6 Tips to deliver an amazing interview presentation

When a hiring manager asks you to prepare a presentation for an interview, your initial reaction might be dread or anxiety. But what if you thought about the presentation as an opportunity? Delivering an interview presentation is one of the best ways you can showcase your skills, competence, and enthusiasm for the new role. All it takes is some preparation and practice to deliver a job-worthy presentation.

In this article, we’ll show you how to prepare (and deliver) a stellar interview presentation. We’ll go over the following topics:

• How to make a presentation for an interview

• Tips for delivering an impressive interview presentation 

• Templates you can follow to prepare for your presentation

How to prepare a presentation for an interview

Need to give a presentation at your next interview? If you’re not sure where to start, follow these steps to prepare an informative, engaging interview presentation:

1. Get some information

Start by gathering some information to guide your presentation. Make sure you know the topic an interviewer wants you to address and how much time you’ll have to give the presentation. When you have these details, you can create a targeted presentation and show a hiring manager you know how to follow directions.

Some other questions to ask ahead of the interview include:

• Who will I be presenting to, and what are their roles in the company?

• What technology will I be able to access for the presentation?

• Will there be time for a Q&A session at the end?

2. Make an outline

Once you have this information, you can start working on the presentation. Begin with an outline, which can help you structure your thoughts and ideas. Keep the outline focused on a central theme or message. For example, your presentation may address a common industry issue and explain how you’d resolve the problem for the company.

Your presentation outline should be well-structured, containing a catchy introductory statement, a persuasive argument or memorable story in the body, and an impactful conclusion. Remember, you’re giving this presentation at an interview, so it should include details about your professional experience and skills, too.

3. Keep it focused

Most people, including hiring managers, have a short attention span. Creating a focused presentation can keep your audience engaged and make an interviewer more likely to remember you after you’ve left.

It’s a good idea to dedicate each page, slide, or diagram of your presentation to one idea. Break down a complex idea into a series of smaller, simpler ideas. Alternatively, you can use a storytelling approach to keep the presentation engaging.

4. Tailor the presentation

You probably know the importance of tailoring your interview answers to the specific company. A presentation is no different. Consider the company’s vision, mission, and values as you develop your presentation. Additionally, make sure your tone aligns with the organizational culture.

To improve your chances of getting hired, address how you can bring value to the company. Mention ways you plan to contribute to its growth or share new ideas. This interview technique can show you understand the company and your potential role there.

5. Prepare visual aids

Using presentation software, such as PowerPoint, can be a helpful tool for your audience to follow your message. Consider preparing a slide show with visual aids to make your points clearly. Keep each slide short, limiting the information you provide to one core topic or piece of information.

Some other tips for your slideshow include:

• Make it readable. Instead of slides with large chunks of texts, stick to bulleted or numbered lists.

• Avoid overwhelming graphics or colors. A little color and creativity can be a nice touch, but don’t go overboard. After all, you want the focus to be on your ideas and public speaking abilities.

• Include multimedia elements. For a memorable presentation, consider including multimedia elements, like a short video clip.

6. Practice, practice, and practice some more

After creating your presentation, the final step in your preparation is to practice it as much as you can. Stand in front of a mirror and watch yourself deliver the presentation. You can also ask your friends and family members to be your audience and get their feedback. An honest critique goes a long way in helping you perfect your public speaking and presentation skills.

When practicing your presentation, look for signs of nervousness. Try not to use the word “like” too much. Keep your “umms” to a minimum. Slow down if you notice yourself rushing through important ideas. Also, keep a timer with you when practicing to make sure you can deliver the presentation within the allotted time.

Tips for acing an interview presentation

Of course, preparing your interview presentation is only half the battle. Once you’ve created your slides and practiced for an audience, it’s time for the real deal. Here are some additional tips you can use to ace your presentation and land the job:

• Arrive early. It’s always a good idea to arrive early to an interview, but that’s especially true if you’re giving a presentation. While you’re waiting for the hiring manager, ask if you can set up the technology you’ll need or familiarize yourself with the equipment.

• Portray confidence. The content of your presentation matters, but it’s also important to show an interviewer your confidence. Remember that you’re at the interview for a reason: you’ve already impressed the hiring manager, so own your confidence.

• Maintain eye contact. Address the audience and maintain eye contact with the panel throughout your presentation. It’s fine to glance at your notes or slides, but remember to scan the room, especially when you’re making a compelling point or ending the presentation.

• Remember to breathe. When you’re nervous, you may start to talk faster and lose your breath more easily. Plan natural places in the presentation where you can take a calming breath and refocus your attention before continuing.

• Take questions. Leave some time at the end of your presentation to take questions from the interviewers. While you can’t prepare for the exact questions an employer will ask, you can use tools, like Career.io’s interview prep simulation, to practice answering common questions based on your industry or role.

Interview presentation templates

Use these two templates to prepare an interview presentation and get the job offer:

Oral presentation outline template

If you’re giving a presentation without a slide show or other visual aids, follow this template to create your outline:

Introduction:

• Opening statement to introduce the topic

• Brief description of your background, experience, and skills

• Thesis of your presentation

• Overview of the subtopics you plan to discuss

Body:

• Statement to introduce the first subtopic

  • Supporting data, anecdotal evidence, or source

• Statement to introduce the second subtopic

  • Supporting data, anecdotal evidence, or source

• Statement to introduce the third subtopic

  • Supporting data, anecdotal evidence, or source

Conclusion:

• Brief statement summarizing the thesis and tying the subtopics together

• Memorable closing, such as a question, quote, or call to action

• Expression of gratitude for the audience’s time and attention

• Call for questions

Slide show presentation outline template

When you’ll have access to a screen or projector, consider following this template for a slide show presentation:

Slide 1: Introduction

• Introduction of the topic

• Thesis statement

Slide 2: About you

• Description of your professional background and experience

• Bullet points summarizing your skills, certifications, and other qualifications

Slide 3: Why does it matter?

• Explanation of the topic

• Bullet points describing why the topic matters to the company or the position

Slides 4-8: Subtopics

• Introduction of each subtopic

• Bullet points with supporting data, anecdotal evidence, or source

• Graphs, images, or other elements to address each point

Slide 9: Conclusion

• Bullet points summarizing the thesis and subtopics

• Memorable closing, such as a question, quote, or call to action

Slide 10: Thank you and questions

• Expression of gratitude for the audience’s time and attention

• Call for questions

Ready to take charge of your job search? Check out Career.io’s job search tool to develop a clear roadmap for finding your dream job!

Key takeaways

1. When preparing a job interview presentation, start by understanding the audience and creating an outline to structure your message or argument.

2. Tailor the presentation to the company and prepare visual aids or handouts you can provide to offer additional context.

3. The more you practice, the better prepared you will be for the presentation.

4. During the presentation, remember to maintain eye contact, speak slowly, and take deep breaths. When you show this confidence, an employer is more likely to remain engaged with your presentation.