My life, in Powerpoint

[HeyWayne]

Ok, so looking at a new job - been for a couple of interviews, and have been invited back for a second at one of the jobs (Mum's the word) on Thursday.

Brief for the second interview? Give a 5-10 minute presentation about yourself.

Sounds easy doesn't it?

Until you get started and realise that you've somehow got to cram 35 years into 5-10 minutes....

One of the key personality traits they are looking for is a good sense of humour.

Question is, how far do you take it? Do I go for having them wet themselves (potentially embarrassing for all involved) or just the odd belly laugh?

When I got the call I thought "Great! Who better to give a presentation on me, than me?!" Then you start working on it, and realise it's a tougher challenge than on face value.

If anyone has done anything like this before, or has any brainwaves on how to tackle this I'd love to hear them - thus far all I've done is a bit of mind-mapping on about 6-7 slides with various pictures/photos to illustrate key points.

[zazen999]

What do they NEED to know HW? [AKA - What would Vedder do?]

Pick out a max of 7 key points and don't use clipart. You could ask [for example] for us to email you key 7 words about you and then pick the most common and say that's what others think about you [shows that you are happy to get feedback]; you could use abstract art for each key point, or lyrics, or music [what's the job? Marketing? Use famous Ads to illustrate the points?].

I often go for out of context words. For example, I was going for a job as Training Adviser and took the word 'Train', used it as a noun not a verb and made my presentation about the journey. They lapped it up and when my boss left, she gave me a miniature train for a gift [I went for and got her job so that was the best gift IMHO]. Nobody had ever done that before, believe it or not.

[OverWyreGrower]

Can't help much with the content, though I'd agree with Zaz - stay away from Clipart! Use abstract stuff, or your own photos instead...

I used to be a specialist powerpoint report typist, and my top tip is - stay away from the pre-loaded design templates! They are all awful, without exception. Use a plain white background, dark grey text (not black). You could use the company's logo - only in the bottom right hand corner though.

The templates detract from the content and create unnecessary 'noise' on the page.

[Glutton4...]

Bit above me, I'm afraid, but it sounds like you have fab advice here already. So, all I want to say is 'Good Luck' Big Fella!

[HeyWayne]

What do they NEED to know HW? [AKA - What would Vedder do?]

Pick out a max of 7 key points and don't use clipart. You could ask [for example] for us to email you key 7 words about you and then pick the most common and say that's what others think about you [shows that you are happy to get feedback]; you could use abstract art for each key point, or lyrics, or music [what's the job? Marketing? Use famous Ads to illustrate the points?].

That's one thing I'd considered - to keep it a bit profesh I was going to take snippets from the recommendations I've received on LinkedIn (not sure is you can see this..http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view...US&trk=tab_pro ).

I'm not a fan of Clipart - I come out in a rash.

Thus far I've also created a "Wayne Coulter Timeline" with key dates and pictures (abstract) to illustrate certain points in my life. Starts out with the front cover of Sailing by Rod Stewart as this is what was at No1 the day I was born.

Thanks for the pointers.

Go on then - seven words to describe HeyWayne...

[zazen999]

I'd also go against the 'use powerpoint' mantra. I think it was designed by geeks that don't like talking to people so I prefer to just stand there and talk. You could take in 6 items and use that as your basis.

Pearl Jam CD
Pair of new socks [you can use these as yin/yang and comedian/professionalism, anything that you want to say is X and Y]
jam jar to represent harnessing potential and preserving/nurturing
KISS album to represent Keeping it simple, silly...
etc etc.

Much better than powerpoint...

[HeyWayne]

I'd also go against the 'use powerpoint' mantra. I think it was designed by geeks that don't like talking to people so I prefer to just stand there and talk. You could take in 6 items and use that as your basis.

Pearl Jam CD
Pair of new socks [you can use these as yin/yang and comedian/professionalism, anything that you want to say is X and Y]
jam jar to represent harnessing potential and preserving/nurturing
KISS album to represent Keeping it simple, silly...
etc etc.

Much better than powerpoint...

Powerpoint specified...

[OverWyreGrower]

Powerpoint specified...

Have they said you must use PP, or just said that you must make a presentation and PP is available?

[Aberdeenplotter]

Wayne, 10 mins really isn't so long. if you start with where you were born, describe your family, how you were brought up, schools you went to, educational achievements, your present family and circumstances, where and what you have worked at, external interests and especially make sure you mention your creation of the "Just for Fun" thread on this forum which now has over 120,000 views and almost 1000 replies. Use pics as memory aides if possible so you need the minimum of notes and before you know it, your 10 mins will be gone. Rehearse a few times in front of a mirror. As your confidence grows, look for opportunities to improve the presentation by including amusing anectdotes so that you fulfil the ctriteria but don't overdo that aspect. Less can be more and one good belly laugh as an example of your sense of humour can be much more effective than perhaps demonstrating that your real role in life could be as a circus clown.

Good luck with the interview matey

[HeyWayne]

Have they said you must use PP, or just said that you must make a presentation and PP is available?

Must use Powerpoint - I guess it's to show my ability to polish a turd.

[zazen999]

Aah, yes. You can be just as abstract though. With pictures instead of items...It doesn't say you need to do any more than use the title page [With a grinning pic of you] and closing page with a big ? for 'any questions'...

[jackie j]

As G4 said way above me. One word to describe you hmmmm, I have only met you once so this is still hard cos there are so many.
Big ........ obviously, cos you are so tall.
Knowledgeable............ you know way more than me.
Funny.........some of the things you come out with on here are funny
Serious........when you want to be or need to be.
Daddy......... to the most handsome loveable little ( big ) man I have ever seen.
I am sure people who know you better can come up with loads more.

Good luck.

[dexterdoglancashire]

As G4 said way above me. One word to describe you hmmmm, I have only met you once so this is still hard cos there are so many.
Big ........ obviously, cos you are so tall.
Knowledgeable............ you know way more than me.
Funny.........some of the things you come out with on here are funny
Serious........when you want to be or need to be.
Daddy......... to the most handsome loveable little ( big ) man I have ever seen.
I am sure people who know you better can come up with loads more.

Good luck.

Just one thing to add - generous. You've done the bike ride for charity for a couple of years now, so perhaps you could mention that?

Good luck chuck!

[VirginVegGrower]

5 mins per slide so max of 2. Good use of white space. Don't try to be clever/abstract - all been done before. Listen to the PP specialist advice of grey on white. Bulleted list of key achievements personal/employment mix. Start snappy listing who you are, what you do, why you're there, end high; goals and aims for future personal/career progression relative to this position. Practice giving it and record yourself - watch out for the erms - try and iron them out.

GOOD LUCK!

[VirginVegGrower]

Spell check and ask people (literate) to proof read. Don't rely on your own eyes as you will always miss something. Sans serif font too, no fancy italics or serif fonts. Too harsh on the viewer. Are you expected to plug it and play? You need a certain minimum font size if so. Most people get this wrong - cram it and use a too small font size. Simplify it and clean it too with 1.5 line spacing.