Help.

I've got a job interview tomorrow and have to give a 15 minute presentation (that I've never done before and am really nervous) on something I know nothing about. Have researched it on tinternet but does anyone have any good tips on what interviewers look for and how I can come across better than the nervous reck that I'll end up being?

I've always been terrible at interviews......but one thing that helped my other half was a course he went on re giving presentations, where everyone watched their performance afterwards on video. Before that he had no idea how he was coming over, but after he knew exactly which areas to focus on and put right.

(This is no use at all for tomorrow unless you've got video equipment, but good luck)

Sit crossed legged, smile alot, be yourself, don't be afraid to ponder the question before answering, cultivate a charming personality, laugh at their shitty jokes, wear a low-cut top, bend over the chair, fishnets, 'drop' a pen, say you like sushi, pretend to be a methodist...

Hope this is of some use

But not all interviewers are impressionable males

Just remember,the worst that can happen is you dont get it,but that leaves you no worse off than you are now.
You were invited to the interview,nobody is trying to trip you up,they want you to do well.
You will be fine,Im sure of it.

Whats the presentation on ?

I've got one male and one female.

Thanks for that. Think I'll pass on the low cut top and fish nets though.

Some people I've seen at selection events behave as if they have already got the job, and they will present themselves to the other applicants in such a manner that they are one of the interviewers!!!! It seems to work if they strike the right balance, i.e. not too dominant and willing to listen to others at the right times, but mostly coming across as supremely confident and willing to organise/co-ordinate the group's thoughts in a structured manner.

"the commission for social care inspection have introduced the AQAA for registered care homes. Can you explain why the AQAA was implemented and how it will improve standards within services. Also, focus on how as a manager you would implement systems for continuous improvement"

There's only two of us who have applied for the job.

I have conducted interviews before and believe me, you sit their wanting the applicants to do well and it makes you feel uncomfortable when an applicant messes up. Like someone above said, they will want you to look good and they will hope you dont make THEM feel uncomfortable by forgetting what you wanted to say, deadly silences etc.

When you go in, shake their hands firmly, smile and talk loudly (but not too loud) ask each person how they are doing when you shake hands. Try to dictate the interview and feel free to ask the interviewer/s at the start of the interview during any chit-chat stage how the business etc is going at the moment. This immediately stops the interview being a case of them asking questions and you trying to find answers. You want to be on-a-par with them so you pose questions too.

Make sure you have a question or two in mind for the end of the interview to ask them such as whether the job will provide you with decent training to 'better yourself'. etc etc

Yes, stretch your presentation out so that you say a lot less on the assigned subject in the 15 minutes than you actually know. Don't ram information down their throats. Leave them wanting more.

And while you're talking, every time you hit a salient point, choose a random interviewer, pause, and look him or her in the eye as though what you just said is really insightful. If they react by asking a question, you can then confidently play your "hidden detail" trump card and amaze them with your in-depth knowledge.

Be yourself is the key. Don't try an effect a professional TV presenter image - you're not. Personality works far better than stilted speech. Interviews are about getting them to like you. That won't happen if you're being false.

One ultra important thing: If you don't know the answer say so. Never blag a direct question because you can be damn sure they know the corerct answer before they ask the question.

There's nothing wrong with saying "I have never had any direct experience of that particular question so I can't give you a comprehensive answer. In general terms [ answer generally] also if it came up I would research the answer at [insert relevant source]

Don't want to turn it down, it's actually a job that I really want. As for them not knowing much, you're probably right 'cause I've been told that one of the interviewers hasn't got a clue about what I'm presentingon anyway!

Thanks Mr I

Fifteen mintes isn't very long for a presentation.

Don't forget to tell them what your going to tell them (Intro)
Tell them (main presentation)
Remind them what you told them (summary)

If you are using powerpoint slides they can be a great prompt - but keep them simple and talk around them. Each slide is worth about 2 to 3 minutes

have no more than about 5 points you want to make

Take you're time - don't rush it

Look at the interviewers and not your presentation

Be yourself

Practise timing the presentation out loud. Its a lot slower when you actually speak the words rather than just going through it in your head.

Good luck

All of the above apart from Dibble robot.

Also it is very important that, as one geezer says above, that you don't just talk at them. Pause regularly and look for confirmatory signs that they're still with you. Say - OK?? With me on that?? Alright?? And on confirmation say things like, good, great, fantastic etc, before you move on. It gives you chance to collect yourself regularly while making them participate and it's the cheapest trick ever.

Then cross yer legs a la Sharon Stone in Fatal Attraction.

Make sure it doesn't come over like Kenny Everetts Cupid Stunt though...

Unless it says so otherwise allow at least 5 minutes for questions and answers. If you get the opportunity to do a little research mention Individual Budgets and how that may change how people select how to spend their social care entitlement. There is information on the CSIP site as well as lots more such as Essex County Council & Oldham unitary authority.
Good Luck

just relax and be in control
control the interview
you will know what type of questions you are going to get
asked if it is a job you are interested in
it may be prudent to think of examples of occassions when you have
encountered or undertaken certain tasks/responsibilities that are
pertinent to the role you are applying for

all the best tigga

Thanks everyone. Well here goes nothing. Will report back in a couple of hours.

Think I'll pass on the low cut top and fish nets though.


Why? It always works for me?

Good luck Tiggs!

Have had it now. No idea how it went. It's only between two of us and the other one already works there so has more of an advantage.

They're letting me know today though!!

I like it!!

I didn't get it

Thanks anyway Guys.

Thanks, that made me smile.

You do get a sinking feeling when you hear the other candidate is an insider.
There'll be others, Tigga.....

Kill the bitch!!

Trouble is, jumping through other people's hoops is par for the course these days. What can you do?

some "internal vacancies" that crop up from time to time in Avecia invite applicants from all sections of the company, but you already know who is lined up for the position, and it's just a case of them having to be seen as being "transparent, open and honest" etc etc with these things. Even though we know the Masonic equivalent of a secret handshake has already taken place in a dark room somewhere.

You speak for yourself luv, I'll tell you this for nowt; nobody is getting anywhere near MY hoop!!!

I'm going to have to have a think about this one. Are there any foot notes at all?

It doesn't always work that way though Parmo. After a new computer system was put in place at my last job, I had to reapply for my own job, don't worry about it they said! A lad at another factory in Grimsby doing the same job as me applied, and they gave it to him. Best thing that ever happened to me.