Some Useful Tips & Advice

Interview Advice - Pre Interview

• Research the prospective employer. Know their business, their market etc. The more you know, the better prepared you will be.
  
  
• Plan and focus on specific examples (time, place & names) you have achieved throughout your career, as it relates to the job you are applying for. You can be caught off guard when put on the spot in the interview so jog your own memory beforehand.
  
  
• We are all human and have made mistakes and could have done things better. Apart from highlighting your key strengths for the position, be honest in the interview and demonstrate to them moments when things could have gone better, how you handled it and what you learnt. Most importantly, focus on your strengths and what you enjoy doing most.
  
  
• Presentation goes a long way. If the client is a corporate, it is recommended to dress accordingly in a suit and be well groomed. If need be get a haircut, buy a new suit/shirt and look your best. Don't forget to polish your shoes and wear the correct coloured shoes that match your suit.

During the Interview

• Nerves only arise when you are unprepared. A small amount of nerves can be expected early in the interview and this can be ideal as it keeps you sharp and alert, but should subside after 5 minutes or so.
  
  
• Show your enthusiasm for the role/company and engage the interviewers wherever possible. Try not to display over-confidence, as this is portrayed as arrogant. Being ambitious is good, but being overly so, e.g. "I would expect promotion within 6 months" will convey a message that someone will be difficult to manage and not fit within the organisation. The client wants the appointee to be focused and challenged in the role they applied for.

Powerpoint Presentations - Tips & Advice

If you have to prepare a presentation using powerpoint as part of your interview process these links offer templates, add-ins, tips, blogs, and everything else you really need to know about PowerPoint and presenting in general.

The Basics.

PowerPoint 2003 Home Page (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX010857971033.aspx) - This is the place you'll want to start; it provides loads of great information. In addition to templates, clip art, and other media, you'll also receive support and training from the Microsoft Office experts. Add-ins to make PowerPoint more versatile are also available.

Microsoft Office Online (http://office.microsoft.com/) - Although, as a practical matter, this page overlaps the PowerPoint 2003 Home Page we just mentioned, it's worth taking a separate trip to this site for more ideas, articles, templates, clip art and the like and for the always important Office Update tool.

PowerPointAnswers (http://www.powerpointanswers.com/index.html) - Kathryn Jacobs, a Microsoft MVP (Most Valued Professional), offers basic information about PowerPoint, including presentation tips and tricks, reviews of various presentation products, sources for finding new templates, and other great resources.

Ten Tips to Improve Your Presentations with PowerPoint (http://www.denniskennedy.com/products/free-samples/pptips.aspx) - Dennis's PowerPoint tips article has been reprinted in many places around the world, including on the Microsoft website. It's a good overview of helpful techniques to jumpstart your PowerPoint efforts.

Really Bad PowerPoint (and how to avoid it)

(http://www.sethgodin.com/freeprize/reallybad-1.pdf) Best-selling author/marketing guru Seth Godin, whose book Free Prize Inside!, says the PowerPoint slides have become the presentation, rather than reinforce it.

"If all you want to do is create a file of facts and figures, then cancel the meeting and send in a report," he writes in his e-booklet, Really BAD PowerPoint (and how to avoid it). "Do it in PowerPoint if you want, but it's not a presentation, it's a report. It will contain whatever you write down, but don't imagine for a second that you're powerfully communicating any ideas." But don't delete your PowerPoint software just yet. In this e-booklet, Godin offers five rules to create amazing PowerPoint presentation.

Presentation Resources.

Presenters University (http://www.presentersuniversity.com/) - School is in session, and you're certain to get a great education here. Best of all, it's free (or mostly free). You can download free trial versions of presentation software and add-ins, as well as free templates for PowerPoint and masters for Corel Presentations. The Courses section provide free, easy-to-read articles with tips and tricks for improving your presentations and your presenting style. The "Ask the Professor" feature is actually a user forum you can use to ask questions and get support from other PowerPoint users.

Presentations.com (http://www.presentations.com/presentations/index.jsp) - Another great site on giving presentations, with less focus on PowerPoint and more on the actual process. The pages are divided into several areas. Creation provides helpful articles on putting your presentation together. Delivery covers speaking tips, handling your audience, the speaking environment, and presentation mastery. Technology discusses display and projection, digital imaging, audio and video, software, and computers/peripherals. There's even a Buyer's Guide where you can search for products, manufacturers, and dealers.

Beyond Bullets (http://www.beyondbullets.com/) - Cliff Atkinson is an expert in helping people communicate with other people using PowerPoint. His weblog contains some terrific ideas on how to improve your presentations - in fact, you may find some of his recommendations somewhat revolutionary. In addition to the great information on the blog, you'll also find articles by Cliff, as well as the opportunity to buy his highly-recommended book (called Beyond Bullet Points -see Dennis's comments on the book at http://www.denniskennedy.com/archives/2005_02.html#a000647) or a special add-in that will help you implement Cliff's theories on presenting into your own presentation.

Projector Central (http://www.projectorcentral.com/) - All the hard work you devote to your presentation will be wasted if no one can see it. Projector Central will satisfy all of your display needs - projectors, screens, and all the attendant accessories. You can check out current prices, read reviews of recently released models, or peruse the buyer's guide for practical advice on the right projector for you.

Presentation-Pointers.com (http://www.presentation-pointers.com/index.asp) - The four areas of this site include Communicating Effectively, Building a Presentation, Planning a Presentation, and Communicating in your Specialty. Each category includes loads of helpful articles on becoming a better presenter.

SpeakerNet News (http://www.speakernetnews.com/) - Here's a website with tons of great resources for speakers and an excellent free weekly email newsletter. You should learn at least one very helpful tip in each issue of the newsletter and we recommend that you subscribe to this one.

Tips, Techniques and Templates.

Brainy Betty (http://www.brainybetty.com) - Finding quality free templates is tough - fortunately, sites like Brainy Betty are around to help out. Here you'll find some very creative, professionally-designed templates and free fonts, as well as tutorials and tips on preparing your presentation.

Communicate Using Technology (http://www.communicateusingtechnology.com/index.htm) - Dave Paradi calls himself your "PowerPoint Lifeguard," and he provides free tips by newsletter on using PowerPoint as well as other components of your Office suite. In addition to the free newsletter, you have access to free articles, some great learning tools, and a sizable list of presentation technology links.