Presentation & Interview Skills By Dr. Tejinder Sharma Department of Commerce K.U., Kurukshetra

Presentation Skills Ideas, concepts or issues talked about or spoken to a group or audience Public speaking is one of the most feared things “I could make such a fool of myself” “I could make such a fool of myself” Skills required to give a good presentation can be developed Preparation is the Key

Presentation Skills  Preparation/ Planning is the first step on the ladder to success Aspects in the development of a good presentation  Subject Centered (Material)  Audience Centered (Audience)  Self Centered (Self) “I want (who) to (what) (where, when and how) because (why)”

Presentation Skills Helpers Helpers Who is your audience? What do you want to present (content)? Why do you want to present (purpose)? Where will you be presenting (place)? How do you want to present (words to be used or not, slides to be used)

Presentation Skills Preparation: Audience Analysis  What is the audience interested in  What does the audience want  What does the audience already know and needs to know  What are their needs, expectations from this presentation  How will the audience benefit from this presentation

Presentation Skills Structure the content in line with the audience’s needs Structure the content in line with the audience’s needs What do you want to tell the audience? What do you want to tell the audience? What is your objective? What is your objective? Prepare keeping in mind the time allotted Prepare keeping in mind the time allotted Anticipate the questions and prepare Anticipate the questions and prepare Collect material from a variety of sources Collect material from a variety of sources Arrange points logically and sequentially Arrange points logically and sequentially Prepare handouts as well Prepare handouts as well

Presentation Skills Structuring the presentation Structuring the presentation 2 to 2.5 mins--- opening/beginning 20 to 21 mins--- middle section 2 to 3 mins --- closing/end 5 mins --- questions

Presentation Skills The Begining  Should be carefully designed  Get attention - shock, humour, question, story, facts &figures - shock, humour, question, story, facts &figures - well rehearsed yet natural - well rehearsed yet natural  Motivate audience to listen - listen to their needs - listen to their needs

Presentation Skills Preparation – Structure  Sequence should be logical & understandable  Interim summaries- Recaps  Value of visual aids-flip charts, handouts etc.  Use the 4 Ps Position Possibilities Position Possibilities Problem Proposals Problem Proposals

Presentation Skills Prepare Closing  Last 2 to 2.5 minutes are as critical as the first five minutes for a successful presentation  Summarize- highlight important points  Suggest action- what to do and when, where and how to do it

Presentation Skills Stage Fright  Everyone has it to some degree  Can be used constructively  Key issue is not elimination of fear Instead channel the energy it generates for an effective presentation Instead channel the energy it generates for an effective presentation

Presentation Skills Effective Delivery  Be active - move  Be purposeful - controlled gestures  Variations – vocal (pitch, volume, rate)  Be natural  Be direct – don’t just talk in front of the audience talk to them

Group Facilitation Verbal Communication- barriers  Speaking too fast  Using jargon  Tone and content  Complicated or ambiguous language  Not questioning  Physical State of the audience

Presentation Skills Sensitivity to the audience “see” the audience  Take non-verbal feedback -congruent and incongruent body language -congruent and incongruent body language  Modify to meet audience needs  Don’t just make it as a presentation

Presentation Skills Handling Questions  Do not get confused  You are not supposed to know everything  Anticipate and keep answers ready  Sometime questions themselves give you a lead to highlight your point of view

Presentation Skills Visual Aids  While using a over head projector face the audience while talking  Point with a pen  Appropriate lighting  Watch the colours  Ensure clear visibility  10 lines, 10 words per line

Presentation Skills So to conclude : Always prepare Always prepare Channelize you fear Channelize you fear Interact with your audience Interact with your audience

Tips for Success in Interview

Essentials in an interview Content Content Delivery Delivery Closing Closing

Content Knowledge of yourself Knowledge of yourself –Be clear about your credentials –Clarity of goals –Self awareness (personality, strengths, weaknesses etc.) Subject knowledge Subject knowledge Knowledge about the environment Knowledge about the environment

Delivery Verbal ability Verbal ability Vocabulary Vocabulary Presence of mind Presence of mind Body Language Body Language

Closing Ensuring recall Ensuring recall Leaving the impression Leaving the impression Room for future Room for future

Lets see some videos make-a-good-first-impression-2 (First impression) make-a-good-first-impression-2 (First impression) make-a-good-first-impression-2 make-a-good-first-impression-2 ace-a-job-interview-4 (Tips) ace-a-job-interview-4 (Tips) ace-a-job-interview-4 ace-a-job-interview-4 lace-etiquette-2 (Workplace etiquettes) lace-etiquette-2 (Workplace etiquettes) lace-etiquette-2 lace-etiquette-2

Interview Tip 1: Plan Ahead Do a little homework! Do a little homework! Research the company and the position if possible, as well, the people you will meet with at the interview. Research the company and the position if possible, as well, the people you will meet with at the interview. Review your work experiences. Review your work experiences. Be ready to support past career accomplishments with specific information targeted toward the companies needs. Be ready to support past career accomplishments with specific information targeted toward the companies needs. Have your facts ready! Have your facts ready!

Interview Tip 2: Role Play Begin role playing (rehearsing) after finishing the study part. Begin role playing (rehearsing) after finishing the study part. Enlist expected questions. Enlist expected questions. Write down answers Write down answers Practice Practice

Interview Tip 3: Look interested Maintain eye contact with your interviewer. Maintain eye contact with your interviewer. Show you want the job with your interest. Show you want the job with your interest.

Interview Tip 4: Be positive Avoid negative comments about past employers / collage / friends / situations etc. Avoid negative comments about past employers / collage / friends / situations etc. Be diplomatic in your negative views. Be diplomatic in your negative views. Learn the ability to convey negative things more palatably. Learn the ability to convey negative things more palatably.

Interview Tip 5: Adapt Listen and adapt. Listen and adapt. Be sensitive to the style of the interviewer. Be sensitive to the style of the interviewer. Pay attention to those details of dress, office furniture, and general decor which will afford helpful clues to assist you in tailoring your presentation. Pay attention to those details of dress, office furniture, and general decor which will afford helpful clues to assist you in tailoring your presentation.

Interview Tip 6: Relate Try to relate your profile according to the requirements. Try to relate your profile according to the requirements. Try to relate your answers to the interviewer and his or her company. Try to relate your answers to the interviewer and his or her company. Focus on achievements relevant to the position. Focus on achievements relevant to the position.

Interview Tip 7: Encourage Encourage the interviewer to share information about his or her company. Encourage the interviewer to share information about his or her company. Demonstrate your interest. Demonstrate your interest. Remember AIDAS Model. Remember AIDAS Model.

Interview Tip 9: Strategize Strategize about the flow of the interview. Strategize about the flow of the interview. Be in command of the situation. Be in command of the situation. Try to direct the interview in your favour (possible only by practice). Try to direct the interview in your favour (possible only by practice).

Expected questions Tell me about yourself? (try to hold your response to 2 minutes) Tell me about yourself? (try to hold your response to 2 minutes)

Expected questions What do you know about our company?

Expected questions What do you know about our company?

Expected questions Why should we hire you?

Expected questions What do you look for in a job?

Expected questions How does this assignment fit into your overall career plan?

Expected questions What weaknesses do you have, which could interfere with your working?

Expected questions How did you do in college? Why did you select this college/ subjects etc.

Expected questions What position do you expect to have in 2 to 5 years?

Expected questions What was wrong with your current or last position? Why do you want to change your job?

Expected questions What are some of the more difficult problems one would have to face in this position? How do you think these could best be handled?

Expected questions What significant changes do you foresee in the near future?

Expected questions What salary do you expect?

Expected questions Can you give us your list of the references?

Closing the interview If you are interested in the position, let the interviewer know it. Say something like "I am very impressed with your company, its products, and the people I have met. I am confident I could do an excellent job in the position we have discussed" The interviewer will be impressed with your enthusiasm. If you are interested in the position, let the interviewer know it. Say something like "I am very impressed with your company, its products, and the people I have met. I am confident I could do an excellent job in the position we have discussed" The interviewer will be impressed with your enthusiasm.

Closing the interview Don't be discouraged if no commitment has been made. The interviewer will probably want to communicate with other people in the company or possibly interview more candidates before making a decision Don't be discouraged if no commitment has been made. The interviewer will probably want to communicate with other people in the company or possibly interview more candidates before making a decision

Closing the interview If you get the impression the interview is not going well don't let your discouragement show. Once in awhile an interviewer will seem to discourage you as a way of testing your action If you get the impression the interview is not going well don't let your discouragement show. Once in awhile an interviewer will seem to discourage you as a way of testing your action

Closing the interview Always thank the interviewer for his or her time and consideration Always thank the interviewer for his or her time and consideration

10 things to remember 1. Arrive On Time 2. Be Prepared 3. Look Professional 4. Maintain Eye Contact 5. Shake Hands Firmly 6. Never Talk Negatively 7. Show Enthusiasm 8. Keep a Positive Attitude 9. Be Confident 10. Ask Questions

BEST OF LUCK