4 Tips to delivering a winning interview presentation
2 mins | Karen Young | Article | Interview advice
Interview presentations can be a way for you to shine, but they can also be nerve-wracking. Read on for advice on how to prepare and deliver the best presentation in your interview.
When a hiring manager requests a presentation as part of the job interview, they are looking to see a showcase of your knowledge, experience, and a demonstration on how interested you are in the company and job. An effective presentation will reflect both your skills and personality fit for the job.
As you progress into more senior roles in your career, presentations are likely to become more of a regular requirement in interviews, and more common in second interviews. In fact, we are now seeing recruiters incorporating presentations for roles at entry level upwards. We recommend honing your presentation skills right away, to improve your interview success rate now and in the future.
What are employers looking for with interview presentations?
They are looking to judge:
Invest time in preparing your interview presentation to showcase each of these qualities, proving your commitment and excitement for the job.
Understand the task: Ensure you are absolutely clear on what is being asked of you from the presentation and how it relates to the role. Work with your recruiter. They will be in regular contact with your interviewer(s) and can help clarify anything you’re unsure of.
Demonstrate your skills: The presentation is testing for key competencies. Which competencies are these? Revisit the job description, highlight the required skills and incorporate these into your presentation.
Do your research: Look at the business objectives of the company. For example, are there any major industry or company changes that would impact the assignment?
Anecdotal evidence will make for a stronger presentation: Share real life success stories to demonstrate your knowledge and involvement in a project to keep hiring managers engaged and validate your experience.
You know what you want to cover during your presentation; now it’s time to think about how you are going to convey it.
Delivery of the presentation is equally (if not more) important. Presenting clearly and in an engaging way is essential, and this is your chance to show your passion for the industry, company, or project.
The interviewer will want to see evidence that you approach tasks in an organized and conscientious manner.
For further insight and advice on preparing for interviews, download our Interview Guide.
Karen Young Director of Hays Accountancy & Finance UK&I
Karen is a Director and recruiting expert at Hays Accountancy & Finance for UK&I. She provides strategic leadership to a team of over 300 accountancy and finance recruitment professionals across nearly 100 offices. With 25 years of finance recruitment experience, Karen has a track record of recruiting top finance talent for businesses across a range of industry sectors, and is a trusted industry voice on recruitment, career planning and market insights.