Yo peeps I've got an important presentation to do next week and it's me FIRST one ever!

I'm not that nervous about it actually - but just wondered if anyone had any smart tips in this type of situation.

Any comments will be much appreciated!

What sort of presentation are you doing, PowerPoint, Flipchart etc

PM me. I can 'mail you the basics,but if you want coaching, let me know!

Powerpoint matie

keep the slides simple and talk around them. I hate it when there are loads of detail on the slides and the presenter just reads stuff out.

make sure its jargon free and tailored for the audience - i.e. what they want to get out of coming to your presentation - and not just what information you want to share....

Pictures are good to add visual interest - look at the styles of other presentations in your workplace to see what people may be expecting - e.g. photos can look more professional than clipart - but this depends on the company you work for and the job you do I suppose.

make sure you introduce yourself at the beginning and set a clear agenda or objective.
let the audience know whether you want questions as you go or saved until the end. also let them know if you have handouts - to save them writing everything down

lastly - dont be nervous - just have fun - most people in the room probably hate doing presentations and will therefore admire you just for standing there - if they are a hostile bunch - imagine them naked and they will then be a lot less terrifying!!!!


good luck - let us all know how you get on

LoopyLou has hit the nail on the head.

Keep it simple
4 or 5 bullet points per slide
think about your objective (what you want to get across)
summarise at the end

use plenty of eye contact and speak louder than normal

Talk slower than you would normally. This is because you may think you are talking at normal speed but with nerves you are possibly talking much faster.

Also it gives you time to think and makes people listen to you as you will sound more confident.

IMHO anyway

Also remember to speak slowly and clearly. When you're nervous you tend to go at 100 miles an hour (or is that just me). Pause inbetween points and make sure you know what you're talking about so you don't read word for word off the slides. That way you can maintain eye contact.

Good luck!!

essentially, you tell them about what you're going to tell them, then you tell them, then you tell them what you told them .

So, you give them a brief outline of the contents first, then go through the main presentation and recap the main points at the end. Make sure you're comfortable with the content of your presentation and that you understand it yourself. At least you'll be confident answering questions at the end.

I usually use idiot notes too. I'll fold an A4 piece of paper twice, and write one liner memory joggers on each of the sides. Nothing to bulky, just points that i can glance at quickly to remind me where i'm up to and whats next. That way, you don't have to keep looking at the screen if you lose where you are, just have a quick glance at your palm. Keeping eye contact with your audience always makes you look professional. Make sure you move around too. that'll help keep peoples attention. as long as you don't stay static and on the spot.

Rehearse it again and again until you're sick to death of it and having dreams about it.

don't forget to have a standby in case windows crashes, the projector dies, powerpoint has a fit etc etc.

Better still, don't use it.

Deep breathing at the start to calm yourself, and speak slowly. Don't flick through the slides too quickly either.

Use a bit of humour if possible?

Practice...practice...practice...and if someone asks a question that floors you - don't try and bull****, just say that you'll get back them after the presentation.
all the other advice is very goog....but also don't forget to spellcheck! (as it's really off putting if a presentation is badly put together)

NO ANIMATIONS!!!!!

Don't have anything flying or fading in, it looks so tacky.

NO SOUND EFFECTS!!!!!

If kills the professionalism of your presentation.

Don't end each bullet point with a full stop, but DO end the last one with a full stop to tell you that is the end of the slide.

If you're of a nervous disposition, use the Powerpoint to your advantage and use graphics and pictures if you can. The audience will concentrate on looking at that and not you!

Originally posted by alchresearch
NO ANIMATIONS!!!!!

Don't have anything flying or fading in, it looks so tacky.

NO SOUND EFFECTS!!!!!



awww go on!!!

My choice would be 2001: A Space Odyssey theme.
;)

Thanks for your adavice all much appreciated.

My presentation has to be done on an OHP......so I'll have to use acetates. Oh dearrrrrrrrr.

I've just finished the content of my presentation - so that's out of the way.

It only has to be 10 minutes long as it's part of an interview so fingers crossed. Wish me luck for Tues peeps!

Thanks again!!

Good luck buddy. :thumbsup:

If its for an interview are you clear what they are testing you on ??

i.e. is it your delivery ?
or is it the content you have decided to use ?
or your planning skills to get everything ready on time....

it is not always just presentation skills they are testing..... could be decision making, planning, influencing - best to check to make sure you cover everything off.....

Good luck - hope you get the job !!!!

My presentation will be analysed on my delivery....eek!

Thanks again for the advice peeps!

Hi folks

I passed my presentation!! I now have a 2nd interview next Tues!! Thanks for all your kind words of advice especially Agent Dan who helped me loads. You're a good bunch!

I'll let you know how it goes next Tues!

Cheerio!

wtg on the presentation.

Good Luck for the interview,

Thanks Phanerothyme!

Well I had me interview today and it only lasted 20 minutes - as they only asked 6 questions!

I'm not sure what to think now. They said they will let people know by the end of next week as there are nine candidates for 6 jobs.

So now I'm trying to forget about it...(!)

I'll let y'all know the outcome.

Ta for ya support;)

hi peeps

I got a response from my interview!

It's not straight forward though - they said I haven't got the job I went for due to more experienced peeps going for it , however I am 'appointable' and someone from a different area will be calling me soon about a similar opportunity....?

How confusing - why don't they simply just say yes or no?!?!?

Will keep ya updated on me progress.

I GOT THE JOB PEEPS!!! Thanks again for the sound advice ;)

Originally posted by Reidstar
I GOT THE JOB PEEPS!!! Thanks again for the sound advice ;)

Well done that man and another result for Geoff's forum :thumbsup: :clap: