Advice on interview Powerpoint presentation (job, pay, interest, hire)

[jimmyho08]

Hi,

I've made it past a couple of phone interviews, and now I have to go on site for a face to face interview, and the task to give a 25-30 minute powerpoint presentation on 6 topics.

Here are the 6 topics.

1. A brief overview of your relevant work history with a focus on the microwave electronics marketplace

2. A technical issue that you have resolved

3. What are your “must haves” in your next position?

4. What are your goals in the next 5 years? Next 10?

5. Why do you want to work for us?

6. Why should we hire you?

These are pretty straight forward topics, and I can talk about each topic fine, however, my power point slide isn't all that creative. right now I have a power point slide for every topic, and I combined the last two questions into one slide. Basically, each of my slides are just bullets with what I am going to talk about. Since it is pretty straight forward, each slide has basically just a title, and then 2 bullets. It just seems like each slide has so much empty space.

Anyone have to go through this? Is the panel just evaluating your communication skills, and no so much on the creativity of the powerpoint slides? I really want this job, and have made it this far, and I don't want something this minor to keep me from being considered for the job.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

[ccm123]

The interviewing panel is looking at a couple of things:

1/ Your creativity
2/ Presentation skills
3/ Powerpoint skills

I would:

1/ Expand on the bullet points (more bullets)
2/ Enhance the Powerpoint with some visual aids (maybe humor?)
3/ Practice, practice before the interview in front of some friends/colleagues
4/ Be prepared to answer questions from the panel. Practice some responses to frequently asked questions

[Hemlock140]

Hard to answer without knowing what kind of job you have applied for. It sounds like you would be making presentations, but to whom? Powerpoints are used for training, sales, project management, and reporting to upper management. Making it interesting by showing a few pictures, and graphics such as charts or clipart can help but don't over do it. I would include a photo of the potential new workplace
in either the introduction or final slide.

[I_Love_LI_but]

Here's a book that can help you make your presentation more creative than just bullet points:

Beyond Bullet Points: Using Microsoft PowerPoint to Create Presentations That Inform, Motivate, and Inspire (Bpg-Other): Cliff Atkinson: 9780735620520: Amazon.com: Books

[jade408]

I like this book:
slidelogy: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations: Nancy Duarte: 9780596522346: Amazon.com: Books

[Teckeeee]

Since myself and most people I know view powerpoint as boring and canned I would probably remove myself from candidacy, it would be a deal breaker for me. When I sell I whiteboard, no PP, but I get you comply or no chance.

I would just do topic per slide with bulletpoints as suggested.

[beera]

I wouldn't do MORE bullet points because then people just READ the powerpoint then not pay attention to you!

I love powerpoints- I used to do hour plus presentations and I would have random videos in them, all sorts of stuff that kept people interested, smiling, chuckling, nodding, etc.

One simple thing- each page a different background picture, like in "must haves" maybe a picture of a huge office (of course state it as a joke), for why should we hire you, a guy in the corner on his knees begging/praying, etc.

Make it professional AND fun, you want to leave a lasting impression.