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How To Give a Successful Presentation During an Interview

Learn how to prepare for and ace a job interview presentation

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Why Employers Request Presentations

What interviewers will be evaluating, how to prepare for an interview presentation, tips for a successful presentation, how to ace a video interview presentation.

Madeleine Burry writes about careers and job searching. She covers topics around career changes, job searching, and returning from maternity leave.

For certain roles at some companies, the interview process may require that candidates give a presentation. Even confident speakers can feel some nerves about presenting in an interview setting. It can be a challenge to showcase your ability in front of a prospective employer, regardless of how much experience you have.

The keys to giving strong, effective presentations that wow interviewers are planning and practice.

Review advice on when employers request presentations from candidates for employment, tips for preparing for in-person and video presentations, and advice on how to ace your presentation during a job interview.

Interviewers are most interested in seeing you present if presentation skills are a key part of the role.

“The goal of having candidates present in interviews is to make sure whoever is hired can speak eloquently,” Melissa Hirsch wrote in an email to The Balance. Hirsch is the principal recruiter at Betts, a nationwide technology and recruiting services firm. 

Presentations are most often requested of candidates seeking roles in sales or leadership, according to Leslie Schmidt, vice president of recruiting at Betts, via an email to The Balance. 

Depending on the role, other factors may be at play. For sales roles, for instance, it’s typical to ask candidates to present on the company’s product.

“When a company asks a candidate to demo their current product, they are listening to their communication style, sales process, how well they qualify and close, and overall selling strategy,” Schmidt said.

Interviewers may also be looking for how well you understand the company’s product and the common pain points for customers. 

If you’re applying for a leadership role, you may be asked to share your plans for your first three months on the job, Schmidt said. If that’s the case, be specific. Talk about exactly what you would do, and how. 

Giving a presentation on top of a job interview may feel overwhelming. It may help to remember that, in a way, the job interview itself is also a presentation.

“You are presenting yourself as the product to be ‘sold’ to the hiring manager,” Tom Cobin wrote in an email to The Balance. Cobin is the founder of DynamiCoach, which offers coaching and workshops to improve public speaking and presentation skills.

Follow these strategies to prepare for and ace an interview presentation. 

 During presentations, interviewers will be keeping an eye on your communication skills and organizational skills.

Communication Skills

Interviewers will want to see if you are well-spoken and can share information clearly.

“Depending on the job you're applying for, they may be interested in analyzing whether or not you communicate in a way that will connect with the appropriate level of individuals (for example, senior leadership),” said Lisa Nichols, career and leadership consultant and CEO of Love Your Niche, LLC, in an email interview with The Balance.

Organizational Skills

They’re also looking to see how you organize and share information. Interviewers will be looking for a well-organized presentation and assessing how you use visuals and handouts and get participants involved. 

As with thinking through answers to common interview questions, a bit of preparation will help you feel at ease during a presentation. Try these strategies below. 

Confirm What’s Expected

Before you fire up your PowerPoint, make sure you have a good sense of what the hiring manager is looking to see.

“Most companies are more than happy to provide extra information and answer questions about the presentation prior to your interview, but make sure you can’t find the answer yourself first,” Schmidt said. 

Before you begin preparing, you should have a sense of the following presentation details:

• Audience (e.g., whether the presentation is geared toward C-suite executives, clients, or another group)

Keep It Short 

You’ll want to adhere to any time guidelines set by the hiring manager. As a general rule, if the timeline is uncertain, keep it short.  And remember to leave time for questions at the end.

“If an interviewer says you’ll be given 20 minutes to present with extra time for Q&A at the end, then your presentation shouldn’t be 10 minutes or 30,” Schmidt said. 

In terms of slides, 10 is a good maximum, with an intro slide, agenda slide, and a final slide with the next steps or Q&A.

Go ahead and share your slides with peers for feedback, too.

“The more eyes and feedback you can get, the better” Hirsch said.

Don’t Procrastinate

If you’re pulling an all-nighter to get it done, that might show. Spend sufficient time, and focus on the project.

“Hiring managers can tell when there was a lack of effort and time put into a presentation,” Schmidt said. 

Keep in mind that multiple candidates may be presenting on the same topic, making it easy for hiring managers to compare your work to others. Investing time in your presentation will help you make the best impression.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Once you’ve planned your presentation and perfected your slides, you’ll want to practice. The goal is to be very familiar with the material—without memorizing it, according to Cobin. That way, you won’t stumble if you forget something, but your delivery will still be natural: Memorizing can lead to a stiff, stilted presentation. To get comfortable, try rehearsing in front of a mirror or recording yourself.

Take a look at some additional tips for giving a strong interview presentation. 

Make Slides Attractive

Your slides should look good. Here are some tips for creating effective supporting visuals: 

• Don’t use too much text : Aim for a few bullet points. “The goal is to engage your audience and make it interactive," Hirsch said. "Nobody wants to be talked at for 30 minutes, and nobody wants to read a 10-paragraph essay that's a size 6 font either."
• Don’t read your slides : Instead of reading slides out loud, you should use them as backup, including data, tips, and charts or summarizing your points, Nichols said. Consider printing out copies of your presentation for the interviewers, as well.
• Add color and logos : But don’t overdo it. Your slides shouldn't look busy or distracting.
• Add your contact information : This will help with follow-ups.
• Check for errors—then check again : A typo on a big projector screen is particularly embarrassing. Review for accuracy, spelling, and grammar. Consider having someone else proofread, too.

Visual materials should support—not detract or distract from—your core message and any supporting points you’re trying to make.

Be Clear and Succinct 

A presentation should show off your verbal communication skills. That means you don’t want to ramble or be poorly organized in how you share information. Limit filler words, such as “um,” “like,” and “you know.”

Aim to make your presentation interesting and engaging.

“Connect with interviewers on a human level. If you start with a stat or a story that grabs their attention and makes it interesting for them, you will be more memorable,” Nichols said.

Then, be clear on the main points you want to communicate. 

Be Mindful of Your Nonverbal Presence 

You’ll want to seem engaged, poised, and knowledgeable during a presentation. To that end, pay attention to your tone of voice, facial expressions, gestures, and other nonverbal body language. 

It’s not uncommon for interviews to occur over video. That’s true for interview presentations, too. Here are some tips for performing well if your presentation is occurring on a video screen: 

• Get in front of a good background : You’ll want to be well lit (but not backlit), with a professional background. Remove kids, pets, and other distractions from the room beforehand. 
• Master the technology before the presentation : Make sure you’re comfortable sharing your screen, for instance.
• Make eye contact : Look at the camera to make eye contact while also monitoring the faces of your audience. Avoid looking at another monitor for your notes or the presentation deck. That can be confusing for your interviewer. 
• Stay high energy : It’s a bit harder to be engaged during a video presentation (whether you’re giving one or in the audience). Still, make sure to keep your energy high. “If you can visualize yourself standing in front of a live audience while you speak, it can help you feel more energized,” Schmidt said.

Key Takeaways

• Make sure your presentation meets the interviewer’s guidelines for topic and length. If you’re not sure, check with the hiring manager.
• Prepare your presentation well in advance, and practice it beforehand.
• Consider getting feedback from peers, friends, or family on both your presentation and your slides.
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How to give a good presentation that captivates any audience

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What are the main difficulties when giving presentations?

How to create an effective presentation, after that, how do i give a memorable presentation, how to connect with the audience when presenting.

If you’ve ever heard someone give a powerful presentation, you probably remember how it made you feel. Much like a composer, a good speaker knows precisely when each note should strike to captivate their audience’s attention and leave them with a lasting impression.

No one becomes a great public speaker or presenter without practice. And almost everyone can recall a time one of their presentations went badly — that’s a painful part of the learning process.

Whether you’re working within a small creative team or a large organization, public speaking and presentation skills are vital to communicating your ideas. Knowing how to present your vision can help you pitch concepts to clients, present ideas to your team, and develop the confidence to participate in team meetings.

If you have an upcoming presentation on the horizon and feel nervous, that’s normal. Around 15-30% of the general population experience a fear of public speaking . And, unfortunately, social anxiety is on the rise, with a 12% increase in adults over the last 20 years . 

Learning how to give a good presentation can dismantle your fears and break down these barriers, ensuring you’re ready to confidently share your point of view. 

It’s the week before your presentation, and you’re already feeling nervous . Maybe there’ll be an important mentor in the room you need to impress, or you’re looking for an opportunity to show your boss your value. Regardless of your countless past presentations, you still feel nervous. 

Sharing your vision and ideas with any sized group is intimidating. You’re likely worrying about how you’ll perform as a presenter and whether the audience will be interested in what you offer. But nerves aren’t inherently negative — you can actually use this feeling to fuel your preparation.

It’s helpful to identify where your worries are coming from and address your fears. Here are some common concerns when preparing for an upcoming presentation:

Fear of public speaking: When you share your ideas in front of a group, you’re placing yourself in a vulnerable position to be critiqued on your knowledge and communication skills . Maybe you feel confident in your content, but when you think about standing in front of an audience, you feel anxious and your mind goes blank.

It’s also not uncommon to have physical symptoms when presenting . Some people experience nausea and dizziness as the brain releases adrenaline to cope with the potentially stressful situation . Remember to take deep breaths to recenter yourself and be patient, even if you make a mistake.

Losing the audience’s attention: As a presenter, your main focus is to keep your audience engaged. They should feel like they’re learning valuable information or following a story that will improve them in life or business.

Highlight the most exciting pieces of knowledge and ensure you emphasize those points in your presentation. If you feel passionate about your content, it’s more likely that your audience will experience this excitement for themselves and become invested in what you have to say.

Not knowing what content to place on presentation slides: Overloading presentation slides is a fast way to lose your audience’s attention. Your slides should contain only the main talking points and limited text to ensure your audience focuses on what you have to say rather than becoming distracted by the content on your slides.

Discomfort incorporating nonverbal communication: It’s natural to feel stiff and frozen when you’re nervous. But maintaining effective body language helps your audience stay focused on you as you speak and encourages you to relax.

If you struggle to incorporate body language into your presentations, try starting small by making hand gestures toward your slides. If you’re working with a large audience, use different parts of the stage to ensure everyone feels included. 

Each presenter has their own personal brand and style. Some may use humor to break the ice, while others might appeal to the audience’s emotional side through inspiring storytelling. 

Watching online presentations, such as TED talks, is an excellent way to expose yourself to various presentation styles and develop your own. While observing others, you can note how they carry themselves on stage and learn new ways to keep your audience engaged.

Once you’ve addressed what’s causing your fears, it’s time to prepare for a great presentation. Use your past experience as inspiration and aim to outshine your former self by learning from your mistakes and employing new techniques. Here are five presentation tips to help you create a strong presentation and wow your audience:

1. Keep it simple

Simple means something different to everyone.

Before creating your presentation, take note of your intended audience and their knowledge level of your subject. You’ll want your content to be easy for your intended audience to follow.

Say you’re giving a presentation on improving your company’s operational structure. Entry-level workers will likely need a more straightforward overview of the content than C-suite leaders, who have significantly more experience. 

Ask yourself what you want your audience to take away from your presentation and emphasize those important points. Doing this ensures they remember the most vital information rather than less important supporting ideas. Try organizing these concepts into bullet points so viewers can quickly identify critical takeaways.

2. Create a compelling structure

Put yourself in your audience member’s shoes and determine the most compelling way to organize your information. Your presentation should be articulate , cohesive, and logical, and you must be sure to include all necessary supporting evidence to strengthen your main points.

If you give away all of your answers too quickly, your audience could lose interest. And if there isn’t enough supporting information, they could hit a roadblock of confusion. Try developing a compelling story that leads your audience through your thought processes so they can experience the ups and downs alongside you. 

By structuring your presentation to lead up to a final conclusion, you’re more likely to keep listeners’ attention. Once you’ve reached that conclusion, you can offer a Q&A period to put any of their questions or concerns to rest. 

3. Use visual aids

Appealing to various learning styles is a great way to keep everyone on the same page and ensure they absorb your content. Visual aids are necessary for visual learners and make it easier for people to picture your ideas.

Aim to incorporate a mixture of photos, videos, and props to engage your audience and convey your key points. For instance, if you’re giving a presentation on anthropology subject matter, you could show your audience an artifact to help them understand how exciting a discovery must have been. 

If your presentation is long, including a video for your audience to watch is an excellent way to give yourself a break and create new jumping-off points for your speech.

4. Be aware of design techniques and trends

Thanks to cutting-edge technology and tools, you have numerous platforms at your disposal to create a good presentation. But keep in mind that although color, images, and graphics liven things up, they can cause distraction when misused.

  Here are a few standard pointers for incorporating visuals on your slides: 

• Don’t place blocks of small text on a single slide
• Use a minimalistic background instead of a busy one
• Ensure text stands out against the background color
• Only use high-resolution photos
• Maintain a consistent font style and size throughout the presentation
• Don’t overuse transitions and effects

5. Try the 10-20-30 rule

Guy Kawasaki, a prominent venture capitalist and one of the original marketing specialists for Apple, said that the best slideshow presentations are less than 10 slides , last at most 20 minutes, and use a font size of 30. Following this strategy can help you condense your information, eliminate unnecessary ideas, and maintain your audience’s focus more efficiently.

Once you’re confident in creating a memorable presentation, it’s time to learn how to give one. Here are some valuable tips for keeping your audience invested during your talk: 

Tip #1: Tell stories

Sharing an anecdote from your life can improve your credibility and increase your relatability. And when an audience relates to you, they’re more likely to feel connected to who you are as a person and encouraged to give you their full attention, as they would want others to do the same.

Gill Hicks utilized this strategy well when she shared her powerful story, “ I survived a terrorist attack. Here’s what I learned .” In her harrowing tale, Hicks highlights the importance of compassion, unconditional love, and helping those in need.

If you feel uncomfortable sharing personal stories, that’s okay. You can use examples from famous individuals or create a fictional account to demonstrate your ideas.

Tip #2: Make eye contact with the audience

Maintaining eye contact is less intimidating than it sounds. In fact, you don’t have to look your audience members directly in their eyes — you can focus on their foreheads or noses if that’s easier.

Try making eye contact with as many people as possible for 3–5 seconds each. This timing ensures you don’t look away too quickly, making the audience member feel unimportant, or linger too long, making them feel uncomfortable.

If you’re presenting to a large group, direct your focus to each part of the room to ensure no section of the audience feels ignored. 

Tip #3: Work on your stage presence

Although your tone and words are the most impactful part of your presentation, recall that body language keeps your audience engaged. Use these tips to master a professional stage presence:

• Speak with open arms and avoid crossing them
• Keep a reasonable pace and try not to stand still
• Use hand gestures to highlight important information

Tip #4: Start strong

Like watching a movie trailer, the first seconds of your talk are critical for capturing your audience’s attention. How you start your speech sets the tone for the rest of your presentation and tells your audience whether or not they should pay attention. Here are some ways to start your presentation to leave a lasting impression:

• Use a quote from a well-known and likable influential person 
• Ask a rhetorical question to create intrigue
• Start with an anecdote to add context to your talk 
• Spark your audience’s curiosity by involving them in an interactive problem-solving puzzle or riddle

Tip #5: Show your passion

Don’t be afraid of being too enthusiastic. Everyone appreciates a speaker who’s genuinely excited about their field of expertise. 

In “ Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance ,” Angela Lee Duckworth discusses the importance of passion in research and delivery. She delivers her presentation excitedly to show the audience how excitement piques interest. 

Tip #6: Plan your delivery

How you decide to deliver your speech will shape your presentation. Will you be preparing a PowerPoint presentation and using a teleprompter? Or are you working within the constraints of the digital world and presenting over Zoom?

The best presentations are conducted by speakers who know their stuff and memorize their content. However, if you find this challenging, try creating notes to use as a safety net in case you lose track.

If you’re presenting online, you can keep notes beside your computer for each slide, highlighting your key points. This ensures you include all the necessary information and follow a logical order.

Tip #7: Practice

Practice doesn’t make perfect — it makes progress. There’s no way of preparing for unforeseen circumstances, but thorough practice means you’ve done everything you can to succeed.

Rehearse your speech in front of a mirror or to a trusted friend or family member. Take any feedback and use it as an opportunity to fine-tune your speech. But remember: who you practice your presentation in front of may differ from your intended audience. Consider their opinions through the lens of them occupying this different position.

Tip #8: Read the room

Whether you’re a keynote speaker at an event or presenting to a small group of clients, knowing how to read the room is vital for keeping your audience happy. Stay flexible and be willing to move on from topics quickly if your listeners are uninterested or displeased with a particular part of your speech.

Tip #9: Breathe

Try taking deep breaths before your presentation to calm your nerves. If you feel rushed, you’re more likely to feel nervous and stumble on your words.

The most important thing to consider when presenting is your audience’s feelings. When you approach your next presentation calmly, you’ll put your audience at ease and encourage them to feel comfortable in your presence.

Tip #10: Provide a call-to-action

When you end your presentation, your audience should feel compelled to take a specific action, whether that’s changing their habits or contacting you for your services.

If you’re presenting to clients, create a handout with key points and contact information so they can get in touch. You should provide your LinkedIn information, email address, and phone number so they have a variety of ways to reach you. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all template for an effective presentation, as your unique audience and subject matter play a role in shaping your speech. As a general rule, though, you should aim to connect with your audience through passion and excitement. Use strong eye contact and body language. Capture their interest through storytelling and their trust through relatability.

Learning how to give a good presentation can feel overwhelming — but remember, practice makes progress. Rehearse your presentation for someone you trust, collect their feedback , and revise. Practicing your presentation skills is helpful for any job, and every challenge is a chance to grow.

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Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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Complete Guide For Preparing Job Interview Presentation With Examples

Learn to Excel at your interviews with this complete guide on preparing Job interview presentations. It follows the important concepts of the benefits and importance of interview presentations. This detailed guide explains how to create the best job interview presentations. After reading this blog, you will pass all your interviews with flying colors.

Making a presentation during an interview can be intimidating! Still, it’s a terrific method for you to highlight your abilities, personality, and suitability for the position and an excellent approach for employers to learn more about your expertise and knowledge.

Your ability to effectively communicate essential information and the quality of your design can frequently make the difference between a failed and successful presentation. No matter how solid your research or ideas are, excessive slides, packed content, and unreadable fonts might turn interviewers off. However, developing an eye-catching presentation can support your expertise and give you more confidence. It is a skill you should invest time in learning.

In today’s blog, we will go through all the components you should include in a presentation for interview and how to deliver them efficiently.

What Is A Job Interview Presentation?

Before seeing what you should include in a presentation for interview, let us discuss what is an interview PowerPoint presentation: 

As your career advances, especially to an executive position, you might be required to give a presentation during an interview. These kinds of presentations help the hiring manager in doing employee performance reviews and let them decide whether you’re worthy of the position. 

You may have to assemble a business plan and present your ideas, finish a task and demonstrate how you approached it, conduct research and submit your findings to a panel, or even give a presentation about why you would be an excellent fit for the position. All these presentations and tasks can be classified as interview presentations as they will convey your knowledge about the industry, organizational skills, communication skills, attention to detail, creativity, and more.

Giving presentations is something that many people find scary, especially when they’re concerned about an interview. However, you might have to do it at some point in your career, so the sooner you learn how to do it, the better. So, in the next section, we will see what an employer expects to see in your presentation for interview. 

What Is the Employer Looking for in a presentation for interview?

The employer searches for a candidate who will stand out throughout the hiring process. They are looking for someone who will blend in with the business culture and who is knowledgeable about their profession. Another method to determine if candidates are qualified for the position is to ask them to give a presentation.

During the interview, your employer might notice the following crucial competencies:

• Your written and vocal communication style
• The way you interact with your audience
• Your profession and industry expertise
• Your capacity to adhere to a brief
• Your capacity for organization
• Your meticulousness

When an employer witnesses a blind presentation, they can additionally note:

• Your ability to function under pressure
• How imaginative you are

In the end, the employer is also determining whether you fulfill the requirements listed in the job description, so make sure to review it while you prepare.

What to include in a job interview presentation template

Here are a few components that you should consider while preparing a powerpoint presentation for interview:

Presentation type and topic

Choose a presentation style before you start getting ready for a presentation. It will impact the kind of template you make. For a virtual slideshow presentation, write a simple slide breakdown or a script for an oral presentation. The technologies used during your interview also influence your presentations. Consider contacting a recruiting manager with any queries before making any preparations if you need clarification on what they anticipate. When given a topic for your presentation, you can plan your study accordingly. Alternatively, suppose you have the freedom to select your topic. In that case, it’s advisable to focus on themes that ignite your passion and align with your expertise, ensuring you can effectively convey your message quickly.

Make a shorter presentation with tons of words, even if you want to impress your potential boss by showing how much effort you put in. Keep it simple with short slides that look good and convey your message. Aim for no more than ten slides, and make everything brief. It guarantees that the material you present will stick in the recruiter’s mind and make you stand out from the other applicants. Some recruiters might even allot a certain amount of time for your presentation; be sure to account for this and stay within it to avoid giving the impression that you lack time management abilities.

Include research findings and quotes from prominent figures in the industry in your presentation if you are performing research for it. It exhibits your business awareness and lends authority to your ideas.

Brand Style

Use the presentation and style of the company. It will demonstrate your diligence in research and draw attention to your brand awareness.

How To Prepare A Presentation For A Job Interview

To prepare a PowerPoint presentation for interview, follow these five steps:

1. Analyze the business

Be sure to research the company you are applying to before submitting your application. By exploring the business, you can incorporate crucial details into your presentation. To learn more about the company’s offerings, application procedure, market size, performance, leadership, and governance, visit their website. Examine news stories, features, and press releases recently covered by the media. If the business has a social media account, review the most recent updates to see the preferred tone and any new advancements.

2. Recognize your target audience

The audience for your interview will probably vary depending on the job you are applying for. It is essential to know who will be at your presentation, their departments, roles, and what they’re good at. For example, suppose you’re applying for human resources. In that case, your presentation will differ from someone applying for a sales or executive role. Hence, it will be more effective if you customize your presentation for the audience. Make a PowerPoint presentation that interests and is relevant to the audience’s technical and non-technical segments.

3. Get notes ready

Make notes on the company or sector you will present for. It’s crucial to be ready to discuss the topic you’ll be given during the interview. The interviewer can gauge your understanding of the more significant business the company works in, so include current industry news in your notes.

4. Adopt a rational framework

Make sure that the format of your presentation is well-organized. An organized presentation makes it easier for your audience to follow along and stay interested. A strong finish, exciting material, and an engaging introduction define a successful presentation. A strong opening grabs the audience’s attention, and your engaging facts persuade them that you are a standout contender.

5. Work on your delivery

Once your presentation is ready, practice delivering it. You can also catch presenting mistakes with proper practice. You can get prepared by using a camera to record yourself. You can also present in front of your friends and solicit their opinions on what went well and what still needs improvement.

How to Deliver Your Presentation For Interview

When delivering a PowerPoint presentation for interview, follow these tips:

• Seek advice
• Recognize your target
• Identify a central idea
• Tell an engaging tale
• Take a strategic stance
• Adopt a constructive mindset
• Get comfortable delivering
• Communicate nonverbally
• Conclude powerfully

1. Seek advice

Ask the recruiting manager for any clarification you might need before you start working on your presentation. Read and review all the directions regarding the presentation first. Ask the hiring team if they would prefer to hear about a particular topic or if you should develop your own if the instructions do not specify one. Next, determine how long you can expect to speak with the hiring team. You can show that you are detail-oriented, receptive to criticism, and have practical communication skills by asking for help.

2. Recognise your target

Find out how knowledgeable the audience is so that you can communicate at a level that is understandable and sophisticated. To better understand the audience and adjust your discussion to your audience’s knowledge, experience, and interests, think about asking for names and positions. Obtaining all your information will help you make your discussion more effective and relevant, raising your candidature rating.

3. Identify a central idea

Be careful to choose a focal point when deciding on a presentation topic. Ensure the audience understands your presentation’s main point by organizing it around a single idea. Reduce the points in your presentation to make it seem comprehensive, well-thought-out, and professionally prepared.

4. Tell an engaging tale

Some of the best ways to organize a presentation are through conventional storytelling techniques , whether you’re talking about a finished project or a highly technical subject. Using a proven method, you can make your message stick in people’s minds and grab their attention. To tell an engaging story, take the following actions:

• Describe the issue.
• Describe the significance of the issue.
• Talk about the difficulties you encountered while trying to find the solution.
• Finish with a powerful impact and resolution.

5. Take a strategic stance

Without being too commercial, use your presentation to establish yourself as the protagonist of your own tale. When feasible, use evidence to support your claims; otherwise, highlight your best traits and the most pertinent experience in your presentation. Seize the chance to show that you are a candidate who can quickly help the organization achieve essential goals.

6. Adopt a constructive mindset

Throughout your presentation, maintain an optimistic attitude while discussing your challenges. Consider emphasizing how you improved a problematic situation or discussing your efforts to overcome difficult circumstances. When appropriate, project an image of being proactive and emphasize your steps to resolve a problem. Let the information and data lead your presentation so the interviewers can grasp your thought processes.

7. Get comfortable delivering

To ensure you leave a positive first impression on the recruiting team:

• Practice your presentation multiple times in advance.
• Try presenting without consulting your notes or reading your script after a few practice sessions.
• Keep track of the time during each practice session to determine the perfect pace.
• Choose the main themes you want to discuss as you review each presentation segment to help it sound more natural and prevent it from coming across as too prepared.

8. Communicate non-verbally

Practice confidently expressing yourself while standing up and speaking. Face the audience directly, have a cheerful look, and smile naturally. To make points, keep your shoulders back and utilize small hand motions. Keep eye contact throughout your job interview PowerPoint presentation, particularly when making a crucial point.

9. Conclude powerfully

Create a memorable conclusion to ensure your presentation is as compelling as possible. A broad, open-ended question that came up throughout your study could be an excellent way to wrap up. A one- to three-word key takeaway that helps your audience recall the presentation’s primary point can also be used to wrap up. Integrating your message with an intriguing quotation next to the organization’s mission, vision, and goals is another effective wrap-up technique. In closing, raise any queries to show you are receptive to criticism and conversation.

Helpful tips For the Job interview Presentation

Here are some tips that you can use during the presentation for interview: 

1. Create the outline

When requested to give a presentation at an interview, you should have enough time to organize it according to a predetermined outline. If the interviewer still needs to provide you with all the necessary information, ensure you know how the process will work out regarding the topic, time limits, available multimedia devices, and participants. Remember that adhering to the brief is a necessary component of the evaluation process, so if you’re requested to do the task in less than or equal to 10 minutes, stay within that amount of time. After you’ve confirmed the nature of the interview, you should begin preparing a presentation that will wow the audience and showcase your qualifications for the post.

2. Establish a framework

Developing a presentation with a coherent framework facilitates the communication of your ideas. A well-considered framework conveys your thoughts intelligibly and concisely rather than jumping from one notion to another. Naturally, an introduction is the ideal place to begin. Set the scene immediately and emphasize how your solution makes a real difference. Next, compose a story using informative statistics and first-hand accounts. It should demonstrate how your skills and expertise help the business achieve its objectives.

3. Improve the visual assistance

Your audience shouldn’t just be able to read the slides from your presentation. They must endorse what you’re saying to keep their attention on you. It entails using fewer wordy slides and increasing the number of images to illustrate your arguments better.

4. Practice For The Job Interview Presentation

Although it may seem obvious, people must practice their presentations long enough. Even if you have a better idea than the other interviewees, there’s a considerable possibility the hiring panel will only understand the relevance of your speech if you convey it well. To find the ideal balance, practice with friends or family and ask for feedback on your areas of weakness.

5. Get ready to adjust

It would be best if you rehearsed to project a powerful presence during your presentation. Still, the hiring panel may try to knock you off balance. Consider potential question topics when you draft your presentation. It might assist you in preparing answers that demonstrate that you have thought through the issue.

6. Pay attention to the little things

Once the creation of your presentation is complete, focus on fine-tuning the minor elements. We’ve already discussed the need to speak deliberately. Still, to project confidence, you should also remember to make eye contact and display open body language. Your presentation will go more smoothly if you are more prepared. Ensure you arrive early on the interview day so you can set up your presentation. Ensure your tech gadgets function properly, bring extra batteries for your remote controls, and allow enough time for a final evaluation.

Lastly, you can ensure you deliver a standout presentation showcasing your most substantial skill sets by giving your job interview presentation more thought and preparation.

Job Interview Presentation Examples:

Here are some job interview presentation examples of a presentation template to assess a candidate’s ability to teach by having them give thesis statements:

What Is A thesis statement?

Introduction.

Brad Cooper

As a seasoned academic writer, I plan to teach English in middle schools. A thesis statement is a crucial sentence that sums up your paper’s central topic. I will define a thesis statement today and give you an example to see what one may look like in an academic work.

Defining a thesis statement

A thesis statement is a sentence that exposes the reader to the primary idea of a paper or essay in the opening paragraph. Your thesis statement is one of the most crucial sentences in your work and one of the first things the reader will see, but it may also be one of the most difficult to compose! 

An example of a thesis statement

It is an illustration of a thesis statement for a literary devices-related English paper: The central premise of this novel is that hardship can lead to triumph with hard effort and perseverance; the author presents this idea through metaphors and foreshadowing.

As I explained in my presentation today, a thesis statement is a paper’s central notion. Since it’s an essential component of the writing process, young children must know this subject as soon as possible. I appreciate your attention to my presentation. Do you have any questions concerning my credentials or the information I provided? I would be happy to help.

Job Interview Presentation Templates

SlideUpLift is well-known for its vast collection of expertly designed PowerPoint templates covering a wide range of subjects and businesses. One notable category within its repertoire is the Job Interview Presentations section. Here, you can find templates explicitly tailored for interview scenarios, enabling seamless presentations during job interviews such as job interview presentation examples. These templates come in various styles, such as making dynamic employee profiles and using the STAR system to highlight skills. 

Interview Resume Presentation PowerPoint Template

The Interview Resume Presentation PowerPoint Template aims to help people with different professional backgrounds increase their chances of getting hired. This template consists of 11 slides, including all the relevant information that a job seeker should include in their resume to seek an excellent job. Job seekers, interns or students, professionals looking for a promotion, independent contractors, consultants, etc. can all use it.

Presentation Agenda PowerPoint Template

The Presentation Agenda PowerPoint template is valuable for incorporating a structured agenda into your job interview presentation. The Agenda Presentation template features four dedicated agendas, providing a clear, organized layout highlighting key topics. The slide can be included in your presentation, allowing you to communicate the issues to be covered effectively. Whether you are outlining the interview process, presenting key points, or discussing specific aspects, this template ensures a professional and visually appealing agenda for a presentation.

Star Job Interview Presentation Template

The Star Interview PowerPoint template adopts a structured format featuring four blocks: Situation, Task, Action, and Results. 

This template is tailored for interviews or presentations using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Results) method to assess or communicate experiences. Each block provides dedicated space to articulate the specific Situation, Task at hand, Actions taken, and Results achieved.

30 60 90 Day Plan for Interview PowerPoint Template

A 30 60 90 Day Plan for an interview presentation is a structured outline that illustrates your intentions and proposed actions during the first three months of your employment in a new role. It’s a tool used to demonstrate your understanding of the position, your strategic thinking, and your ability to set goals and achieve them.

Animated Job Interview Presentation PowerPoint Template

This is another amazing resume PowerPoint template for you. The unique thing is that it comes with animations. These Animations make your presentation more exciting and attractive for the audience. Download it and customize it as per your requirements. Add your details, and you are good to go.

With all the information and tips in this detailed article, you can end your worries and prepare for your job interview presentation like a pro . You now possess all the specific presenting advice needed to ace the interview. If the design aspect overwhelms you, peruse our vast collection of PowerPoint Presentation templates and select particular components (such as data charts, shapes, and diagrams) to give your presentation the best visual appeal.

How long should my job interview presentation be?

Aim for a concise presentation, typically lasting 5-10 minutes, to maintain audience engagement.

What's the best way to conclude my job interview presentation?

The best way to conclude your job interview presentation is by summarizing key points, expressing enthusiasm for the role, and opening the floor for any questions from the interview panel.

What should be the key focus of my job interview presentation?

Prioritize showcasing your skills and experiences and how they align with the job requirements and company values.

How can I handle questions during or after the presentation for interview?

Be prepared for questions by anticipating potential inquiries related to your content, experiences, or the role.

How can SlideUpLift benefit me in preparing a job interview presentation?

SlideUpLift provides a wide array of professionally designed PowerPoint templates, including specific templates for job interview presentations. This resource can significantly help you create a standout and impactful interview pitch.

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Home Blog Business How To Make an Interview Portfolio (Examples + Templates)

How To Make an Interview Portfolio (Examples + Templates)

Are you planning your upcoming job interview? If so, it’s important to stay in touch with what recruiters require to showcase your abilities and professional experience in the best format possible. Interview portfolios become a vital asset for any aspiring candidate, as they allow potential employees to showcase their career information in a comprehensive format, much more detailed than traditional curriculum vitae presentations. 

In this article, we will learn how to make an interview portfolio in terms of content and maximize our chances by using PPT templates to create breathtaking graphics. 

Table of Contents

What is an Interview Portfolio?

Structure of an interview portfolio, personal and contact information.

• Resume and Cover Letter

Proof of Qualifications and Certifications

Work samples, professional recommendations and references, achievements and awards, graphics in interview portfolios.

• How Do You Make a Portfolio for a Job Interview Using PowerPoint

Regular Updates and Maintenance of the Portfolio

Final words.

An interview portfolio is a collection of things that show off your skills and achievements. Usually, when we hear portfolio , we think of artists with big black folders showing their artwork. But now, portfolios are used in many different fields. It is a way to show who you are as a professional. It is like a record of all the good things you have done at work or in school [1] . It includes tangible evidence of your accomplishments and presents what you have achieved. It acts as proof of your ability to acquire new skills and knowledge.

An interview portfolio goes beyond a traditional resume as it offers a deeper insight into your capabilities. In a career development plan , creating a portfolio helps you get ready for interviews because it makes you think deeply about your career experiences and achievements [2] . When you’re getting prepared for an interview, this process helps you pick out specific experiences that have taught you essential skills for the workplace. At the same time, developing an interview portfolio allows you to see how well your qualifications match the job requirements of your interest. While expanding your interview portfolio, choosing work samples and skills that show you are a good fit for the job you want is important. You can even make different portfolios for jobs you’re interested in [2] . By reflecting on various skills for a job, you might realize there are some skills you need to work on. A portfolio helps you to figure out exactly which skills you need to improve. This can enhance your confidence during the interview, and you can talk more confidently about your goals.

When creating a portfolio for a job interview, it’s essential to include various materials that collectively highlight your skills.

• Resume or CV
• Certifications and training
• Transcripts
• Testimonials and personal branding elements
• Professional Recommendations

Depending on your field, you can include specific items in your portfolio to show what you know and can do accurately. Your portfolio can end up being quite significant because of all the things you include. However, it is not appropriate to go through every single item with the employer during an interview. A better idea is to pick out certain things from your portfolio to make a smaller version just for the interview. This smaller portfolio can be shown during the interview to prove skills relevant to the job.

When making a portfolio for a job interview, provide updated contact information. This includes your full name, professional email address, phone number, and LinkedIn profile URL.  A professional headshot also enhances your portfolio by giving it a personal touch. Additionally, you can also add a concise personal branding statement that can establish your unique identity as an applicant.

Personal branding has a significant impact on career success. 85 % of hiring managers say that a job candidate’s personal brand affects their hiring choices [3] . Your personal brand should present what you’re good at, build trust, and show what makes you unique in your current or desired field. A well-written personal brand can decide whether you’re a good fit for the job you’re applying for.

To understand it better, we will use the job interview portfolio of an IT candidate as an example.

Resume and Cover Letter 

Another vital element of your interview portfolio is your resume and cover letter. A resume summarises your career path, focusing on essential skills, experiences, and accomplishments. On the other hand, a cover letter is a personalized message expressing your interest in a particular job. Both are submitted together.

In a resume, you should highlight your information in an organized and professional manner.  At the same time, you have to customize your cover letter based on the specific requirements of each job you are applying for. Your cover letter highlights how your background aligns with the job posting requirements. This includes explaining your interests in the company that will contribute to its success [4] . Therefore, it would be great to elaborate on relevant points from your resume and express how you would be a valuable addition to their team.

Evidence of your qualifications and certifications enhances your credibility as a potential candidate in your interview portfolio. Whether it is a bachelor’s degree, a certificate, or a professional endorsement, they present your dedication in a relevant field. For instance, in the technology sector, certifications like CompTIA A+, Cisco CCNA, or AWS Certified Solutions Architect hold great value in highlighting specialized abilities. Make sure to truthfully present your qualifications and furnish any required paperwork to support your claims.

For example:

John’s Portfolio includes his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and certifications in Agile Development and AWS Certified Solutions Architect. These credentials validate his expertise in software development and cloud computing, making him a strong candidate for IT infrastructure or application development roles.

Work samples also portray your capabilities and accomplishments in your interview presentation . We suggest choosing projects or assignments that show your skills and achievements relevant to the position you’re applying for.  Provide a reflection statement for every sample included in the portfolio [2] . This statement should briefly describe the sample item and the context in which it was created. Additionally, the reflection statement should offer a detailed list of the competencies developed by the sample. This part of the reflection is crucial as it details the specific skills and abilities highlighted by each portfolio element. Thus, a work sample is a valuable tool in the interview process.

Software developers may include code samples or links to GitHub repositories highlighting their coding proficiency. Network administrators would select diagrams or documentation outlining infrastructure projects they’ve managed.  It is essential to annotate each work sample to provide context and highlight your contributions.

For Example:

John’s work samples include a web application he developed using React.js and Node.js, demonstrating his proficiency in full-stack web development. He also includes a case study detailing a network infrastructure upgrade project he led, highlighting his ability to design and implement scalable IT solutions.

A strong endorsement from a trusted source can significantly enhance your credibility and make a positive impression during the hiring process. Compared to references, recommendations are more in-depth [5]. A reference agrees to provide you with a positive recommendation for a job or program.

You can choose references who are familiar with your recent work. They can provide specific examples of your strengths and accomplishments. You must obtain permission from each reference before including their contact information in your portfolio. An excellent option for a reference could be your current supervisor, colleague, or professor from your college [6] . It is important to present references organizationally, including their name, job title, company, and contact information. 

John’s interview portfolio includes positive recommendations from his previous supervisors and colleagues, highlighting his strong work ethic, technical expertise, and collaborative nature. One of his supervisors writes ,

Subject: Recommendation for John Doe

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to highly recommend John Doe for the Software Engineer position at your company. As John’s professor for his Thesis at XYZ University, I can attest to his outstanding abilities and dedication to his studies. John consistently excelled in his thesis, demonstrating a deep understanding of software development principles and techniques. His practice projects, like designing a complex e-commerce platform, showcased his exceptional coding skills and problem-solving abilities. What sets John apart is his proactive approach to learning and his eagerness to tackle new challenges.

Beyond his technical skills, John is an excellent communicator and a collaborative team player. He consistently contributed valuable insights during group projects and mentored his peers to help them improve their coding abilities. I do not doubt that John’s combination of technical expertise, passion for software development, and strong work ethic make him an ideal candidate for the Software Engineer position at your company. I wholeheartedly endorse him for this role and believe he will be a valuable asset to your team.

Please feel free to contact me if you need further information or clarification regarding John’s qualifications.

Prof. Jane Smith

Assistant Professor of Computer Science

XYZ University

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (123) 456-7890

Add it to your interview portfolio if you have succeeded in your field. Highlighting your recognitions or awards will prove your value. Achievements such as receiving industry certifications or being recognized for outstanding performance contribute to your credibility in the field. You can include achievements and awards to reinforce your qualifications for the job position.

When explaining achievements and awards, focus on their relevance to the job position and how they describe your capabilities and accomplishments. Highlight any specific skills that were instrumental in earning the recognition. You can also explain how they align with the requirements of the role you’re applying for. Whether it’s a technical accomplishment, leadership recognition, or customer service award, emphasize its impact on your professional development and your ability to contribute effectively to the organization.

John’s interview portfolio features several notable achievements and awards, including winning first place in a regional coding competition and receiving the “Employee of the Year” award at his previous company. These achievements underscore John’s technical prowess, problem-solving abilities, and leadership skills, which are highly relevant to the Senior Software Engineer position he’s applying for at ABC Tech. By showcasing these recognitions, John reinforces his qualifications and positions himself as a top candidate.

They choose the proper portfolio format, whether physical or digital, which is crucial in making a favorable impression during an interview. However, it also depends on the hiring manager or the nature of the job when deciding on the format. Physical portfolios leave a strong impression and provide a hands-on experience. On the other side, digital portfolios offer flexible and simple sharing. The selection depends on the expectations of the industry and company culture.

Regardless of the format chosen, ensure that your interview portfolio maintains a neat, organized, and professional appearance. We suggest using high-quality materials for physical portfolios, such as a professional binder or portfolio case. The applicant must ensure that all documents are well-organized and easy to navigate. For digital portfolios, a visually appealing layout is essential. All files should be appropriately labeled and easily accessible.

How Do You Make a Portfolio for a Job Interview Using PowerPoint 

Using PowerPoint templates can be an effective way to create an attractive digital interview portfolio. You can choose a template that complements your content and goes well with your personal branding. Whether it is a PowerPoint or Google Slide Template , you can easily customize it to include your name, contact information, and any relevant branding elements. However, you must ensure readability and avoid overcrowding slides with too much text or graphics. Keeping the design clean and straightforward gives a professional look.

In order to save time and effort, we’ll give you a list of the best-suited Interview Portfolio PPT templates.

1. Curriculum Vitae Job Interview Template for PowerPoint

Present all the information regarding your professional accomplishments, certifications, work experience, etc., in a highly visual format. Minimalistic slides with bold color combinations – make your career stand out!

Use This Template

2. Interview Portfolio Chronological Resume Template

If you’re looking for ideas on creating a portfolio for a job interview, this template can simplify the process with a one-idea-per-slide approach. Available in light and dark layouts.

3. Minimalistic Interview Portfolio Slide Deck

This slide deck includes several placeholder images across the slides, ideal for showcasing work experience for job seekers in creative careers. It is designed for job seekers looking to create a minimalistic portfolio for an interview.

4. Animated Interview Portfolio Resume Slide Deck

Make your job interview an outstanding experience by using animated slides. This interview portfolio deck is fully compatible with all PowerPoint versions and helps you articulate your information thanks to a clean layout and animated effects.

5. Job Interview Portfolio Box Slide Template

With three distinctive areas in which to fill your information, these creative slides can convey your information in an extremely concise format.

6. One-Pager Curriculum Vitae Template for PowerPoint

We conclude this list with this sleek one-pager template to turn your Word-format CV into a powerful slide that leaves a lasting impression. Presenters can customize the color scheme to their preferred choices. Available in light and dark format.

Tips for Presenting the Portfolio During an Interview

When presenting your portfolio during an interview, prepare in advance to ensure a smooth and professional delivery. There are a few tips to remember;

• Practice discussing each section of your portfolio and be ready to provide context and insights into your work samples, achievements, and qualifications.
• You have to be early to the interview to set up your physical portfolio
• If you’re using a digital portfolio, check whether it is accessible on your device.
•  Confidence is also necessary when discussing your materials, and be prepared to answer any questions as needed.

It is crucial to regularly update your interview portfolio to maximize its impact during the job search. As your skills, experiences, and achievements progress, you may keep incorporating these developments into your portfolio. This will enable you to display your qualifications to prospective employers effectively. Besides, consistent updates will guarantee that your portfolio remains a valuable asset for highlighting your proficiency.

Review your resume, cover letter, work samples, qualifications, and achievements periodically to ensure they accurately reflect your current skills and experiences. You can seek feedback from mentors, peers, or industry professionals to gain insights into areas for improvement and make necessary changes.

Creating a professional portfolio for an interview is a strategic investment in your job search success. From perfecting your CV and choosing suitable samples of your work to showcasing your portfolio with poise during interviews, each stage is crucial in making you a unique applicant in the eyes of potential employers. Remember to regularly update and maintain your portfolio to ensure its relevance and effectiveness in the ever-evolving job market.

[1] Interview Portfolios. https://www.sph.umn.edu/current/careers/students/resources/interviewing/interview-portfolios/

[2] Simmons, A. & Lumsden, J.  Preparing a Portfolio. https://career.fsu.edu/sites/g/files/upcbnu746/files/Preparing%20a%20Portfolio_0.pdf

[3] Joubert, S. (2024) Tips for Building Your Personal Brand, Graduate Blog. https://graduate.northeastern.edu/resources/tips-for-building-your-personal-brand/

[4] Work on my Resume, Cover Letter, and Portfolio. The WCSU Career Success Center. Available at: https://www.wcsu.edu/careersuccess/resumes/ (Accessed: 15 March 2024).

[5] https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/do-you-need-reference-or-recommendation-heres-how-tell

[6] References and Recommendations. https://career.engr.psu.edu/students/basics/references.aspx

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The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience MP3 CD – Jan. 1 1748

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Carmine Gallo is a popular keynote speaker, Harvard instructor, and communication advisor for the world's most admired brands. His new book is FIVE STARS: The Communication Secrets to Get From Good to Great. Gallo is the author of 9 books including international bestsellers: Talk Like TED, The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs, The Apple Experience, and The Storyteller's Secret. Join Carmine's list at carminegallo.com and follow him on Twitter @carminegallo.

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Should You Quit Your “Meh” Job? Or Is It Salvageable?

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Seven questions to help you sort it out.

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Some days, you hate, hate, hate your job. Other days, you wonder if you’re truly unhappy or just coming to terms with the reality that workdays can often feel like a long, tedious slog.

• RK Rebecca Knight is a journalist who writes about all things related to the changing nature of careers and the workplace. Her essays and reported stories have been featured in The Boston Globe, Business Insider, The New York Times, BBC, and The Christian Science Monitor. She was shortlisted as a Reuters Institute Fellow at Oxford University in 2023. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade as an editor and reporter at the Financial Times in New York, London, and Boston.

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When Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass struck a salary deal last year with the union that represents police officers, her strategy quickly drew dire warnings from the City Council’s left flank.

Bass, looking to beef up recruitment at the Los Angeles Police Department, negotiated a package of pay increases that’s expected to consume an extra $1 billion over four years. At a news conference outside City Hall, Councilmembers Nithya Raman , Eunisses Hernandez and Hugo Soto - Martínez described the deal as financially risky, warning that it would threaten other city services. All three voted no.

On Wednesday, the council voted on another set of raises, this time for civilian city employee unions. Those increases are expected to consume an extra $3.5 billion over five years . But this time around, the three council members, who make up the body’s superprogressive bloc , did not voice cost concerns.

Soto-Martínez, during a public hearing on the salary agreements, instead offered his congratulations to the civilian city unions that negotiated the new contracts. A day later, he told The Times he’s not worried that the increases will seriously hurt the city budget.

Once council members approved the LAPD raises, they had an obligation to strike similar deals with other employee unions, Soto-Martínez said.

“It would be unfair to say to these [civilian city] workers that you don’t deserve to have the same thing,” he said.

Hernandez, for her part, acknowledged that the city is facing “a tough budget season.” But she put the blame for any bumpiness on raises for police, not those for other city workers.

“Last year, the council moved forward with an agreement to spend a billion dollars over four years in raises for the LAPD, despite our concerns that it would place the city in exactly the precarious financial situation we are now facing,” she said in a statement. “It’s neither fair nor feasible to then turn around and deny living wages for the City’s civilian workforce in order to balance the budget.”

Raman did not respond to emailed questions from The Times. However, in January, she made the same case as Hernandez and Soto-Martínez, acknowledging that there would be a cost.

“I think we’re going to make some very, very hard decisions ... about how we actually fund basic services,” she said at the time.

The raises approved by the council — not just at the LAPD, but in nearly every city agency — are a huge reason leaders are looking at eliminating hundreds of unfilled city jobs. The police contract covers nearly 9,000 officers and is expected to add about $384 million to the city’s annual budget in its final year.

The agreements reached with civilian city workers cover about 33,000 employees, a third of them part-timers. They are expected to add $1 billion to the annual city budget by 2028. (This year’s budget is about $13 billion.)

City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo , the top budget official, has recommended the removal of at least 1,974 vacant positions, about half of them at agencies dealing with parks, transportation, sanitation and animal shelters. Bass will reveal how much she agrees with that strategy on Monday, when she releases her budget for 2024-25.

Bass has repeatedly argued that city leaders can give raises, balance the budget and deliver services at the same time. Meanwhile, the union that represents police officers argued that the complaints about the contract last year had nothing to do with financial concerns — and everything to do with a push by some at City Hall to cut the size of the LAPD.

“These political contortionists should just fess up and say they don’t like police and continue to vote to defund public safety instead of trying to justify their hypocrisy,” said Tom Saggau , spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Protective League, referring to the three council members.

This year, the police union put about $164,000 of its own money into an unsuccessful campaign to oust Raman from a district stretching from Silver Lake to the San Fernando Valley. Raman assailed the union’s spending, saying she was being targeted her over her vote against the police raises.

Raman, who was reelected last month, did find support from other unions with business before the council. Among them was Service Employees International Union Local 721, which just won seven raises over a five-year span — an increase of more than 24% once compounding is factored in.

SEIU Local 721, the largest civilian city union at City Hall, put $25,000 into a pro-Raman committee, according to Ethics Commission filings. In recent years, the union has made donations to campaigns or office holder committees of a dozen other council members.

In 2022, the union put $20,000 into a committee that sought to elect Councilmember Tim McOsker , who now sits on the five-member panel that negotiated the civilian city raises. That same year, the union donated more than $350,000 to committees set up to elect Bass for mayor.

Bass now chairs the committee that negotiates pay and benefits for SEIU Local 721 and many other city unions.

David Green , SEIU 721’s president and executive director, offered praise for the package of raises this month, saying it will help the city bring on new employees. He dismissed the idea that it could harm the city budget.

“We’re very confident that the city can afford it,” he said.

State of play

— WOOING THE WEALTHY : L.A.’s mayor used her State of the City address to ask the city’s businesses, philanthropic groups and richest residents to help with an initiative to address the homelessness and affordable housing crisis. That initiative, known as LA4LA, is seeking both grants and low-interest loans to spur the creation of interim and permanent housing. LA4LA has already amassed more than $10 million in financial support, according to organizers.

— WAITING FOR HUIZAR : A federal judge granted a request from former Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar to delay the start date of his 13-year prison term by several months. Huizar filed his request under seal, saying it contained “private medical information.” Huizar’s new surrender date is Aug. 30.

— OTHER PEOPLE’S PROPERTY: A judge found that the city of Los Angeles altered evidence to support its defense in a lawsuit alleging that sanitation workers illegally seized and destroyed homeless people’s property . U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer said the city would likely face sanctions in the case.

— RECORDS RELEASE : A judge ordered search warrants unsealed from a federal criminal investigation into City Hall corruption. The warrants, used to probe the Los Angeles city attorney’s office and the Department of Water and Power, were sought by The Times and Consumer Watchdog.

— DEAL OR NO DEAL: The City Council signed off on a deal to spend nearly $15 million in renter relief at Hillside Villa, an apartment complex in Chinatown where dozens of tenants had been facing huge rent hikes. Tenant rights activists, along with residents in the 124-unit building, sharply criticized the agreement, saying the city also should have forgiven $1.4 million in outstanding rent debt owed to the landlord by an estimated 48 Hillside Villa households. Hernandez said she is working to find those funds.

— BATTLE OVER BARRINGTON : On the Westside, tenants from the Barrington Plaza apartment complex were in court this week, pressing a judge to find that a mass eviction being carried out by the property’s owner violates state law.

— LES GETS MORE: The Ethics Commission increased the financial penalty imposed on former CBS President Leslie Moonves over his role in an alleged cover-up of sexual assault accusations against him. The commission imposed a fine of $15,000, up from the $11,250 proposed in February, after receiving complaints that the penalty was too lenient. Moonves admitted he violated city law by interfering with a police investigation into the sexual assault allegations.

— COMMISSION CRACKDOWN : The commission also issued a combined $55,000 in penalties to Rick Jacobs , a former adviser to Mayor Eric Garcetti ; AIDS Healthcare Foundation; Susie Shannon , policy director for AHF’s Housing is a Human Right; Western States Regional Council of Carpenters; and Derek Mazzeo , former political director for the regional carpenters. All five failed to accurately disclose their lobbying activities , as required under city law, the commission said.

— BOOSTING FINES: To continue our theme just a bit more, the council’s reform committee voted Thursday to endorse a legislative package aimed at beefing up the powers of the Ethics Commission. Among the changes? A hike in the penalty for a single ethics violation, from $5,000 to $15,000.

— MORE FROM MEJIA: City Controller Kenneth Mejia announced the scope of his upcoming audit of Bass’ Inside Safe program, which has been moving unhoused Angelenos indoors over the past 16 months. Mejia said the audit will look at about a dozen topics, including the process for selecting encampment sites, the cost of the program’s hotel and motel rooms and the monitoring of expenses.

— INSPECTION TIME: The county Board of Supervisors moved forward with a plan to withhold rent payments from landlords in unincorporated areas whose properties are in serious disrepair. The ordinance, which still requires a second vote, would allow the county to withhold rent from landlords who fail to make necessary fixes.

— NO CHARGES : The state Department of Justice will not charge an LAPD officer who shot and killed a 14-year-old girl through the wall of a changing room at a Burlington Coat Factory store in North Hollywood three years ago. California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta ’s office said it found that Officer William Jones used reasonable force in the 2021 incident because he was responding to a report of a possible active shooter.

— DWP PICK: Bass on Friday picked Janisse Quiñones to lead the Department of Water and Power. The nomination of Quiñones, who most recently served as senior vice president of electric operations at Pacific Gas & Electric Co., now goes to the City Council. DWP General Manager Martin Adams is retiring after 40 years at the utility.

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• Where is Inside Safe? The mayor’s program to combat homelessness went to the Vermont Vista neighborhood in South L.A., focusing on Vermont Avenue between 92nd and Colden. The operation relocated more than 40 people, some of them living in RVs, according to the mayor’s team.
• On the docket for next week: As we said earlier, Bass is set to release her proposed budget for 2024-25 on Monday. The document will outline her spending priorities on homelessness, the LAPD and dozens of other city agencies.

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David Zahniser covers Los Angeles City Hall for the Los Angeles Times.

Rebecca Ellis covers Los Angeles County government for the Los Angeles Times. Previously, she covered Portland city government for Oregon Public Broadcasting. Before OPB, Ellis wrote for the Miami Herald, freelanced for the Providence Journal and reported as a Kroc fellow at NPR in Washington, D.C. She graduated from Brown University in 2018. She was named a finalist for the 2022 Livingston Awards for her investigation into abuses within Portland’s private security industry.

Dakota Smith covers City Hall for the Los Angeles Times. She is part of the team that won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in breaking news for reporting on a leaked audio recording that upended City Hall politics. She joined the newsroom in 2016 and previously covered City Hall for the Los Angeles Daily News. She is a graduate of Lewis & Clark College and lives in Los Angeles.

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A millennial who made $225,000 secretly working 2 remote jobs shares why he decided to give up overemployment: 'The juice wasn't worth the squeeze'

• A millennial earned roughly $225,000 secretly working two full-time remote jobs. 
• He used the extra money to buy a truck, start an Airbnb, and grow his savings. 
• But several factors led him to ultimately decide that "the juice wasn't worth the squeeze."

In 2022, Luke was making six figures annually working remotely as an e-commerce professional based in the South.

But he had a lot of downtime — and he's "not good with having a lot of downtime," the 37-year-old told Business Insider.

"I just figured I'd find a second role that paid well enough but wasn't overly demanding," said Luke, whose identity is known to BI but he asked to use a pseudonym due to his fear of professional repercussions.

Roughly three months later, he was secretly working two full-time remote jobs and earning about $225,000 a year in combined income. He said he used the extra money to make a down payment on a truck, start an Airbnb , and pad his savings.

But earlier this year, after roughly 13 months of being " overemployed ," Luke quit his second job. While he considered carrying on, he said five factors were working against him: an upcoming promotion in his first role, a difficult boss, the recent birth of his first child, higher taxes, and a return-to-office mandate.

Over the past year, Business Insider has spoken with more than a dozen job jugglers who used their six-figure earnings to pay off debt , plan for an early retirement , and afford expensive vacations and weight-loss drugs . While some employers may be OK with their workers taking on a second job, doing so without approval could have repercussions if a worker is caught.

While working multiple full-time jobs can be very lucrative, fierce competition for remote roles has made this unattainable for many people. What's more, return-to-office mandates and burnout can make job juggling unsustainable.

Luke shared how he tried to keep both jobs going as long as he could — and why he ultimately decided to give one up.

Juggling both jobs felt manageable and worthwhile — until it didn't

Luke's overemployment journey was a bit of a roller coaster.

Before he found a second job that stuck, he said he started one that only lasted about a week before his employment was terminated. Luke wasn't sure if his job juggling had been exposed or if the company just changed its mind — he never found out.

When Luke started his more successful job juggling stint, it wasn't too difficult to manage both jobs. He said he only worked between 40 and 50 hours a week between the two roles and didn't have much trouble avoiding double-booking his calendars.

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But he said the boss at his second job often left him frustrated.

"I hate my boss with a passion," he told Business Insider before he quit.

Over the past year, both work and home responsibilities made job juggling even more difficult. At his primary job, he said an upcoming promotion forced him to take on a bigger workload and put in longer hours. At home, he and his wife welcomed their first kid.

At the same time, the extra income from his second job — which paid about $80,000 a year — wasn't boosting his finances quite as much as he initially expected. That's because it slotted him into an income bracket with higher tax rates .

"Of the money I made from the second job, a third of it, I had to basically hold back just for taxes," he said.

"The juice wasn't worth the squeeze"

Earlier this year, Luke faced perhaps the biggest challenge in his overemployed journey: His primary job was switching its policy from fully remote to hybrid by the middle of 2024 — which would require him to come into the office a few days a week.

For many job jugglers, a return-to-office mandate would be the nail in the coffin — at least for their existing working arrangement. But Luke tried to figure out how to keep both jobs going.

On the days he had to work on-site, he could use his personal office to juggle both jobs without anyone peeking over his shoulder, he said. His main concern was that his employer would notice that someone from a different company was using the internet connection.

However, after weighing the challenges the hybrid policy would present, in addition to the other downsides of job juggling, Luke ultimately decided that "the juice wasn't worth the squeeze." His second job would have to go.

But he didn't immediately hand in his two-week notice. That's because he thought he could get a few easy paychecks first.

Luke said his company typically went through a multi-step process before parting ways with poor-performing employees, so it'd be possible to string out the process for at least a month.

But he soon decided this strategy wasn't worth the extra income either — and called it quits.

"I'm not going to try and juggle both jobs," he said in March. "I thought about it, but with the new baby and a promotion coming, it's just too much."

Are you working multiple remote jobs at the same time and willing to provide details about your pay and schedule? If so, reach out to this reporter at [email protected] .

Watch: Nearly 50,000 tech workers have been laid off — but there's a hack to avoid layoffs

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The rise in CISO job dissatisfaction – what’s wrong and how can it be fixed?

Frustration, stress, and increased liability are only a few of the off-putting realities giving cisos cold feet. it doesn’t have to be that way, experts say..

More CISOs are dissatisfied with the role today than ever before, with studies showing that a high number of security chiefs (75%) are interested in a job change .

What gives? Researchers, advisors and CISOs themselves cite a litany of reasons for the current discontentment, ranging from a lack of executive support to the increased level of liability created by recently enacted security regulations like those implemented recently by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

It doesn’t help that in several recent incidents, CISOs have been held legally personally responsible for the handling and reporting of breaches, in particular the high-profile case of former Uber CISO Joe Sullivan , who was sentenced to three years of probation for felony obstruction and misprision for not reporting a 2016 breach.

“The way the role is scoped today is set up for failure,” says Nick Shevelyov, an executive leader with 25 years of cybersecurity, IT, data privacy and risk management experience who now provides cybersecurity consulting and advisory services.

But Shevelyov and others say that doesn’t have to be the case. Executives, directors and CISOs themselves can push for improvements in the scope of the role to make the position primed for success instead, which in turn would mean both increased job satisfaction and — perhaps more importantly — more secure organizations.

“This is a time of great challenge and also a time of great opportunity,” says Steven Martano, a partner at recruiting firm Artico Search.

Dissatisfaction, burnout, and their consequences for CISOs

The State of the CISO 2023-2024 Report , from IANS Research and Artico Search, found that CISO job satisfaction sits at 64%, down from 74% in 2022 and 69% in 2021. The percentage of CISOs open to changing jobs is 75%. The 2023 Voice of the CISO report, from security software company Proofpoint also uncovered some troubling figures, revealing that 73% of US CISOs experienced burnout in the prior year.

Meanwhile, the Cybersecurity Burnout Survey: Quick Read Report from Wakefield Research on behalf of security software maker Devo Technology found that 83% of the security professionals it surveyed said they or someone in their departments had made an error in their roles that resulted in a security breach due to burnout. Some 77% said their stress levels at work have had a direct impact on keeping private customer data safe. And 85% admitted that they would have to switch their roles, leave their companies, or leave both their companies and switch careers in the upcoming year as a result of burnout.

All that, experts say, is leading to churn. The average tenure for a CISO is only 18 to 26 months (well under the general C-suite tenure of 4.9 years), according to the CISO Workforce and Headcount 2023 Report from Cybersecurity Ventures.

Furthermore, research firm Gartner estimates that nearly half of cybersecurity leaders will change roles by 2025 , with 25% transitioning to different positions due to work-related stressors.

What’s driving CISO dissatisfaction?

It would be easy to only blame the stressful nature of security work for such figures, especially as the volume and velocity of threats increase as the amount of infrastructure and data requiring protection expands.

But that would be an oversimplification, says Chris Mixter, a Gartner vice president and analyst. After all, the typical CISO advanced to the top security spot after years of working in the security profession and is used to the pressure, long hours, and all-hands-on-deck moments. They’re mission-driven, and they’re well aware of the high stakes.

Rather, CISOs most often point to organizational issues as the cause of their dissatisfaction, Mixter and other sources say.

One such issue relates to the CISO’s place in their organization. Many continue to fight for the proverbial seat at the executive or board table , saying they’re not yet equally included in strategic decisions and do not have the visibility and communication with the most senior executives and the board of directors that they believe is required.

Consequently, many CISOs say they don’t have the executive alignment and buy-in on the security measures, risk-mitigation efforts, and funding to deliver those that they require. That leads to CISOs being pulled in too many directions, with too little ability to appropriately prioritize where they spend their time and resources.

Lack of C-suite support can be frustrating

“The reason for dissatisfaction is the lack of executive management support,” says Nikolay Chernavsky, CISO of ISSQUARED, which provides managed IT and security services as well as software products. He says he hears CISOs voice frustrations when their views on required security measures and acceptable risk are dismissed; when the board and CEO don’t define their positions on those issues; or when those leaders don’t recognize the CISOs work in reducing risk — especially as the CISO faces more accountability and liability.

Understandably, CISOs shy away from interview requests to publicly share their frustrations on these issues. However, the IANS Research report speaks to these points, noting, for example, that only 36% of CISOs said they have clear guidance from their board on their risk tolerance.

Adding to these issues today is the liability that CISOs now face with the new US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) cyber disclosure rules as well as other regulatory and legal requirements. That increased liability is coupled with the fact that many CISOs are not covered by their organization’s directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance. (Many corporations do not consider CISOs as corporate officers, despite the “officer” part of their title.)

These dynamics leave a widening gap between the accountability for security decisions and the authority that CISOs have to actually enact those decisions, says Shevelyov, author of “ Cyber War…and Peace: Building Digital Trust Today with History as Our Guide” .

Longtime security leaders say those dynamics, along with that gap between accountability and authority, are driving the dissatisfaction, burnout, and churn in the market. “The core problem is the CISOs feeling a lack of support, and particularly meaningful support, from the organization,” says IANS Research senior research director Nick Kakolowski. “CISOs feel like they’re operating on an island, and they’re being scapegoated when something goes wrong.”

Organizations need to change to keep CISOs happy

Security leaders say CEOs, directors and others in the C-suite need to hear that message and then make adjustments if they want to keep their CISOs and ensure their security posture is where it should be.

Those adjustments must close the gap between the high level of accountability CISOs now have and the lower levels of authority they hold in many organizations, Shevelyov says. Closing that gap would, in turn, help get CISOs that full seat at the executive table and other “various stakeholders have skin in the [security] game,” he adds.

It also would help ensure that information from CISOs is accurately presented to the CEO and the board, Shevelyov and others say, something multiple sources stress is a top priority for improving how CISOs view their position and their effectiveness in the role.

“Effective CISOs need a direct line to the board of directors,” Mixter says, explaining that this direct line allows for CISOs and boards to develop and align their understanding of risk, security requirements and the resources required to meet those shared objectives.

Kakolowski agrees, saying “We see when CISOs get regular exposure to the board, the board starts being more aware of security and gives more support to CISOs.”

What CISOs should seek from their organizations

CISOs can – and should – advocate for specific practices, including their inclusion on D&O insurance policies, says Rick Crandall, chair of the cyber committee at the National Cybersecurity Center and co-author of NCC’s 2023 report, “ The Great CISO Resignation ”.

Crandall says he and NCC also believe that CISOs should have a direct line to the board, including a scheduled executive session with the board (or one of its committees) at least once a year. (They note that other executives, notably the CFO, have such executive sessions where that executive is the only exec with the board to encourage open and frank discussions.)

“There should be an opportunity for the CISO to be asked questions and to answer directly without any curating, and that should be OK with [all the other executives],” adds Crandall, who is also managing partner at Aspen Ventures and a member of multiple boards.

Separating security and IT budgets, succession plans can help

Additionally, CISOs should require standalone security budgets rather than having their funding carved out of the budget of another department such as IT, which helps align accountability and authority, Crandall says.

Mixter also advises CISOs to “be ruthless with their time,” meaning they prioritize the demands for their attention and the relationships they have with others in the organization. As Mixter notes, “now everyone wants CISOs at their table, but CISOs can’t be everything to everybody, and not all relationships are as important as others.”

He further advises CISOs to create succession plans. This, he explains, allows CISOs to develop needed bench strength and, thus, delegate more critical work with confidence it will get done. This move then helps CISOs be more efficient and effective CISOs and, usually, more satisfied in their roles.

“CISOs need a world-class team of reports to be effective,” Mixter says, adding that research confirms “better, stronger performance comes with succession plans. But research shows only about half of CISOs have them in place.”

There is hope — some organizations are addressing CISO concerns

CISOs, senior executives and boards are addressing these issues to varying degrees. Joe Nocera, principal in the cyber risk and regulatory practice at PwC, a professional services firm, says he sees more CISOs cultivating relationships and the business acumen that earns them an equal seat at the executive table. He also sees more CISOs seeking D&O insurance coverage and executive sessions with the board.

Some directors are taking action, too. Katie Swafford, senior manager for digital and cyber content development at the National Association of Corporate Directors, says in a prepared statement that the NACD’s 2023 Board Practices and Oversight Survey found that the CISO is one of the top executives most frequently reporting on cybersecurity to public and private company boards.

Swafford notes that “among companies where technology oversight is most needed, CISOs will find boards are willing to help them grow their business, strategy and finance acumen.”

Still, many CISOs continue to say they struggle for the support and resources they need.

“The CISOs we talk to have brought up the stress of the position and the accountability and how their personal liability has changed significantly,” Nocera says. “There’s a lot more responsibilities in the role today than there were five or 10 years ago. And while I’m seeing more and more CISOs with that seat at the table, others are [only] in the room and on the back bench.”

Mixter says CISOs don’t have to accept that, explaining that those who aren’t satisfied with the level of attention and support that boards and executive teams give to security could walk. As he notes, “supply and demand favors the CISO today.”

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Mary K. Pratt is a freelance writer based in Massachusetts.

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