Organisation: The University of Kent
Category: Presentation Skills
Description: As part of an extended interview/selection centre you may be asked to give a short presentation. Usually you choose the topic from a list which may include your hobbies, a recent holiday, a current affairs topic or one of your achievements, or sometimes you may be asked to make a presentation on a case study you have previously done as part of the extended interview. The purpose is not to test your subject knowledge, but to see how well you can speak in public. Typically you will be asked to talk for five minutes, and will be given 20 or 30 minutes beforehand to prepare.
SOME BASIC TIPS
* Smile.
* Speak clearly and confidently, and not too fast. Use your voice to emphasise points – don't talk in a monotone the whole time.
* Keep within the allotted time for your talk.
* Look at everyone in the audience from time to time, not just at your notes. Try to involve everyone, not just those directly in front of you.
* You could try to involve your audience by asking them a question.
* Don't read out your talk, as this sounds boring and stilted, but refer to brief notes jotted down on small pieces of card.
* It’s OK to use humour, in moderation, but better to use anecdotes than to rattle off a string of jokes.
* Take along a wristwatch to help you keep track of time – the assessor may cut you off as soon as you have used the time allocated, whether or not you have finished.
* It can be very helpful to practise at home – in front of a mirror or a friend. Time how long your talk takes.
HAVE A STRUCTURE FOR YOUR PRESENTATION
Have a beginning, middle and an end:
Introduction
* Welcome the audience.
* Say what your presentation will be about.
* The introduction should catch the attention. Perhaps a provocative statement or a humorous anecdote:
“Genetically-modified crops could save millions of people from starvation”
“The first day of my vacation job went with a bang, but it wasn't my fault that the microwave exploded.
The Middle should outline your argument or develop your story
* In five minutes you will only have time for two or three main points. List your main headings and any key phrases you will use.
Conclusion
* Briefly summarise your main points.
* Answer any questions.
* Thank the audience for listening.
* The end should be on a strong or positive note – not tailing away to “..well that's all I've got to say so thank you very much for listening ladies and gentlemen”. You could try something along these lines:
“Hang-gliding is brilliant, so try it – you'll believe a man can fly!”
“The danger is increasing – if we don't all act soon it could be too late!
The above has been neatly summarised as "Tell them what you will tell them(introduction), tell them(development), tell them what you told them(conclusion)".
In preparing your talk, first jot down any interesting points you want to include in your talk, put these in a logical sequence, then try to find an interesting title, and a good introduction and ending.
Price: NA
Contact:
The University of Kent,
Canterbury,
Kent, CT2 7NZ,
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