Great Presentation Skills - according to the recruiters

Whether you are going to an assessment day or an interview, chances are you will be asked to deliver a presentation at some point. Here you’ll find some general information on giving effective presentations, it may not all be relevant to the presentation you have been asked to give but it is useful information for you to have at your disposal. Relax. Breathe. Enjoy.

1) The objectives of a presentation

  • To EXCITE
  • To capture & hold attention 100% of the time
  • To inform
  • To motivate others into action


2) Planning a presentation

  • What is my objective?
  • Who is my audience?
  • What do they really want to know? (Be ruthless!)
  • How do I want them to feel?
  • What do I want them to do at the end?
  • Why is this important to me?


3) Common sense

  • Begin on time
  • Check room layout, visual aids, lighting etc
  • Keep control
  • Use small cue cards not A4 notes


4) Overcoming ‘Fear’
Ask yourself:
"Why am I afraid to make a presentation? ... Is it because I'm afraid of being rejected? ... Then why do I think I'll be rejected? ... Do I believe what I'm about to say? ... Is my presentation worth giving? ... Am I proud of the comments I'm about to make?"

As you ask yourself these questions, the fear will begin to subside. It subsides because you have explored your subconscious mind with your questions and flushed out some of your fears.
As far as I know only three people have died while making a speech. Since 12 billion people have lived and only three of them died making a speech, I'd say it's a fairly safe thing to do.

One of the best ways to overcome fear is to….
BE PREPARED & PRACTISED!
The more practiced you are the more confident you will feel.

The Presentation Itself

1) Suggested introduction [Flex this depending on the time you have been given]

  • Introduce yourself  [& your company]
  • Introduce the topic
  • Inform all of the duration of the ‘talk’
  • Tell them when questions can be asked


2) Making the right visual impact

  • Smile – especially at the start and end
  • Control your hands – don’t wave them about ineffectually!
  • Stand firmly – try not to move about too much but not like a rabbit in headlights!
  • Eye contact – make sure you involve everyone


3) Presentation Content

  • Grab their attention at the beginning
  • Hold their attention by varying your pace and tone of voice
  • Close strongly with a powerful statement
  • Pause at the end, look at everyone and then ask for questions


4) Using visual aids [If appropriate]

  • Keep them simple
  • Have copies of your visual aids for you too
  • Remember eye contact i.e. don’t talk to the white board, talk to your audience!
  • Consider handouts for your audience


And finally… Enjoy it!