| in student services at a university or college, you | | | | company - the presentation could be designed to |
| may be asked to explain the student loans | | | | test how much homework you've done. Come up |
| system and other sources of funding to a group | | | | with a few general points which would fit a |
| of new students. The people facing you will all be | | | | presentation related to any job in the field you're |
| managers and HR staff. Some of them will know | | | | applying for and then before each interview, |
| the system and others won't know or care to | | | | prepare one or two points which are specific to |
| know. But you have to imagine that you are | | | | the post concerned. |
| talking to a group of students, all of whom are | | | | Even if you don't get an exact match with your |
| really worried about how they are going to | | | | prepared talk, you'll be so used to presenting that |
| manage their finances. So prepare accordingly. | | | | you'll able to put together an alternative very |
| Timing | | | | quickly. |
| If you are asked to give a 5 minute presentation, | | | | |