Lads/Lassies,
I have a job interview on Tuesday and the first part of the process is an unseen presentation.
I am to be given a topic when i arrive at interview. I have 20 minutes preparation time and i can use whatever material i want in the preparation time. I then have to give a maximum of 6 minute presentation to the interview panel but the only thing i can take into the interview are the notes i have made in my preparation time.
Anybody been through this sort of thing before and any tips??
It kinda depends on the topic. For example, the presentation could be
solve a problem x
sell a product y
how would you improve z
If you look at MS Powerpoint templates you will be structured responses to these plus more. Keep these structures in your head. Then follow basic presentation principles e.g. no clutter, have a start-middle-end, and finally use the powerpoint as an aid
Did one of these last summer. Similar to the format you have said except we weren't allowed to use any material!.. It was about where globally could the company next expand?.. It was a Irish company with UK operations so I just waffled about looking for places with a similar culture and needs. Threw in a bit about corporation tax rates too. The rest was just an extension of how brilliant ::) their operation was at home and so it would be easier to replicate the template in places of similar culture!.. Hard to compare that with yours as you have on-line access so your gonna probably need hard facts!..
Apart for that, have your bullshit hat at the ready and don`t crowd your power point slides :)!..
(Oh aye, I didn't even get the job but got through this stage!)
For my current job I was given a phone call on Monday morning to come in at 6pm for 'a chat'. Went to this chat and got torn to shreds then given 5/10 minutes to outline how I was going to double the companies turnover in a year!!
Somehow I was lucky enough to bluff my way through it and got the job but it was extremely hairy. If I'd say anything it would be to jot down 5 or 6 ideas and talk around those as best you can.
I have plenty of experience in this.
Don't listen to the above advice. People now need entertainment. Plaster your powerpoints with visual and audio gimmicks, like when the words arrive do the gunshot - pow pow pow pow thing. Also, make sure you use the car screeching to a stop audio - it always manages a bellyful of laughs from the panel esp after the 3-4th time.
A hilarious thing to do would be to have porno images of grown men in provocative poses and then say 'oh, sorry, I thought I was in Pomeroy'. They'll think three things here
a) You are well read up on the news
b) You are funny
c) You can push boundaries
Make sure there is no one from Pomeroy in the panel or someone who is very religious.
Make sure you are looking at the powerpoints only as you read them because they will be too. Read every word on the powerpoints, leaving time for the gunshots or screeching cars. It shows that you can read.
Cheers lads.
Can only bring written notes into the interview. No powerpoints
Quote from: Olly on April 20, 2012, 12:59:55 PM
I have plenty of experience in this.
Don't listen to the above advice. People now need entertainment. Plaster your powerpoints with visual and audio gimmicks, like when the words arrive do the gunshot - pow pow pow pow thing. Also, make sure you use the car screeching to a stop audio - it always manages a bellyful of laughs from the panel esp after the 3-4th time.
A hilarious thing to do would be to have porno images of grown men in provocative poses and then say 'oh, sorry, I thought I was in Pomeroy'. They'll think three things here
a) You are well read up on the news
b) You are funny
c) You can push boundaries
Make sure there is no one from Pomeroy in the panel or someone who is very religious.
Make sure you are looking at the powerpoints only as you read them because they will be too. Read every word on the powerpoints, leaving time for the gunshots or screeching cars. It shows that you can read.
That's pretty good. Do you charge royalties for any of this?
Good stuff, Olly. "The Office" could have done with you as a scriptwriter. That way it would have had more than one joke.
Quote from: Hardy on April 20, 2012, 03:59:37 PM
Good stuff, Olly. "The Office" could have done with you as a scriptwriter. That way it would have had more than one joke.
Where is my yellow card emoticon? Never ever criticise The Office, sir.
Aha. I foresee months of fun.
Bit of a random bump!!
I am in the same situation as OP this week. Have to do a blind presentation (30 mins prep, 10 min presentation, followed by Q&A). It's for a pharma company.
I've never done anything like this before. Any tips?
Quote from: 118cmal on March 26, 2017, 10:35:34 AM
Bit of a random bump!!
I am in the same situation as OP this week. Have to do a blind presentation (30 mins prep, 10 min presentation, followed by Q&A). It's for a pharma company.
I've never done anything like this before. Any tips?
What sort of job? Technical, sales etc?
Quote from: Tony Baloney on March 26, 2017, 11:24:50 AM
Quote from: 118cmal on March 26, 2017, 10:35:34 AM
Bit of a random bump!!
I am in the same situation as OP this week. Have to do a blind presentation (30 mins prep, 10 min presentation, followed by Q&A). It's for a pharma company.
I've never done anything like this before. Any tips?
What sort of job? Technical, sales etc?
Sorry I should have said.
It's a project management role.
Is there a Toastmasters club near you? I find the Table Topics great practice for on-your-feet thinking and improv.
Quote from: Eamonnca1 on March 27, 2017, 06:12:03 PM
Is there a Toastmasters club near you? I find the Table Topics great practice for on-your-feet thinking and improv.
Thanks Eamonnca1 but unfortunately the presentation is tomorrow
I think the purpose of all of this is to uncover "how" you approach problems and then during the feedback if you're coachable.
You have to know enough about the company going in. If you don't you're wasting everyone's time.
Approach whatever problem or project or sale you are given like you would today. Your skill sets have brought you this far - don't abandon them now! Trust yourself and your instincts and go with the flow. If you don't get it then move on to the next one..........
Can you do Bunny Rabbits on the wall ?
For a PM role any mention of schedule performance index and cost performance index & how you will accurately track these would be a good start.
Quote from: 118cmal on March 27, 2017, 06:42:31 PM
Quote from: Eamonnca1 on March 27, 2017, 06:12:03 PM
Is there a Toastmasters club near you? I find the Table Topics great practice for on-your-feet thinking and improv.
Thanks Eamonnca1 but unfortunately the presentation is tomorrow
I PMd you.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on March 27, 2017, 09:47:57 PM
Quote from: 118cmal on March 27, 2017, 06:42:31 PM
Quote from: Eamonnca1 on March 27, 2017, 06:12:03 PM
Is there a Toastmasters club near you? I find the Table Topics great practice for on-your-feet thinking and improv.
Thanks Eamonnca1 but unfortunately the presentation is tomorrow
I PMd you.
Check your inbox Tony