Impactful Presentations for Conferences and Job Interviews

Impactful Presentations for Conferences and Job Interviews

Overview • Good vs bad presentations – attributes • Main considerations – key message, audience, timing, visual aids & handouts • Planning and pre-presentation tips • Giving the presentation and handling questions • Practice presentations (5 minutes each)

What makes a presentation good?What makes a presentation bad?

Getting off to a good start –things to consider in planning • Decide on the key message • Consider your target audience • Think about timing • Where will you be presenting? • Will you use visual aids & handouts? • How will you handle questions?

Key message • What key message do you want to communicate? • One message – the rest is elaboration • Ensure a logical structure – from introduction through body to conclusion • Tailor to your audience – language, level of content, scope/depth

Audience • Conference papers – discipline-specific specialists or generalists • Poster sessions – Anyone in the venue: academics, publishers, students… • Job market presentations – Few people, mix of specialists and generalists • Content and language should be tailored to audience

Timing • Conference papers – determined by panel chair, generally 20-30 minutes • Job market presentations – generally 10-20 minutes, very strict time limit • Poster sessions – Flexible time limit for speaking to passers-by or variable-size groups

Visual aids & handouts • Will visual aids & handouts help communicate message better? • If so: • Be careful how many you use (1:3 rule) • Don’t over-design your slide template • Use handouts for detailed information • Recommended for job market papers • Single-page for poster presentations

Communicating effectively • Grab attention – why should we listen to you? • Start with summary – the key message • Most important information first – don’t build up to it • Don’t try to cover too much (3-point rule) • Summarise key points at the end

Practice • Plan, prepare then practice! • Timing • Using visual aids and other tools • Flow • Does it achieve what you want it to • Front of mirror, practice partner/s, video

Pre-presentation tips • Prepare for contingencies (email, memory stick, OHPs, handouts) • Arrive in plenty of time • Familiarise yourself with any equipment • Ask for changes to room/equipment if needed

Giving the presentation • Introduce yourself • Start strong • Eye contact • Voice - volume, tone and variation • Energy but no fidgeting • Finish strong

Handling questions • For multi-part questions, jot down key words to remind you what they asked – but LISTEN • Make a note to remind yourself of what to say in response • Don’t see questions as criticisms. Keep calm, respond positively • Try to anticipate (and encourage) questions and prepare for them

Now lets try it! • Groups of up to 6 • 5-minute presentations and feedback • Suggestions ON feedback: • Balance negative with positive comments • Use examples to illustrate points made • Learn lessons from others by personalising feedback from others’ talks

To summarise……. • What have we learnt? • What will you do to build on this session? • Any unanswered questions?

Impactful Presentations for Conferences and Job Interviews