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Home Blog Presentation Ideas How to Give A Compelling Interview Presentation: Tips, Examples and Topic Ideas

How to Give A Compelling Interview Presentation: Tips, Examples and Topic Ideas

Interview presentations have now become the new norm for most industries. They are popular for sales, marketing, technology, and academic positions. If you have been asked to deliver one for your job interview presentation, prepare to build a strong case for yourself as a candidate.

Giving a general presentation is already daunting. But selling yourself is always the hardest. Spectacular credentials and stellar expertise don’t count much if you cannot present them clearly, which you are expected to do during your interview presentation.

So, let’s prime you up for the challenge. This post is action-packed with job interview PowerPoint presentation examples and will teach you the best way to do a presentation without stressing too much!

Table of Contents

What is an Interview Presentation?

What should an interview presentation look like, how to prepare for a job interview presentation: the basics, define your structure, what slides to include, how to come up with 15-minute interview presentation ideas, how to conclude your interview presentation, how to prepare for an interview: the final tips, what to do at the first interaction with the company elevator pitch for interview, presentation design tips, how to overcome presentation anxiety, tips on maintaining positive body language throughout the presentation, your final act.

An interview presentation, also known as a job interview presentation or interview portfolio, is a formal and structured way for candidates to showcase their skills, qualifications, and suitability for a specific job position during an interview. It goes beyond the typical Q&A format of interviews, allowing candidates to demonstrate their expertise through a prepared presentation. Employers commonly request interview presentations in various industries, such as sales, marketing, technology, academia, and management roles. These presentations serve several important purposes: assessing communication skills, evaluating cultural fit, measuring expertise, analyzing problem-solving skills, and observing presentation skills. While the specific format and requirements of interview presentations vary widely, candidates typically receive guidelines from the employer regarding the topic, duration, and any specific criteria to be addressed. In essence, an interview presentation is an opportunity for candidates to make a compelling case for their candidacy, showcasing their qualifications, experience, and suitability for the job. It requires careful preparation, effective communication, and the ability to engage and persuade the interview panel. A successful interview presentation can significantly enhance a candidate’s chances of securing the desired position.

Think of your interview presentation as a sales pitch.

Your goal is to convince the human resources team that you are the best candidate. The kick here is that you will present to a warm audience – you already impressed them enough with your resume to be called in for an interview. We recommend generating a strategy and presentation based on a 30 60 90 Day Plan .

Employers request interview presentations for a few simple reasons:

• To assess your communication and public speaking skills.
• To understand whether you are the right cultural fit for the company.
• To develop a better sense of how well-versed you are in the domain .

So, your first job is ensuring your presentation fits the criteria. Review the company’s job description again and jot down all the candidate requirements. Take the time to read about their company values and mission. Be proactive and ask precisely what you should cover during your presentation.

Most interview presentations will differ in content and style, but here’s a quick example to give you more context:

[ Use This Template ]

Before you get elbow-deep in designing that PowerPoint for a job interview presentation, do some scouting and reach out to the HR team with a few questions.

You want your presentation to be on-point and technically accurate, so ask your contact the following:

• How long should an interview presentation be? Fifteen minutes is the golden standard, though some employers may ask to cut it down to just 10 minutes or extend it to 20-25.
• Who exactly will be present? A conversational presentation would undoubtedly be welcomed by your peers and a team leader but may appear too casual for the senior managers or board of directors.
• Does the HR team have a particular agenda in mind? Ask some leading questions to understand what kind of skills/experience they want you to demonstrate. If needed, use a proper agenda slide to include your content.
• What’s the IT setup? Should you bring your laptop? Do you need an adapter to connect to their projector? What kind of presentation software have they installed – PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides?

Everyone appreciates clarity.

In fact, 89% of professionals state their ability to communicate with clarity directly impacts their career and income.

Your presentation should flow, not rumble. Make sure that your story is easy to follow and your key message is easy to digest, remember, and pass on. If you want people to retain your main points, opt for the following structure:

Source: this infographic was created with  3 Steps Editable 3D Ladder Infographic

Here’s an interview presentation example styled in this fashion.

What is: The company’s presence in the Middle East is low. Only 15% of revenues come from the top markets.

Why this matters: The UAE fashion market alone is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21% during the next five years.

What could be: I have helped my previous employer open a flagship store in Dubai, have a lot of industry contacts, and am familiar with the local legislature. Your brand can expect a 17% revenue growth within one year of opening.

You can find even more ideas for designing your presentations in this post .

The choice of slides will largely depend on whether you are asked to talk about yourself or present on some task that you will be required to do as part of your job (e.g., create marketing campaigns).

Most interview presentation templates feature the following slides:

• Opening Slide
• Quick Bio/Personal Summary
• Career Path
• Education timeline
• Key Skills and Expertise
• Case studies/examples of the problems you have solved at your past jobs
• Your vision for your future role.
• What exactly can you bring in as the candidate (we will come back to this one later on!)

Can’t figure out where to start? Check out our AI PowerPoint generator to create an entire interview slide deck in a couple of clicks, or just download a job interview template . Swipe down to learn from the either of the following job interview presentation samples.

Typically, a talent acquisition team will suggest broad interview presentation topics for you. For example, if you are applying for a sales position, they may ask you to develop a sales presentation for some product (real or imaginary).

Some employers will request a short presentation about you or your hobbies to understand whether you are a good “fit” for the team and share the company’s values. Remember this: your audience will be assessing your aptitude for the role, no matter which topic you were given.

In fact, the interviewers at this point don’t care that much about your experience and skills. They want to know how you can apply those to solve the company’s pressing problems – meet sales targets, improve ROI from social media marketing or help them earn more revenue.

Your job is to make an educated guess… predict the most wrenching problem, and pitch your “magic pill” during your interview presentation.

I know what you are thinking – but how do I find the right opportunity/problem to tackle?

Businesses across different industries pretty much struggle with the same generic challenges related to either of the following:

Your topic should clearly address one of these areas and offer a potential roadmap for solving some specific problem within it.

Let’s say that you are applying for a sales role. Clearly, you will want to tackle the “customer audience” set of problems. To refine your idea, ask yourself the following questions:

• Can you think of a new customer segment the company should target? Who are they, what do they want, and how you can help the company reach them?
• Do you have a network or experience to identify and pitch new clients?
• Can you think of new collaboration opportunities the company could use to attract a whole new niche of customers?

So a sample job interview presentation about yourself should include a series of Problem & Solution Slides , showing exactly how you will address that issue if the company hires you.

Here’s another PowerPoint presentation about yourself for job interview example worth using – incorporate a case study slide, showing how you have successfully solved a similar problem for your past employer.

Wrap up your presentation by laying out the key steps the company needs to take. Give an estimate of how much time it will take to tackle the problem, and what changes/investments should be made.

Your conclusion should tell this: “Hire me and I will solve this problem for you in no time!”.

Source: StockSnap

Dial-Up Your Power

Take a deep breath and strike a “power pose” before you enter the room.

According to her research, power posers performed better during interviews and were more likely to get hired. Another study also proved this theory: unaware judges gave major preference to the power-primed applicants. So yes, pep talks do work!

The first 30 Seconds Count The Most

What you do and say in the first 30 seconds will make the most impact. Psychological  research  shows that listeners form opinions about your personality and intelligence in the first 30 seconds of the interview. So be sure to start with a compelling opening, framing exactly how you want to be perceived.

Try To Appear Similar to the Interviewer

Lauren Rivera, a professor from Kellogg School,  came to the conclusion that interviewers tend to hire “people like them” .

Even the top human resource management folks fall for this bias and tend to base their evaluations on how similar a candidate is to them, instead of trying to decide whether the person’s skill set is ideal for the position. So to be liked, you will have to act relatable.

Back up your statements with facts

To deliver a presentation with a bang, you can make use of pre-analyzed facts to support your hypothesis. Make sure to do your homework, study the company and its competitive landscape, and do the professional work you would have done as a member of the company crew. At some point in your interview presentation, you go “off the script”, and pull out a bunch of documents, supporting your statements.

For example, you can give away a quick plan indicating a number of things the employer could do today to save money, even if they don’t hire you. Make sure to be meticulous; your work will speak for you. But giving away this work will show the employer your commitment, skills, and focus.

And that’s exactly how to make your job interview presentation stand out. Most candidates just ramble about their skills and past career moves. You bring specificity and proof to the platter, showing exactly what makes you a great hire fair and square.

Within a selection process, there are many interactions (interviews and dynamics) that you must successfully complete in order to be the next selected candidate. One of your objectives in this first interaction should be to generate a great first impression in the company. For this, we recommend using the Elevator Pitch for Interview technique.

The Elevator Pitch for Interview will allow you to present yourself in a solid and professional way in less than 60 seconds, in order to generate an outstanding first impression.

What is an Elevator Pitch for an Interview?

The Elevator Pitch is a condensed speech about yourself that aims to generate engagement in no more than 60 seconds. Entrepreneurs widely use this type of speech to persuade investors and job seekers in job interviews. Your Elevator Pitch for the Interview will generate a great first impression to the employer and be better positioned than other candidates. If your goal is to make a convincing presentation in a job interview, your Elevator Pitch needs to be well crafted.

How to Make an Elevator Pitch for an Interview

There are many ways and tips to make an excellent Elevator Pitch for a job interview. This section provides you with essential advice to make your interview more convincing.

Identify your target

You need to know to whom you are presenting yourself. Is it a recruiter? or an executive?. Your Elevator Pitch will change depending on the receiver.

Comprehend the needs of the hiring company

Make an advanced study about the search requirements for the job position. Identify your strengths. Highlight them. Demonstrate your experience. Identify your weaknesses. Show that you have a profile that seeks constant improvement

Create a clear, concise, and truthful Elevator Pitch

This point is critical. Your Elevator Pitch must be clear, concise, genuine, and impactful. Go from less to more. Generate a real hook in your audience. Try not to go off-topic or talk too much, and be brief in everything you want to say.

Speak naturally and confidently

If you can speak fluently and naturally, you can show a confident profile. Show you know what you are talking about and what you want.

Elevator Pitch Example for Job Seekers

This section illustrates an Elevator Pitch Example targeted to Recruiters. It will help you put together your own.

“My name is [NAME]. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, I have spent the last five years accumulating professional experience as a Project Assistant and Project Manager. I have successfully managed intangible products’ planning, strategy, and launch these past few years. I was excited to learn about this opportunity in Big Data – I’ve always been passionate about how technology and the use of information can greatly improve the way we live. I would love the opportunity to bring my project management and leadership skills to this position.”

Ways to avoid common mistakes in your Elevator Pitch

Keep in mind the following points to avoid making mistakes in your Elevator Pitch for an Interview.

Don’t hurry to make your Elevator Pitch

The Elevator Pitch lasts approximately 60 seconds. Do it on your own time and naturally, as long as you make it clear and concise.

Do not always use the same Elevator Pitch for all cases

One recommendation is not to repeat the same Elevator Pitch in all your interviews. Make changes. Try new options and ways of saying the information. Try different versions and check with your experience which generates more engagement and persuasion.

Make it easy to understand

Articulate your pitch as a story. Think that the person in front of you does not know you and is interested in learning more about your profile. Don’t make your Elevator Pitch challenging to appear more sophisticated. Simply generate a clear and easy-to-understand narrative, where all the data you tell is factual and verifiable.

Don’t forget to practice it

Practice is the key to success. Your Elevator Pitch for Interview will become more professional, convincing, and natural with practice.

How to End an Elevator Pitch?

An essential aspect of ending an Elevator Pitch for an Interview is demonstrating interest and passion for the position. You have already presented yourself and established that you have the necessary background for the job. Closing with phrases revealing passion and attitude will help reinforce your pitch.

We recommend you use expressions such as:

“I have always been interested and curious about the area in which the company operates, and it would be a great challenge for me to be able to perform in this position.”

“I have been interested in moving into your company for a while, and I love what your team is doing in IT.”

“I would like to advance my career with an employer with the same values. I know that thanks to my profile and experience, I can make excellent contributions to your company.”

Keep It Visual: Use visuals like images, graphs, and charts to convey your points effectively. Visuals can make complex information more accessible and engaging. Consistency Matters: Maintain a consistent design throughout your presentation. Use the same fonts, color schemes, and formatting to create a cohesive look. Practice Timing: Be mindful of the allotted time for your presentation. Practice to ensure you can comfortably cover your content within the time limit. Engage the Audience: Incorporate elements that engage the audience, such as questions, anecdotes, or real-world examples. Interaction keeps the interview panel interested. Use White Space: Avoid cluttered slides. Use white space to create a clean and uncluttered design that enhances readability.

Presenting during a job interview can be nerve-wracking. Here are some strategies to overcome presentation anxiety:

• Practice: Practice your presentation multiple times, ideally in front of a friend or mentor. The more you rehearse, the more confident you’ll become.
• Visualization: Visualize yourself by giving a successful presentation. Imagine yourself speaking confidently and engaging the audience.
• Breathing Techniques: Deep breathing can help calm nerves. Take slow, deep breaths before and during your presentation to reduce anxiety.
• Positive Self-Talk: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of your qualifications and the value you bring to the role.
• Focus on the Message: Concentrate on delivering your message rather than dwelling on your anxiety. Remember that the interviewers want to learn about your skills and experiences.
• Arrive Early: Arrive at the interview location early. This gives you time to get comfortable with the environment and set up any technical equipment you use.

Maintain Good Posture: Stand or sit up straight with your shoulders back. Good posture conveys confidence and attentiveness. Make Eye Contact: Establish and maintain eye contact with your audience to show confidence and engagement. Use Open Gestures: Employ open gestures, like open palms and expansive arm movements, to convey enthusiasm and openness. Smile and Show Enthusiasm: Genuine smiles and enthusiastic facial expressions demonstrate passion and eagerness. Control Nervous Habits: Be mindful of nervous habits like tapping or fidgeting, which can distract your audience and convey anxiety.

Stop fretting and start prepping for your interview presentation. You now have all the nitty-gritty presentation tips to ace that interview. If you are feeling overwhelmed with the design part, browse our extensive gallery of PowerPoint templates and cherry-pick specific elements ( diagrams , shapes , and data charts ) to give your interview presentation the top visual appeal.

Here you can see some 100% editable templates available on SlideModel that could be useful for preparing an interview presentation.

1. Versatile Self-Introduction PowerPoint Template

Use This Template

2. Professional Curriculum Vitae PowerPoint Template

This a sample of PowerPoint presentation template that you can use to present a curriculum and prepare for a job interview presentation. The PPT template is compatible with PowerPoint but also with Google Slides.

3. Modern 1-Page Resume Template for PowerPoint

4. Multi-Slide Resume PowerPoint Template

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HR, Human Resources, Interview, Job, Resume Filed under Presentation Ideas

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Interview presentation preparation tips

The interview presentation is becoming more common in the hiring process. It gives employers a better overview of your general aptitude and provides you with an opportunity to showcase your skills, knowledge, and experience. But how should you prepare for an interview presentation? What should you include? What if it goes wrong?

4th Jun, 2021

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What is an interview presentation?

As you progress further in your career, particularly to executive level, you may be asked to give a presentation for interview. Perhaps you’ve been asked to conduct research and present your findings to a panel, complete a task and show how you approached it, put together a business plan and present your ideas, or even give a presentation about yourself and how you would excel in the role. Whatever you are presenting about, how you approach it should remain the same.

Many people find giving presentations intimidating, especially during an interview when you’re already nervous, but it’s something that you may have to do throughout your career – the sooner you tackle this skill, the better.

Why are you being asked to do a presentation for a job interview?

Many employers opt for a presentation-style interview as it gives a better overview of your general aptitude when compared to, or combined with, a traditional question and answer interview, like a competency-based interview . The interviewer is looking for proof that you can do the job and that you possess the required skills and traits.

Additionally, if you put time and effort into your presentation, this will highlight to the hiring manager that you are committed to the role and enthusiastic about joining the company. How many times have you been asked in an interview ‘Why do you want this position?’ or ‘What is it about this role that attracted you to it?’. They want to know how much you want this position, rather than just any position.

How to prepare a presentation for an interview

Where do you start? What should you include? The presentation is your opportunity to showcase your knowledge, experience, and communication skills as well as your organisational skills and diligence – so start with the job description and person specification and pick out key skills and traits that the company is looking for. Then you can prepare your presentation around what they want to see.

For example, if the business is looking for someone creative, pay great attention to the style of your presentation. If it is looking for someone who is a confident public speaker, spend more time perfecting your speech. If attention to detail is paramount in the role, double and triple check your spelling and grammar. This is a great starting point and gives you something to build your presentation around.

What to include in an interview presentation

Although you may be tempted to go all out and show your potential employer that you are committed to the job, don’t fall into the trap of creating a 30-slide presentation with reams of text. Try to keep each slide short and significant and aim for no more than 10 slides. This ensures the information you deliver is memorable and will help you to stand out from other interviewees. Some interviewers may even give you a specific amount of time for your presentation, make sure you factor this in and don’t go over the time limit – otherwise you may appear to have poor time management skills.

Another way to make sure your presentation engages hiring managers is to include a range of formats to help you illustrate your points. Include graphs, statistics, diagrams, video clips, and images to help break up large volumes of text and maintain the attention of the interviewers.

If you are conducting research as part of your presentation, include quotes from industry leaders and/or research pieces. This gives your points authority and demonstrates your commercial awareness.

You should also try to incorporate the company’s colours, fonts, or style in your presentation. This will show that you have done your research and highlights your brand awareness.

Finally, check your spelling and grammar thoroughly! Small mistakes can really undermine the content of your presentation.

Tips for presenting at the interview

Presenting is a skill which can be learnt. Even if you are not a confident public speaker, the more you practice, the better you will become.

Present confidently and enthusiastically - Remember to speak clearly, make eye contact, and use open body language.

Don’t just read the slides - There is nothing worse than watching a presentation where the presenter has their back to you the whole time just reading reams of text from their PowerPoint notes.

Try not to talk too fast - Make sure you breathe, and take your time.

Practice, practice, practice - Ensure you are well rehearsed so that you are familiar with the structure of your presentation and are able to deliver it smoothly. If possible, practice your presentation with family members or friends to get used to speaking in front of other people.

Arrive early to give yourself time to set up the presentation and settle any nerves - Get comfortable with PowerPoint and presentation equipment. Make sure you know how to work any projectors, screens, or remote controls before you begin to avoid any awkward stumbles or pauses.

Stay within the allocated time - If you have not been given guidance on length, aim for the 10-minute mark. Time your presentation when you are practising to make sure it will fit within the time limit. If you need to reduce the content of your presentation, cut out the least relevant or weakest points.

Be prepared to adapt - You may have practised your presentation in a certain way, but the interviewer might not respond accordingly. Be prepared to be interrupted by questions or further discussion unexpectedly.

Breathe and try to enjoy it - By relaxing, you will find yourself presenting better and, if you enjoy it, your interviewers will respond to that and be better engaged with what you are saying.

Tips for keeping the interview presentation simple

It can take a lot of work to make something simple, yet effective, and when it comes to interview presentations less is often more. Keep it short - As previously mentioned, try to keep each slide short and aim for no more than 10 slides in total.

One idea per slide - To make sure your presentation is clear and concise, each slide should represent a different point/idea you want to make.

Stick to the important bits only - If you don’t think it’s important enough to spend time on, don’t have it on your slide.

Use the 4x6 rule - Aim for either four bullet points with six words per bullet point, or six bullet points with four words per bullet point. This way, your slides won’t look too busy.

Minimal text - Instead of writing paragraphs of text, use bullet points and a minimum font size of 24.

What's better for your interview presentation? Cue cards or presenting from memory?

Should you use cue cards in your presentation for interview or try to present from memory?

The answer to this question depends on what you feel most comfortable doing. If you find that having cue cards will help ease your nerves and ensure that you don’t forget your speech, then there is nothing wrong with that.

However, if you choose to use cue cards, you should not rely too heavily on them. You shouldn’t stand in front of the interviewers and look down at the cards continuously, neither should you write your whole speech out on the cards and read directly from them. They are cue cards for a reason and should only give you prompts on what to talk about. If your interview presentation has a lot of statistics on, using cue cards to remember the figures if you are unable to memorise them all is an excellent strategy.

What to do when things go wrong

You can practice your interview presentation as much as possible, but something may still go wrong and it’s important to be prepared for this eventuality. Here are some things that could go wrong and how to deal with them: Technical issues

There is not a lot you can do to prevent technical issues, especially if you are using someone else’s computer. But there are ways you can prepare just in case. Ensuring you have access to multiple sources of your presentation is key. Email the file to yourself and the recruiter, bring a copy on a USB stick and printed handouts. This way you are covered if anything goes wrong with the file you’re intending to use.

Your mind goes blank

Even those who are pros at presenting can sometimes lose their train of thought and find that their mind goes blank. The key here is not to panic. If possible, take a bottle or glass of water in with you and use this chance to take a sip, breathe and try to relax. Then look at your presentation slide or your cue cards and pick up where you left off. It may be helpful to repeat the last point you made as saying it out loud could spark your memory for your next point.

You are asked a question that you don’t know how to respond to

If you have allotted time at the end of your presentation to allow the interviewer to ask any questions (which is recommended), don’t worry if someone asks a question that you are not sure on. It may be that the interviewer is looking to see how you respond to a challenging question, so how you react is often more important than the answer itself.

If you do not understand the question, ask the person to explain. There is nothing wrong with doing this and shows more confidence than just saying that you don’t know. If you understand the question but are not sure of the answer, then admit that you don’t have the full answer, provide what information you do have, and offer to come back to them at a later date with a complete answer.

10-minute interview presentation template

Below is a presentation for interview example. Use this as a baseline and adapt or reorder where appropriate based on the task you have been set by the interviewer. Slide 1 - Introduction – Reiterate the objectives you have been set and lay out the structure of your presentation so that the interviewers know what to expect. Slide 2 - About you – Detail your professional experience, skills and working style. Slide 3 - Company history – Give a brief summary of the company history, any milestones or awards. Slides 4-7 - Answering the brief – Give your responses to questions you’ve been asked to answer, the benefits and limitations of your suggestions. Slide 8 - Question and answers – Include a slide titled ‘questions and answers’ as a cue to pause for interaction. Slide 9 - Conclusion – Sum up the key points you have made, reach a decision, and explain your reasoning. Slide 10 - Personal achievements – End the interview on a high with a brief slide highlighting achievements that show how you will succeed in the role.

For more information on how to ace your interview, download our free guide, ‘ Getting the best from your interview: Candidate interview tips and tricks ’, or contact your local recruitment specialist today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A job interview presentation is all about selling yourself. Be confident, speak clearly, and make eye contact with the interviewer. Don’t be afraid to promote yourself and highlight your achievements. This is your chance to really show the interviewer that you are capable and have the necessary skills to do the job. By putting time and effort into your presentation, you can show them how dedicated you are to the role and the company. For more information on how to ace your interview, download our free guide, ‘ Getting the best from your interview: Candidate interview tips and tricks ’.

Using cue cards can support you with your interview presentation, as long as you use them for their intended purpose. Do not write your entire presentation for interview out on cards and read from them word for word or constantly hold them in your hand and fail to make eye contact with the interviewer. Use them only to prompt you or for remembering key facts and figures. For more tips, read our article on ‘interview tips & questions’ .

If you have been sent a presentation brief that you do not understand – don’t panic. If there are words that you are not sure about, do some research and try your best to figure out what the organisation is asking of you. If you are still unsure, you could ask your recruiter as they may have seen this brief before and can give you an idea. If you are dealing directly with the hiring manager, then it may be worth checking that your interpretation of the brief is correct.

It is better to ask the question than present on something completely different to what the interviewer has asked. However, instead of saying to them that you don’t understand the brief and leaving it at that, tell them your understanding of it and ask if this is correct. This will show that even though you are unsure, you have taken the time to try to come to a conclusion yourself before asking for help. Download our free interviewing guide for more tips and advice.

How long your job interview presentation should last depends on what guidance you have been given. Thoroughly read the brief, as the recruiter or hiring manager may have specified the length of time you have for your presentation. If they haven’t given any indication, you should aim for 10 minutes, including time for questions and answers. For more tips on interviewing, read our article on ‘interview tips & questions’ .

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Eight tips on how to make your interview presentation shine

Excellent communication is a key skill in any role. To find the best candidates, employers may ask you to present your ideas

• How to prepare for weird interview questions
• What to wear for a job interview
• Looking for a job? Explore the range of vacancies on Guardian Jobs and find the perfect role for you

Today, 89% of global professionals believe that communicating with clarity directly impacts their career and income , so with the high number of candidates vying for jobs, it is more important than ever to feel confident about sharing or pitching ideas – particularly in pressurised interview scenarios.

As you face the interview stage, it’s increasingly likely that an employer will ask you to visualise your achievements and skill set in the form of a live presentation. Sales, marketing, public relations and teaching are just some of the careers which often request that candidates prepare a presentation to deliver live during the job interview. While you should not expect to give a presentation for entry-level jobs, they are becoming a staple in more senior roles across industries. If presenting and clear communication are part of the job role, there is a strong chance that you may be asked to provide a flavour of what you can do.

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of presenting at a job interview, and even a little intimidated. Creating a dynamic and engaging presentation that effectively communicates your ideas is often easier said than done, and this is a frequent frustration shared by jobseekers when applying for roles. It is not just sales professionals that are required to update their CVs and make them more visually compelling and memorable. Presentations are necessary for a wide range of industries, including fashion, graphic design, education and financial services.

Regardless of the job you are applying for, candidates are keen to make their presentations both memorable and engaging. However, many often fall at the first hurdle and overdo it by creating an extraneous deck of long static slides. But don’t fear – there is a wide range of alternatives now available that can help even those with limited technological skills get their point across and dazzle their interviewer.

Here are eight expert tips on how to make your ideas shine through preparing and delivering a world class presentation:

1. Brainstorm without borders

From the outset, it is important to set aside time for brainstorming. Running your ideas past a friend or partner is a useful way to gain a fresh perspective, but you may find you need some additional help from elsewhere along the way. Many cloud based presentation software packages allow real time collaboration between users online, so ideas can be shared instantly and inspiration can be gained from the work of others across the globe.

2. Choose the right technology

It is important that you choose a mode of presentation that you can operate with ease. You can make the ideas flow better by keeping the work in a platform or programme that guides the entire process, from preparation through to presentation. However, make sure you take care with appearances – there are a range of tools that are certain to impress more than the tried and tested traditional style of PowerPoint, and different programmes reflect different skills.

For example, PowToon is a free animated presentation software that may be best put to the test by animators or graphic designers. Another option is Prezi, an online tool which offers a 3D open canvas for presentations. For a more simplified version of PowerPoint, Google Drive Presentation allows multiple users to view or collaborate on the document online.

3. Have a clear structure

Structure can go a long way to boost your confidence and ensure you give a stellar performance. Make sure from the outset that you have a clear understanding of each of the relevant sections of the presentation. Each part of the presentation should naturally follow from the other. Introduce the subject: tell the audience what your presentation is about. Explain the points you wish to convey. End with a summary of your points.

4. Rehearse

Rehearsing is essential to feeling energetic on the day. Find what works best for you: speaking out loud to yourself in the shower, snatching up presentation tactics from Ted videos or familiarising yourself with your presentation over and over. Keep it short and sweet. Remember to check with your interviewer if they’d prefer to keep the presentation open to questions anytime, or save them until the end.

5. Learn to channel nervous energy

Be wary of becoming too animated – waving hands can distract from your idea. The key is to relax but stay alert. Remaining calm, composed and confident in your delivery will help keep your audience’s attention on the content.

6. Talk naturally

Reading words off static slides is nobody’s idea of an exciting presentation. Prepare in advance and talk to your audience in a conversational (but not too chatty) tone. Even though the floor is yours, think of the presentation as a two-way conversation as your interviewer is following your chain of ideas.

7. Make eye contact

Connecting with your audience is essential to retain their interest. Once you start making eye contact, it will also make the presentation more comfortable for you – you can feel that you are truly part of an exchange of ideas.

8. Answer questions honestly and concisely

This is your chance to gauge the interest of your interviewer and explore knowledge and ideas that you could not fit into the presentation. However, if you don’t know the answer to a question, it is perfectly fine and even appreciated to say so, and offer to provide further information at a later date.

The key to effectively communicating ideas is translating them into a narrative that captivates or persuades your audience. For inspiration, go online and learn from others who do this well. There is no harm in using online resources to collaborate on a global scale.

Drew Banks is head of international at Prezi .

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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.

Table Of Content

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• The Secret to Crushing Your Job Interview Presentation
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• 27th October 2023

During your job search and as a part of your interview process, it’s not uncommon to have to give an interview presentation. 

Here at Dynamic, the professionals we help with their job search regularly give interview presentations. And we offer support throughout this process: From helping them to understand what the interviewer is looking for from the presentation, to actually helping with the content of their presentations.

We’re here to help you answer the questions you’ve been wondering like: What exactly is an interview presentation? What should you include? And what to do when your interview presentation doesn’t quite go as planned.

What is an Interview Presentation?

At any stage in your career you may be asked to give an interview presentation. This interview will likely test you on one or more of the skills that are most important to the role.

The interview presentation you are asked to give can vary largely, depending on the role you are applying for and the industry you work in.

For example, a Solutions Architect may have to give an interview presentation that shows their technical ability, but also highlighting communication and presentation skills. 

Meanwhile someone earlier in their career at a Network Engineer level, will likely have to give a presentation that focuses purely on their technical ability: Because that is what is most important to the employer when hiring at this level.

But the core approach and things to remember about giving an interview presentation

Why Are You Being Asked to Give an Interview Presentation?

When an employer asks you to give a presentation in your interview, it is typically to gain a greater understanding of your skills or experience. These will be the skills or experience that are most important to the role, and can offer you insight into what will be expected of you in the role.

The questions you are asked in an interview are obviously important, and it’s always a good idea to research the typical interview questions that you are likely to face . 

But the interview presentation can be just as, and is likely more important than, the questions you answer: And is typically where many potential candidates are rejected from the interview process.

The interview presentation will also help you to understand whether the job is one that would be right for you. The presentation task will likely be something you will be doing in the role everyday, or something that is of crucial importance. So the interview presentation task can give you more insight into the role than you can get from asking questions in the interview.

The 5 Things Your Job Interview Presentation Needs to Show

Before we get into the practical tips for your interview presentation, there are a few essential things that your presentation must show:

1. That you understood the task and the job you’ll be doing.

All too often we see candidates who have rushed into an interview task, without really taking the time to understand the task or understand what the employer was really looking to see. 

Because it’s feedback we hear from the employers we work with all the time. It’s crucial to make sure you understand what the employer wants to see from your task.

2. Your technical experience and expertise.

Pretty obvious, but pretty important. If you’re given a technical task, you need to show that you’re an expert at what you’ve been asked. This can mean going back and doing some revision around this area, to refresh your memory and prepare yourself for any questions you might face.

3. That you can handle yourself in a high-pressure situation.

Being cool under pressure is an essential skill and is an attractive quality in almost every job. Conversely, while someone may be great on paper, if they can’t articulate themselves or crumble under pressure, that can be a huge red flag to employers.

4. You can communicate well with clients and colleagues.

Communication is key, especially in a position where you’ll be working closely with clients or colleagues. And if you can’t articulate yourself effectively in a presentation setting, employers will be hesitant to put you in a role where you will be presenting to clients.

5. That you really want the job.

If you’re in the interview, then it’s fairly obvious that you want the job you’re interviewing for. But one of the things that employers will look for is who really wants the job.

Putting in the effort, preparing for any questions they may have and rehearsing your presentation, will show the interviewer that you’re serious about the opportunity.

13 Interview Presentation Tips and Steps to Success

These 13 tips will outline the steps you need to take when creating, presenting and what you need to do after your interview presentation.

1. Understand your audience and what they are looking for

The most important tip we can give is to understand what your audience, the interviewer, is looking for from your presentation. 

If you’re interviewing for an IT Account Manager position and asked to give a mock pitch to clients, is it the contents of your presentation that really matters? Probably not. 

Instead, the interviewers are looking to see that you present yourself well, can communicate effectively, and have a technical understanding of what you’re selling.

2. Keep it nice and short

Nobody wants to sit through a seemingly endless presentation. So try to keep the presentation you give nice and short: As concise as it needs to be.

If you’re really not sure about the length of the presentation, you can always ask the interviewer about how long they would like the interview presentation to be.

If you haven’t been given an outline for how long your presentation should take, you might be tempted to put in as much useful information as you can, to show off your knowledge and skills. But we advise having only the necessary information you need to complete the task at hand or answer the questions that you need to.

3. Have a structure for your presentation

Imperative to having a streamlined and professional interview presentation, is having a solid structure. Whatever the subject of your presentation, you should have an introduction, the main points you want to address, and a conclusion.

4. Use images and graphs, not just text

Make your presentation more engaging by including images, graphs, diagrams and maybe even a video if you’re feeling a bit creative. 

This prevents your presentation from becoming monotonous, and can help to break up slides of text after text or large sets of data.

5. Don’t try to fit too much information on each slide

It can be tempting to try and use up all the real estate on your presentation slides, cramming them with information.

But we advise having slides with just the key points that you want to explore, or a graph that will support what you say.

Keeping the majority of the information off the slides gives you more to talk about, stops everyone from sitting and reading the slides in silence, and will keep the interviewers attention on you. 

6. Try to match the branding of the business

Something we advise that doesn’t take too much effort, is mirroring the branding of the business you’re applying for a role at. 

What we mean by this, is to say you’re applying for a job at BT. Going on the BT website and downloading some pamphlet or e-book from their website and matching the logos and overall colour scheme that they use.

It’s not the most important thing in the world, as it won’t save your interview presentation if everything else goes wrong. But it does show you’re putting in the extra effort to impress the interviewer.

7. Double check for any mistakes

And in opposition to this, is making sure that there are no mistakes in your presentation. Because having simple errors or spelling mistakes in your presentation isn’t a great look, and the interviewer will be sure to notice. 

So make sure to proofread your presentation. And even better, have someone else double check it for you.

8. Practise presenting to yourself, or to friends/ family

The difference between someone presenting for the first time and someone who has rehearsed is absolutely noticeable to a hiring manager. So we strongly advise taking the time to practise your interview presentation beforehand. 

Not only will this help you appear more natural when you present, it will also help you to know if your presentation is too long and needs to be cut down.

9. Be confident when presenting

Not everyone is a natural born public speaker. But exuding confidence in your presentation is essential. Which means:

• Taking your time and not rushing through your presentation. 
• Speaking confidently and clearly.
• Asking whether you’ve been clear with what you’ve said so far.
• Even your body language.

Because if you struggle to present confidently and can’t articulate yourself properly, then the employer won’t be confident that you will be confident in front of customers or clients.

10. Be confident with your body language

When you present, the interviewer will be aware of your body language and what it says about you: So it’s important that you are aware of it too, and you’re in control of it. This can involve making eye contact, using appropriate and positive hand gestures, having a good posture, and smiling.

These are just a few tips, but for more information on how to convey confidence with body language throughout the interview, read our guide on interview body language here .

11. Don’t go overboard on time, and leave time for questions

We’ve mentioned the length of your presentation earlier, but it’s important that you don’t go over the assigned time limit. 

It shows poor time management, poor communication skills (if you take too long to get to the point), and an employer would likely be more hesitant to put you in front of customers or clients.

You should also aim to leave about 5 minutes of time at the end of your presentation to give the interviewers the opportunity to ask any questions, without going overboard on time.

12. Think what questions you need to expect

Predicting the questions you’re going to face seems like an impossible task. After all, you could be asked about pretty much anything. But in reality, understanding the task and what the interviewer is looking for will help you to have an idea of the kinds of questions you’ll be asked.

For example, if you’re giving an interview presentation that is a mock pitch to clients, then you can attempt to think of some objections that a client would raise about your pitch. Or if you were listening to your presentation, what are the questions you would ask?

13. Thank them for their time, and reiterate your interest in the position

When you’ve finished your presentation and interview, remember to thank the interviewer for their time and say again how interested you are in the position and in joining the company.

When an interviewer is trying to make a decision between a few competitive candidates, being the one who is eager and actively wants the job can be a deciding factor.

What to Do If Your Interview Presentation Doesn’t Go to Plan?

Hopefully your interview presentation goes perfectly and you can skip this section completely. But just in case it doesn’t, here are a few things that could go wrong in your presentation and how to avoid them.

Technical difficulties

Technical difficulties can be frustrating at the best of times but especially in a high-pressure situation like an interview. And even worse, they can be completely out of your control.

The best thing you can do is to prepare for any eventuality.

Email a copy of your presentation to yourself. Have another copy on a USB memory stick that you bring with you. Print out a few copies to hand out as a backup. Try to cover all bases where possible.

You are asked a question you don’t know the answer to

While you can try to predict the questions you’ll be asked, it’s unlikely you’ll get them all. And you may even be asked a question to which you simply don’t have the answer. 

So instead of trying to come up with an answer on the spot, it’s best to pause and ask for a minute to consider. Or if you’re truly stumped, be upfront and say you don’t have an answer at that time but will revisit at the end of the interview, or at a later date.

While it would be an ideal situation to have an answer to every question, asking for time to revisit shows confidence and self-awareness.

Your audience seem disinterested or not engaged

Interview presentations are necessarily the most exciting things in the world. Especially if an interviewer has conducted multiple of the same interview. 

So don’t be disheartened if the interviewers don’t seem the most engaged. And if they do, you can always ask the interviewers if everything you have said makes sense so far or if they have any questions about anything you’ve discussed up to that point.

This also helps to stop your interview presentation turning into a lecture and gives yourself a pause to collect your thoughts and take a break.

You’re going overboard on time

Before you go in, you should have a good idea of how long your presentation will last. Even so, you can find yourself going overboard on time when in the interview.

It’s important to be aware of how much time you have left and if you’re going to go overboard on time.

But you can prepare for this beforehand. Before you go into the interview, try to think of areas that you can trim or cut from your presentation just in case. That you would like to include if you have the time, but aren’t 100% necessary to keep in, or that you can summarise quickly if you need to.

5 Ways How Working With a Recruitment Agency Can Help Your Interview Presentation

Interview presentations can be incredibly stressful, and the whole interview process is hardly a barrel of laughs. But working with a recruitment agency can be helpful for a number of reasons:

• Recruiters often have insight into exactly what the interviewer is looking for, giving you an edge over the competition.
• Recruiters have seen hundreds of interview tasks and presentations, and can give you individually tailored advice.
• It gives you someone to rehearse with, or give you feedback on your presentation.
• And the recruiter may also know where previous candidates for the job have gone wrong in their presentations, telling you how to avoid these mistakes.
• All of which can give you a big confidence boost, knowing that you have a recruitment professional in your corner to support you

Support with your job interview presentation is just one of the many benefits of working with a recruitment partner. Have a look at our open IT jobs here , or reach out to register your interest here .

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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.

• PRESENTATION SKILLS

Presentations in Interviews

Search SkillsYouNeed:

Presentation Skills:

• A - Z List of Presentation Skills
• Top Tips for Effective Presentations
• General Presentation Skills
• What is a Presentation?
• Preparing for a Presentation
• Organising the Material
• Writing Your Presentation
• Deciding the Presentation Method
• Managing your Presentation Notes
• Working with Visual Aids
• Presenting Data
• Managing the Event
• Coping with Presentation Nerves
• Dealing with Questions
• How to Build Presentations Like a Consultant
• 7 Qualities of Good Speakers That Can Help You Be More Successful
• Self-Presentation in Presentations
• Specific Presentation Events
• Remote Meetings and Presentations
• Giving a Speech
• Presenting to Large Groups and Conferences
• Giving Lectures and Seminars
• Managing a Press Conference
• Attending Public Consultation Meetings
• Managing a Public Consultation Meeting
• Crisis Communications
• Elsewhere on Skills You Need:
• Communication Skills
• Facilitation Skills
• Teams, Groups and Meetings
• Effective Speaking
• Question Types

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It is increasingly common to be asked to do a presentation as part of an interview. However, these presentations often have several important distinctions from others.

Fortunately, as long as you know what to expect, you can plan accordingly and make sure that your presentation is remembered for all the right reasons.

Forewarned is Forearmed

You have been invited to an interview for a job. The invitation to interview, however, has a paragraph at the bottom that says that, as part of the interview, you will be expected to present briefly (and a time limit is almost always given, usually five to ten minutes) on a given topic. You may be given a title, or asked to develop one.

There are a number of questions to which you may find it helpful to know the answers. For example:

• Will the presentation be in the same room as the interview?
• Will the interview happen first, or the presentation?
• Will you have access to a laptop and projector or similar?
• How many people will you present to?

You have a choice: do you phone up and ask, and risk looking a bit nervous, or do you just hope for the best?

The decision is really up to you. It is not unreasonable to ask if you will have access to a projector, and also if you can bring a handout for the interviewers. Other than that, you might have to play it by ear, and see if you feel able to ask more.

Who do you phone? It depends on who has invited you to the interview. If you have been invited by someone in the HR department, then it is not unreasonable to think of it as part of their job to deal with questions like that. If, on the other hand, you have been invited by someone quite senior, you might prefer to get in touch with their secretary or PA instead.

Further Reading from Skills You Need

The Skills You Need Guide to Getting a Job

Develop the skills you need to get that job.

This eBook is essential reading for potential job-seekers. Not only does it cover identifying your skills but also the mechanics of applying for a job, writing a CV or resume and attending interviews.

Developing the Content of your Presentation

It is reasonably common to ask you to present on something like the key challenges that you think you will face in your first month in the job , or how you plan to organise your induction into the new post .

Don’t panic! They don’t expect you to know what you’re doing before you’ve even started.

They do, however, expect you to have a reasonable idea of how to find out what you need to know.

Consider it your first test. Some good ways to approach information gathering include:

Phone a friend – do you know anyone working in that company or in a similar organisation or area of work? Give them a call, take them out for lunch, and pick their brains about the problems and challenges facing the company, and the area in which you will be working in particular.

Use the internet to do some research – as well as the company’s own website, have a look for news reports linked to the area in which you will be working and see what you can find out.

Use the clues in the job description and person specification – do these include requirements for particular skills that may not normally be associated with that kind of job? That might be a clue to a particular issue in the organisation.

Planning your Presentation

There are some general ideas about planning presentations on our pages Organising your Material and Writing your Presentation .

However, it’s important to think about a few points specific to interview presentations too, particularly:

You won’t be able to say everything that you’ve discovered in the space of five to ten minutes. Cut it down to the three main points that you want to make, and remember to emphasise that these are the three key areas.

What kind of visual aid will you use? If you are permitted to provide a one-page handout, how will it support your presentation?

How will you make your presentation stand out from among the crowd, in a good way? You may decide to do this by just being the best, or you could try starting by saying something memorable. Outrageous can work, but it can also be a bit risky, especially if you don’t know your interviewers. It depends a bit on the organisation and also the industry, so you will be best placed to decide what you can get away with.

Providing a Handout

Your one-page handout is what your interviewers will look at to remind them of your presentation. It therefore needs to showcase both the content of your presentation and your ability to summarise and show something in a brief visual form.

You could, of course, simply list your three key points, together with a few sentences about each one to summarise what you said. That will be perfectly acceptable.

But you could also produce something unique to you that showcases your thinking: a mind map, perhaps, or a visual summary of the situation, like a ‘rich picture’.

It does depend on how you think but, for more ideas, take a look at our page on Creative Thinking .

Ideally, you should use your handout as your notes for your presentation too, as it demonstrates that it really does capture your key points.

Handling Unusual Circumstances

You may well walk into your interview and find that something totally unforeseen has occurred.

For example, you have been told that you will be able to use PowerPoint, but there’s no laptop and projector because the interviewers have forgotten to organise it.

Don’t be thrown. Everyone else will be in the same situation.

Instead, use it as an opportunity to demonstrate that you are not put out by something unexpected since this is a valued skill. For example, have an alternative to slides, such as a one-page handout, or make a joke about technology always letting everyone down at crucial moments.

Your ability to handle problems in a good-humoured way will not go unnoticed.

Delivering your Presentation

You are unlikely to be expected to stand and deliver a presentation in an interview, because the room is likely to be very small.

However, it’s worth saying something like:

“ I think I’ll sit, as it’s a bit formal to stand. Unless of course you’d prefer me in full presentation mode? ”

They can then say if they want to see you do a formal presentation.

If you have been given a time limit for your presentation, do not go over it . You may have chosen not to practise fully, so as to be more spontaneous. However, be alert to how long your presentation is taking, and be ready to cut it short if necessary.

Do not rely on being able to see a clock in the room.

Instead, either take a clock that you can put on the table in front of you, or take off your watch, and place it where you can see it clearly at a glance.

It’s not a good idea to keep glancing at a watch on your wrist, as it is an off-putting piece of body language.

People are conditioned to read it as ‘ I don’t really have time for you ’, and this isn’t the impression that you want to give your interviewers, even inadvertently.

Remember to speak slowly and clearly, and check that your interviewers look like they have understood your points. Be alert for any body language that suggests lack of interest or disagreement, as you may want to develop those points further.

Make sure that you clearly conclude your presentation by summarising your key points, before inviting questions from the interview panel.

Presenting in a remote (online) interview

It is not unreasonable to be asked to make a presentation in an online interview.

However, it brings some additional challenges on top of presenting in person.

First, you need to be confident that you will be able to handle the technology , and share your slides with the interviewers. If you have not done this before, you have a choice. You can avoid having slides altogether, email through a one-page handout before the interview, or ask someone for help beforehand so that you know how to share your slides.

Second, you need to think about how you will appear . The section on presenting in our page on Remote Meetings and Conferences may be helpful here.

One Final Message…

Above all, remember that you will be at your best if you are relaxed and confident.

This is hard in any interview situation, but you are testing whether you want to work there as much as they are assessing you. Be yourself, as much in the presentation as in the interview itself. Focus on presenting you: your ideas, your plans. You will then have the best chance of getting the job if it is the right job for you.

Continue to: Interview Skills Coping with Presentation Nerves Dealing with Questions

See Also: Tricky Interview Questions and How to Answer Them Creating and Delivering the Perfect Job Interview Presentation The Most Important Skills for Job Assessments

Digital Marketing News

Job interview presentations: how to crush your next job interview presentation.

The Job interview presentation is a typical, but difficult part of the interview process. The presentation you have to give can differ massively to someone who is applying to a different role. For example, for a junior SEO or content writing position, you may have to do a written task beforehand, and then present on it.

But in a PPC or Paid ads position, you may be asked to conduct some data analysis and report on your findings and what your actionable outputs would be.

But despite this variety, there are a few universal rules for your job interview presentation that you should be aware of: From the key things to remember during a presentation, to common mistakes to avoid.

What is a Job interview Presentation?

A job interview presentation is a task, set by the interviewer, to assess your knowledge of a certain skill or skills, usually one that is incredibly important to the position you’re applying for.

While job interviews primarily consist of interview questions (and you definitely should prepare for the typical digital marketing interview questions you’re likely to face), you are likely to have to complete a job interview presentation as well.

These interview presentations can range from technical tasks and presenting your results and how you found the task, to giving a mock pitch or presentation for a client, or even presenting about yourself and why you are a great fit for the job.

And while there are a wide variety of job interview presentations you can be asked to give, your approach should stay the same.

Why Are They Asking You to Do a Presentation in Your Job Interview?

Employers primarily use a job interview presentation to gain a deeper understanding of your skills or experience: An area that will be crucial in your new role.

An interview presentation or task gives an interviewer a stronger sense of your ability than traditional interview questions. Which is why it’s essential to get it right.

But getting it right, depends on the role you’re applying for. So it’s important to identify which skills the task is asking you to show.

For example, if you’re going into a data heavy role, then a business will be eager to see how well you can work with large datasets and Microsoft Excel. Or in a client-facing, account management role, you’ll need to show you’re confident presenting and in high-pressure situations.

Recognising what the interviewer is looking for lets you know where to focus your efforts for your presentation. 

Key Things to Remember for a Job Interview Presentation

When completing your job interview presentation, there are a few key things that the interviewers will be looking for from your presentation that you need to remember:

These are the biggest points to remember during your interview presentation, but they’re not the only ones. You can always be up front with the interviewer or hiring manager you have been working with and ask them what they want to see from the interview.

11 Job Interview Presentation Tips 

1. keep it to a good length.

Something to ask yourself is, how long should your interview presentation be? Unfortunately, the answer is “it depends”. A presentation should be as long as it needs to be, to concisely and clearly convey the subject matter.

Many interviewers often give an outline of how long your interview presentation should take. And you can always ask the interviewer how long they would like the presentation to be: After all, they will have had multiple people complete this presentation for them before, and should know roughly how long it should take.

2. Make it visual

Your interview presentation should engage the interviewer, but without boring them.So you should aim to make it visually appealing: Which means more than just slides filled with text after text.

Instead of having fields of data, use graphs, diagrams and charts to make these more digestible and visually interactive. 

3. Don’t overcrowd the slides with information

We generally advise only having one idea or point per slide. You want your presentation to be easily digestible, without bombarding your interviewer with too much information at once.

After all, you should use the slides to highlight the most important parts of your presentation, and then go into more detail and expand on them yourself.

4. Use the company’s branding

A small touch for your job interview presentation to impress the interviewer, is to match the branding of the company you’re looking to join.

This simply entails looking at the company website, perhaps even downloading some of their downloadable assets, and copying their brand feel and style. 

While not a make or break for your presentation, it does show that you’re putting in the extra effort, and recognise how important the company brand is.

5. Proofread

When you’re finished with putting together your presentation, it’s time to double and triple-check it. Because there’s nothing more embarrassing than going to present and noticing a spelling mistake that throws you off your game. Or even worse, having it pointed out by the interviewer.

6. Make sure to practise beforehand

Whether you practise on your own or with others, it’s crucial that you practise your presentation beforehand. This allows you to:

• Make sure your presentation flows smoothly from slide to slide and point to point.
• Ensure you have fully memorised the content of the presentation.
• And that your presentation is an appropriate length, not too short or going on for too long.

And if you’re not a natural presenter, rehearsing and ensuring that you’re as practised as you can be is a great way to increase your confidence.

7. Present confidently and clearly

Just as important as the content of your presentation, is how you present it. Your job interview presentation could be full of information and be beautifully written and presented. But if you can’t present with confidence and clarity, the interviewer isn’t going to have much faith in your ability to work cohesively with others.

This is especially important in roles where you’ll be working with customers/ clients, or have to regularly collaborate within other teams within the business.

8. Don’t rush it 

When in a high-pressure situation, it’s understandable that you want to get through the presentation as quickly as possible. But your interviewer will absolutely pick up on if you’re rushing through the presentation and your nerves.

But it’s important to slow down and not rush through it. This allows you to take control of the presentation, and deliver it confidently and clearly.

9. Have relaxed and confident body language

Your body language tells your interviewer a lot more about how you’re feeling than you realise. So aim to have open body language, animated but not erratic. 

Meanwhile try to avoid having arms crossed, with conveys being uncomfortable in the situation. Or having a lack of eye contact, that can convey that you’re not confident with what you’re saying. And if your body language is saying that you aren’t confident with what you’re saying, why should the interviewer believe you!

For more information on what your body language says about you, and tips to improve your body language in interviews, have a look at our full guide here .

10. Leave some time at the end of your interview for questions

For example, if you’re given 30 minutes for your presentation, we would advise aiming for around the 25 minute mark, allowing 5 minutes for any questions.

This gives you ample time to answer any interviewer questions, and gives you the time to respond to challenging questions without feeling rushed, knowing you have the time to think of an answer.

11. Understand what the interviewer is looking to see, and prepare for any questions you might face

While it can be tricky, it’s important to put yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager and interviewer. Try to understand what exact skills they’re looking for from your presentation.

Understanding this will have a huge impact on your presentation and its contents. 

Additionally, understanding the areas of importance to your interviewer helps you to predict and prepare for potential questions you’re likely to face.

While you won’t be able to predict every question, you can prepare answers that can be adapted and used to answer a variety of questions.

For example, say you’re interviewing for a client facing role where your presentation is creating a pitch for new customers. A good idea would be to prepare answers for any potential objections the imaginary client may have to your pitch.

5 Mistakes to Avoid in a Job Interview Presentation

Just as important as it is to know what to do in your presentation, it’s important to know what not to do. Because these common interview presentation mistakes can cost you if you don’t prepare!

1. Being Nervous With Presenting

This one is certainly easier said than done. But it is possibly the most important thing to avoid in your job interview presentation. A little nervousness is absolutely normal. But being overly anxious can stop you putting your best foot forward.

A presentation is all about projecting confidence, in both yourself and the subject you’re speaking about.

And if you’re not a natural public speaker, (and even if you are) the best bit of advice we can give you is to practise your presentation until it feels natural. The more you practise, the better you’ll know what you’re presenting, and the more confident you will feel.

It can sometimes even be helpful to go over your presentation with a colleague or someone who can give some friendly advice. 

Of course, this is one of the perks of working with a recruitment agency, as we have seen hundreds of job interview presentations and tasks, and give you tailored advice on what the client is looking for…

2. Not Understanding the Task

When the interviewer gives you your task, it’s obviously important to understand what the presentation is asking you to do. But as we discussed earlier, you are asked to complete a job interview presentation for a specific reason. 

Understanding the reason behind this allows you to focus your time and efforts into what really matters, and put your best foot forward in the interview.

3. Having Too Much Information on the Slides

A common mistake we see from the candidates we work with is having too much information on your slides. Which sounds contradictory, after all, you want as much information in your presentation as possible, right?

Well yes and no. After all, you want your presentation to be chock-full of relevant information. 

But you should aim to use the slides of your presentation as talking points that allow you to present information. The slides should have examples, key figures, or data on, that allows you to expand on them in your own words. Because you want the attention to be on you, not just on the slides.

After all, nobody wants to sit through a half hour presentation of you reading out all the information that’s already on the slides in front of them.

4. Not Being Prepared For Potential Questions

Part of preparing your interview presentation, is predicting the potential questions you may face.

This may require some introspection: Thinking which areas of the presentation are most important, and which areas the interviewer is likely to focus on.

Realistically, you can’t think of every possible question that you can be asked. But, even the act of preparing answers to potential questions will make you more confident going into the interview, and help you to rehearse everything you need to present.

5. Going Overboard on Time and Content

One of the key things to remember for your job interview presentation is the need to follow the established time limit.

While you may have a lot to say on the subject, your interviewers will be keenly paying attention to how well you manage your time in a presentation.

If you’re in a client-facing role for example, the business won’t want to put you in front of clients when you go over the 30 minute allotted time by 10 minutes…

Or Work With a Recruiter Who Will Help With Your Job Interview Presentation !

Of course, it’s always helpful to have someone who can help you with the presentation in your job interview.

One of the perks of working with a recruitment agency like us here at Herd, is that we support the digital marketers and candidates we work with on their interview presentations. While we’re not SEO or PPC experts, we have seen hundreds of interview presentations, and can offer insight into what interviewers are hoping to see.

If you want some support with your job search, (just like with preparing for your job interview presentation), you can reach out to us here to see what we can do to support you in your job search.

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Eggcellent Work

75+ interview presentation topics to showcase your skills.

Employers are thinking outside of the box to ensure that they hire the best of the best. Often, you’ll be asked to make a presentation to show off your confidence and capabilities. Various interview presentation topics can ensure you know just how to highlight your knowledge, talent, and skills.

Table of Contents

The Purpose of a Job Interview Presentation

Across all private companies, the average turnover rate in 2021 was 47% . Some industries and some positions are higher than others.

High turnover is problematic for a number of reasons. Hiring and training are both expensive and time-consuming. The goal is to hire employees who are ready to slide right into the role they were hired for.

This is why interview presentations are being used more and more frequently. Companies use them to put communication skills to the test. You may be asked to prepare a presentation or present a blind one.

Marketing positions may require a presentation to market a particular product. A C-level position may require a strategic outlook for the industry.

Regardless of whether the interview presentation topics are defined or not, the purpose is the same. They want to see various skills portrayed:

• Preparedness
• Understanding of the subject
• Ability to engage with the audience
• Ability to stay organized
• Ability to communicate
• Organization level

Essentially, they want someone who is able to stand out against all of the other candidates.

You can stand out by choosing an interesting presentation topic or a unique way to present it. You’ll also want to show that you meet all of the core competencies of the job description.

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Popular interview presentation topics.

There are plenty of interview presentation ideas that you can choose from. However, it’s important to consider the kind of job you’re applying for, the target audience that you’re presenting the material for, and what you wish to prove during the presentation. This is where an interview presentation template can come in handy.

Below are 15 most popular topics and 75 creative interview presentation ideas (5 ideas for each topic) that are capable of showcasing your talent and skills and experience.

1. New Technology

Talk about the emerging technology within your industry. Talk about specific examples as well as the ways that it is both a help and a hindrance. It’s important to show that you’re up on the latest technologies as the company you’re interviewing for may soon be moving to it.

Discuss how you feel about the technology but try to stay positive. Especially if you don’t know how the company feels about it, you don’t want to establish friction. This topic can be a great presentation example for tech-related roles.

Here are 5 examples on new technology interview presentation topics:

• How is artificial intelligence changing the healthcare industry?
• How can augmented reality enhance retail shopping experiences?
• How are autonomous vehicles shaping the future of transportation?
• How is cybersecurity evolving in the age of remote work?
• How can blockchain technology improve data security?

2. An Emerging Industry Trend

Discuss an emerging trend within your industry. It can be helpful to share some specific statistics so that you can identify that you’re familiar with doing research.

Explain why you think the trend is a good one or a bad one. Open it up to a Q&A so that you can address questions and concerns about the trend. This can show the interviewer your ability to stay updated with industry trends.

Here are 5 examples on emerging industry trend interview presentation topics:

• How is the trend of remote work influencing the future of the workplace?
• How are sustainability initiatives shaping the fashion industry?
• How is the demand for personalization influencing the retail industry?
• How is the demand for organic products influencing the agriculture industry?
• What impact is the rise of plant-based diets having on the food industry?

Read More: 8 Best Trainer Interview Presentation Topics

3. A Solution to a Common Problem

Many companies are looking for problem solvers. The interview presentation topics are your chance to prove that you are capable of solving their problems. This can be a great way to demonstrate your soft skills and problem-solving abilities.

Tell the story of the problem that consumers (or businesses) are having. Then, go into detail as to how you plan to solve the problem. Use graphics or props to drive your point home.

Here are 5 examples on solution to a common problem interview presentation topics:

• What are innovative ways to improve literacy rates in underserved communities?
• How can we reduce food waste at the household level?
• What are effective strategies for reducing single-use plastic consumption?
• How can we encourage more people to use public transportation?
• How can we encourage more people to participate in physical activities?
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• 10 Best Topics For Marketing Interview Presentation

4. A Published Paper

Present a paper that you have published – or a paper that someone else has published. Give credit where it is due.

If you presented the paper, it shows that you have been published because of your ideas, research, or concepts. If it was written by another, it demonstrates that you are well-read.

Talk about why the paper is important. Be sure to highlight the main points in a compelling way. This can provide insightful information about your research skills and knowledge in your field.

Here are 5 examples on this interview presentation topics:

• What are the implications of the recent study on childhood education and long-term success?
• What are the key findings of the latest research on emotional intelligence and leadership?
• What are the implications of the latest paper on the impact of AI on job markets?
• What are the key takeaways from the recent paper on quantum physics?
• What are the implications of the recent study on mental health and social media?

5. A Project You’ve Worked On

Talk about a project that you’ve worked on as a topic for interview presentation. Explain the purpose of the project, why you feel that you were capable of adding value to it and what you’ve learnt from that experience.

Be sure that you don’t make disparaging comments about a previous employer. Regardless of the good and bad aspects of the project, keep it civil.

• Here are what I’ve learnt from organizing a large-scale event in my previous job
• Lessons drawn from launching a new website for my current organization
• Knowledge acquired from creating a content marketing strategy for SaaS client
• Insights gained from developing a training program to enhance employee skills
• What did taking part in improving operational efficiency in my previous organization teach me about the importance of clear communication, process optimization, and continuous improvement in achieving business goals?

6. Portfolio of Your Work

This is a great time to toot your horn and show off some of your past work and your accomplishment. This can be a great case study of your abilities and talents.

Especially if you’re involved with marketing and/or graphics, the best way to show off your expertise is by literally promoting all that you have done in the past.

Although you want to show off, be sure you provide a true presentation. Explain your thought process behind why you chose a specific font or went with a particular presentation method. Let the hiring team in on how your portfolio came to be the way that it is.

• If you’re a writer and editor, present a selection of writing works, such as articles, blog posts, or reports, demonstrating your writing and editing skills.
• If you’re a project manager, discuss a series of projects you’ve managed, showing your ability to plan, coordinate, and oversee tasks effectively.
• If you’re a marketing specialist, showcase a selection of marketing campaigns you’ve worked on, demonstrating your creativity and strategic thinking.
• If you’re a coder or software developer, showcase a selection of software or apps you’ve developed, demonstrating your coding skills and problem-solving abilities.
• If you’re a teacher or trainer, present a selection of training programs you’ve developed and delivered, demonstrating your teaching skills and ability to convey complex information clearly.

7. Favorite Course/Instructor

When you’re fresh out of college and don’t have a lot of work experience, you have to think outside of the box. Talk about a specific course you took in school or an instructor that you enjoyed.

Explain what you learned and why it was different. Showcase some of the unique ways that information was presented and why you’re glad you took the course/instructor.

This can show the interviewer your passion for learning and your favorite subjects.

• How did a course on creative writing improve my communication skills?
• What impact did a course on health and wellness have on my lifestyle choices?
• What did I learn from a course on educational psychology about learning processes?
• How did Noam Chomsky’s linguistics course shape my understanding of language?
• What did I learn from Richard Thaler’s behavioral economics course?

Read More: The Top Five Weird Interview Questions You May Want to Be Ready For

8. Leadership Experience

Presenting your leadership experience in an interview showcases your ability to manage teams, make decisions, and drive results. It allows you to demonstrate your interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

Discussing a leadership role you’ve held, the challenges you faced, and the lessons you learned can provide valuable insights into your capabilities.

• What did my experience as a club president teach me about organizational leadership?
• How did leading a volunteer initiative shape my understanding of community leadership?
• What did I learn about conflict resolution from my experience as a team leader?
• What did my experience as a military officer teach me about leadership under pressure?
• What did I learn about motivation from my experience as a sports team captain?

9. Ethical Considerations

Talking about ethical considerations in an interview shows you know right from wrong in work situations. It shows you can make good choices when faced with ethical dilemmas.

Sharing a story about an ethical problem you faced and how you solved it can tell a lot about your character. It’s important to talk about these situations in a respectful and careful way, showing you value doing the right thing.

• What are the ethical implications of artificial intelligence?
• Should you use company resources for personal use?
• What should we do when we witness unfair treatment at work?
• What should we do when asked to perform a task that goes against our personal ethics?
• What are the ethical implications of animal testing?

10. Industry Challenges and Solutions

Talking about industry challenges and solutions in an interview shows you understand and interested in the field you’re working in. It shows you can identify problems and come up with ways to solve them.

Sharing a story about a big challenge in your industry and how you would fix it can show you’re a problem-solver. This can impress the interviewer and show you’re ready for the job.

• How can the healthcare industry overcome the challenge of rising costs?
• What are the key challenges in the education sector and what solutions could be implemented?
• How can the construction industry tackle the issue of labor shortages?
• How can the automotive industry adapt to the rise of electric vehicles?
• How can the tourism industry recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic?

11. Unique Hobbies and Interests

One way to add a personal touch to your interview presentation is by highlighting your unique hobbies and interests. This not only showcases your personality but also demonstrates your ability to be well-rounded and passionate about things outside of work.

• How has my interest in chess enhanced my strategic thinking?
• What insights have I gained from my hobby of building model ships?
• How does my interest in urban farming reflect my commitment to sustainable living?
• What have I learned from my hobby of home brewing?
• How has my interest in astrophotography influenced my perspective on life?

12. Your Significant Achievement

In your job interview presentation, one powerful strategy lies in demonstrating your  career highlights . Take the opportunity to narrate stories of  key accomplishments  using  compelling data and visuals .

Through this approach, you can showcase not just what you’ve done, but how well you’ve done it. Highlight projects where you made a  significant impact  or drove impressive results. By doing so, it offers evidence of your skills and ability to deliver desirable outcomes in real-world scenarios, thereby setting yourself apart from other candidates with similar qualifications or experience levels.

Transparency about  success metrics  also lends authenticity to your claims and underscores your analytical mindset, two traits prized by employers across all industries.

If you are a fresh graduate, you can showcase your academic achievements to demonstrate to the potential employer that you are diligent, focused, and capable of applying the theoretical knowledge you’ve gained to real-world situations.

• How I boost company revenue by 30% through a successful product launch
• My strategy I used to raise $50,000 for a local charity 
• How I overcome a major project challenge that resulted in 20% increase in output
• How I increase customer satisfaction rates by 50%
• How I achieve an academic goal that placed me in the top 10% of my class

13. Case Study Analysis

Presenting a case study analysis in an interview shows you can look at a real-life problem, think about it deeply, and find a solution.

It shows you can use your knowledge and skills to solve complex issues. Sharing how you analyzed a case study and what you learned can show you’re a good thinker and problem-solver, which is important for many jobs.

• Analyzing the success of Tesla’s direct-to-consumer sales model
• How Starbucks created a global coffee culture
• Analyzing the success of Zara’s fast fashion business model
• How Airbnb disrupted the hospitality industry
• Analyzing the success of Spotify’s subscription business model

13. Company Analysis

Talking about the company you’re interviewing for is one of the best topics for interview presentation. It shows you’ve done your homework, understand what the company does and what issues it might face.

Sharing your thoughts on the company’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities can show you’re serious about the job and ready to contribute. This can impress the interviewer and increase your chances of getting hired.

• What is the company’s competitive position in the market?
• How does the company respond to industry trends and disruptions?
• How has the company performed financially and what are its growth prospects?
• How efficient is the company’s supply chain and operations?
• How is the company perceived as an employer by job seekers?

14. Arts and Culture

Incorporating arts and culture into your job interview presentation can set you apart from other candidates and  showcase your unique perspective . You can discuss how your background in the arts has shaped your creativity, problem-solving skills, and  ability to think outside the box .

Share examples of projects or experiences that demonstrate your  passion for different art forms or cultural movements . By highlighting how these influences have positively impacted your professional development, you will show potential employers that you bring a  fresh and innovative approach  to their organization.

• How can digital art skills be applied in modern marketing strategies?
• How can cultural celebrations foster inclusion in the workplace?
• What role do books play in shaping our worldview?
• How can museums become more accessible and engaging for the general public?
• How can art education benefit lifelong learning and creativity?

Understand the Presentation Requirements

There’s nothing worse than under-delivering an interview presentation. Once a company tells you that you will need to provide a presentation, there are some things that you should clarify.

Find out if there are interview presentation topics that you should focus on. This way, you can stay on topic.

Learn about the time limit that you’re given. Most companies will provide you with 5 or 10 minutes. You’ll want to ask about the time allotment because you don’t want to stop at 5 when they were expecting 10. You also don’t want to be cut short if they were expecting only 5 minutes.

You should also ask about the presentation delivery that they’re going to offer you. For example, will you have access to a projector and screen to deliver a PowerPoint? Will you have a dry erase board that you can draw on?

Ask the hiring manager for as much clarification as you need. Remember, asking these questions may be a part of the interview process, too.

5-Minute Presentation Ideas

When you are only given 5 minutes, you have to be clear about your topic. Keep it simple so that you can show your expertise without going in too many directions. It’s best to limit yourself to one or two main points.

Think about this. The average person speaks at a rate of 150 words per minute. You only have 750 words that you can speak.

You’ll actually need fewer words than this because you’ll want to pause periodically for emphasis. Plus, you’ll want to allow time for a quick Q&A.

Some ideas to help you:

• Use a PowerPoint so that you can stay on point
• Use photos and animation to make your point without having to say it all
• Time yourself to avoid running out of time

Here are some examples for 5-minute interview presentation topics . These topics are straightforward and can be presented effectively within a short timeframe:

• Benefits of daily exercise and how to make it a daily habit
• Tips for effective time management
• Tips to boost public speaking confidence
• The power of positive thinking and how it can enhance overall well-being
• Tips to overcome procrastination

10-Minute Presentation Ideas

When you are given 10 minutes, you have plenty of time to dive into your topic. 10 minutes is actually quite a bit of time, so be sure you are thorough.

Here are a few ideas to help:

• Start with an opener, whether it’s a video or a storytelling moment
• Pause after a few minutes to ask a question or to shift focus
• Allow for plenty of material to fill those 10 minutes

As you get into some of the longer presentations, it can be difficult for the hiring team to remember all that you covered. Think about bringing a presentation folder for everyone that will be in the room. This way, they can follow along and have something to remember you by.

Here are some examples for 10-minute interview presentation topics . These topics are more complex than the 5-minute ones, requiring a bit more depth:

• Importance of networking and how to build and maintain professional relationships
• Strategies to achieve work-life balance
• Discuss benefits and drawbacks of remote work and solutions for common challenges
• How to leverage technology to improve productivity
• How to maximize the benefits of commuting time for personal growth or relaxation

Below is the template that you can use for your 10-minute presentation for interview to help you stay focused:

Slide 1: Introduction (1 minute)

Title of the presentation Your name and role Brief overview of the topic Why the topic is important

Slide 2: About You (1 minute)

Brief professional background Relevant skills and experiences Connection to the topic

Slide 3: Context or Problem Statement (1 minute)

Background information or context Description of the problem or issue Why this problem is significant

Slide 4: Your Approach or Solution (1-2 minutes)

Your proposed solution or approach Why you chose this approach Any evidence or examples supporting your approach

Slide 5: Implementation (1-2 minutes)

How your solution can be implemented Potential challenges and how to overcome them Expected outcomes or benefits

Slide 6: Case Study or Example (1-2 minutes)

A specific example or case study that demonstrates your approach What was achieved and lessons learned How this example supports your overall argument

Slide 7: Connection to the Company (1 minute)

How your topic relates to the company or role How your approach or solution could benefit the company How your skills and experiences make you a good fit

Slide 8: Conclusion and Next Steps (1 minute)

Recap of your main points Your conclusion or final thoughts Next steps or actions Thank the audience and invite questions

Remember, this is just a template, and you should feel free to adjust it as necessary to fit your specific needs. The key is to keep your presentation concise and engaging within the given time frame.

Create an Interesting Presentation for Your Upcoming Interview

You have to be sure that you provide enough information in your presentation to wow those who are doing the hiring. This means that they’re going to look at the interesting presentation topic you’ve chosen and how you’ve presented it.

Communication is a critical component in so many different jobs, from representatives to analysts to managers. You have to demonstrate your confidence and your capabilities, which include public speaking skills.

Here are a few tips to help you nail your interview presentation:

• Use innovative technology throughout
• Record your speech on a digital recorder and listen to it
• Bring a prop to use, such as a small dry erase board
• Practice your presentation in front of a mirror

Run through your presentation a few times. Write it out, time it, and practice it until you’re comfortable with every aspect.

You only get one interview with a hiring team of a company, so it’s critical that you deliver the best possible presentation. Give some thought to the company’s objectives so you can incorporate them into your presentation.

With the right interview presentation topics, you can be thoughtful and highlight your skills. Each presentation you make should be a learning experience. If you don’t get the first job you present for, you’ll know where to improve for the next one.

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Jenny Palmer

Founder of Eggcellentwork.com. With over 20 years of experience in HR and various roles in corporate world, Jenny shares tips and advice to help professionals advance in their careers. Her blog is a go-to resource for anyone looking to improve their skills, land their dream job, or make a career change.

Further Reading...

10 Best Topics For Civil Service Presentation Interview

When Is the Best Time to Look for a Job in UK?

21 Surefire Signs You Didn’t Get The Job After an Interview

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Presentation at an Interview

Have you had any experience of delivering a presentation at an interview? How do you prepare ? How do you engage your audience?

Presentations are a common part of the recruitment process for graduate, research, teaching, consulting and other professional roles across a range of sectors.

Whether you have had a lot or limited experience in delivering presentations through university or work, you might find the tips below useful when preparing for the next steps in your career.

Purpose of having a presentation at an interview

The employer wants to see evidence that you can do the job and evidence of your written and verbal communication skills, which we will cover in detail in the points below.

Notice of a presentation at an interview

It is usual to have at least 3-5 days advance notice on the content of your presentation, usually, you are notified via email or the recruitment portal. If the interview is held at an assessment centre, candidates might be told on the day that they are required to present and given the brief.

Presentations usually last 5 – 15 minutes and are often the first part of the interview process i.e. before a one-on-one or panel interview.

Understanding the brief

It is imperative that you are clear on what you have been asked to do. Always revisit the task and contact the employer if you have any questions. Sometimes you may be expected to present to the interview panel as if they were clients/students/colleagues etc. Examples of presentation tasks can include addressing how you would carry out one or more aspect of the role; a timeline of how you would spend your first few weeks or months in relation to a project; a strategy for engaging with multiple stakeholders, managing a budget or building a brand.

Think carefully about the task and how it relates to the job description and person specification. This is another opportunity for you to demonstrate you are a suitable match for the role. Consider the questions below:

• What do you need to address?
• How long have you got to present?
• Who is your audience?
• Where should your focus be?
• What research is involved?
• What is important to the employer e.g. skills and strategy?

Verbal communication – tone and speed of voice

Be aware of how you are perceived during your presentation,  do you use different tones of voice when speaking? Consider the subject matter and how your voice can convey the correct message. By practising your presentation, you are more likely to come across as confident in the delivery. Avoid relying on cue cards or simply reading text off a document or screen. Speech anxiety in this situation is common, but most of what we feel during this period is not usually visible to the audience.

Examples of nerves include shaking, a dry mouth and an increase in body temperature. We can often speed up the pace we are presenting at as a coping mechanism – rushing through the content for it to be over for example. We must learn to recognise if we are speaking too fast or our words are mumbled. Pauses during the presentation can be a great way to gather our thoughts and give a moment for everyone in the room to process what has been said.

Time management

Your ability to deliver your presentation within the allocated time limit says a lot about you. This shows you are organised and can complete tasks in a timely manner. The planning and preparation you put in beforehand will be helpful here.

Non-verbal communication – connecting with the audience

Whether you are presenting to two people or a larger audience, you need to find ways to connect with them. How many people are expected to be present and who are they? Think about your facial expressions, gestures and posture. Looking at individuals in the eye, smiling and having open body language can help to make the audience feel relaxed and you come across as more approachable.

Written communication – visual aids

Be mindful of the type of organisation you are applying to when preparing your resources – colours, logo, values and strategy. Ensure that if you are creating a PowerPoint presentation, the colours do not clash and that you do not include too much text on your slides. Think about the use of suitable images or charts.

Be confident when using this Microsoft Office application and save several versions of it on a USB and email it to yourself in case technology fails you when in the interview room. Remember that the audience can read everything on the slides very quickly. Use the slides for key points and keywords as prompts to lead you.

Handouts can also be useful as the interviewers will refer to this for more detail on the task.

Ensure your spelling, punctuation and grammar are correct. Avoid the use of Americanisms for non-US companies. Think about the language used and the role you are going for. Visit the organisation’s website to gain a further understanding of what type of employee they are looking for.

Dealing with the unexpected

Be prepared to adapt your presentation delivery style if the reality does not meet your expectations. Examples of this include the size of the audience, room and technical issues. It is important to not get stressed or look as though you are under pressure. Try to remain calm and positive as these are qualities employers look for in most roles. Have a plan B for your presentation delivery in case something does go wrong.

Always be prepared for questions at the end of your presentation. Individuals will have queries or want to make comment on specific content. Be open to these questions and any constructive feedback and respond in a professional manner. By giving yourself enough time to prepare your presentation, you will have the confidence to articulate your strengths and ideas.

Here is a checklist to use when preparing for your next presentation at interview

• Seek clarification on what you must do
• Identify your audience
• Get confirmation on the use of technology in the room
• Revisit the job description and person specification
• Spend time planning your presentation
• Practice your presentation in front of others
• Take a course or watch a webinar on confidence building, presentation skills or public speaking
• Speak to a career professional or mentor about dealing with nerves

You made a good impression during the application stage of the job and got shortlisted because the employer wants to meet you and hear about your strengths and ideas. Spend enough time preparing for your presentation so that you can demonstrate why you are suitable for the role.

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Nadine Lewis

Nadine Lewis is a qualified and experienced careers consultant currently working in higher education. She is passionate about empowering students, graduates and professionals to take control of their careers. Nadine has been published in Prospects and presented at various events. In her spare time, she enjoys attending cultural activities and travelling around Europe. LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/nadinermlewis

Reader Interactions

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23rd March 2021 at 9:00 am

Thank you for your kind advices

30th October 2021 at 5:10 pm

Thank you for this insight. I shall refer to this in my preparations. It will help me adapt my skills appropriately.

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How to Nail a PowerPoint Presentation for Job Interview

You just scored an interview for you dream job! Yes! But…now they’re asking you to give a PowerPoint presentation for the job interview.

What the heck? Isn’t interviewing nerve-wracking enough without the added stress of giving a presentation?

We hear you. It’s a lot of stress. But actually, when you stop to think about it, what is a job interview if not a presentation about yourself? Now you just have the added benefit of visuals and slides to work with.

In this article, we’ll demystify the interview PowerPoint presentation ordeal and help you put your best foot forward so you can nail the interview!

What is an Interview Presentation?

Ok, back up. What exactly is an interview presentation? According to Indeed , an interview presentation is a “formal presentation delivered to a human resources team, management team, or another group of people to convince them that you are the best candidate for a position.” Potential employers may ask you to make an interview presentation to better assess your public speaking and/or communications skills, your ability to stay calm under pressure, your knowledge about specific, industry related topics, and more.

This kind of presentation can give your potential employers a really comprehensive look at you, so it makes sense. And although you may run into a request for an interview presentation in any industry, this tact is particularly popular in Sales, Marketing, Technology, and Academia.

Benefits of Interview Presentation

Now that you know why employers might make this request, why might an interview presentation be a good thing for you? One of the biggest benefits for you is that it gives you a chance to shine and stand out. Old-fashioned interviews have become somewhat run-of-the-mill, with those ever-recycled questions like “what would you say are your greatest strengths” all running together. But with a unique presentation designed and delivered by you, there’s more of a chance for you to really leave a distinct impression.

Additionally, giving an interview presentation gives you a chance to show your professionalism in a different setting than just a conversation. You can prove your diligence, your attention to detail, and your work ethic just by how you compile the presentation.

How to Make an Interview Presentation

It may seem overwhelming at first, but don’t be intimidated by the task of creating an interview presentation. Below, we’ve compiled a list of interview presentation tips — from initial research to the final presentation — that will have you acing this task in no time.

Making the Presentation

Gather Information

Do your Research

This is a solid tip for any kind of interview: do your research! Make yourself an expert on the company for which you are interviewing. It’s no secret that you are far less appealing as a potential hire if you don’t know anything about the company or industry. But the important thing here is to make sure your gathered knowledge comes across. Prove your expertise in your presentation.

Pick your Platform

Sometimes, your potential employer will have a particular platform that they want you to use for your interview presentation, but more than likely, they will leave it up to you. The basic presentation software out there includes PowerPoint, Keynote, and Google Slides. If you’re going for an artsier, more unique approach, check out Prezi : an online virtual presentation tool with a more animated feel. Go with whatever platform you’re comfortable with, or you can even start by looking at templates and seeing what matches your style.

Start with Structure

Every great presentation, whether for an interview or not, starts with a strong and compelling structure. In simplest terms, you have an opening, details, and then a conclusion. When structuring your presentation, begin with a strong opening that states your goals and introduces yourself. Next, keep the main body of the presentation to around three major points (although you can have plenty of subsections.) Then finish with a killer closing, something to bring it all home. All throughout, keep your message clear and make every piece of your presentation relate back to that message.

Check out this article for more in-depth tips on structuring a great presentation of any kind.

Keep it Clear, Succinct and Impactful

Make sure your content is simple and clear. You want your audience to glance quickly at your slide, gain interest, and then listen to you, the presenter, for more in-depth information. Be careful not to pack too much information onto the slides themselves, or to break off onto tangents that don’t support you. But do be sure to choose eye-catching images for your slides and easy-to-read fonts that really pop.

Highlight YOU

You could almost think of this presentation as a commercial and the product you’re selling is you. While it’s important to demonstrate expertise through your presentation, make sure that everything goes back to selling you as the star of the show.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Giving the Presentation

Build Rapport

The day of the interview is here! Once you begin your presentation, start off by building rapport with your audience. Not only will this help draw them in and make them more engaged in your story, it will also help calm you down. Introduce yourself, smile, and maybe even consider cracking a joke if the mood is right.

As you give your presentation, try your hardest to not read straight off the slides or from your notes. Snooze alert! This will bore your audience and give them the impression that you don’t know what you’re talking about. Be so confident and practice so thoroughly ahead of time that you can speak off the cuff and don’t need to read your notes at all.

Mind Your Body Language

Sit up straight, shoulders back, and smile! Your body language is always incredibly important for any kind of presentation. You want to appear professional and comfortable at the same time.

Diction and Delivery

Make sure you’re enunciating clearly and projecting to “the back of the room,” even if that’s just your computer’s microphone. If you mumble or speak too quietly, you’ll come across timid. Also, most of us have a tendency to speed up when we’re nervous. Pay attention to the pace of your speech and even build in some pauses if you can. This will give you time to collect your thoughts and let your message sink in for your audience.

Be Confident

You got this! Even if you’re not feeling confident on the inside, show it on the outside. Speak with authority and make eye-contact with your audience by staying focused on your camera. This is you you’re selling after all, and no one is a better authority on you than you!

Take Questions at the End

Presentation for Interview Example

If you’re looking for job interview presentation ideas, check out this great example on Slide Team or this one on Slide Geeks .

Pre-Recorded Video Interviews

On a related note, some potential employers may ask you to make a pre-recorded video interview. This tactic has become increasingly prevalent in the age of COVID and Zoom interviews. Essentially, employers can give you a set of questions ahead of time and you can record yourself answering them, then send it in for them to review on their own time. Sometimes, potential employers will call this a “pre-screening.” While this isn’t technically an interview “presentation” per say, it sort of falls into the same category, so we want you to be prepared.

The best way to record video interviews is with whatever software and setup you’re comfortable with! If you have a great camera-ring light-soundproof room already set up and raring to go, obviously you should use that. But if you don’t have a pro setup, don’t sweat it. Most people don’t. Just record your interview with the webcam on your computer. You can also record an interview directly through Zoom meetings . But do make sure that you are properly lit, somewhere quiet, and that your background is clean and intentional.

 Other tips for pre-recorded video interviews:

• Maintain eye contact by focusing on the camera and not the video of yourself.
• Dress professionally , even your pants and shoes that won’t be seen in the video. You’ll be in a better headspace when you’re dressing the part and you avoid the embarrassment of accidentally standing up while only wearing boxers in the video.
• Remember — it’s still an interview! Don’t let the strange format throw you off. You still need to transfer everything you’ve learned about acing interviews, like not fidgeting and sitting up straight – to this pre-recorded format. Check out our article on acing remote interviews to learn more.

So by now, hopefully you feel like an expert on how to nail a presentation for a job interview. Once you understand what is being asked of you and how it benefits all parties, this type of interview makes a lot of sense. If you follow the guidelines above, you’ll be able to make a stellar presentation. And remember, your audience wouldn’t have invited you to interview if they didn’t see something in you. They want you to succeed! So take a deep breath and give a presentation that’ll knock their socks off!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

When Olivia West isn't writing theme park attractions for Universal and Disney, she's writing any other thing she can get her hands on! She loves writing novels, scripts, blog posts, bad jokes, and everything else. If you can't find her at her laptop, however, she might be chilling in the nearest speakeasy sipping a manhattan or screaming her head off on the nearest roller coaster. Check her out at oliviawestwriting.com !

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19 Job Interview Tips to Make a Lasting Impression

While landing a job interview is exciting, preparing for it can be stressful. To make the process smoother, we talked to tech and business professionals — from software engineers to recruiters — who shared insider tips on what to do before, during and after a job interview. Who knows? Their advice may just help you land your dream job . 

Job Interview Tips

• Research the company 
• Rehearse your interview answers
• Practice active listening   
• Ask the interviewer questions 
• Send a timely thank-you email
• Stay positive no matter the results 

More on Career Development How to Build a Career in Responsible Tech

Before the Job Interview

1. research the company and the position.

Before your interview, look for information on the company’s products, services, values, mission , management team, board members and recent company announcements. Those can be found on company blogs, white papers, news articles and podcasts.

“If you spend an hour or two reading these, it gives you an idea of who we are and it goes a long way to show you’re interested in us,” Dermot Williams, senior director of engineering at cybersecurity firm BeyondTrust, told Built In.

Reading company reviews on Glassdoor is another way to prepare for a job interview. That may offer information on what prospective and current employees have to say about job interview questions the company may ask.

Review a company’s website and social media posts. That may give you ideas of how you fit in or add to the company’s culture, team, core values, product or services direction, Leena Macwan, a principal recruiter at Zynga, told Built In.

2. Learn About Your Interviewer’s Background

If you know who is interviewing you, look up their LinkedIn profile , read their blogs and social media posts.

“Use that information as an ice breaker to start the conversation when you meet them,” senior Amazon AWS in-house recruiter Zafar Choudhury told Built In. “You can say, ‘I read you did a TED talk last year or I saw you did a cybersecurity presentation.’ Hiring managers love it because it shows you’ve done your due diligence and homework.”

Tap current or former employees of the company you’ll be interviewing with who are also your college alumni, advised Santina Pitcher, associate director of counseling and programs at the University of California at Berkeley. Ask to pick their brain for a few minutes to learn more about the company culture and what it’s like to work there. They also may be familiar with the people you will be interviewing with and can provide you with some insight to make a good impression.

3. Match the Job Description and Company’s Core Values to Your Skills and Traits

“You literally memorize a couple of bullet points from the  job description and match that to your experience, where you can connect it to a strong example that demonstrates that skill,” Rachel Amos, director of career services and employer relations at Carnegie Mellon University, told Built In. 

For example, a startup notes in its job description it’s looking for a software engineer who is comfortable working in an ambiguous environment with a lot of demanding deadlines. Let’s say you worked in that type of environment in your previous job and thrived. Point that out to the interviewer and provide data or information to back it up, such as you consistently turned in projects a day or two ahead of schedule as the scope of work evolved on a weekly basis.

4. Practice the Required Hard Skills

LeetCode and HackerRank were among the tools Bill Bruschi used to prepare for his job interview at Amazon, where he was hired as an AWS software development engineer. He said the examples used were very accurate to what they found in the coding tests he took.

“It’s important to think out loud so the interviewer can hear your thought process and you’re encouraged to ask questions,” Bruschi added. “You’re really working with the interviewer to solve the issue at hand.”

Zynga’s Macwan said it’s important to brush up on the fundamentals required for the specific position you seek and be able to demonstrate the depth and breadth of your skillset when solving coding questions .

5. Consume Relevant Resources

Amazon’s technical questions were mostly around algorithms and data structures, such as arrays, trees, string manipulation and graphs, according to Puneeth Nettekere Rangaswamy, who snagged a job at Amazon AWS as a software development engineer on his second attempt after upping his preparation efforts

“I had not done extensive preparation the first time I applied at Amazon,” he added. “But this time around, I specifically focused on data structures and algorithms and being able to apply them appropriately during the interviews.”

His  reading material included a  GitHub post , a  coding blog and watching coding  YouTube videos .

6. Rehearse Your Interview Answers

Find a friend, family member or colleague to do a mock job interview and rehearse answering questions on  why a company should hire you . And although it may not replicate the feeling of a real job interview, it’s better than nothing. “It’s good to have questions thrown at you and it forces you to quickly come up with an answer,” Amos said. 

Conducting a mock job interview provides an opportunity to receive feedback on your body language when answering questions, Pitcher said. Do you fold your arms across your chest, or avoid eye contact in an in-person mock interview? Or are you constantly looking down in a virtual mock interview, rather than looking into the camera at the interviewer?      

7. Find a Distraction-Free Environment

If your interview is virtual , scope out a location that is quiet and without distractions. And test your microphone, webcam and internet connection before the interview to ensure all are in working order. 

8. Make Copies of Your Resume

Print two or three extra copies of your resume to bring to the interview if you’re going in person.

“I’ve seen this happen on multiple occasions where the interviewer may suddenly want to loop in someone else for a second opinion,” Choudhury said. “Wouldn’t it make you look more professional to pull a second resume from your folder and give it to us? That makes you look prepared and ahead of the game. These are leadership things we look for.”

9. Select Your Interview Outfit the Night Before

In-person interviews call for a  neat and clean appearance that is business casual and not a three-piece suit, nor blue jeans and a T-shirt, Amos said. 

A similar wardrobe should also be planned for a Zoom interview, as well, she added.

During the Job Interview

10. practice active listening and watch your body language.

Engage in active listening when responding to an interviewer’s questions. 

“I’ve had cases where I asked a question and the candidate will go on to a whole other place I didn’t ask about,” Pitcher said. “In my head, I’m thinking maybe they just pivoted because they had no idea how to answer the question or, on the flip side, they weren’t listening.”

Choudhury suggested mirroring your interviewer’s body language and tone to make them more comfortable. If an interviewer has a high energy level, ramp up yours. If an interviewer leans back when talking, do the same. Mimicking their behavior makes you more appealing as a candidate and is also an  effective communication tool .

11. Have Answers Ready for Difficult Interview Questions

When it comes to questions you will be asked during your job interview, these five questions tend to carry a lot of weight:

• What are you most curious about?
• Could you share a recent project you accomplished with your team? 
• How do you usually react to setbacks?
• How do you manage and prioritize your day?
• In your last project, what was the one thing that you were most proud of, and what was the biggest challenge? 

“We want to understand how a candidate works and if their style aligns with our values and principles,” Bryan Powell, senior vice president of talent acquisition for Twilio, told Built In. “Questions that get to the heart of their ability to be an owner, their curiosity, and how they approach building and problem solving are important to us.”

12. Remember How to Answer “What’s Your Greatest Weakness?”

Questions around your weaknesses are not meant to uncover your shortcomings, but rather to learn what you are doing to overcome them, or ways your prospective employer can support you to address them. 

So, rather than give a response that clearly is not meant as a weakness, such as, ‘I work too hard’ or ‘I have a hard time saying no,’ be forthright with the interviewer but offer perspective.

Pitcher, for example, considers herself an introvert and previously viewed it as a negative trait. However, she has since learned to present it as a positive trait. “I’ve found in my previous job it was really helpful because I worked with teams and was able to be a really good listener,” she said.

13. Avoid Bad-Mouthing Former Employers

“Never throw people under the bus and always compliment your team,” Choudhury said. “If you blame your team members or colleagues that you had to pick up the slack because they were late, I don’t care how technical you are or how senior your title is, your interview will go south so fast it’ll make your head spin.”

Prospective employers fear that if you’re willing to cast blame on your current or former teammates, what will you say about them should they hire you.

14. Ask the Interviewer Questions

“When a candidate has no questions, I’m done. They may seem great on paper and have even had great conversations, but if they have no questions — and I’ve seen this many times — it says they’re not curious,” Marvin Lopez, director of student programs for the University of California at Berkeley’s engineering student services department, told Built in. “It tells me they haven’t thought about the organization, haven’t thought about the position, they’re just going to come in and do what they’re told.”

Below are a few good questions to ask the interviewer :

• What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this role?
• What are some traits that a candidate needs in order to be successful on this team?
• Can you tell me about the team’s culture?
• Can you tell me about this specific company value?
• How do employees live these values at work?
• How does the company recognize these values?

15. End the Interview by Asking for Next Steps

Ask the interviewer how soon the company anticipates hiring for the position, rather than putting them on the spot by asking “What’s the next step?” Choudhury said.

Also, never ask the hiring manager or interviewer “So, how’d I do?” Lopez said. “They likely won’t answer that question and you don’t want to put them in an uncomfortable position.”

More on Career Development How to Ask for a Raise (and What to Say)

After the Job Interview

16. send a thank-you email within 24 hours.

The thank you note or  email should include specific information about the topics you discussed in the interview, such as system design or data structures, Choudhury said. 

“Instead of a general thank you note like ‘Thank you for your time, I appreciated it,’ talk specifics,” he said. “That will have more psychological impact towards the decision they are about to make.”

17. Follow Up If You Don’t Hear Back

After a week or two has passed since your interview and still no word on your status, follow up with the company’s recruiter or the person who arranged the interviews, Macwan said.

You can forward an article or industry-related report in the thank you email, noting you thought they might enjoy reading the materials and inquire about the timing when the company expected to fill the position, Choudhury said.

Career experts say it’s usually fine to follow up two or three times on your status, but after three follow-up attempts it’s better to move on.

18. Ask What You Can Do Better Next Time

If you receive a formal letter stating you were not selected for the position and you really want to work at this company in the future, inquire about ways you can improve your candidacy the next time around.

That will likely get you further than asking questions about why you weren’t selected. Companies hesitate to respond to such questions because of liability concerns. 

There are exceptions, of course.

“If you follow up with the recruiter, they might be able to share some high-level feedback,” Macwan said. “For candidates who are further along in the process and have established communication with the recruiter, we are open with them on where they stand throughout the process and why they might not be a fit for the role.”

19. Keep a Positive Attitude

Rebounding after losing the position to someone else is never easy but it’s good to keep a positive attitude , nonetheless.

“Sometimes the rejection reasons might not be related to the candidates’ competency,” Macwan said. “For example, there might be a role mismatch, two strong candidates for one role, the position may get closed. In such cases, the candidate can work with the recruiter to identify other roles.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What are tips for a successful interview.

A few tips for a successful interview include conducting thorough research on a company before the interview, asking the interviewer thoughtful questions and sending a thank-you email within 24 hours after the interview.

What are the five C's of interviewing?

The five C’s of interviewing are competence, character, communication skills, culture fit and career direction.

Great Companies Need Great People. That's Where We Come In.

12 Good Reasons to Explain Why You Left a Job During an Interview

T he modern economy and job market almost demand that skilled workers move from job to job to earn as much money as possible and maximize their career potential.

Yet it can be tough to answer that inevitable question at a job interview: why did you leave your previous job?

You don't have to worry if you encounter this question, however. There are many good reasons for leaving a job, including personal and professional reasons.

Today, look at some of the most common reasons so you know what to say if a new job recruiter asks why you left your previous position.

Why do you need a "good" reason for leaving a job?

When you sit for a job interview, one of the most common questions interviewers will ask is, "Why did you leave your previous position?"

Prospective employers want to know why you are looking for a new job and why you aren't still at your old job if you are currently out of work.

Why? Your answer can tell a potential employer much about who you are as an employee and what you seek.

For instance, telling the employer that you left because you were bored is not a good sign that you can be trusted to stick with a new company through thick and thin. It's a bad sign, indeed.

However, a positive response, like you were looking for a more significant professional challenge, indicates to a prospective employer that you are a go-getter looking to develop your career in more ways than one.

Because the answer to this question can sway an interviewer one way or the other, you need to have "good" reasons for leaving your previous job.

This doesn't mean lying, of course. But it does mean highlighting the elements of your decision that will be most attractive to a job recruiter or HR specialist. If you have a good reason for leaving your previous job, it can make you more likely to acquire a new position at an excellent company with good pay and fantastic perks.

You need a good reason to leave a job so you don't enter the competitive job market without cause.

Even if your current job isn't the best paying or professionally fulfilling, it could be worth sticking around for a better economy or different opportunities instead of submitting your resignation letter.

Bottom line: you should always have an acceptable reason for leaving a job, assuming you still need to work for a living.

Related: 5 Steps to Take Before Quitting Your Job to Become an Entrepreneur

12 good answers to "Why did you leave your last job?"

Since you know why having a good reason to leave your previous job is crucial, take a closer look at some excellent answers that recruiters and interviewers typically love. As a bonus, these answers can also be good personal reasons for leaving a job.

1. Company mergers or acquisitions

Of course, if your company merges with another or is acquired by some other enterprise, it's a good reason for you to be looking for another job. Even if you haven't been let go yet, most mergers result in some employees being fired to save money because both companies have duplicate employees in the same positions.

Explaining this to a prospective employer in a matter-of-fact way can be an excellent explanation for leaving your last job.

Even better, it doesn't ascribe blame to anyone – you could have been a rockstar employee at your previous company and just have been let go because of logistics purposes.

2. Company went out of business

Similarly, if your previous employer went out of business, it only makes sense that you left your last job out of necessity.

Whether you were let go right at the end, or decided to take your leave before the doors closed, explaining this to a new employer is an excellent answer to that dreaded job interview question. Layoffs or restructuring at your current company happens all the time.

Still, be careful to highlight that you were not responsible for the company going out of business in any way.

Point to your references from previous employers or supervisors to show that you are an excellent candidate and that your last company went out of business for reasons utterly unrelated to your performance.

3. Career advancement

Lots of up-and-coming young professionals leave their current jobs because they want to advance their careers.

If there isn't a lot of advancement potential – for example, your previous job didn't have any open slots for a higher-paid position – it could make sense for you to leave that job in pursuit of other options.

Stress this to your employer, especially if you are trying to be hired for a better position than you previously filled.

Done right, this can show an HR specialist that you are committed to progressing your career, making you look like a rockstar employee that can provide a lot of value to the following organization that hires you.

4. Professional development

In keeping with the above, maybe your previous employer didn't offer sufficient professional development resources. Professional development resources can include training modules or mentorship programs.

If you are a high-energy employee and want to progress your career as quickly as possible, this is a valid reason to leave a job in pursuit of a different opportunity.

If this is your reason for leaving your previous job, ask a prospective employer what development resources they have. After all, this can affect whether that employer is a good choice for your needs and career ambitions.

5. Looking to try a new industry

Alternatively, you may want to try out a new industry. This reason for leaving a job is more common among professionals in their 30s or older.

For instance, maybe you got a degree in one field and want to try a different field because you discovered that your previous industry wasn't right.

This can be a great answer to why you left your previous job. Just be sure to highlight your accomplishments and accolades. Stress that you want to bring your diverse, unique talents to your new organization or industry for their benefit.

A career change from your current role to a new full-time position is an excellent reason to start a job search if you have the right skills.

Most hiring managers will want to know about your career goals, so be prepared to explain how your current employer/former employer didn't provide you with the right development opportunities.

Related: How to Quit a Job Without Burning Bridges

6. Compensation

Of course, many people leave a job because it doesn't pay well enough. Employers know this, and they don't want you to lie and say something like money doesn't matter.

However, if compensation is the real reason you left a job in the past, you must be careful when broaching this topic with a new prospective employer.

You should state your salary expectations upfront or on your job application. Mention that you left your previous position because you aren't paid highly enough; you can reference things like city living costs or student loans. However, don't make it seem like you only care about money for a new opportunity.

To make this answer work, choose some of the other reasons for leaving your previous job, even if, deep down, it was just about money.

That way, a recruiter will come away understanding that money is essential to you, but you are also looking to work for their company for a variety of other, more long-term reasons. That's what most hirers look for in a job candidate.

7. Family reasons

No employer, past or future, will degrade you for having to leave a job for family reasons. If this happened, feel free to say you left a previous job because of a family member, but don't elaborate.

Any employer worth your time and labor won't press, so you don't need to worry about providing them with extensive details or airing dirty laundry.

However, you should also clarify that the family reasons that caused you to quit your previous job no longer affect you. After all, no employer will want to hire you if there's a chance that your family may call you away from your job responsibilities sometime soon.

8. Health reasons

You can leave a job for health reasons, like suddenly becoming ill or injured. You may even leave a job because you were injured at work and were not adequately supported by your employer.

Again, no employer will have a problem with this. But if you did leave a previous job for health reasons, you may need to provide some details.

For instance, are your health issues chronic or consistent? Will they affect your job performance if the prospective employer decides to hire you?

Having ready answers to these questions will maximize your chances of getting a desirable position even if you had to leave your previous job because of health problems.

9. Leadership reasons

Sometimes, companies of all sizes are steered in the wrong direction because of bad leadership.

This might have happened to you in the past. In that case, feel free to express your disappointment with previous leadership, but without going into too much detail or outright lambasting your former boss.

Even if your boss was terrible and did a lot to make your life miserable, no prospective employer wants to hear about how much you hate them.

Instead, you can point to specific things your boss did wrong, like not tracking your schedule or not ensuring employees were paid. This can be an excellent way to highlight that you are only looking for a reasonable supervisor or boss, nothing too crazy.

If you're getting a new role, you must be on good terms with your current position's boss. It's the ideal way to show that there aren't red flags in your past.

10. Unchallenged at a previous job

Some people thrive under pressure and quickly become bored if they don't have enough to do. If you fit into this group, you can say that you left your last job because you were unchallenged.

Your career growth was stymied, leading you to pursue better opportunities and a new career path.

Maybe you didn't have enough responsibilities, or perhaps you weren't given enough work to fill in the day's working hours. Whatever the case may be, employers usually love this answer. It shows them you are willing to work hard and seek new challenges.

Recruiters may suggest some challenges you'll face at a new position, allowing you to respond positively and highlight your fit. Highlight your willingness to learn new skills and take advantage of growth opportunities.

11. The work environment or job culture

You might have left a job in your past because of a toxic or subpar work environment and company culture . For example, maybe all the employees were constantly in races against each other for limited resources, resulting in unhealthy competition and no collaboration.

Just don't be too negative. Don't badmouth any former employees or outright blame anything on them, but you can say you left your last job because the workplace culture "wasn't a good fit" or something similar.

12. Issues with hours/working schedule

Every job has to balance getting projects done and providing employees with a work/life balance.

With that in mind, you can state that you left your previous job because you had issues with the hours or working schedule. Maybe you had to work too many hours to go to school or care for your family, or perhaps you weren't provided with enough hours to meet your financial obligations.

Whatever the case, feel free to get as specific as you like. This is an excellent opportunity to ask a recruiter how many hours you can expect should you be accepted for a new open position and if you can work a flexible schedule.

Then you can make a more informed decision about whether you want to continue the interview or seek a different job elsewhere.

Related: Try These 4 Things Before Leaving a Job

How to talk about your reasons for leaving a job

Having a good answer to why you left your last position is only half of the battle in an interview. How job seekers explain their reasons to future employers is just as important as their reasons.

To that end, you should:

• Be very clear about the reasons for wanting to leave your previous position. Highlight your values and your work opportunities. This will impress your employer if you pick one of the reasons above.
• Be positive rather than negative. Even if you left your previous job because you had a terrible boss and bad coworkers, focus more on spinning that information into a positive light.

Say, "I felt I could be more fulfilled at a different position," instead of, "My coworkers were total pains, and I couldn't stand them." The former shows you are a team player with an optimistic, positive outlook, which could make you a good candidate for a new position.

• Keep your answer short when possible. Interviewers will expect you to go into some detail but don't drag the answer out. Keep the information to a minimum while satisfying the interviewer's desire for additional details.
• Always be honest. This can be a tricky balance to strike, especially if you are also trying to be detailed. But you can be honest and straightforward at the same time. This is preferred since going into too much detail could cause you to unintentionally elaborate and drag the interview out too long or introduce half-lies into your answer.

If you remember these strategies, any answer you give an interviewer will be direct, effective and flattering. In other words, it'll be a perfect combination for ensuring you get the job position you applied for.

Related: Leaving a Long-Term Job Takes Courage, Especially if You're a Woman

How should you discuss why you left your last job?

As you can see, you can leave your job for various reasons. Be honest and remember the tips above, and you'll ace your next job interview.

Check out Entrepreneur's other articles for more information about resignation, job interviews and other professional topics.