Presentations during interviews/internships

If you are given a choice whether to use, for example, a PowerPoint slide deck during an interview/internship presentation, I would probably recommend that you do so. Firstly, it shows effort and organisation on your part. Secondly, it can help the assessor to keep track of your approach and structure, which might be especially helpful if they have listened to lots of presentations in quick succession. Thirdly, it can help you to keep track of where you are in your presentation, which will be key if nerves cause you to go blank at times. However, don't include lots of text on the slides. Doing so can mean that the assessor prioritises reading the slides rather than listening to you, meaning when they do then focus on what you're saying, they're not really sure what you're talking about!

Using visual aids more generally

Diagrams and visuals (if not too complicated/too small to fit on a screen) can help to explain things and liven up your presentation. Similarly, using PowerPoint slides (and equivalents) is fine, if you use them correctly. When using slides:

• Avoid including too many words on each slide, otherwise your listeners will read the slides instead of listening to you. The simpler the slides, the more the listeners will engage with you. Also, do not read out entire slides, as this is unnecessary and boring for everyone involved.
• Consider blanking out a PowerPoint slide whilst you talk (by pressing “B”), then letting the slide appear at the end to summarise what you have just said (by pressing “B” again). Alternatively, you could take a short pause each time you turn to a new slide, as this will give the reader the chance to skim over the slide without missing your first few sentences.
• Try not to look back at the screen or down at your notes (and thus away from your listeners) too often, as you’ll fail to project, your vocal intonation will likely flat-line, and you won’t be making eye contact, all of which will make you less engaging. Visual aids and notes should not be used as a crutch.

Peggy Forell: you don’t have to know your presentation by heart; notes are fine, but don’t lose yourself in them. You should know your presentation well enough to get through it with a series of “triggers” that have been designed to help you stick to a logical structure and ensure you do not leave out anything essential. 

Practical tip: if you have created a handout, try to give it out at the end if possible, otherwise your listeners may ignore you and read the handout whilst you are talking. Perhaps also explain at the start how your listeners should use the handout.