Presentations assess whether you can present your case in a way that your audience will understand and find interesting and engaging.

The employer may ask you to prepare your presentation before the day of your interview, or you may be given a limited time for preparation once you have arrived at the interviewer’s premises.

What will the format be?

You will normally be told the maximum length of your presentation, for example three minutes or fifteen minutes. You may be able to use PowerPoint, a whiteboard, an overhead projector, or a flipchart.

Your audience will consist of your interviewers and possibly the other candidates. Expect the interviewers to make notes as they assess your performance.

Examples of presentations

• Tell us about yourself and what you can offer this organisation (5 minutes, a very open subject).
• Why I enjoy Latin-American dancing (10 minutes, chosen by the employer from information given on the application form).
• Choose a science topic, currently in the news, of interest to pupils aged 11 years (15 minutes, interview for teacher training course).

Do you have any tips?

• Think about your audience, and pitch your message to their level of understanding.
• Don’t use too many details and figures.
• Give an overview. Outline your main points and summarise your conclusions. This is known as signposting.
• Draw on your personal experience; use anecdotes and examples. However, telling jokes can be risky.
• Time yourself - it is better to end a little early than to overrun but be aware that you may speak more quickly in front of an audience.
• Use brief notes consisting of key words on note cards.
• Be aware of your body language. Smile, show enthusiasm and the audience should respond more enthusiastically.

If you are allowed to use visual aids, keep it short and simple. Too many words become a jumble. And remember – talk to the group, not the screen.