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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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How to Deliver a Winning Interview Presentation

Written by: Unenabasi Ekeruke

The average corporate job opening receives about 250 resumes . To find the most suitable candidates, many companies make interview presentations a decisive part of their hiring process.

Whether you're looking to switch jobs or move up the ladder in your organization, a well-crafted interview presentation might be the key to landing your next role.

Interview presentations give you a chance to pitch your skills and showcase your knowledge about the position. Delivering an exceptional presentation will put you a step ahead of other candidates.

But how do you make your interview presentation stand out?

In this article, we've rounded up the best tips for preparing and delivering a winning interview presentation that will help you stand out and land you the job.

Let's get to it.

Tired of using PowerPoint? Try Visme's presentation software for free. Tap into 1,000+ ready-made slides and templates, animation, interactivity, data visualization features, online sharing and more.

Table of Contents

What is an interview presentation, what employers look for in an interview presentation, how to prepare for your interview presentation.

• 11 Interview Presentation Tips to Help You Stand Out

In many industries, interview presentations help recruiters pick the best candidate for the job.

They also help managers gauge a candidate's presentation skills, especially if the job role involves pitching to clients or top management.

Interview presentations often involve presenting formal talks about subjects that interest recruiters. These subjects could be directly related to your job role or the industry your prospective organization operates in.

Your interview presentation could potentially revolve around topics like:

• Emerging trends and innovations in a particular industry
• Competitive landscape and future predictions
• Business, operations and marketing strategies
• Improving sales and customer retention

It could also be about pitching your work experience, ideas and why you're the best fit for the role.

Let's say you're interviewing for a high-level position in the sales and marketing department. You may be asked to pitch the company's product or services to prospects or do these things:

• Predict trends in the industry where the company operates
• Talk about how the current market trend may affect sales for a particular line of products
• Present a marketing plan for your prospective role

Below is an interview presentation template that you can edit and use.

Sometimes, prospective employers may give you specific topics in advance, giving you ample time to prepare.

At other times, you may have to make blind presentations. This means you'll get topics shortly before the presentation and may have limited time to prepare.

Whatever be the case, nailing your interview presentations will up your chances of landing your new role.

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Take a moment to think about your best job interview.

Why did your employer choose to hire you ahead of other candidates? You probably ticked all the right boxes in terms of skills, experiences, education, personality and other factors.

But most importantly, it's how you presented your skills, capabilities and knowledge about the role that probably blew their minds.

At every stage of the hiring process, employers look for outstanding candidates who measure up to their expectations. These expectations may differ based on the job role, industry and organizational structure.

However, on a general note, recruiters will readily opt for candidates who:

• Understand the organization and its line of business
• Know their job role and what's expected
• Understand the company mission and will fit into the company culture
• Show passion, ambition and leadership qualities
• Demonstrate the ability to use their skills and experience to drive the company forward
• Know how to communicate and present in front of a small or large group of people

What specific presentation skills do employers look for?

Excellent presentation skills are a must-have for most client-facing roles or high-level positions. Therefore, asking a candidate to make presentations during interviews can help companies assess whether they can deliver on the job.

Not only that, interview presentations provide deeper insight into your abilities and skills, such as:

• Presentation design skills
• Verbal and written communication style
• The ability to hook, engage and interact with your audiences
• Ability to deliver the message with clarity
• Diligence and attention to details
• Work experience and sector knowledge
• Ability to read and interpret the mindset of listeners
• Use of visual aids
• Time management and organization skills

For a blind presentation, the employer may want to feel your pulse or perspective on issues or take notice of things like:

• The ability to think on your feet
• How you perform under pressure
• How persuasive and creative you can be

Ultimately, the recruiter is also checking to see if you meet the core competencies for the job. Therefore, make sure to revisit them during the blind presentation.

Beyond landing the job, getting it right with your presentation can set the tone for further engagements with your colleagues and top management.

Preparation is one of the keys to delivering an excellent interview presentation.

Once you've received the details about the interview, don't leave your preparation till the last minute or assume you can wing it. Use the days leading up to the interview to put the necessary things in place.

Here's what you should know. Preparing for your interview presentation puts you in control and increases your chances of securing the job.

Unfortunately, knowing how to prepare for interviews may be a big challenge for many people.

But we've got you covered.

Use these tips below to get yourself interview-ready.

1. Ask the Right Questions

Whether you receive a phone call or email about your interview, ensure you're clear about the details. Rather than make sweeping assumptions, go ahead and do these things:

• Find out what your prospective employers expect from you.
• Ask if you'll get a topic before the presentation date or if it's a blind presentation. Also, find out if you'll be allowed to choose from a list of topics.
• Find out who your audience will be (recruitment agencies, HR, supervisors, top-level management).
• Ask how many people will be present at the interview.
• Make sure to ask how long the presentation will last. Having a timeframe will help you decide what to add or delete from the presentation.
• Find out if they have a preferred presentation style.
• Ask what technical equipment and presentation tools will be available.
• Find out whether there'll be provision for sound, audio and visuals.

By asking these questions, you'll know what recruiters expect from you and align your presentation to match their needs. Plus, they'll judge your suitability for the role based on how you pay attention to the finest details.

2. Research the Company and the Position Before the Interview

Now you have answers to the fundamental questions, go ahead and research the company and the position you've applied for.

That's not all. Find out the industry the company operates, the major players and where the company ranks within the industry.

Doing this will enable you to:

• Structure your presentation and
• Interpret your job role within the context of the industry where the company operates.

For example, if you're an accounting professional, it's not enough to understand general accounting principles.

You'll have to understand what your role entails within the context of the industry you'll be working in. It could be oil and gas, mining, tech, construction, health, finance or entertainment.

Here are other things you should find out during your research.

Company Vision, Mission and Goals

Find out the company's history, what they stand for and their area of interest. It's also a good idea to research their major competitors and how they've fared in the market.

But how do you find this valuable information?

The company's website and social media channels are good starting points. News, blogs and third-party sites can provide more information about what the company has been up to.

Having this essential info will help you:

• Determine subjects relevant to the company and the area you should focus on,
• Tailor your interview presentation to their needs and
• Impress your potential employers.

Not only that, but it also shows you're prepared to be part of that organization's culture.

Potential Audience

Part of your research should be to find out who is going to be interviewing you. One way to get that information is by asking the company's HR or using your intuition.

For example, if you're applying for a sales and marketing position, the marketing, sales and HR managers will most likely be on the interview panel.

Next, find out their interests and job responsibilities. Platforms like LinkedIn , Meetup , Indeed and other job boards can come in handy.

You might want to take note of their experience levels.

Professionals with different experience levels have varying concerns.

For example, while top management may care about your administrative or leadership abilities, a team lead may be more interested in your technical or problem-solving skills.

If you focus on what matters most to your audience, you'll attract their interest and win them over.

3. Structure Your Interview Presentation

If you want to keep your audiences hooked to your slides, ensure your presentation is well-structured.

Doing this will keep you on track and prevent your audience from zoning out of your presentation.

Here's how to create an excellent presentation structure.

In its simplest form, a well-structured presentation should have an introduction, body and conclusion.

• Compelling introduction: Your introduction should briefly sum everything about you, your presentation objectives and why it's relevant to your audience. You can ask a question, tell a story, share facts or use humor to spark interest.
• Engaging body: This is where you present the main details of your topic. Make sure to back your argument with facts or a wealth of information that shows that you're the best candidate for the job. Talk about the company goals and how you'll help to achieve them.
• Memorable conclusion: Here, you should present your key takeaways about the topic. Likewise, briefly reiterate your skills, experience, expertise, past achievements and why they should hire you.

You can use presenter notes to ensure you stick to the structure. Throughout your presentation, keep your message clear. Plus, make sure every part of your presentation relates to the topic.

Check out this article for more tips on how to structure your presentation .

Structure your interview presentation to make it appealing and impactful like the one below.

4. Pay Attention to Design

Remember, first impressions count. And your interview presentation isn't an exception to this rule. Excellent presentation designs help you create an impactful first impression on your interviewers.

Think of your design as the aesthetic element that etches your presentation in your viewer's minds and sways them in your favor.

Whether you're pitching the company's product or your resume , having flawless interview presentation designs will help you tell stories better.

Not only does it create a memorable impression, but it also makes your presentation pack a punch.

You can start from scratch or jumpstart your creativity with interview presentation examples like the one below.

While creating your presentation slides , here are some things you should keep in mind:

Keep It On-Brand

Try to tailor your presentation design (font, color scheme, background, image) to the company's identity and visual language. Companies like Starbucks, Skype, Spotify and Netflix provide brand guidelines on their website.

Brand guidelines generally contain a set of rules on using the company’s branding elements. If the company doesn't have a brand guide, you can use the colors on their logo or website for your slide design.

Interviewers will most likely focus on a presentation designed in their organization's brand format. And doing this will show you've done your research about the company.

Pro Tip:  Use Visme's Brand Design Tool to automatically generate a branded presentation template with your employer's logo, colors and fonts. Simply enter in the URL to their website and watch the magic happen!

Create branded content & graphics with ease

• Add your brand color’s hex codes for easy access
• Upload or select your brand fonts
• Easily incorporate brand elements into your Vismes

Use Lots of White Space

Avoid cluttering your interview presentation slides with too many ideas, text or images. This could overwhelm your audience and make your presentation a pain in the eyes.

When designing a clean and effective presentation, it's important to use lots of white space. Don't use more than six words per slide . Stick to one idea and a minimum of two images per slide.

Use High-Quality Images

Be sure to use high-quality visuals that drive an emotional appeal.

Better yet, every visual you use should have a purpose behind it. If you're presenting an overview of yourself, it makes sense to use a nice, high-quality headshot of yourself. Take a cue from the interview presentation sample to create yours.

Even if you're using stock photos  to spice up your slides, make sure the images are carefully selected to balance the text on each slide and are relevant to the topic that's being discussed.

Using low-quality, irrelevant or pixelated images can not only make your presentation boring, but it can also negatively impact your image and make you come across as careless or lazy.

Make Your Slides Easy to Read

When selecting fonts and sizing them, use fonts that are readable on small and large screens. Stick a font size of 36 pixels for titles and at least 30 pixels for body text.

Additionally, to make your message pop, maintain a solid contrast between your text and background. If you use a dark background, use a white font color and vice versa. You can grab inspiration from the job interview presentation sample below.

In the template above, notice how the dark text color pops vibrantly on the white background. Additionally, the fonts are legible enough for readers to digest the message in the slide.

If you want to learn more about making your slide designs shine, read our in-depth article on how to create good presentation design .

5. Use Charts and Graphs to Visualize Data

As mentioned before, sprawling text and bullets aren't enough to drive visual appeal. You need to use visual aids to break up text and boost visual appeal.

By using a range of formats like graphs, statistics, diagrams , video clips and images, you can easily maintain audience attention and get your points across.

Notice how the job interview presentation sample below uses data visualization to present information.

Are you looking for high-resolution visuals for your interview presentations?

If the answer is yes, Visme's presentation maker has everything you need. The tool has a robust library of free and premium stock images, elegant fonts, icons, graphs, charts, infographics and other visual aids.

6. Keep Your Presentation Clear, Unique and Impactful

When it comes to making presentations or a pitch deck, less is more.

As a presenter, you want recruiters to glance at your slide, gain interest and listen to you. Hence it's best to keep your slide short and simple, aiming for ten slides or less.

Be careful not to load too much information on your slides or break off tangents that don't support your topic.

Just like you, other applicants are looking to give an impressive presentation. Make your presentation memorable and unique. This will convince your employer that you are the ideal candidate for the job.

One way to make your presentation unique is by:

• Creating a simulated project or demo
• Using case studies related to the company's operations
• Creating a strategic plan for your intended role or department
• Depicting how you would use your skills to achieve the desired project goals

If you're doing a job presentation for a marketing position, for example, you can create a detailed strategic plan that wins the heart and minds of your interviewers using the template below.

7. Practice Your Delivery

Your interview presentation is a critical stage in the recruiting process. And having an excellent delivery will solidify your chances of getting the job.

However, having a flawless delivery starts with practice, practice and more practice.

For example, Steve Jobs was one of the most phenomenal speakers of his time. His keynotes and demos were compelling and filled with passion and energy.

But if you pull back the curtain, you'll realize why presentations were magical. What seemed spontaneous took hours and hours of practice.

Here's the thing. Rehearsing your presentation beforehand will help avoid babbling or being caught off guard.

Not only that, practice will make you become confident, familiar with you presentation outline or structure and deliver your presentation smoothly.

How do you practice your interview presentation?

First off, deliver your presentation in front of a mirror and record yourself while you're at it. Repeat this as many times as possible and watch out for mistakes that could hurt your presentation.

Next, practice your presentation before your friends and ask them to take notes. Doing this will enable you to get feedback or work on areas that require improvements.

Encourage them to provide detailed feedback rather than general feedback like: "you did well" or "great design".

Before presenting his first TED Talk, author and business podcaster Tim Ferriss practiced his presentation with a group of friends and strangers. He went ahead to incorporate their feedback and suggestions in his next rehearsal.

During practice, go ahead and do these things:

• Time yourself to ensure your presentation falls within the allowed time
• Keep your shoulder and head high up
• Maintain eye contact with your audience (friends, family or professional colleagues)
• Be expressive and articulate your words with confidence.
• Take deep breaths and pauses in between your presentation
• Be audible and avoid speaking too fast

As you practice repeatedly, you'll have your points at your fingertips. Plus, you'll become more confident about your interview.

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor practiced her 18-minute TED Talk about 200 times before getting on stage. Her speech below, “ My Stroke of Insight,” has amassed well over 25 million views on the TED site alone.

8. Follow Presentation Guidelines

While preparing for your big day, adhere to the employer's rules for the interview presentation.

The interview rules could include:

• Interview arrival time
• Document required
• The focus of the presentation and allotted time

For instance, if your interviewer says candidates must complete their presentation in 10 minutes, don't exceed the allocated time.

If you've not been given a time limit, keep your presentation between 10-20 minutes. Remember — people have short attention spans.

When you adhere to the guidelines, employers will believe you're reliable and can work with available resources.

9. Use the Right Presentation Tool

The tool you use to prepare your presentation is as important as the content. You'll find tons of presentation software out there, including PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides, Visme, Prezi and more.

Sometimes, your potential employer may favor a particular platform for your interview presentation. But more often than not, they'll leave you to make a choice.

In this case, it's advisable to build your presentations using a tool that's not only familiar but has everything you need to make your content shine. We strongly recommend a feature-rich tool like Visme .

Whether you're a novice or expert, Visme is precisely made to help you craft beautiful presentations and nail your delivery. The tool has 500+ templates, animations, fonts, and design themes that match your style and any niche you can think of.

You can also check out our quick video on how to create beautiful and professional interview presentations in Visme.

10. Have a Backup Plan

Keep in mind that complications could arise. Having a backup plan can help you put things back on track and complete your presentation successfully.

Your employer will mainly provide a screen, laptop, USB and other equipment.

Still, it would help to bring along your laptop and USB drive. They could come in handy if you want to quickly make some adjustments to your slide or review them before the presentation.

In addition, make sure to:

• Have duplicate copies of your presentation. You can save a copy on a USB stick, external drive or cloud drive.
• Email the file to yourself and the interviewers.
• Bring along a few printed handouts or copies of your slides, which you'll share with your audience.

Taking these steps can save the day if anything goes wrong such as computer breakdown, corrupt files, power disruption and other technical glitches.

11. Determine Follow-up Questions and Provide Answers

Now your preparation is in top gear. But wait, there's one more thing.

After creating your presentation, review the content and check for readability and spelling errors.

Then think up questions your audience might ask after your delivery. You'll want to brace up for questions that are both related and not related to the topic.

Here is a list of the common interview presentation questions that you can expect:

• What solutions do you recommend in light of the current realities and trends?
• Why do you recommend this solution?
• What strategy do we use to solve this problem?
• How do we convince investors to buy into this project?
• What resources do we need to execute these projects?
• What processes can we put in place to ensure the success of this project
• How do you plan to minimize the risks of this project?
• How does your recommendation align with the company's short-term and long-term goals?

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11 Interview Presentation Tips

You've put in the work to prepare your interview presentation. Great job! Now the day and time of your presentation have arrived.

These 11 interview presentation tips will help you win your employers over.

1. Pick the Right Outfit

There's no hard and fast rule to picking the right interview outfit. And that’s because different companies and industries have preferred dress codes.

So your best bet will be to ask the hiring manager before the interview date. This will enable you to align your attire with the company culture.

Whether the acceptable dress code is formal or casual, wear something that makes you appear smart and confident. But when in doubt, stick to formal and smart business attire.

2. Arrive Early and Settle In

Whether you have an online or physical interview or presentation, this is a no-brainer. Showing up late doesn't only leave a bad impression, but it could cost you the job.

Arriving early to your interview will give you enough time to settle your nerves and tie loose ends.

A good rule of thumb is to arrive 15 to 20 minutes before your presentation. You'll have ample time to get comfortable with the equipment and the environment.

3. Start Strong and Build Rapport

The opening part of your interview presentation is where you set the mood for the rest of the presentation.

Here, you have to draw your audience in and convince them to listen to you. So aim to make it impactful and enthralling.

Once you get on the stage, build rapport with your audience.

Start by introducing yourself, professional experience, skills and educational background. Then, highlight your career achievements, records, awards and portfolio like the example interview presentation slide below.

The goal is to impress and attract your audience's attention. This is the moment where you convince recruiters that you’re worth listening to.

When it comes to your presenting your topics, you can kick off your presentation with the following techniques:

• Use captivating quotes
• Mention compelling statistics about the organization, industry or subject
• Tell an interesting story about yourself or the subject
• Talk about a trending news topic

Not only will this help draw your interviewers in, but it will engross them and set the mood for the rest of the presentation.

4. Be Confident

You've worked so hard to get to this point. Be confident that you've got this. Projecting confidence is also as important as having an incredible resume.

Recruiters love to listen to confident candidates. And developing this mindset will help you inspire trust and build connections with your potential employer.

If you're looking to keep your confidence high, do these things:

• Speak with authority and make eye contact with your audience: This is you selling yourself and reiterating that you've got all it takes to do the job.
• Pay attention to your body language: That's the first thing people notice. The way you carry yourself says a lot about how confident you are. Do your best to maintain the right body posture, smile, keep your head up and appear comfortable.
• Use hand gestures: Utilizing strong hand gestures adds personality to your speech and makes you expressive. For example, moving your hand in an upward motion can describe growth rate or increase. Likewise, opening or closing your hands depicts sizes.

5. Deliver Like a Pro

While making your presentation, ensure your delivery is crisp and clear.

Whether you're using your voice or microphone, command attention by enunciating words clearly and projecting them to the back of the room. Otherwise, you'll come across as timid or unsure of your assertions.

Resist the temptation to use a dull tone or communicate without facial expressions.

Instead, deliver your speech with passion and vary your pitch to convey feelings and different emotional intensities. Delivering your message with emotion and liveliness will keep your audience hooked.

Most people tend to speak fast when they're nervous. Well, if this happens, your interviewer may miss out on important points.

Thus, maintain a reasonable pace and have occasional pauses in between. This will give you time to catch your breath, collect your thoughts and let your messages sink in.

Remember your slide is supposed to support your presentation, so avoid reading your slides or notes. Doing this will bore your audience and give them the impression that you're inept on the subject.

Showcase your expertise with the help of the presentation interview template below.

6. Tell a Compelling Story

Storytelling is one the most effective ways to structure your interview presentation.

Whether you're simulating a project, discussing a technical topic or pitching your skills, storytelling is the key to winning audience interest.

Top business leaders are making the most of it. You should make it the foundation of your interview presentation.

For example, in the video below, Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, leverages storytelling to explain how she built a successful product.

One of the reasons why Steve Jobs stood out during presentations is his ability to tell captivating stories. He used storytelling during his keynote addresses, pitches and notably during the launch of the first iPhone in 2007.

Here's the thing. Telling stories engages your audience and helps understand your points. Also, it makes your presentation more impactful and memorable.

Here's how to use storytelling during your interview presentation

• Plot: Select an area of focus and make it resonate with your audiences
• Characters: Highlight the major players in your story. It could be you, the company, the industry, competitors, etc.
• Opposition: Present a problem and why it matters to the organization or audience
• Journey: Discuss what you bring to the table regarding the solution, planning, execution, monitoring, problem-solving and management
• Conclusion: End with a strong resolution

What's more? To make your presentation cohesive and well-thought-out, use practical examples.

For example, the slide below highlights current gaps or problems.

Then, the next slide suggests practical steps to address the gaps or solve the problems.

7. Use Visual Aids

We discussed this during the preparation phase. And you've got to make it count while delivering your presentation.

Adding visuals to your story is a winning formula that works all the time.

Why? Interestingly about 65% of people are visual learners. Plus, our brains are wired to pay more attention to visual content.

But those are not the only reasons you should incorporate visuals into your presentation.

• Visuals attract audience attention and enhance your delivery
• With visuals, your audiences can quickly understand complex ideas
• They appeal to your viewer's imagination and drive an emotional connection
• Visual add power to your words and keeps your speech on track

You can use video, images, infographics and symbols to describe ideas or concepts. Map charts or statistical maps can help visualize geographical information.

You can visualize numbers using graphs, line charts, pie charts, bar charts and maps like in the slide template below.

8. Use Speaker Notes

While creating your slides, you can store essential talking points in your presenter notes. These notes are visible to you but aren't visible to your audience.

They help you recall key points like quotes, stats or ideas as you present.

Visme makes it super easy to add presenter notes to your slides. You can view your notes for the current and next slides as you present.

The tool also comes with a timer that helps you stay within the allocated time. If you're pressed for time, cut out the least relevant points and move the most important ones. Ultimately make sure you don't exceed the allotted time.

9. Be Prepared To Adapt

We get it. You've practiced your presentation and put other things in the right place.

However, keep in mind that things don't always go as planned. So you have to be willing to adapt to changes.

For example, you may have prepared a 10 minute presentation for interview and you’re given less than five minutes. Also, you may have planned to deliver your presentation and then take questions. But your interview may commence with questions or ask questions while you’re presenting.

Whatever the case, be prepared to pause for questions or switch to further discussion unexpectedly.

10. Have a Strong Closing

Your conclusion is as important as the intro. It determines what your audiences will walk away with and how they will feel about you.

Generally, it should be a summary of everything you discussed earlier. Therefore you have to bring it full circle and make it connected to the rest of your presentation.

Most importantly, make it convincing and memorable.

If your interviewer can remember the key takeaways from your presentation, you'll have the edge over other candidates.

Here's how to end your interview presentation in a memorable way:

• Ask your audience questions about the topic that sparks curiosity and gets them thinking.
• End with key takeaways that highlight the main points of your presentation.
• Double down on the problems and how you can help solve them.
• Mention how your recommended solution can help the company grow and increase their competitive edge
• Tie your message to an interesting quote that aligns with the company vision, mission and goals
• Highlight intriguing milestones and figures you can help the company achieve like profit margins, growth rate, market valuation, increased productivity, revenue growth, etc.
• Demonstrate that you are open to feedback, questions and further discussion about the topic

Use the job interview presentation example below to craft a striking conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

11. Take Questions and Feedback at the End

After you've concluded your presentation, get ready for questions and feedback from interviewers.

Keep in mind that the questions may differ from what you rehearsed. Still, make sure you answer the question with confidence and demonstrate expertise.

If the question is challenging, take a moment to compose your thoughts before responding. Also, if the question isn't clear, don't be afraid to ask for clarification.

In any case, the panel will judge your suitability for the role based on what you say, how you present yourself and how you approach questions.

Ace Your Interview Presentations with Visme

Creating an effective interview presentation can be your weapon to launch or advance your career. With a winning interview, you can outperform other candidates and convince your prospective employers that you're the right fit for the job.

But it all starts with setting aside hours to prepare for your presentations. In addition, make sure you follow all the tips we've shared for delivering your presentation.

Looking to create a presentation that will land you that new role? Then you need to use intuitive presentation software like Visme.

Whether you're a learner or an expert, Visme is easy to use. We guarantee that it will pay off more than you can imagine. The tool offers hundreds of pre-built presentation templates, built-in graphics, multimedia, design elements and more.

Beyond creating stunning presentations, you'll be able to share your presentation live. You can also embed it to your website or download it as a video or editable file formats like PDF, PPTX and more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you start an interview presentation.

There are a few great ways to start your presentation with style, immediately grabbing your audience’s attention:

• Start with a provocative question or statement.
• Tell a story.
• Quote an influential person.
• Ask a question.
• Tell a joke.

What is a good presentation topic for an interview?

When creating a presentation as a part of a job interview, you want to choose a topic that will help to sell yourself and your knowledge. This might mean a prior project you worked on, some new tech in your industry, new industry trends, etc.

What is the point of an interview presentation?

An interview presentation helps potential employers understand your actual knowledge level in the industry. If you’re able to give an in-depth presentation showcasing how well you know about something related to your field, they’re much more likely to want you on their team.

How do you improve your interview presentation skills?

Looking to improve your presentation skills ? A few key interview presentation ideas and tips include:

• Keep your slides short and sweet.
• Practice before you present.
• Don’t read off your slides.
• Create a visually appealing presentation design .
• Show off your personality.

Easily put together winning interview presentations in Visme

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About the Author

Unenabasi is a content expert with many years of experience in digital marketing, business development, and strategy. He loves to help brands tell stories that drive engagement, growth, and competitive advantage. He’s adept at creating compelling content on lifestyle, marketing, business, e-commerce, and technology. When he’s not taking the content world by storm, Unenabasi enjoys playing or watching soccer.

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• Job Interview Tips

How to Ace a Panel Interview (Tips & Common Questions)

Panel interviews can feel like interrogations and make you uncomfortable.

After all, you’re there on your own — facing a panel of interviewers. The imbalance is a lot more evident than in regular, one-on-one interviews.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t walk out confident.

In this article, we’ll help you:

• Understand what panel interviews are and why you may be invited to one.
• Prepare for a panel interview in 5 simple steps.
• Get 7 career coach-vetted tips to nail your next panel interview.

Want to get an offer after every interview? Our interview preparation tool will guide you through all the questions you can expect, let you record and analyze your answers, and provide instant AI feedback. You’ll know exactly what to improve to turn your next interview into a job.

Don’t waste days compiling overused interview techniques. Get original answers to every single question you could expect.

What Is a Panel Interview?

A panel interview is a format where a candidate is interviewed by multiple interviewers simultaneously. This type of interview usually includes representatives from various departments within the company, such as HR, the hiring department, and sometimes future team members.

The panel may also include higher-level executives if you’re interviewing for one of the key roles.

Why are panel interviews used?

A panel interview is a strategic choice for many organizations because it saves everyone’s time and allows for a collaborative approach.

Some benefits of panel interviews:

• They let many people evaluate you at once. A panel brings together varied perspectives, ensuring a 360-degree assessment of a candidate’s capabilities and potential fit within the company. With each interviewer focusing on different areas of your expertise, they can effectively learn about your competencies and traits that might otherwise be overlooked.
• They help reduce bias. When people from different departments and backgrounds participate, it’s easier to override individual biases and ensure a fair evaluation process. This absolutely works in your favor.
• They make the interview process more efficient. By consolidating individual interviews into one comprehensive session, companies save a lot of time (including your time!) while still conducting a thorough assessment.
• They help to find the right fit. Any new hire should fit the company’s culture. A panel can better determine if your values align with theirs. For roles that require teamwork, a panel of interviewers can provide a better assessment of how well you can collaborate and communicate with different team members and departments.

The panel interview is commonly used for academia, government, and higher-level corporate roles and settings where the complexity and scope of responsibilities span across different departments.

How are panel interviews different from one-on-one interviews?

The key difference between panel interviews and one-on-one interviews is not so much the number of interviewers, but the dynamic and interview structure that this setup creates.

Here’s a deeper look into how a panel interview is different:

• There will be more interviewers. In a panel interview, you’ll be cross-examined by a group typically ranging from three to six interviewers. The panel may include HR personnel, potential direct supervisors, department heads, and potential colleagues. Each panel member represents a different perspective and set of interests regarding your suitability for the role.
• The dynamics will be different . Interacting with multiple interviewers simultaneously changes the interview dynamics. You’ll have to read the room and manage attention between several interviewers, pick up multiple people’s reactions, and then quickly adapt your responses. Remember to maintain eye contact with all panel members, and manage the flow of conversation to ensure that each interviewer feels acknowledged.
• It lasts longer and goes more in-depth . Panel interviews may include multiple segments, such as presentations, skill assessments, and situational questions that require detailed responses.

How to Prepare for a Panel Interview

To do well in a panel interview, follow these 5 steps:

Research the company culture and values

Dive deep into the company website, read through their mission statement, scour their social media profiles, and look for news articles or press releases to get a holistic view of their identity and priorities.

This will help you to align your answers with the company’s ethos. It will also show you’re genuinely interested in becoming a part of their team.

Get intel on the background of panel members

Knowing your interviewers can help you personalize your responses and build a connection with each panel member. Do your best to find out who the panel will consist of. You can ask the person who arranged the interview to tell you a bit about the panel you’d be meeting with.

Once you know who they are, check them out on LinkedIn to get a better idea of what exact roles they have in the company, what interests they have, and how to best approach them.

Company websites often have bios for their leadership team, which can provide additional context.

Research role-specific knowledge and skills

Analyze the requirements of the role you’re applying for. You need to go beyond the job description and explore the broader context of how this role fits within the team and contributes to the organization’s goals.

This might involve researching industry trends, required technical skills, and common challenges faced in such positions. Demonstrating this level of understanding and attention to detail in your answers will show your readiness to hit the ground running.

Use your knowledge of who the interviewers are to compare their roles to the job description. It will be easy to guess what questions you’ll be asked and who you should emphasize what with.

For example, if you’re interviewing for a sales role that mentions working with customer success on renewals, you’ll want to prepare for questions related to your experience with upselling and renewing clients, as well as your ability to make new sales. And if both the Customer Success Manager and Sales Manager are in the panel, you’ll want to address them both.

Prepare answers to common panel interview questions

Some panel interview questions will be specific, depending on the role and the interviewers, but there are questions that are pretty standard.

Check out these dedicated guides on how to answer some of them:

• Tell me about yourself .
• Why do you want to work here? 
• What can you contribute to the company? 
• Why are you interested in this position?
• What are your biggest strengths?
• What is your greatest weakness? 
• What motivates you?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 
• What are your salary expectations?

You’ll also get a lot of behavioral questions , so be ready to answer them and get familiar with the STAR format .

Practice mock panel interviews

The dynamics of a panel interview can throw you off balance if you’re not prepared. Ask friends or mentors to act as panel members in mock interviews.

This will help you get comfortable directing your answers to multiple people, manage your time effectively, and handle the pressure of being in the spotlight from various angles.

Even if you’re preparing solo, it will still be useful to practice answering common and industry-specific questions. This way, you’ll have all the facts and examples ready and you can focus on your delivery more. An interview simulator software can help polish everything up.

To get back to our previous example — if you’re interviewing for a sales position, you could go over the most common questions for your role, then practice answering them on video.

Once you’re done, you can get an AI analysis of your answer, including your body language, tone, and use of filler words.

Seven Panel Interview Tips to Ace Your Next Interview

Here are 7 simple tips that have been vetted by our chief coach and career expert, Pamela Skillings, to help you nail your next panel interview.

Build rapport with each panel member

Here’s how you can establish a connection with each interviewer and answer their questions smoothly.

• Address them by name. Make it a point to learn and use the names of the interviewers during the session. Addressing someone by name is a basic yet powerful way to build rapport and show attentiveness.
• Tailor responses to departmental interests. The research you did on the panel members’ roles within the company pays off here. When responding to questions, subtly tailor your answers to reflect an understanding of each interviewer’s departmental focus. For instance, when speaking to a marketing head, highlight your experience or ideas that align with marketing objectives and challenges.
• Answer questions one at a time. In situations where multiple questions are posed by different interviewers, acknowledge each question first. Then, proceed to answer them one at a time. This organized approach ensures that you address each panel member’s query without overlooking or ignoring anyone.
• Acknowledge every interviewer. Even as you respond to one question, maintain eye contact with the other panel members occasionally. This inclusive engagement showcases your ability to communicate effectively in a group setting and ensures that no panel member feels sidelined.

Balance eye contact and attention

Panel interviews can be more challenging than regular ones because they require you to engage with more than one person at the same time. This goes for verbal communication, but also for eye contact and attention you give to each panelist.

Try to distribute your eye contact evenly, so that no member feels ignored or excluded. Don’t fix your gaze or turn your body to one person only. Make sure you give everyone equal attention, even if some members of the panel are less talkative than others.

💡 Pro tip : If you’re in a virtual panel interview, the best thing to do is try and look directly at the camera. It will be uncomfortable at first (you may need to put in a conscious effort), but it will seem like you’re looking at everyone.

Highlight your unique selling proposition

As you answer questions, especially the introductory ones like “Tell me about yourself” or “Why should we hire you?”, make sure to explain what sets you apart from other candidates.

Remember that your responses are evaluated by diverse panel members who will likely have different areas of focus and interests based on their roles.

Let’s say you’re a Product Owner interviewing for a job at a tech company. Your panel could consist of an HR representative, Head of Engineering, Head of UX, Product Marketing Director, and other team leads whose departments you’d have to work with on a daily basis.

The HR person would be interested in how you fit the culture and your soft skills like collaboration or your approach to conflict resolution and handling difficult situations with team members.

The Head of Engineering would want to know about your experience in working with development teams, your approach to prioritizing, managing technical debt, or how well you can translate technical requirements into user stories.

The Head of UX design would be scanning you for user research or your understanding of accessibility.

Finally, the Product Marketing Director would be interested in your experience with product launches and collaboration with content teams on the creation of marketing collateral, product videos, or competitor research.

You’ll have to tailor your responses to resonate with everyone and highlight different strengths and skills that each of them will find important. And if you don’t have direct experience with all of this, you can mention collaborating with people who do.

Show you can handle stress and criticism

Panel interviews are a great way for the hiring team to test if you’re adaptable and resilient to stress. This is essential for management roles or roles requiring strong interpersonal skills and cross-departmental collaboration.

Come well-prepared. When you know what questions to expect, who you’re talking to, and how you want to present yourself, it will be a lot easier to stay calm and professional.

Here’s an in-depth guide that can help: Interview Anxiety: How to Calm Nerves Before an Interview .

Ask thoughtful questions

You shouldn’t miss the opportunity to ask 3–4 questions at the end. Ideally, prepare one question for each panelist. This is a great way to show you’re really interested in the position and would like to learn more about the company, processes, growth opportunities, and the role itself.

Also, make sure to address the right questions to the right panel members.

💡 Pro tip: Don’t just prepare questions beforehand and stick to them. As the conversation unfolds, and especially if anything is unclear, take mental notes of things you’d like to learn more about. Remember that the interviewers expect you to ask questions. Having none will probably get you flagged.

Here are some smart questions you can ask: 40+ Smart Questions to Ask at the End of Any Job Interview .

Close the interview strongly

In a panel interview, it’s especially important to leave a positive impression on all panel members since they collectively influence the hiring decision.

Towards the end of the interview, you’ll get the chance to ask questions and also have your final opportunity to explain why you’re the right fit for the position, and express gratitude for the opportunity.

Here’s what you should do:

• Thank everyone for the opportunity to interview for the position.
• End on a positive note and express your enthusiasm to contribute to the company’s success.
• Show them you’re open to further discussions. Make sure they have your contact information and encourage them to reach out with any further questions.

Follow up after the interview

The end of the interview doesn’t mean you just sit and wait.

In the next 24 hours after the interview, send personalized thank-you emails to all members of the panel.

Here’s our guide on how to write a perfect thank-you email . This short video can help too.

Summary of the Main Points

Here’s a quick rundown of everything you need to know about acing a panel interview.

• A panel interview is a format where you are interviewed by multiple interviewers simultaneously.
• They’re commonly used for academia, government, and high-level corporate roles where the complexity and scope of responsibilities span different departments.
• Panel interviews usually last longer than one-on-one interviews.
• To prepare for a panel interview, you need to research the company culture and values, learn about the panelists’ roles in the company, be ready to speak about your role-specific knowledge and skills, prepare answers to common questions, and practice answering questions in a panel setting.
• Make sure to engage with each panelist and balance your eye contact and attention.
• Show them you can handle the stress of being cross-examined by staying focused and highlighting your unique selling points and skills throughout the interview.
• At the end, ask 3–4 questions at the end of the interview to cement your impression and show you’re genuinely interested.
• After the interview, write personalized thank-you emails to each panel member.

Is a panel interview a good sign?

Yes, because it means they’re interested in working with you. That said, it’s as good a sign as any other interview. In other words, it doesn’t mean you’ve made it further than someone who’s been invited to a one-on-one interview. It’s just another type of interview and you have to put more thought into preparation because there will be more people screening you.

What are the best questions to ask in a panel interview?

Ask questions that will show your interest in the position, but make sure they help you learn more about the team dynamics, growth opportunities, and how the role contributes to the broader company goals. You can ask one question about the role, one about the company culture, and one about growth.

What is the difference between a panel interview and a group interview?

Panel interviews are focused on evaluating one candidate from multiple organizational perspectives, while group interviews assess multiple candidates’ abilities to interact and work in a team setting. The choice between a panel or group interview often depends on the nature of the job, the level of the position, the company’s culture, and the specific qualities the employer is looking to assess in candidates.

How to prepare for a panel interview on zoom?

To prepare for a panel interview on Zoom, make sure to test your connection, audio, and video. As with all other video interviews , you should choose a quiet, well-lit space and a professional background. Try to find out who the panelists will be and research their background and roles in the organization. Make sure to maintain eye contact with the camera. Since you’ll be interacting with multiple interviewers, make an effort to address each one during the interview.

What to do if only one member of the panel asks questions?

If only one member asks questions in your panel interview, you should direct your response to that person, but also try to engage with all other panel members. You can briefly glance at the other panelists and invite them to provide additional input or ask further questions. No matter the dynamic of the panel, try to keep your composure and focus on delivering your responses confidently and professionally.

I forgot the name of one panel member. Can I ask them to repeat their name?

If you forget the name of a panel member, it’s best to be tactful and wait for another panel member to call them by the name. If that doesn’t happen, you can try to avoid using their name in your response. As a last resort, you can say something like, “I apologize, could you please remind me of your name?”

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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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7 Tips to Acing Your Interview Presentation

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Published Date : December 7, 2020

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Introduction

An interview presentation is a short, persuasive presentation that an interviewer can ask you to deliver in lieu or in addition to a sit-down interview. Your interviewer may ask you to prepare an impromptu presentation on the day of the interview, or you may have some days to prepare.

Interview presentations allow employers to assess your skills and determine if you will fit into the organization well. I have several tips and examples that will help you ace your presentation. But let us look at the proper interview greeting etiquette first.

How to greet an interview panel

Interview etiquette demands that you greet every staff member you meet at your interview location, from the receptionist up until you meet your interview panel. When you get to the interview panel, you have to walk up to them with a smile. Give them an individual handshake and a ‘ Good Morning .’

Image address

How should you introduce yourself in an interview?

After greeting the interview panel, you have to introduce yourself. Ensure you have a prepared greeting or check out some interview presentation templates to sound professional before you go for the interview. State your full name, educational background, and skill. It can go like this,

“ My name is Robert, and I’m a Marketing graduate here for the digital marketing associate role. I have a strong background in digital marketing, and I would love to become a valuable member of your team .”

How to introduce myself with a presentation in an interview

When you have to give an interview presentation, the first thing you should do is introduce yourself. The introduction for a job interview presentation can be more detailed than that for a regular interview, and it should lead to the next part of your interview presentation. You can find several interview presentation templates online, such as, 

“ Good Afternoon. My name is Robert, and I’m a marketing graduate with over two years of digital marketing experience. I’ve always been passionate about digital marketing and finding smarter ways to promote a brand. I have developed strategies for so-so brands and helped increase their brand visibility by 15% in 2 months. I’m here to talk about how those strategies can benefit this organization in a so-so way .”

What are the best interview skills?

1. research.

One of the things employers look out for in an interviewee is their research skills. You should show them how well you can research and how prepared you are for the interview presentation. Sometimes, they can test you by asking you questions about the company that you would only know if you had put in the effort before attending the interview presentation. You can find such questions in many interview presentation templates online.

2. Verbal and written communication skills

You require excellent verbal and written communication skills to succeed in your interview presentation. Verbal communication skills allow you to deliver your presentation in clear, concise words without depending on a crutch. Interviewers also look out for your ability to enunciate, speak confidently , and convince with your words. If you use an interview PowerPoint presentation, you need good written communication skills in your slides.

3. Non-verbal communication skills

Body Language <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:307">In <strong>public speaking</strong>, body language refers to the non-verbal communication cues you give with your body, including posture, facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact. These elements play a crucial role in conveying your message, enhancing its impact, and connecting with your audience.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:34"><strong>Importance in Public Speaking:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-11:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:136"><strong>Complementing your words:</strong> Body language reinforces your spoken message, emphasizing key points and conveying emotions effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:157"><strong>Building credibility:</strong> Confident and positive body language projects professionalism and sincerity, making you appear more trustworthy to your audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:142"><strong>Engaging your audience:</strong> Dynamic and intentional body language keeps them engaged, prevents monotony, and sparks interest.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-11:0"><strong>Projecting confidence:</strong> Confident body language can help overcome nerves and stage fright, making you appear more relaxed and in control.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="12:1-12:33"><strong>Key Aspects of Body Language:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="14:1-18:0"> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:96"><strong>Posture:</strong> Stand tall with your shoulders back and relaxed, avoiding slouching or fidgeting.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:124"><strong>Facial expressions:</strong> Smile genuinely, express appropriate emotions with your face, and avoid frowning or looking bored.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:119"><strong>Gestures:</strong> Use natural and purposeful gestures to emphasize your points, but avoid excessive or nervous movements.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-18:0"><strong>Eye contact:</strong> Make consistent eye contact with different audience members, conveying genuine connection and confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="19:1-19:22"><strong>Mastering the Art:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="21:1-25:0"> <li data-sourcepos="21:1-21:122"><strong>Observe effective speakers:</strong> Pay attention to how successful speakers use body language and analyze their techniques.</li> <li data-sourcepos="22:1-22:144"><strong>Practice in front of a mirror:</strong> Record yourself or practice in front of a trusted friend to assess your body language and make adjustments.</li> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:151"><strong>Take a public speaking class:</strong> Many classes incorporate dedicated sessions on body language, providing expert feedback and practice opportunities.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-25:0"><strong>Be mindful and intentional:</strong> Focus on using your body language consciously and strategically to support your message and connect with your audience.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="26:1-26:349"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="26:1-26:349">Effective body language is not about rigid positions or forced gestures. It's about finding a natural and authentic way to use your body to support your spoken message and engage your audience. By mastering this crucial aspect of <strong>the art of public speaking</strong>, you can significantly enhance your impact and leave a lasting impression.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/body-language/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">Body language , gestures, and body management are important communication tools that tell much about you and your thoughts. You need good body management and maintain the right posture for Confidence <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:305">In the context of <strong>public speaking</strong>, <strong>confidence</strong> refers to the belief in one's ability to communicate effectively and deliver one's message with clarity and impact. It encompasses various elements, including self-belief, composure, and the ability to manage one's <strong>fear of public speaking</strong>.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:16"><strong>Key Aspects:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-12:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:108"><strong>Self-belief:</strong> A strong conviction in your knowledge, skills, and ability to connect with your audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:95"><strong>Composure:</strong> Maintaining calmness and poise under pressure, even in challenging situations.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:100"><strong>Assertiveness:</strong> Expressing your ideas clearly and concisely, avoiding hesitation or self-doubt.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-10:104"><strong>Positive self-talk:</strong> Countering negative thoughts with affirmations and focusing on your strengths.</li> <li data-sourcepos="11:1-12:0"><strong>Strong body language:</strong> Using gestures, posture, and eye contact that project confidence and professionalism.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="13:1-13:27"><strong>Benefits of Confidence:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="15:1-19:0"> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:99"><strong>Reduced anxiety:</strong> Feeling confident helps manage <strong>fear of public speaking</strong> and stage fright.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:133"><strong>Engaging delivery:</strong> Confident speakers project their voices, hold eye contact, and connect with their audience more effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:137"><strong>Increased persuasiveness:</strong> A confident presentation inspires belief and motivates your audience to listen and remember your message.</li> <li data-sourcepos="18:1-19:0"><strong>Greater impact:</strong> Confidently delivered speeches leave a lasting impression and achieve desired outcomes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="20:1-20:15"><strong>Challenges:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="22:1-26:0"> <li data-sourcepos="22:1-22:112">Overcoming <strong>fear of public speaking</strong>: Many people experience some level of anxiety when speaking publicly.</li> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:101"><strong>Imposter syndrome:</strong> Doubting your abilities and qualifications, even when objectively qualified.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:92"><strong>Negative self-talk:</strong> Internalized criticism and limiting beliefs can hamper confidence.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-26:0"><strong>Past negative experiences:</strong> Unsuccessful presentations or negative feedback can erode confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="27:1-27:24"><strong>Building Confidence:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="29:1-36:0"> <li data-sourcepos="29:1-29:102"><strong>Practice and preparation:</strong> Thoroughly rehearse your speech to feel comfortable with the material.</li> <li data-sourcepos="30:1-30:101"><strong>Visualization:</strong> Imagine yourself delivering a successful presentation with confidence and poise.</li> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:100"><strong>Positive self-talk:</strong> Actively replace negative thoughts with affirmations about your abilities.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:106"><strong>Seek feedback:</strong> Ask trusted individuals for constructive criticism and use it to improve your skills.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:157">Consider a <strong>speaking coach</strong>: Working with a coach can provide personalized guidance and support to address specific challenges and confidence barriers.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-34:114"><strong>Start small:</strong> Gradually increase the size and complexity of your speaking engagements as you gain experience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="35:1-36:0"><strong>Focus on progress:</strong> Celebrate small successes and acknowledge your improvement over time.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="37:1-37:282"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="37:1-37:282"><strong>Confidence</strong> in public speaking is a journey, not a destination. By actively practicing, embracing feedback, and focusing on your strengths, you can overcome <strong>fear of public speaking</strong> and develop the <strong>confidence</strong> to deliver impactful and memorable presentations.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/confidence/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">confidence and optimism. Your Body Language <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:307">In <strong>public speaking</strong>, body language refers to the non-verbal communication cues you give with your body, including posture, facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact. These elements play a crucial role in conveying your message, enhancing its impact, and connecting with your audience.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:34"><strong>Importance in Public Speaking:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-11:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:136"><strong>Complementing your words:</strong> Body language reinforces your spoken message, emphasizing key points and conveying emotions effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:157"><strong>Building credibility:</strong> Confident and positive body language projects professionalism and sincerity, making you appear more trustworthy to your audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:142"><strong>Engaging your audience:</strong> Dynamic and intentional body language keeps them engaged, prevents monotony, and sparks interest.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-11:0"><strong>Projecting confidence:</strong> Confident body language can help overcome nerves and stage fright, making you appear more relaxed and in control.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="12:1-12:33"><strong>Key Aspects of Body Language:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="14:1-18:0"> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:96"><strong>Posture:</strong> Stand tall with your shoulders back and relaxed, avoiding slouching or fidgeting.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:124"><strong>Facial expressions:</strong> Smile genuinely, express appropriate emotions with your face, and avoid frowning or looking bored.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:119"><strong>Gestures:</strong> Use natural and purposeful gestures to emphasize your points, but avoid excessive or nervous movements.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-18:0"><strong>Eye contact:</strong> Make consistent eye contact with different audience members, conveying genuine connection and confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="19:1-19:22"><strong>Mastering the Art:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="21:1-25:0"> <li data-sourcepos="21:1-21:122"><strong>Observe effective speakers:</strong> Pay attention to how successful speakers use body language and analyze their techniques.</li> <li data-sourcepos="22:1-22:144"><strong>Practice in front of a mirror:</strong> Record yourself or practice in front of a trusted friend to assess your body language and make adjustments.</li> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:151"><strong>Take a public speaking class:</strong> Many classes incorporate dedicated sessions on body language, providing expert feedback and practice opportunities.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-25:0"><strong>Be mindful and intentional:</strong> Focus on using your body language consciously and strategically to support your message and connect with your audience.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="26:1-26:349"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="26:1-26:349">Effective body language is not about rigid positions or forced gestures. It's about finding a natural and authentic way to use your body to support your spoken message and engage your audience. By mastering this crucial aspect of <strong>the art of public speaking</strong>, you can significantly enhance your impact and leave a lasting impression.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/body-language/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">body language and Hand gestures <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:282"><strong>Hand gestures</strong> are nonverbal movements of the hands and fingers used to communicate emotions, emphasize points, and enhance understanding during spoken interaction. They play a crucial role in effective communication, complementing and amplifying the spoken word.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:14"><strong>Functions:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-12:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:125"><strong>Emphasize key points:</strong> Hand gestures can draw attention to important information and visually reinforce verbal emphasis.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:156"><strong>Express emotions:</strong> Hand movements can convey emotions like excitement, frustration, or openness, making communication more expressive and engaging.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:155"><strong>Clarify meaning:</strong> Gestures can help clarify ideas, illustrate concepts, and depict spatial relationships, particularly when explaining complex topics.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-10:164"><strong>Connect with the audience:</strong> Using natural hand gestures creates a sense of connection and rapport with the listener, making the communication more interactive.</li> <li data-sourcepos="11:1-12:0"><strong>Boost memory:</strong> Research suggests that using gestures while speaking can improve memory for both the speaker and the listener.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="13:1-13:27"><strong>Types of Hand Gestures:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="15:1-19:0"> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:82"><strong>Open gestures:</strong> Palms facing outward, conveying openness, honesty, and trust.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:98"><strong>Pointed gestures:</strong> Index finger extended, directing attention or emphasizing specific points.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:125"><strong>Steepling:</strong> Fingertips of both hands touch, forming a steeple-like shape, often associated with confidence or authority.</li> <li data-sourcepos="18:1-19:0"><strong>Symbolic gestures:</strong> Hand movements with specific meanings, like a thumbs-up or a peace sign, varying across cultures.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="20:1-20:15"><strong>Challenges:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="22:1-25:0"> <li data-sourcepos="22:1-22:133"><strong>Overusing gestures:</strong> Excessive or unnatural gestures can distract from the message and come across as nervous or unprofessional.</li> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:153"><strong>Cultural differences:</strong> Not all gestures have the same meaning across cultures, making it important to be mindful when communicating internationally.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-25:0"><strong>Fear of public speaking:</strong> Anxiety can lead to stiff or unnatural hand movements, hindering effective communication.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="26:1-26:28"><strong>Improving Hand Gestures:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="28:1-33:0"> <li data-sourcepos="28:1-28:115"><strong>Observe effective speakers:</strong> Pay attention to how confident speakers use gestures naturally and authentically.</li> <li data-sourcepos="29:1-29:119"><strong>Practice in front of a mirror:</strong> Experiment with different gestures and observe their impact on your communication.</li> <li data-sourcepos="30:1-30:119"><strong>Seek feedback:</strong> Ask a trusted friend or <strong>speaking coach</strong> for constructive feedback on hand gestures.</li> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:110"><strong>Be mindful of cultural differences:</strong> Research common hand gestures in your communication contexts.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-33:0"><strong>Focus on naturalness:</strong> Avoid forcing gestures and let them flow naturally with your speech.</li> </ul> <p data-sourcepos="34:1-34:296">Remember, effective hand gestures are a powerful tool for enhancing communication. By understanding their functions, types, and potential challenges, you can refine your gestures and harness their power to express yourself more confidently and connect with your audience on a deeper level.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/hand-gestures/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">hand gestures can also signal your Confidence <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:305">In the context of <strong>public speaking</strong>, <strong>confidence</strong> refers to the belief in one's ability to communicate effectively and deliver one's message with clarity and impact. It encompasses various elements, including self-belief, composure, and the ability to manage one's <strong>fear of public speaking</strong>.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:16"><strong>Key Aspects:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-12:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:108"><strong>Self-belief:</strong> A strong conviction in your knowledge, skills, and ability to connect with your audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:95"><strong>Composure:</strong> Maintaining calmness and poise under pressure, even in challenging situations.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:100"><strong>Assertiveness:</strong> Expressing your ideas clearly and concisely, avoiding hesitation or self-doubt.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-10:104"><strong>Positive self-talk:</strong> Countering negative thoughts with affirmations and focusing on your strengths.</li> <li data-sourcepos="11:1-12:0"><strong>Strong body language:</strong> Using gestures, posture, and eye contact that project confidence and professionalism.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="13:1-13:27"><strong>Benefits of Confidence:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="15:1-19:0"> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:99"><strong>Reduced anxiety:</strong> Feeling confident helps manage <strong>fear of public speaking</strong> and stage fright.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:133"><strong>Engaging delivery:</strong> Confident speakers project their voices, hold eye contact, and connect with their audience more effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:137"><strong>Increased persuasiveness:</strong> A confident presentation inspires belief and motivates your audience to listen and remember your message.</li> <li data-sourcepos="18:1-19:0"><strong>Greater impact:</strong> Confidently delivered speeches leave a lasting impression and achieve desired outcomes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="20:1-20:15"><strong>Challenges:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="22:1-26:0"> <li data-sourcepos="22:1-22:112">Overcoming <strong>fear of public speaking</strong>: Many people experience some level of anxiety when speaking publicly.</li> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:101"><strong>Imposter syndrome:</strong> Doubting your abilities and qualifications, even when objectively qualified.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:92"><strong>Negative self-talk:</strong> Internalized criticism and limiting beliefs can hamper confidence.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-26:0"><strong>Past negative experiences:</strong> Unsuccessful presentations or negative feedback can erode confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="27:1-27:24"><strong>Building Confidence:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="29:1-36:0"> <li data-sourcepos="29:1-29:102"><strong>Practice and preparation:</strong> Thoroughly rehearse your speech to feel comfortable with the material.</li> <li data-sourcepos="30:1-30:101"><strong>Visualization:</strong> Imagine yourself delivering a successful presentation with confidence and poise.</li> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:100"><strong>Positive self-talk:</strong> Actively replace negative thoughts with affirmations about your abilities.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:106"><strong>Seek feedback:</strong> Ask trusted individuals for constructive criticism and use it to improve your skills.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:157">Consider a <strong>speaking coach</strong>: Working with a coach can provide personalized guidance and support to address specific challenges and confidence barriers.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-34:114"><strong>Start small:</strong> Gradually increase the size and complexity of your speaking engagements as you gain experience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="35:1-36:0"><strong>Focus on progress:</strong> Celebrate small successes and acknowledge your improvement over time.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="37:1-37:282"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="37:1-37:282"><strong>Confidence</strong> in public speaking is a journey, not a destination. By actively practicing, embracing feedback, and focusing on your strengths, you can overcome <strong>fear of public speaking</strong> and develop the <strong>confidence</strong> to deliver impactful and memorable presentations.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/confidence/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">confidence , nervousness, and excitement, so you must use them correctly.

4. Soft skills

Soft skills include communication skills, people skills, personality traits, emotional intelligence, and social skills that show how well you relate. You need these skills to fit into the work culture, so the interviewers will look out for those skills they consider important.

5. Ability to perform under pressure

One of the employers’ top requirements is the ability to perform under stress and supervision. Many interviewers use the job interview presentation to test you for those abilities. How you prepare and deliver your interview presentation within a limited time can inform them of your diligence, efficiency, and intelligence level. You need to double-check everything and make sure you deliver an excellent presentation to remove any doubt about your abilities

6. Organizational skills

Organizational skills are highly sought-after, but they are notoriously difficult to recognize. Different organizations have their requirements, so you may not know exactly what they need. Still, you must show as many organizational skills as possible, including time management, planning, efficiency, creative and critical thinking, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills. 

How to improve my interview skills

You may not have all the required skills for your interview presentation, but you can always develop them with some effort. Some of these skills are general skills you should have regardless, like verbal and written skills . While some of them are specific to the role for which you applied.

You can find several interview presentation ideas and tools to help you improve those skills. There are also interview presentation templates, samples, and ideas that are creative enough for you to adopt for your benefit. With some practice and determination, you can develop any skill you need.

1. Focus on your topic

When giving your ideas and topics, you must have the main one to base the presentation on. Usually, the interviewers give you a few topics to choose from so you can choose one to deliver confidently. Keep on track, and don’t go too far off your point.

2. Give your presentation a structure

Every interview presentation needs a structure that follows from start to finish. Your presentation’s structure gives it a clean, defined look that, in turn, makes you seem efficient and organized. Also, when you have a structure, keeping track of your delivery is easier.

3. Do your research

Once again, research is important if you intend to leave a lasting impression on your interview presentation panel. Your research has to cover the topic of your interview presentation, the position you’re applying for, and the company you want to hire you. 

4. Go along with the time limit

Interview presentations usually have a time limit, especially if multiple people are present on the same day. You must stay within the time limit and avoid getting cut off in the middle of your Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech . Time management is important so you don’t skip out on any important points.

5. Use a ‘less is more’ approach

When delivering a job interview presentation, you have to keep in mind that quality trumps quantity. It would help if you kept your job interview presentation as concise as possible, leaving room for questions at the end. Also, your slides should be understated and simple, with each slide containing one simple message. Keep the number of slides to a minimum.

6. Study your audience

Studying your audience is essential because it lets you plan your interview presentation around their needs and expectations. Job interview presentations for entry-level staff and senior positions usually have different audiences and interviewers, so you can’t use the same interview presentation templates for both. 

7. Keep your interviewers engaged

Your job interview presentation should not be a one-sided lecture where you load your interviewers with more facts. You should aim to engage them throughout the delivery and always keep their attention on you. Make your interview presentation ideas exciting and interesting so they don’t get bored halfway through it.

How to start your presentation

•  Start with an icebreaker.

Interview presentations are usually professional and impersonal, so you can start with an icebreaker to lighten the mood and get your audience interested. Try starting with a personal story , an interesting fact, or a thought-provoking question.

• Speak for a short while without your slide.

Your presentation slide should be an accompaniment, not the main part of your interview presentation. So, try introducing your presentation first without your slide to give yourself a head start.

• Introduce your topic with a visual aid.

Using visual aid to introduce your presentation is a great way to begin your slide and immediately grab people’s attention. You can prepare a title slide with an image, infographic, or video introducing your presentation topic.

• Use appropriate props

To avoid boring presentations, you can incorporate some Interview presentation ideas creative enough to blend well with your topic while entertaining your audience. Props are great for creating conversations and getting people involved with the presentation.

• Engage the panel with an activity.

The activity doesn’t necessarily have to be physical. You can get them to ask questions, begin a discussion, and answer a few of your questions. Your aim should be to keep your interview presentation as engaging as possible.

How to end your presentation

• Summarize your message on a final slide.

End your presentation with a closing slide summarizing your main points and focus message.

• Give an oral summary with a final word.

Also, summarize the presentation orally and end it memorably. Some interview presentation ideas creative enough for your ending include asking an open-ended question, tying your ending into a memorable quote , or ending with an impactful call-to-action.

• Reiterate why you want to work in the company.

Remember to do this without sounding too desperate. Some better interview presentation ideas that are creative enough for you are to make them see what they will miss by not hiring you and clarify that you have fresh ideas for the company.

• Encourage questions

As usual, open the floor for questions.

How to crack an interview presentation

• Use a presentation tool

You can create a great PowerPoint presentation to help you with your presentation. Create some slides and, if possible, some handouts for your audience. Visual aids are also important when delivering an interview PowerPoint presentation. It would help to have them highlight your key points and get your interviewing panel’s attention. 

• Know what to expect beforehand.

Before you proceed with your interview presentation, you need to find out as much as possible from your hiring manager. Ask questions about the topics you have, the panel of interviewers, and every resource you will have at your disposal. More information can help you prepare good interview presentation ideas.

• Land a great delivery.

No matter how good your interview presentation is, if you don’t have a good delivery, you won’t make a good enough impression on your interviewer. To ensure that your delivery is good, practice the interview presentation well and, if possible, get feedback that will help you make the necessary adjustments.

• Create an outline 

Your interview PowerPoint presentation must always have a structure. Don’t go in with the expectation of winging it because mistakes can harm your hiring chances.  Create a proper interview presentation template, and make sure you follow the outline.

• Practice the interview first.

Ace your interview by practicing with Orai

What is the best way to impress the interviewer?

1. be yourself.

As redundant as this may sound, many people still walk into interviews, acting out a script that they think will endear them to their interviewers. They don’t know that people can usually spot a fake, which can make it difficult for the panel to warm up to them.

2. Dress appropriately

Your dress announces you the moment you walk into your presentation and is the first thing your interviewer will judge. Ensure that you are wearing appropriate attire and that you look put together. No stray threads and hastily worn outfits will gain you a point during this interview presentation.

3. Arrive early

As I mentioned earlier, punctuality is a great way to show your efficiency and organization. Always arrive at the interview at least 10 minutes early. If your interviewers have to wait for you, you won’t earn any points in their book.

4. Show your passion for the position

While interviewing candidates, most interviewers look for those they believe will take their positions seriously. While you don’t want to seem too eager, you can show your passion for the job through your interview presentation. Tell them what you can bring to the table, which will grab their attention.

5. Carry a physical copy of your resume

Many applications happen online, so carrying along some physical copies of your resume may seem unnecessary. But you always have to be ready for any eventuality. You might refer to the document, or an interviewer might ask for a copy, and you don’t want to look unprepared if that happens.

6. Be polite

Politeness and courtesy are traits you always want to use in an interview presentation. Apart from good life skills, they can endear you to your interviewers. Treat them all with respect, even the staff who greet you outside. 

7. Always mention what you can do for the company

As you give your interview presentation ideas, always mention your skills and background. Tie your presentation to your previous achievements and the skills you bring. Also, address the position requirements every chance and make them see why you are fit for the job.

8. Come prepared for the interview questions

You should always prepare for the interview presentation questions you expect from the interviewer. The interviewer will likely want to know how much you know, so you should check out interview presentation templates to find relevant interview presentation questions. You will leave a good impression on your interviewers if you answer them brilliantly.

9. Answer your questions brilliantly 

At the end of your presentation, your interviewers will likely ask you a few questions concerning your presentation and judge you based on the quality of your answers. You want to answer those questions excellently and leave no doubt in their minds that you’re fit for the position.

10. Be memorable

Interviewers likely hear several interview presentations daily, so you must do something to make yourself stand out. Do you have a unique skill? A hobby? Find ways to leave a lasting impression after your interview presentation. After the interview presentation, you can send a follow-up email or note to ensure they don’t forget you.

Interview Do’s and Don’ts

What is the 5/5/5 rule in presentation design?

The 5/5/5 rule in presentations keeps things simple: 5 words per line, five lines per slide, and five consecutive text-heavy slides max. This forces Conciseness <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:326">In the realm of <strong>public speaking</strong>, <strong>conciseness</strong> refers to the ability to express your message clearly and effectively using the fewest possible words. It's about conveying your ideas precisely, avoiding unnecessary details and rambling while maintaining your message's essence and impact.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:33"><strong>Benefits for Public Speakers:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-11:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:137"><strong>Engaged audience:</strong> A concise speech keeps your audience focused and prevents them from losing interest due to excessive information.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:117"><strong>Increased clarity:</strong> By removing unnecessary clutter, your core message becomes clearer and easier to understand.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:137"><strong>Enhanced credibility:</strong> Concise communication projects professionalism and efficiency, making you appear more confident and prepared.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-11:0"><strong>Reduced anxiety:</strong> Knowing you have a clear and concise message can help manage <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong> by minimizing the pressure to fill time.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="12:1-12:35"><strong>Challenges for Public Speakers:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="14:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:126"><strong>Striking a balance:</strong> Knowing where to draw the line between conciseness and omitting important information can be tricky.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:115"><strong>Avoiding oversimplification:</strong> Complex topics may require elaboration to ensure clarity and understanding.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Overcoming natural tendencies:</strong> Some speakers naturally use more words than others, requiring a conscious effort to be concise.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:41"><strong>Strategies for Achieving Conciseness:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="20:1-25:0"> <li data-sourcepos="20:1-20:92"><strong>Identify your core message:</strong> What is your audience's main point to remember?</li> <li data-sourcepos="21:1-21:128"><strong>Prioritize and eliminate:</strong> Analyze your content and remove any information not directly supporting your core message.</li> <li data-sourcepos="22:1-22:133"><strong>Use strong verbs and active voice:</strong> This makes your sentences more impactful and avoids passive constructions that can be wordy.</li> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:109"><strong>Simplify your language:</strong> Avoid jargon and technical terms unless they are essential and clearly defined.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-25:0"><strong>Practice and refine:</strong> Rehearse your speech aloud and identify areas where you can tighten your wording or eliminate redundancies.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="26:1-26:20"><strong>Additional Tips:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="28:1-31:0"> <li data-sourcepos="28:1-28:93"><strong>Use storytelling:</strong> Engaging narratives can convey complex ideas concisely and memorably.</li> <li data-sourcepos="29:1-29:110"><strong>Focus on the visuals:</strong> Powerful visuals can support your message without extensive explanation.</li> <li data-sourcepos="30:1-31:0"><strong>Embrace silence:</strong> Pausing deliberately can emphasize key points and give your audience time to absorb your message.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="32:1-32:404"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="32:1-32:404"><strong>Conciseness</strong> is a powerful tool for <strong>public speakers</strong>. By eliminating unnecessary words and focusing on your core message, you can create a more engaging, impactful, and memorable presentation for your audience. This can also help manage <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong> by reducing the pressure to fill time and enabling you to focus on delivering your message with clarity and confidence.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/conciseness/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">conciseness , Clarity <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:269">In <strong>public speaking</strong>, <strong>clarity</strong> refers to the quality of your message being readily understood and interpreted by your audience. It encompasses both the content and delivery of your speech, ensuring your message resonates and leaves a lasting impact.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:16"><strong>Key Aspects:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-13:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:133"><strong>Conciseness:</strong> Avoid unnecessary details, digressions, or excessive complexity. Focus on delivering the core message efficiently.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:149"><strong>Simple language:</strong> Choose words and phrases your audience understands readily, avoiding jargon or technical terms unless you define them clearly.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:145"><strong>Logical structure:</strong> Organize your thoughts and ideas logically, using transitions and signposts to guide your audience through your message.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-10:136"><strong>Effective visuals:</strong> If using visuals, ensure they are clear, contribute to your message, and don't distract from your spoken words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="11:1-11:144"><strong>Confident delivery:</strong> Speak clearly and articulately, avoiding mumbling or rushing your words. Maintain good eye contact with your audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="12:1-13:0"><strong>Active voice:</strong> Emphasize active voice for better flow and avoid passive constructions that can be less engaging.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="14:1-14:24"><strong>Benefits of Clarity:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="16:1-20:0"> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:123"><strong>Enhanced audience engagement:</strong> A clear message keeps your audience interested and helps them grasp your points easily.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:123"><strong>Increased credibility:</strong> Clear communication projects professionalism and expertise, building trust with your audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="18:1-18:111"><strong>Improved persuasiveness:</strong> A well-understood message is more likely to resonate and win over your audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="19:1-20:0"><strong>Reduced confusion:</strong> Eliminating ambiguity minimizes misinterpretations and ensures your message arrives as intended.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="21:1-21:15"><strong>Challenges:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="23:1-27:0"> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:129"><strong>Condensing complex information:</strong> Simplifying complex topics without sacrificing crucial details requires skill and practice.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:128"><strong>Understanding your audience:</strong> Tailoring your language and structure to resonate with a diverse audience can be challenging.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:85"><strong>Managing nerves:</strong> Nerves can impact your delivery, making it unclear or rushed.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-27:0"><strong>Avoiding jargon:</strong> Breaking technical habits and simplifying language requires constant awareness.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="28:1-28:22"><strong>Improving Clarity:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="30:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="30:1-30:117"><strong>Practice and rehearse:</strong> The more you rehearse your speech, the more natural and clear your delivery will become.</li> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:107"><strong>Seek feedback:</strong> Share your draft speech with others and ask for feedback on clarity and comprehension.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:161"><strong>Consider a public speaking coach:</strong> A coach can provide personalized guidance on structuring your message, simplifying language, and improving your delivery.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:128"><strong>Join a public speaking group:</strong> Practicing in a supportive environment can help you gain confidence and refine your clarity.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Listen to effective speakers:</strong> Analyze how clear and impactful others achieve communication.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:250"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="36:1-36:250"><strong>Clarity</strong> is a cornerstone of impactful <strong>public speaking</strong>. By honing your message, focusing on delivery, and actively seeking feedback, you can ensure your audience receives your message clearly and leaves a lasting impression.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/clarity/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">clarity , and visual appeal, preventing information overload and boosting audience engagement. Remember, less is often more!

What are some common mistakes to avoid in interview presentations?

Nail your interview presentation by avoiding these pitfalls: Be punctual, research the company, dress professionally, keep past employer talk positive, come prepared with documents and practiced answers, project Confidence <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:305">In the context of <strong>public speaking</strong>, <strong>confidence</strong> refers to the belief in one's ability to communicate effectively and deliver one's message with clarity and impact. It encompasses various elements, including self-belief, composure, and the ability to manage one's <strong>fear of public speaking</strong>.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:16"><strong>Key Aspects:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-12:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:108"><strong>Self-belief:</strong> A strong conviction in your knowledge, skills, and ability to connect with your audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:95"><strong>Composure:</strong> Maintaining calmness and poise under pressure, even in challenging situations.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:100"><strong>Assertiveness:</strong> Expressing your ideas clearly and concisely, avoiding hesitation or self-doubt.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-10:104"><strong>Positive self-talk:</strong> Countering negative thoughts with affirmations and focusing on your strengths.</li> <li data-sourcepos="11:1-12:0"><strong>Strong body language:</strong> Using gestures, posture, and eye contact that project confidence and professionalism.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="13:1-13:27"><strong>Benefits of Confidence:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="15:1-19:0"> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:99"><strong>Reduced anxiety:</strong> Feeling confident helps manage <strong>fear of public speaking</strong> and stage fright.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:133"><strong>Engaging delivery:</strong> Confident speakers project their voices, hold eye contact, and connect with their audience more effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:137"><strong>Increased persuasiveness:</strong> A confident presentation inspires belief and motivates your audience to listen and remember your message.</li> <li data-sourcepos="18:1-19:0"><strong>Greater impact:</strong> Confidently delivered speeches leave a lasting impression and achieve desired outcomes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="20:1-20:15"><strong>Challenges:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="22:1-26:0"> <li data-sourcepos="22:1-22:112">Overcoming <strong>fear of public speaking</strong>: Many people experience some level of anxiety when speaking publicly.</li> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:101"><strong>Imposter syndrome:</strong> Doubting your abilities and qualifications, even when objectively qualified.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:92"><strong>Negative self-talk:</strong> Internalized criticism and limiting beliefs can hamper confidence.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-26:0"><strong>Past negative experiences:</strong> Unsuccessful presentations or negative feedback can erode confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="27:1-27:24"><strong>Building Confidence:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="29:1-36:0"> <li data-sourcepos="29:1-29:102"><strong>Practice and preparation:</strong> Thoroughly rehearse your speech to feel comfortable with the material.</li> <li data-sourcepos="30:1-30:101"><strong>Visualization:</strong> Imagine yourself delivering a successful presentation with confidence and poise.</li> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:100"><strong>Positive self-talk:</strong> Actively replace negative thoughts with affirmations about your abilities.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:106"><strong>Seek feedback:</strong> Ask trusted individuals for constructive criticism and use it to improve your skills.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:157">Consider a <strong>speaking coach</strong>: Working with a coach can provide personalized guidance and support to address specific challenges and confidence barriers.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-34:114"><strong>Start small:</strong> Gradually increase the size and complexity of your speaking engagements as you gain experience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="35:1-36:0"><strong>Focus on progress:</strong> Celebrate small successes and acknowledge your improvement over time.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="37:1-37:282"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="37:1-37:282"><strong>Confidence</strong> in public speaking is a journey, not a destination. By actively practicing, embracing feedback, and focusing on your strengths, you can overcome <strong>fear of public speaking</strong> and develop the <strong>confidence</strong> to deliver impactful and memorable presentations.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/confidence/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">confidence with good Body Language <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:307">In <strong>public speaking</strong>, body language refers to the non-verbal communication cues you give with your body, including posture, facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact. These elements play a crucial role in conveying your message, enhancing its impact, and connecting with your audience.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:34"><strong>Importance in Public Speaking:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-11:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:136"><strong>Complementing your words:</strong> Body language reinforces your spoken message, emphasizing key points and conveying emotions effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:157"><strong>Building credibility:</strong> Confident and positive body language projects professionalism and sincerity, making you appear more trustworthy to your audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:142"><strong>Engaging your audience:</strong> Dynamic and intentional body language keeps them engaged, prevents monotony, and sparks interest.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-11:0"><strong>Projecting confidence:</strong> Confident body language can help overcome nerves and stage fright, making you appear more relaxed and in control.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="12:1-12:33"><strong>Key Aspects of Body Language:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="14:1-18:0"> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:96"><strong>Posture:</strong> Stand tall with your shoulders back and relaxed, avoiding slouching or fidgeting.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:124"><strong>Facial expressions:</strong> Smile genuinely, express appropriate emotions with your face, and avoid frowning or looking bored.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:119"><strong>Gestures:</strong> Use natural and purposeful gestures to emphasize your points, but avoid excessive or nervous movements.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-18:0"><strong>Eye contact:</strong> Make consistent eye contact with different audience members, conveying genuine connection and confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="19:1-19:22"><strong>Mastering the Art:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="21:1-25:0"> <li data-sourcepos="21:1-21:122"><strong>Observe effective speakers:</strong> Pay attention to how successful speakers use body language and analyze their techniques.</li> <li data-sourcepos="22:1-22:144"><strong>Practice in front of a mirror:</strong> Record yourself or practice in front of a trusted friend to assess your body language and make adjustments.</li> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:151"><strong>Take a public speaking class:</strong> Many classes incorporate dedicated sessions on body language, providing expert feedback and practice opportunities.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-25:0"><strong>Be mindful and intentional:</strong> Focus on using your body language consciously and strategically to support your message and connect with your audience.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="26:1-26:349"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="26:1-26:349">Effective body language is not about rigid positions or forced gestures. It's about finding a natural and authentic way to use your body to support your spoken message and engage your audience. By mastering this crucial aspect of <strong>the art of public speaking</strong>, you can significantly enhance your impact and leave a lasting impression.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/body-language/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">body language , offer concise and clear responses, and showcase achievements humbly to avoid sounding arrogant. Remember, first impressions matter!

Why is providing solutions to common issues important in an interview presentation?

Involve solutions in your interview presentation! It shows you’re a problem-solver, not just a talker. Addressing company challenges demonstrates your resourcefulness and proactive thinking, making you stand out and showcase your potential value to the team.

How can discussing industry trends in an interview demonstrate knowledge and relevance?

Discussing industry trends in your interview presentation proves you’re more than qualified. You’re proactive and strategic. It shows you stay informed, think critically about the future, and understand how trends could impact the company. You’re not just in the know but prepared to lead the way.

Why is it important to share weekend activities during an interview presentation?

Don’t just talk skills; share your life! Weekend activities in your interview presentation show you’re more than a resume. They reveal your personality, values, and even team spirit. It helps the interviewer see if you’d fit in and add positively to the company culture. Think well-rounded and engaging!

How can candidates stand out from a pool of competitive candidates during interviews?

To ace your interview, plan your presentation, highlight achievements, share personality tidbits, discuss industry trends, and offer solutions. Be authentic and creative, and leave a lasting impression with a hard copy (if relevant). This will set you apart and show you’re more than just another candidate!

What are the best presentation ideas for interviews?

Nail your interview with a killer presentation! Plan well, showcase achievements, share personality glimpses, discuss industry trends, offer solutions, be creative, and stay authentic. Hand out a hard copy for an extra touch. Stand out, impress, and land the job!

What topics should be covered in an interview presentation to impress hiring managers?

Own your interview with a presentation that wows! Start with an attention-grabber, connect personally, and use visuals & activities to stand out. Summarize powerfully, show genuine interest, and invite questions. Be smooth, confident, and well-prepared with a clear structure and practiced delivery. Shine through with authenticity, professionalism, and passion. Highlight your value, answer questions like a pro, and be unforgettable. Research, dress sharp, exude Confidence <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:305">In the context of <strong>public speaking</strong>, <strong>confidence</strong> refers to the belief in one's ability to communicate effectively and deliver one's message with clarity and impact. It encompasses various elements, including self-belief, composure, and the ability to manage one's <strong>fear of public speaking</strong>.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:16"><strong>Key Aspects:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-12:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:108"><strong>Self-belief:</strong> A strong conviction in your knowledge, skills, and ability to connect with your audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:95"><strong>Composure:</strong> Maintaining calmness and poise under pressure, even in challenging situations.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:100"><strong>Assertiveness:</strong> Expressing your ideas clearly and concisely, avoiding hesitation or self-doubt.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-10:104"><strong>Positive self-talk:</strong> Countering negative thoughts with affirmations and focusing on your strengths.</li> <li data-sourcepos="11:1-12:0"><strong>Strong body language:</strong> Using gestures, posture, and eye contact that project confidence and professionalism.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="13:1-13:27"><strong>Benefits of Confidence:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="15:1-19:0"> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:99"><strong>Reduced anxiety:</strong> Feeling confident helps manage <strong>fear of public speaking</strong> and stage fright.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:133"><strong>Engaging delivery:</strong> Confident speakers project their voices, hold eye contact, and connect with their audience more effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:137"><strong>Increased persuasiveness:</strong> A confident presentation inspires belief and motivates your audience to listen and remember your message.</li> <li data-sourcepos="18:1-19:0"><strong>Greater impact:</strong> Confidently delivered speeches leave a lasting impression and achieve desired outcomes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="20:1-20:15"><strong>Challenges:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="22:1-26:0"> <li data-sourcepos="22:1-22:112">Overcoming <strong>fear of public speaking</strong>: Many people experience some level of anxiety when speaking publicly.</li> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:101"><strong>Imposter syndrome:</strong> Doubting your abilities and qualifications, even when objectively qualified.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:92"><strong>Negative self-talk:</strong> Internalized criticism and limiting beliefs can hamper confidence.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-26:0"><strong>Past negative experiences:</strong> Unsuccessful presentations or negative feedback can erode confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="27:1-27:24"><strong>Building Confidence:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="29:1-36:0"> <li data-sourcepos="29:1-29:102"><strong>Practice and preparation:</strong> Thoroughly rehearse your speech to feel comfortable with the material.</li> <li data-sourcepos="30:1-30:101"><strong>Visualization:</strong> Imagine yourself delivering a successful presentation with confidence and poise.</li> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:100"><strong>Positive self-talk:</strong> Actively replace negative thoughts with affirmations about your abilities.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:106"><strong>Seek feedback:</strong> Ask trusted individuals for constructive criticism and use it to improve your skills.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:157">Consider a <strong>speaking coach</strong>: Working with a coach can provide personalized guidance and support to address specific challenges and confidence barriers.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-34:114"><strong>Start small:</strong> Gradually increase the size and complexity of your speaking engagements as you gain experience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="35:1-36:0"><strong>Focus on progress:</strong> Celebrate small successes and acknowledge your improvement over time.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="37:1-37:282"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="37:1-37:282"><strong>Confidence</strong> in public speaking is a journey, not a destination. By actively practicing, embracing feedback, and focusing on your strengths, you can overcome <strong>fear of public speaking</strong> and develop the <strong>confidence</strong> to deliver impactful and memorable presentations.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/confidence/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">confidence , and you’ll leave a lasting impression that lands you the job!

Why is providing a Hard Copy of the interview presentation beneficial?

Don’t be caught resume-less! Even with online applications, always bring physical copies to your interview. It shows preparedness, helps you reference info, and avoids tech troubles. Be ready, be professional, and land the job!

An interview presentation is a great way for an employer to know more about you, assess your skills, and see if you fit the role. This is your chance to impress them, and several interview presentation ideas are creative enough to impress an interview panel in this article. Know them and apply them to your other interview skills.

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Panel Interview Tips: 20 Sample Answers and Best Practices

Facing a panel interview can be a challenging step in the job interview process, but with the right preparation, you can showcase your skills and qualifications effectively to multiple interviewers at once. In a panel interview, you’re typically seated before a group of people from the company who take turns asking questions. This setup allows the team to see how you interact with different personalities and assess your qualifications from different perspectives, providing a well-rounded view of your suitability for the role. Related: 35 Common Panel Interview Questions (with Smart Answers)

When preparing for a panel interview, thorough research on the company and your interviewers can give you an edge. Take the time to understand the company’s values, mission, and recent achievements. Familiarizing yourself with the names and positions of your interviewers can also help make a more personal connection during the interview. With several interviewers, questions can vary widely, allowing you to demonstrate different aspects of your experience.

Expect behavioral questions that require specific examples from your past work experience. These questions help interviewers understand how you approach problems, work within a team, and adapt to new challenges. Demonstrating your ability to reflect on your experiences and learn from them is often just as impressive to a panel as the successes you’ve achieved.

• Related: How to Answer 11 Common Behavioral Interview Questions

Understanding Panel Interviews

When preparing for a panel interview, you need to know that it will involve multiple interviewers. This setup is used to gain various perspectives and reach a consensus on the best candidate for the job.

Types and Purposes

Panel interviews come in different shapes and sizes, with each serving its unique purpose.

• A typical panel interview includes a group of people from the company, usually consisting of managers, supervisors, and sometimes a hiring manager. They work together to evaluate your qualifications and see how well you fit within their team and company culture.
• On the other hand, a board or committee interview may be used for high-level positions and often includes senior staff members who will closely work with or oversee the new hire.

Roles of Panel Members

Each panel member will likely have a specific role or area of focus, aligned with their job titles and areas of expertise. For instance, hiring managers often dig into your work history and qualifications. In contrast, managers from various departments might be interested in your team collaboration skills or technical abilities relevant to their areas. Supervisors could be evaluating your potential for day-to-day work in their teams. Their collective goal is to assess whether you’re a solid fit for the role and to reach a consensus in making the hiring decision.

Pre-Interview Preparation

Effective preparation is the foundation of a successful panel interview. Your confidence and ease will grow from knowing you’ve done your groundwork thoroughly.

Researching the Company

Dig into the company’s background before your interview. Check out their website, recent press releases, and any relevant news articles to get an understanding of their mission, values, and culture. This knowledge not only makes you appear informed but also helps you tailor your answers to align with the company’s goals. Taking note of the company’s recent achievements or challenges can provide talking points to demonstrate your interest and proactive nature.

Reflecting on Your Experience and Education

You need to have a clear narrative of your professional journey. Look at the job description and align your experience and education with the role’s requirements. For example, if the job calls for leadership skills, prepare to talk about a time you headed a project or led a team. Make sure your resume is up-to-date and reflects all relevant skills and experiences, aligning them specifically with the points listed in the job description.

Planning Your Journey

Map out your route to the interview location well in advance. Check for any potential travel disruptions that might occur on the day of your interview. If you’re attending the interview remotely, ensure your computer and internet connection are reliable, and choose a quiet, well-lit space to conduct the interview. By planning your journey to the minute, you reduce the risk of unforeseen delays that could affect your punctuality and add unnecessary stress.

Addressing the Panel During a Panel Interview

When you’re facing multiple interviewers, it’s important to engage with each panel member. Here’s a list of phrases you can use when addressing the panel:

• “That’s a great question, [Panel Member’s Name]…”
• “I appreciate your insight on that, [Panel Member’s Name]…”
• “I’m glad you brought that up, [Panel Member’s Name]…”
• “I see where you’re coming from, [Panel Member’s Name]…”
• “Reflecting on what [Panel Member’s Name] just mentioned…”
• “To build on [Panel Member’s Name]’s point…”
• “To your point about [specific topic], I believe…”
• “Like you mentioned earlier, [Panel Member’s Name]…”
• “Adding to what [Panel Member’s Name] just said…”
• “Thank you for the question, [Panel Member’s Name]…”

Handling Tough Questions

Remaining calm and focused during difficult questions is a significant aspect of the interview process. Show problem-solving skills by breaking down complex questions and addressing each part methodically.

Related: 35 Common Panel Interview Questions (with Smart Answers)

Example phrases to use when confronting tough questions include:

• “That’s a challenging question, and I’d address it by…”
• “Let me take a moment to think this through…”
• “A multi-faceted problem like this one requires…”
• “There are several layers to this issue, which include…”
• “To approach this situation, I would start by…”
• “The first step to solving such a problem would be to…”
• “One way to look at this is by considering…”
• “I believe a systematic approach would be best, which entails…”
• “Understanding the complexity of this, my strategy would be…”
• “An effective solution to this would involve…”

Common Panel Interview Questions and Sample Answers

• 1. Question: What motivated you to apply for this position? Sample Answer: I am passionate about your company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, and I believe my skills in project management would contribute positively to your team. Explanation: This answer works because it shows that the candidate has researched the company and is aligning their personal values and skills with the company’s mission.
• 2. Question: How do you handle conflict in the workplace? Sample Answer: I approach conflict resolution by actively listening to all parties involved, understanding their perspectives, and working collaboratively to find a mutually beneficial solution. Explanation: This answer demonstrates the candidate’s interpersonal skills and problem-solving abilities.
• 3. Question: Can you describe a project that you’re particularly proud of? Sample Answer: I led a team that developed a mobile application that streamlined our client’s workflow, resulting in a 30% increase in productivity. I am proud of the teamwork and the positive impact it had. Explanation: The response showcases the candidate’s leadership skills and quantifies the success of the project.
• 4. Question: What is your greatest strength? Sample Answer: My greatest strength is my adaptability. I can quickly adjust to new situations and challenges, ensuring the continuity of work without compromising quality. Explanation: This answer highlights a valuable soft skill and provides a context in which it is beneficial.
• 5. Question: How do you prioritize your tasks? Sample Answer: I prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, using tools like to-do lists and digital planners to keep track of deadlines and deliverables. Explanation: The candidate shows organizational skills and the ability to manage time effectively.
• 6. Question: Describe a time when you failed and what you learned from it. Sample Answer: In a previous project, I underestimated the time required for a task, leading to a delay. I learned the importance of contingency planning and more accurate time estimations. Explanation: This response shows self-awareness, the ability to learn from mistakes, and the willingness to improve.
• 7. Question: How do you stay motivated in your work? Sample Answer: I stay motivated by setting personal goals and seeking feedback to continuously improve. The satisfaction of overcoming challenges and contributing to the team’s success also drives me. Explanation: The answer indicates a proactive and growth-oriented mindset.
• 8. Question: What do you know about our industry? Sample Answer: Your industry is rapidly evolving with advancements in technology. Companies like yours are leading the way in innovation, particularly with recent developments in AI and machine learning. Explanation: This shows that the candidate has done their homework and understands the industry context.
• 9. Question: How do you handle tight deadlines? Sample Answer: I focus on efficient time management, prioritizing tasks, and, if necessary, I’m willing to put in extra hours to ensure that the work is completed on time without compromising quality. Explanation: The candidate conveys a strong work ethic and commitment to meeting deadlines.
• 10. Question: Can you give an example of how you’ve worked on a team to solve a problem? Sample Answer: On a previous team, we faced a technical issue that was stalling the project. I coordinated a brainstorming session that led to an innovative solution, allowing us to proceed on schedule. Explanation: This response demonstrates teamwork, initiative, and problem-solving skills.
• 11. Question: Why should we hire you over other candidates? Sample Answer: My unique combination of experience in digital marketing and my proven track record of increasing online engagement by 40% make me a strong fit for your team’s goals. Explanation: The candidate is making a compelling case for their candidacy by highlighting relevant experience and achievements.
• 12. Question: What is your approach to learning new skills or technologies? Sample Answer: I am proactive about professional development, often taking online courses and attending workshops to stay updated with the latest trends and tools in my field. Explanation: The answer shows a commitment to continuous learning and adaptability.
• 13. Question: How do you ensure the quality of your work? Sample Answer: I ensure quality by double-checking my work, seeking peer reviews, and adhering to established industry standards and best practices. Explanation: This showcases the candidate’s attention to detail and dedication to high standards.
• 14. Question: What are your career goals for the next five years? Sample Answer: Over the next five years, I aim to advance into a leadership role where I can contribute to strategic decisions and mentor junior team members. Explanation: The candidate expresses clear career aspirations and a desire to grow within the company.
• 15. Question: How do you deal with criticism or negative feedback? Sample Answer: I view criticism as an opportunity to improve. I listen carefully, reflect on the feedback, and take actionable steps to address any areas of improvement. Explanation: This demonstrates emotional intelligence and a positive attitude towards personal development.
• 16. Question: Can you tell us about a time when you had to learn a new skill quickly? Sample Answer: In my last role, I had to learn a new customer relationship management system within a week to ensure a smooth transition for our team. I dedicated extra hours to master the software and even conducted a training session for my colleagues. Explanation: This shows the candidate’s ability to quickly adapt and their willingness to support others.
• 17. Question: How do you balance teamwork with independent work? Sample Answer: I value the input and collaboration that comes from teamwork, but I’m also self-sufficient and can produce high-quality work independently. I balance both by clearly communicating with my team and managing my responsibilities effectively. Explanation: The response indicates that the candidate is versatile and can thrive in both collaborative and individual settings.
• 18. Question: What do you consider to be the key to a successful project? Sample Answer: Clear communication, a well-defined plan, strong team collaboration, and the flexibility to adapt to changes are essential for a project’s success. Explanation: The candidate is highlighting important project management principles.
• 19. Question: How do you manage stress in a fast-paced work environment? Sample Answer: I manage stress by staying organized, prioritizing self-care, and maintaining a positive mindset. I also use stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing and short breaks when needed. Explanation: This shows that the candidate is mindful of their well-being and has strategies in place to handle stress.
• 20. Question: How do you contribute to a positive work environment? Sample Answer: I contribute to a positive work environment by being supportive of my colleagues, maintaining open communication, and bringing a positive attitude to the office every day. Explanation: The response demonstrates that the candidate values workplace culture and actively contributes to it.
• How to Answer 9 Common Situational Interview Questions
• 35 Common Panel Interview Questions (with Smart Answers)

After the Panel Interview

After stepping out of a panel interview, your interaction with the prospective employer isn’t over. The steps you take post-interview can leave a lasting impression, so let’s jump into what you can do to stay on the interviewers’ minds in a positive way.

Sending Thank-You Emails

Sending a thank-you email is your first step after the interview. It shows appreciation for the opportunity and helps maintain a connection with the panel. Ideally, you’ll send this email within 24 hours of the interview. Mention something specific discussed during the interview to personalize your message and reaffirm your interest in the position. If you collected business cards during the interview, use them to send individual emails to each panel member.

Sample Thank-You Email After a Panel Interview

Subject: Thank You for the Interview – [Your Full Name]

Dear [Interviewer’s Name],

I want to express my sincere gratitude for speaking with me about the [position name]. I enjoyed our conversation about [specific discussion topic], and I am very excited about the possibility of joining [company name].

Looking forward to possibly working together, [Your Full Name]

Following Up on the Panel Interview

Following up is important to show your continued interest and initiative. Wait for about a week before sending a follow-up email if you haven’t received a response. In your email, gently remind the recipient of your interview, express your enthusiasm for the role, and inquire about the timeline for next steps.

Example Follow-Up Email After a Panel Interview

Subject: Follow-Up on [Position Name] Interview – [Your Full Name]

I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing to follow up on my interview for the [position name] position on [interview date]. I’m very enthusiastic about the opportunity to join [company name] and contribute to [team/project discussed during the interview].

I look forward to any update you can share on the hiring process, and please let me know if there’s any more information I can provide.

Thank you once again, [Your Full Name]

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you make a strong impression and stand out in a panel interview.

Making a strong impression in a panel interview means showcasing your confidence, engaging with each interviewer, and sharing your experience with relevant examples. Dress professionally, maintain eye contact with each panel member when speaking and listening, and let your unique strengths shine through in your answers.

What are some effective strategies for preparing for a panel interview?

To prepare effectively for a panel interview, research each panel member’s role and background. This knowledge allows you to tailor your responses to their perspective. Practice your answers to common interview questions and prepare specific examples that demonstrate your skills and achievements.

Can you provide examples of questions that may be asked by a panel of interviewers?

You might encounter questions like “Why are you interested in working with us?” or “Can you describe a time when you had to work under pressure?” Panel interviewers may also ask about your teamwork skills with a question like, “Tell us about a time when you contributed to a team’s success.”

What are the best ways to engage with multiple interviewers during a panel interview?

Engage with multiple interviewers by addressing the person who asked the question while making occasional eye contact with the rest of the panel. Show you value each panel member’s perspective by referring to previous discussions that may have occurred in the interview or by connecting your answers to the interests of each interviewer.

How should you follow up after a panel interview to increase your chances of being hired?

Follow up with a thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview. Tailor individual messages to each panel member, mentioning a specific topic you discussed with that person, to show you were attentive and value the opportunity to have met with them.

What are some common mistakes candidates make during panel interviews and how can they be avoided?

One common mistake is focusing on only the lead interviewer. Ensure you engage with each panelist throughout the discussion. Another mistake is giving generic responses. Instead, offer clear, concise answers with relevant examples. Also, avoid speaking negatively about previous employers or experiences.

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• HR Recruiter Interview Questions: 9 Sample Strong Answers

7 Tips to Help You Nail That Interview Presentation

You’ve been offered an interview for your dream job, and you are pumped! But as you hear more about your upcoming meeting, you realize you’re expected to deliver a presentation.

Your first instinct may be to panic, especially if you dislike public speaking . But don’t worry. As nerve-wracking as doing a presentation during an interview may sound, it’s also a chance for you to show just how awesome you are. (And if you’ve reached this round, odds are you are awesome!)

These seven steps will help you nail it.

1. Ask Lots of Questions

Before you begin crafting a 40-minute keynote, ask lots of questions about what to expect (like, if they actually only want you to speak for 10). Be sure to cover these:

• How long should the presentation be?
• Is your point of contact looking for you to demonstrate particular skills?
• How many people will be in the room?
• Are there facilities for slides?
• What’s the IT setup?

2. Follow Instructions

If the hiring manager’s asked for a 10-minute presentation where you talk through how you’d plan a communications strategy, that’s exactly what you should give her. Don’t be tempted to go on for 12, 15, or (gasp!) 20 minutes.

Staying on target shows that you can manage your time, that you respect your audience, and that you can follow directions . If you run over, you’ll either be cut off halfway through or you’ll cost yourself time to discuss your other skills. So, stay within the constraints you’re given.

3. Have a Clear Structure

There are two benefits to organizing your presentation according to a specific structure: One, it’ll help you stay on track, and two, it’ll make it easier for the audience to follow along.

For example, if you’re using your presentation to share an app you’ve built, you might break it up into four parts: what you chose to build, why you built it in a particular way, how it works, and what the results were. You can even begin by explaining that that’s how your talk will be structured: This technique is a simple but effective way to help your audience follow (and remember) your presentation.

4. Differentiate Yourself

The presentation section of an interview is the perfect opportunity to let your personality shine. True story: A friend of mine was going for his dream job in tech and had to demonstrate his web development skills. He’d built lots of sophisticated apps at work, but he took a risk and decided to use the presentation section of the interview to demonstrate one of his personal projects. It was a custom animation of the Star Wars character Admiral Ackbar, shouting “It’s a trap!”

The panel loved it. It demonstrated the skills they were looking for, but also my friend’s sense of humor, creativity, and genuine passion for programming. In a competitive market, standing out from the crowd is what’s going to land you the job.

5. Stick to Technology You Know

Things have come a long way from PowerPoint. There’s now a ton of online programs and applications available to help you craft an all-singing, all-dancing presentation. But unless you’re already a pro at using one of these platforms, now is not the moment to spend hours teaching yourself Prezi or slides.com .

Your time is much better spent on the content of your presentation. Once you’re happy with that, you can start planning your slides, using whichever software you’re already comfortable with.

6. Have a Plan (and a Back-up Plan)

Let’s say you’re a Mac user, so you’ve prepared your presentation in Keynote. You’ve checked that the company’s technology is Mac compatible, you save your file to a USB, drop it in your bag and head to your interview. But when you get there, the office is full of PCs, your USB doesn’t work, and all of the beautiful slides you prepared exist only in your head.

It’s a nightmare scenario, but there are many things you can do to prevent it. Firstly, take your laptop. Even if the screen is small, it’s unlikely you’ll be presenting to more than three people, so they should be able to see. Also, if you have your laptop you may be able to save the file to a compatible format and still have your slides up on a big screen. (Pro tip: Don’t forget to pack the charger! Dead battery equals epic fail.)

If you don’t have a laptop always, always make sure you’ve emailed the slides to yourself and saved them as a PDF—which should work on anything. Finally, the one thing that never breaks down? Paper. Print a few copies of your slides and take them with you, just in case.

7. Practice (and Practice Again)

The only way to know whether your presentation is the right length is by practicing. And, rehearsing will also build your confidence and make you more fluent for the real thing. Ideally, perform your talk for someone you trust so you can get some honest feedback. But even if your only audience member is your cat, a trial run is still an essential part of your preparation.

When the day comes, try and remember that you’ve been invited to interview because the company has seen something in you and wants you to succeed. If you get nervous or lose your place, pause, have a sip of water, take a deep breath, check your notes, and get back into it.

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Top 10-Minute Interview Presentation Templates with Samples and Examples

Pratibimb Shukla

In today's fierce job market, making a lasting impression on potential employers is crucial. For individuals having trouble crafting a powerful personal presentation, "10 Minute About Me PowerPoint Slides" is a lifesaver. Effective self-presentation is crucial for business meetings and employment interviews, and this imaginatively created template is the ideal answer.

To ace your upcoming interviews, check out our Blog on How To Prepare For a Job Interview With Samples And Templates.

This blog post examines the value of a polished self-introduction and demonstrates how to turn the game using the included PowerPoint template. The blog offers readers advice on how to construct a thorough and impressive self-introduction by using various slides, including those about the user, their career path, a SWOT analysis, their accomplishments, etc. The blog also highlights the template's adaptability and invites readers to seek assistance from PowerPoint designers or modify presentations to their specifications. This is a call to action to hone your presentation skills and show you have the self-assurance necessary to succeed in your career.

Template 1: 10 Minutes Presentation About Myself PowerPoint Presentation Slides

With its smooth user interface and support for standard and widescreen screen sizes, the PowerPoint template gives presenters choices in their settings. Premium support is advantageous to users and offers helpful guidance for practical use. With an emphasis on a 10-minute presentation, this template's one-step design efficiently assists users in providing crucial information about themselves for a professional presentation, academic assignment, or job interview. This template enhances the user experience overall and expedites the creation of presentations, making it a valuable tool for various audiences.

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Template 2: About Me

This "About Me" template offers a versatile way to communicate your identity, personally and professionally. It provides a concise "Personal Profile," an extensive "Professional Experience," "Education," and a specific "Achievements" area where users can highlight their subject-matter expertise. A personal touch is added in the "Hobbies" part, while various talents are covered in the "Skills and Languages" section. With an adjustable "Contact Information" section, the template guarantees smooth contact and offers flexibility for an interesting self-presentation according to each person's requirements.

Template 3: Path to Career

The "Path to Career" template helps users visually plan their professional path from 2007 to 2020 and engagingly presents career milestones. It enables a precise and configurable presentation of one's work trajectory, highlighting accomplishments and improvements, making it perfect for presentations or portfolios. Users can adjust the years to fit their tenure, and the chronological pattern efficiently communicates professional advancement. For individuals who want to engage their audience with a thorough narrative about their professional development, this template offers a potent visual aid.

Template 4: SWOT Analysis

The SWOT analysis template leads users through a strategic evaluation by first highlighting internal strengths, then addressing weaknesses for development, looking for growth opportunities, and assessing threats to control risks. This methodical technique starts with a positive openness, fosters self-awareness, supports forward-looking optimism, and ends with a careful evaluation of potential obstacles. It gives users the ability to make strategic decisions based on an in-depth examination of both internal and external variables.

Template 5: Training

The "Training" preset is an adaptable tool made to enhance the way information connected to training is presented. Whereas the training module or course title is a placeholder in the section "Description 1". Users are given the option to customize the information according to their training needs in "Description 2". This adjustable feature guarantees smooth modification, whether changing specifics of training outcomes, modules, or techniques. The adaptability that is repeated in "Description 3" highlights the user's capacity to change the text and creates a flexible theme that is consistent across the template.

Template 6: Case Study

Using the case study template, users can tell comprehensive stories about problems, solutions, and outcomes flexibly. The challenge section, which states the problem in plain terms, comes first. Users can further highlight their creative thinking and experience in the Solutions part, while the Results section summarizes the findings. This template is helpful for professionals who wish to convey their problem-solving abilities and showcase their achievements in a concise and captivating way.

Template 7: Experience Project

The "Experience Project" preset is a potential instrument that enables experts to showcase their accomplishments connected to projects. Whether it's describing the specifics of Project 1, emphasizing the accomplishments of Project 2, stressing the distinctiveness of Project 3, or providing an overview of the main ideas of Project 4, with the help of this feature, professionals can make dynamic and captivating presentations that effectively convey their project experiences. This makes it a priceless tool for anyone hoping to impress potential clients, stakeholders, or employers with a visually appealing presentation of their project work.

Template 8: Skills

The "Skills" template is an easy-to-use and eye-catching tool that allows people to highlight their abilities. It more successfully draws attention to essential characteristics like creativity, teamwork, flexibility, and goal orientation by adding "Skills - Set" and more visually appealing signage. The template's minimalism guarantees clarity without being overbearing on the audience. Perfect for a resume, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile, it graphically emphasizes key competencies, making it an invaluable tool for professionals wishing to give a concise and captivating synopsis of their qualifications to prospective employers or partners.

The "10 Minute PowerPoint Presentation" might be a valuable tool for overcoming the anxiety associated with presenting oneself in business meetings and interviews. These creatively and precisely designed templates offer a comprehensive how-to for exhibiting your accomplishments, abilities, professional path, and more in just ten minutes. Users can customize their presentations to leave a lasting impression by following the blog that goes along with this template, which offers helpful customizing guidance. This tool is revolutionary for anyone navigating the cutthroat job market since it offers a well-organized, eye-catching platform for showcasing confidence. With this customizable and easy-to-use PowerPoint template, you can make your presentations shine.

To get more exciting "About Myself" templates, Click here ! And read our blog on Top 10 Templates for Presentation About Myself with Samples and Examples.

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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

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• Sciences & Regulatory
• Technical Operations & Quality
• Business Service & Commercial
• Board & C-Suite
• Medical Device
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• Private Equity & Venture Capital
• Case Studies
• Switzerland

So, you’ve made it through the first round of interviews and have been invited back to present to the hiring panel; a standard interview format for senior-level roles where you demonstrate your knowledge and expertise, both in the subject area and in delivering presentations. This insight is designed to guide you through what you should include, what to avoid, and what to expect when presenting to high-level executives in an interview setting.

If you are vying for a senior executive role, it is critical to be able to accurately and effectively present information and pitch ideas.  The executive presentation is your chance to demonstrate your skills, but without appropriate preparation, it can also be your downfall. Executive presentations can be a nerve-wracking experience, but by following these tips, you will be well prepared and confident in your delivery, giving you a competitive edge.

Preparation, preparation, preparation

First things first, clarify whether the presentation permits visual aids (e.g. sides). Though this insight is intended to guide you through designing and delivering slideshow-based presentations, much of the advice is transferable to oral presentations too. If you are permitted to use visual aids, confirm the format they are to be presented in (e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint) and the facilities available (e.g. projector).

It is essential 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 to presentation. Failing that, Google Slides is a free web-based alternative.

Finally, know that the interview panel is going to be critiquing both the design and content of your executive presentation, so unless you have no choice, don’t leave your preparation until the night before. If you genuinely want the position, you must put in the time and effort to produce an informative and well-designed presentation that will help differentiate you from the competition. Ideally, you will put several hours of work into your presentation, have it proofread by a friend or supportive colleague, and then review it again having spent some time away doing something else (at least 3 hours). This gives you the chance to reread your presentation with fresh eyes, helping you spot any typos or inconsistencies while helping you judge flow.

Research the interview panel

As you are preparing your executive presentation, ask yourself the following questions:

• What topics are currently hot or particularly attractive in the industry?
• How much does the interview panel know about my choice of topic?
• Will any of my opinions, recommendations or views be unpalatable?

Devote some time to researching the individuals who will comprise the interview panel. If you are not sure, seek clarification from the person arranging your interview.  Once you know who the interviewers are, look them up on LinkedIn . What is their role? Recent accomplishments? You can also Google the individuals to see whether they have contributed to any media articles, press releases or hosted any events which could be indicative of their expertise. By getting to know your audience, you should be able to tailor your presentation to be of interest to them.

Knowing who is on the interview panel can help you predict what questions you could face during the Q&A session so you can prepare potential answers to these questions accordingly.

Keep it simple

When it comes to structuring your presentation, use the time-honoured structure outlined below:

• Introduction outlining what your presentation is about and the key themes covered.
• History, including the origins of the topic and the key milestones which shaped it.
• Benefits that arise from your topic, both current and projected.
• Drawbacks, both known and anticipated and how they can be mitigated.
• Best practice guidance, including how to achieve it and relevant case studies.
• Future, outlining trends and prediction for its evolution or demise.
• Conclusion with specific recommendations and introducing Q&A’s.
• Q&A session to respond to questions raised by the interview panel.

Always Aim for 20% of your presentation slides to be thought-provoking and challenging, and the remaining 80% to be insightful or informative. This is called the 80:20 rule.

Unless otherwise stated, you should aim for your presentation to last approximately 10 minutes, though always clarify with the hiring authority. Should your presentation finish early, then it can be assumed that there was not sufficient depth to your argument. Finish outside of the allotted time frame, and the hiring panel will question your preparation and delivery or even cut your short.

Don’t threat about the number of slides. Instead, apply the rule that each slide should represent one message or theme conveyed in 3-5 points. Like a billboard, each slide should be digestible at a glance,  so use as many slides as you need to clearly and concisely communicate your message throughout your presentations. You present details, the slide provides the outline.

Finally, ensure you research your topic and cite the sources used in shaping your argument. Use only credible sources; your work and the work of your colleagues and seniors are expected to go beyond simple opinions sourced from the internet. Peer-reviewed articles, publications from subject matter experts or articles from industry media outlets are an excellent place to start.

Keep it on brand

Here are a few design tips and tricks you can use to make an attractive, concise presentation:

• Design a simple and elegantly styled template .
• Use 2 or 3 dominant colours throughout the design.
• Keep to the same font and format throughout.

Adding the company logo to the top right or bottom right corner of each slide can be a nice touch and demonstrates professionalism. Likewise, when choosing colours, use the company website as your guide, noting the colours used for titles, headings etc. and replicating this in your design. The Colorzilla Chrome extension can help you pinpoint the colours used on an organisations website.

Finally, print the slideshow to circulate to each member of the hiring panel. If you need to convey lots of technical information, give the key facts in your presentation and prepare supporting documentation with additional information which references each slide. We would also strongly urge you to back up your work, either on a USB stick, on cloud storage such as Google Drive .

Executive Delivery

It is vital to be pumped and ready for the presentation on the day. Do whatever you must to put yourself in the right frame of mind, whether that be an early morning jog to release tension, a relaxing bath or even a Continental breakfast. Give yourself what you need to be at your best, but whatever you do, give yourself time. Time to get to the interview without fluster.

Now practice. By practising what you are going to say, you will be better prepared and less nervous. As an absolute minimum, you should be able to recall the order of the slides and the main points they contain without needing to reference them. This level of preparation pays dividends; by knowing your slides, you can give your audience 100% of your attention. You will also find that, in doing so, you have a higher probability of delivering your presentation within your allocated time slot as well as making it flow naturally; a win-win scenario.

As you stand up to deliver your presentation, bear in mind your audience. Senior executives are renowned for being a tough crowd. They are time poor, have full schedules and desire facts fast. They can be quite impatient or abrupt in their quest to obtain the information they seek, picking holes in your logic or requesting that you skip slides to satisfy their hunger for facts. Whatever the situation, always have supportive data to hand should you need it to expand upon a point further. Bear in mind that if you do, you may also need to skip slides to stay on schedule.

The key is to remain calm, alert and flexible. Although you are presenting information, it is helpful to think of this as a two-way conversation. Stay professional and maintain eye contact. This has the added benefit of allowing you to gauge the body language of the executives, which can help you decide whether to move on to the next point or elaborate further on the current one.

Finally, bear-in-mind that body language says more than words, so make an effort to avoid over animating your hands or feet. Remember, you are merely trying to share information. The interview panel is human too and that they are well aware that you are probably feeling a bit on edge. Just breathe and enjoy your moment as best you can. It is your time to shine.

After the executive presentation

Congratulations, you got through in one piece, but there are still a few things you can do not to improve your odds of success.

At the end of your presentation, request the email addresses of the interview panel so that you can email your presentation. You can use this email as an opportunity to:

• Thank them for their time.
• Highlight one/two key points from the conversation.
• Reiterate your interest in the role/organisation.
• Emphasise your skills and competencies.
• Clarify any points you did not answer sufficiently.

You should wait to receive feedback on your presentation and the outcome of the interview. However, if you haven’t heard anything back after a week, it’s appropriate to follow up by email. In the meantime, continue with your executive job search and read our insight: Post-interview Etiquette: A Guide for Senior Managers and Executives in the Life Sciences .

For more job search advice tailored to senior managers and executives…

• Read  How To Handle Compensation Questions During Interview: Tips For Life Science Executives .

* Fraser Dove International is a talent consultancy operating exclusively across the life sciences industry. While our roots lie in executive search, we provide more than the traditional recruitment services. Uniquely placed within the market, we have been providing cutting-edge talent solutions and insight to organisations at all stages of their journey – from start-up to established leaders – since 2013.

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How To Nail a Panel Interview (Questions and Answers Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

Admit it, deep down inside you’ve always wanted to be a celebrity.

There’s a definite allure to stardom and some people will do anything to achieve their 15 minutes of fame, and it’s easy to see why. In the right context, being the center of attention is the best feeling in the world.

There’s no bigger ego boost than the one you can get when you swagger into a room full of confidence and know everyone’s eye is on you for all the right reasons…

How do you feel when you’re in that situation?

Powerful, right!?

Now let’s say instead of being a star, you’re a job seeker, and instead of adoring fans you find yourself walking into a room of professionals who have gathered together to conduct an interview… your interview.

Suddenly being the center of attention doesn’t seem so great any more, does it?

How do we fix that? How do we get you your superstar mojo back? By teaching you how to ace any panel interview!

(Not to be confused with a group interview or peer interview .)

Let’s start with the basics, beginning with defining exactly what a panel interview is…

But first before we get started we wanted to let you know that there are over 100 other difficult traditional interview questions you could be asked in your regular job interview. Sounds stressful right?

Well don’t worry, because we created a free PDF that outlines the most common questions and gives you word for word sample answers that you can use at your next interview.

Click the link below to get your copy now!

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FREE BONUS PDF CHEAT SHEET: Get our " Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet " that gives you " word-word sample answers to the most common job interview questions you'll face at your next interview .

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What is a Panel Interview?

A panel interview is one in which you, the interviewee, are brought in to interview with a group of individuals from the company.

Now before we go any further, try not to get panel interviews confused with a group interview . A group interview is where you are interviewed alongside several other potential candidates for the same position, whereas in a panel interview, the opposite is true.

In general * , instead of being surrounded by other job seekers, it’s just you…all by yourself…facing not only the hiring manager, but also potential coworkers and professional peers as well as managers, supervisors, and other upper level individuals.

*It is possible to have a group interview in front of a panel, but it is not very common. If you do face this, you’ll want to combine the tips we give you in this article with tips we give you in our Group Interview Article .

Anyway, for the purposes of this article, a panel interview is all about you. You are the sole focus of the interview and the interviewers spend the time asking you questions and getting to know you.

No pressure, right?

You know what other types of uncomfortable situations involve one person against a large group of individuals? Firing squads and inquisitions.

If you find yourself heading into a panel interview unprepared it can feel a lot like walking into an inquisition, which is why it’s so important to learn the basics before you ever set foot into that room.

Why Are Panel Interviews Used?

Panel interviews are used for a number of reasons, starting off with the fact that a panel interview is an easy way for a group of people to get to know you quickly.

One single panel interview can take the place of multiple individual interviews and can help streamline the hiring process which in turn can save the company both time and money.

For this reason panel interviews are commonly used in small business where they might not have the luxury of time or money for a long drawn out interview process.

A panel interview is also an opportunity for the interviewers to observe you in a group setting and see how you not only interact with different personality types and communication styles, but how you handle stress.

Non-profit organizations, academic institutions and some government entities like using panel interviews for this reason.

Finally, panel interviews are also helpful when a corporation requires a consensus among several individuals when hiring for a specific position . Rather than having an individual meet one on one, a panel interview allows a group to quickly come to a consensus.

Panel interviews are common when hiring high level executives and a board or committee is required to approve the decision.

What To Bring To Your Panel Interview

Now that we’ve figured out just what a panel interview is and both who and why they’re popular with certain hiring managers, let’s talk about what you’ll need to bring with you to survive the process , and prove to the entire room that you’re the Perfect Candidate!

Bring with me?! As in gifts? Do I need to bring a muffin basket? Will that help me get hired?

No. Leave the muffin basket behind.

We’re not talking physically bringing anything with you (although you should always have fresh copies of your resume and business cards with you).

We’re talking about the skills you’re going to need to develop in order to master the panel interview.

4 Panel Interview Skills You Should Master

1. ability to remember names.

You’re meeting a lot of important people very quickly and it’s easy to forget names.

The only thing worse than not knowing someone’s name is calling them the wrong name!

A simple way to fix that problem is to bring a pen and piece of paper with you and to quickly jot down a seating chart along with names of who is interviewing you.

Not only will you be able to answer their questions with a personalized answer (“Well, Bob, in my last job…”) but it will also make writing those personalized thank you notes afterwards just that much easier!

No matter how much research you do ahead of time, it’s easy to get flustered when facing so many strangers, especially when they’re asking you questions.

You have to make sure you’re focusing on the task at hand, not just the situation you’re in.

Remember this: the ultimate goal of any panel interview is to find the right person for the job and your goal is to prove to the panelist that that person is you!

Rather than allowing yourself to feel overwhelmed by their scrutiny, use it an opportunity to showcase your flexibility and stress management skills .

While it might seem like you’re answering the same questions over and over again (and there will be repetition) keep in mind that different people have different ways of processing information and listening.

Additionally, a panel is often made up of individuals from different departments and management levels, so each person is going to have a different take away from your response based on their area of focus.

Instead of just saying the same thing over and over again, vary your responses and tailor them to the individual asking you . Not only will it make your answers more specifically targeted, but it can provide you with the unique opportunity to showcase your knowledge and expertise in ways you wouldn’t get in a traditional interview format.

3. GRACE UNDER PRESSURE

While you might feel like you’re a bug under a magnifying glass during your interview, the last thing you want to do is to act like one.

Make eye contact with everyone on the panel and be sure to address your responses both individually and to the group as a whole.

Along with eye contact comes body language. Make sure you’re physically projecting confidence.

Hunching over in your chair, wrapping your arms around your body, or bouncing nervously might be how you deal with the stress of the situation, but they are also all nervous tics that a potential employer could mistake as signs you don’t want to be there…and that could hurt your chances of getting the job.

4. STRESS MANAGEMENT AND THOUGHTFULNESS

Panel interviews have a reputation of feeling a bit like being in front of a firing squad.

Because you are being interviewed by a number of people and they’re all competing with each other in trying to get their questions answered within a limited amount of time, it can be a little overwhelming.

While you might be facing a lot of questions all at once in a panel interview, there’s no prize for answering them the fastest. In a way it’s up to you to control the speed of the interview.

Take your time to formulate your responses (but don’t take too much time!). You’re not there to impress them with your speed, you’re there to impress them with your knowledge and skills.

Before you answer any question, take a breath and tailor what you’re about to say!

Keep your answers brief and focused.

How To Prepare Properly

Build a strong foundation.

A panel interview is just like any other interview in that you should prepare for it beforehand. One way to alleviate the pressure and stress that comes with a panel interview is to know ahead of time just who is interviewing you .

In a perfect world you would know ahead of time who is interviewing you, giving you an opportunity to look up exactly who they are and their role within the company, making it just that much easier to tailor your responses to their specific questions.

Of course, not every hiring manager is going to let you know ahead of time that you’re coming in for a panel interview, but if you’ve done your research and looked into who works at the company, you should know ahead of time just who could potentially be there.

ANTICI…….PATION!

Another pre-interview task you should tackle is really drilling down on the job description and requirements . Make sure you know those inside and out.

Not only will it help keep you focused, but it can also help you anticipate any potential questions that might come up in the interview and allow you to practice your answers and tailor your responses.

The less surprised you are when you walk into a panel interview, the smoother the process will go, and that starts with you doing your pre-interview research before you even walk into the room.

TURN THE TABLES

Finally, by doing your research ahead of time, you’ll also be better prepared to ask them questions!

Always keep in mind, a panel interview isn’t just a time for a company to get to know you, it’s also a time for you to get to know them!

Make sure you prepare your own meaningful questions.

Not only will you gain valuable insights that will help you decide if this is the right job for you if offered, it will show the company that you’ve done your research and taken that extra step.

If you need some help on figuring out just what questions to ask, click here to read more about the Top Fourteen Questions to ask in an interview .

Common Mistakes

Being interviewed under any circumstance can be a stressful experience, and when you’re in a panel interview, that stress is multiplied by the number of people asking you questions. This added stress means it’s even easier to slip up and make mistakes including:

NOT BEING PREPARED

You’re a student of the Interview Guys, which means you’re never unprepared. We’re going to just go ahead and assume no matter what, you’re doing all your pre-interview prep and that this doesn’t apply to you at all.

NOT BEING NEUTRAL

It’s human nature to want to be liked, and for some people that can mean gravitating towards specific personality types and finding other types difficult to deal with. In a panel interview situation, it’s a good idea to remain as neutral and friendly to every person in the room.

If you’re in a situation where there are clear personality dynamics among the panelists, resist trying to fit in by emulating what they’re doing. The last thing you want to do is buddy up to the wrong person.

NOT BEING CALM

It’s a natural reaction to lash out when you feel cornered, but the last place you want to do this is in a panel interview.

Facing a squad of potential hires who are firing questions at you can feel a bit like an attack, but you have to make sure no matter what that you control your emotions and consider your answers before you say them.

Odds are whoever is interviewing you is intentionally trying to rile you up so they can see how you react. Stay calm, cool, and collected…and don’t forget to say please and thank you!

NOT BEING YOURSELF

You always want to present your best self when going in for an interview, but you also want to make sure you’re presenting your authentic self as well.

Going into an interview and putting forth a personality that isn’t your actual own personality is a dangerous game to play, and can ultimately end up biting you in the end. An employer wants to know the person they’re interviewing and the person they’re hiring are the same person.

Pretending to be someone you’re not might impress them in the short run, but sustaining that personality day after day (potentially for years) isn’t realistic.

Changing who you are in order to impress a panel might seem like a good idea at the time, but in the long run, you’re only hurting yourself.

Top 5 Panel Interview Tips

Here are five panel interview tips that will help move you to the front of the hiring line.

1) Get to Know Your Interviewers

This step starts in prep. Before you shake a single hand in that interview room, it’s a good idea to know ahead of time who you’re meeting.

If at all possible, ask at the time you’re invited to the interview if they can provide you with the names of all the people who will be interviewing you. Keep in mind that the panel will always be subject to last minute changes and don’t be surprised if there are substitutions or additions, but it’s still nice to go in with a good idea of who might be there.

Once you find out who is interviewing you, do your research. Look them up both on the company website and through LinkedIn . Learn a little about them and their history with the company and career overall.

Don’t “over-stalk” them …you want to impress them with your attention to detail but you don’t want to concern them with obsessive digging or revealing too much knowledge about personal details.

Having a little background information on each person can also help you break the ice, especially if there is common ground…and that can help make the entire process feel less like an interrogation and more like a friendly conversation between friends…and potential coworkers!

2) Bring Enough for the Entire Class…Er, Panel…

As a student of The Interview Guys , you should already know you should bring along a fresh copy of your resume and business card, and going to a panel interview simply means bringing more copies.

Ask ahead of time how many people will be interviewing you and make sure you have enough so each person can have one. It’s a good idea to bring more than you think you’ll need as there’s always the possibility for last minute additions and changes to your panel.

Giving each panelist a copy of your resume and having extras shows them that not only are you prepared, but that you’ve taken into consideration the possibility for change and that you’re adaptable.

3) Involve the Entire Panel In Your Interview

When answering questions, don’t simply address the individual who asked the question. Make sure you’re including the whole panel in your response. Make eye contact with each person as you talk.

Including the names of individuals is also an important part of making sure you’re involving the entire panel. Always start out and finish your answers by directing them at the person who asked you, but be sure to also make eye contact with everyone else on the panel.

Not only does making eye contact keep everyone in the panel engaged in what you’re saying, it helps to show that you’re confident in your answers and comfortable in the situation.

Involving the entire panel in your interview also means sending each panelist a personalized thank you note…so don’t forget to get everyone’s name!

4) Be a Team Player

Often a panel interview includes individuals who, if you’re hired, are potential teammates and coworkers. Start laying the groundwork early for a successful team culture by being cooperative from the very beginning.

Be observant during your interview and take notice of how everyone interacts with each other. Not only will it help you tailor your responses, seeing how the panel get along with each other can be a great way for you to get an inside look at the overall dynamics you’ll be entering into if you’re hired.

Do the panelists get along and work well together? Is there a lot of cooperation or is there conflict?

An interview is a two way street; not only is the company looking at hiring you, it gives you an opportunity to get a closer look at them and help you decide if you want to take the job if it’s offered.

5) Tell Everyone “Thank-You”… Twice

Just like every interview, you should always wrap up by telling everyone thank you for taking the time to meet with you and a panel interview is no different.

As you’re leaving, shake each panelists hand and thank them individually for taking the time to meet with them. Now is also the time to ask for business cards. Collecting these will help ensure that you have the exact correct spelling for each person’s name.

Follow up your interview by sending each person a personalized thank you note expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. The thank you note is also a great time to address any follow up information you might have for a question an individual asked you.

3 Common Panel Interview Questions (and Answers)

The easiest way to get over any potential nerves that come with facing a panel interview is to hold your own mock interview beforehand.

Asking friends to pretend to be panelists is a great way to practice your answers ahead of time. Have your mock interviewers listen to your answers and then ask them for their individual perspectives on what you said.

Because a panel interview involves multiple individuals, each with a unique view of the position you are applying for, the questions most commonly asked deal more with how you think and react to situations rather than straight forward factual responses.

Here are three great potential panel interview questions you can practice with, as well as example answers to help you build your own responses.

Can you tell us about a time you experienced conflict within a team and how you handled that?

I find the best way to deal with conflict is to be proactive about the situation rather than reactive. It’s always a good idea to deal with a problem while it’s still fresh and new rather than ignoring it in the hopes it will resolve itself or go away. Let me give you a good example.

On my last job I had two members of my team who didn’t see exactly eye to eye on a certain subject and as a result, had difficulty working together. Both were exceptional employees and losing either one would have been a major blow to the project we had been assigned.

The first thing I did meet with them individually as I wanted to make sure I was getting both sides of the story. After hearing them both out, I realized that the best way to ensure the continuing cohesiveness of the team was to come up with a compromise between the two individuals.

I again sat them both down individually and explained to them that while neither party was completely in the right, neither was completely in the wrong either and that the majority of their conflict arose from individual perspective.

Rather than taking one side over the other, I helped them to find a common neutral middle ground. We reworked the structure of the team and the schedule in a way that made it possible for us to all continue to work together.

By coming to an agreeable compromise, we were able to resolve the conflict in such a way that the integrity of the team was maintained. It wasn’t easy, but I was proud of the fact that I not only managed to balance two very different personalities but also managed to keep the team intact and focused.

How do you handle criticism?

Early on in my career I looked at criticism as a mark of my failures and my inadequacy as an employee. I took the criticism very personally and was often resentful of my supervisors. Luckily I landed in a job with a manager who was incredibly in tune with her employees.

After one instance where a project I had been working on received some critical feedback, she pulled me aside to explain that it wasn’t personal. She taught me that criticism isn’t necessarily a bad thing and that by pointing out weaknesses in my project my supervisors were actually trying to help me improve my designs.

Nobody wants their employees to fail! It was a tough lesson, but one I took to heart. Now as a supervisor myself, I try to always make sure that my criticism is constructive and use it as a learning opportunity for those I oversee.

This position requires you to keep track of multiple projects. How do you keep yourself organized and on task?

I am a list maker. I get a huge amount of satisfaction from crossing tasks off my to-do list. To that end, I keep an electronic organizer on my phone that is synched up with my computer and digital calendar.

Every task I’m responsible for is entered into my program, given a priority level and a due date. The best part of this entire system is the fact that I can set alarms and reminders. By assigning priority levels and alerts, I’m able to complete tasks in the most efficient order possible.

I can know, at a glance, what’s been accomplished and what remains to be done. I start out each day with my list and every night mark off what has been completed.

Putting It All Together

To someone facing a panel interview for the very first time, it can be an intimidating and terrifying experience…but it doesn’t have to be. By doing proper prep work and practicing your potential interview responses, you can transform any panel interview from what feels like an interrogation into a positive, rewarding experience…and hopefully the next step towards the job of your dreams.

So, remember, the next time you walk into a room for an interview and see a whole group of people lined up ready to ask you questions , yes…it really is all about you…in the best possible way.

As always, good luck!

FREE : Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet!

Download our " Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet " that gives you word-for-word sample answers to the some of the most common interview questions including:

• What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
• What Is Your Greatest Strength?
• Tell Me About Yourself
• Why Should We Hire You?

Click Here To Get The Job Interview Questions & Answers Cheat Sheet

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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