How to hit the right notes in your job interview presentation

How to hit the right notes in your job bewerbungsgesprch presentationHow to hit the right notes in your job interview presentationNail your next job interview presentation with these tips.Mark made an excellent first impression at his initial interview with a Hong Kong based direct sales consumer goods company. He was then notified that he would have to present a pitch deck at his next interview. The instructions were specific he was to pitch a sale over $1M that hed led over the past two years.Mark panicked, as he did not have a great example, nor had he ever reached that revenue number in the past. He asked himself, how can I position my presentation in a way thats relevant and answers the question head on?Asking job candidates to make presentations as part of the interview process is becoming mora common and mora common. The presentation serves as a way to filter candidates and gauge if they are a good fit for the company. A person may make an excellent first impression and seem s avvy and strategic, but interviewers cant be sure on a candidate until they see them do the actual work.Have an interview presentation soon and no idea how to prep? Here are six tips youll need to know to ace it.Follow the directionsThis may seem obvious, but follow the instructions for the presentation exactly as they are given. If the instructions state that you have only 30 minutes to present, do not go over or under. If they give you formatting restrictions (such as font size, spacing, etc.), adhere to their rules. Often they are just also looking to see if you can follow simple instructions.Choose the best example Take a look at the job description and make sure the example you chose highlights the skills they are seeking. For example, if the job is for an analytical role, include a financial model. If the position description includes a curious person, be sure to ask questions. This can also help you showcase certain skills that are not obvious from your prior jobs. For exampl e, I was working with an aspiring sourcing and procurement professional who needed to show that he understood SP, so he included an ecosystem within the appendix.Omit any proprietary dataIts in your best interest not to offer any proprietary data in your presentation. Instead, indicate that the numbers you are using are estimates. You can also use percentages to demonstrate the magnitude of your impact.Know your pointsWhen presenting, pick one core message, present your three supporting points, and then conclude with your core message. Sticking to this model will help you develop your presentation concisely and help it flow more smoothly.Engage your audienceResearch your audience beforehand. Look up the participants on LinkedIn or on their company site to gauge their interests.Make eye contact with each person and engage him/her in between main ideas by asking questions or personally connecting him/her to one of those main ideas. One client knew that an interviewer was an entreprene ur and would likely appreciate the learnings garnered while working in a start-up, so he included a question that tapped into those insights in an elegant manner. A specific interest connection shows you did your homework. Always conclude by opening the floor to the audience for questions.Prepare for the stress testPresenting to more than one person can be highly intimidating many of my clients have confessed being nervous as they prepare. The attendees typically piggy-back off one anothers questions and probe deeper than if only one person had been conducting the interview. Its important to prepare in a way that helps ease the stress. Doing a mock interview with someone(s) can help prepare you for answering questions on the spot.As with Marks case, there are ways to deliver excellent presentations when your work history and experience dont exactly fit whats being asked. He was able to pitch a $1M sale even though he had not yet met that number in revenue before. Instead, he determi ned what percentage of his previous companys overall revenue was represented by his biggest sale to present a relevant example of his past sales success.Preparing for an interview presentation takes time. But by taking necessary steps to rehearse your answers, research your audience and study your main points, youll be one step closer to landing the job.

Best Questions to Ask During an Interview

Best Questions to Ask During an InterviewBest Questions to Ask During an InterviewOne of the most important questions asked at almost every job interview is, Do you have any questions for me?. You should always have questions prepared for when that subject comes up. Its not just about asking questions you have to ask the right questions. If you dont, it can seem like you are either unprepared or uninterested.You and the fleckThese questions show the interviewer that you are prepared to aim for success if you are chosen for the role. It also gives you the opportunity to learn some things about the position that werent listed in the job description.Learning more about the position will give you an idea of what your daily routine will be like at the company. You will also get a better idea of the specific expectations and skills needed for the role. This will help you to decide whether you will be a good fit for the position.What are the expectations for the first week/month/year in thi s role?What is the typical career path for someone in this position?How do I compare to other candidates you have interviewed?Can you offer more information on the day to day responsibilities in this role?The interviewerAsking about the interviewer is an excellent way to build rapport. The person interviewing you may soon be a co-worker or even your new boss. It helps to give you an inside look at the type of people you will be working with.This gives the interviewer a aussicht to talk a little bit about themselves. It will help you get an idea of what they are looking for. Asking about the interviewer will leave an impression on them when they go back through their list of applicants later.What is your favorite part about working for this company?What are some of the challenges/accomplishments that you have faced during your time here?How long have you been with the company?What made you decide to work for this company?The companyYou are working for a company, not just your boss. A sking questions about the company shows the interviewer that you are interested in the business and not just the job.It will give you an idea of where the company is headed down the road, the work culture and whether you can see a future for yourself at the company. Making sure you are a good fit for the organization, and not just the job, plays a significant part in your success down the road. If you dont like the companys culture or values, odds are you wont be a good fit.Can you tell me a little bit about the work culture at this company?What are the most significant challenges/opportunities the company is facing right now?What perks/benefits are offered by the company?Where do you see the company in 5 years?Whats next?These questions show that you are confident enough to bring up any weaknesses you may have openly. They allow you the chance to understand and address any concerns the interviewer may have about your performance or qualifications.They also show you are confident an d prepared to proceed through the interview process.Do you have any additional questions for me?What are the next steps in the interview process?Do you have any concerns about my background or qualifications?When is the anticipated start date for this position?Most likely you will not ask all these questions during your interview. You should prepare at least two relevant questions to ask at every interview. Be careful not to ask questions that have already been answered or were openly available in the job description.Asking questions increases your chance of getting hired. It shows the interviewer that you came prepared and have a genuine interest in the role and the company.

Guidelines for Properly Spacing Your Cover Letter

Guidelines for Properly Spacing Your Cover Letter Guidelines for Properly Spacing Your Cover Letter Should you single space or double space a cover letter? How much spacing should there be between paragraphs? What about spaces between your closing and signature? How should an email cover letter be spaced? What else do you need to do to properly format a cover letter to send with a resume when applying for a job? The format of a letter refers to the way the letter is arranged on the page. The format includes spacing, indentation, margins, and more. When youre writing a cover letter, the spacing is important regardless of what form your letter is in. An email cover letter needs to be as properly formatted as a typed cover letter. Read below for cover letter spacing and general formatting guidelines for both typed and email cover letters. Two sample cover letters, one for a typed letter and one for an email letter, are included. Cover Letter Spacing Guidelines Leave a space between your address and the date.Leave a space between the heading and the salutation.Leave a space between each paragraph.Single-space the paragraphs in your cover letter or email message.Leave a space between the final paragraph and your closing.Leave a space between the closing and your signature.When youre sending a typed letter, include a handwritten signature and a typed signature underneath it.When youre sending an email message, leave a space after your signature, with contact information. If you have a formatted email signature, use this for your contact information. Your  cover letter should be one page or less.Use a 10- or 12-point font  that is easy to read like Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial.Align your cover letter to the left. In Microsoft Word, select your letter and click on Align, Text, Left.Format an email cover letter just  like a traditional letter  with spaces in between each paragraph and your signature. How to Use Letter Samples and Templates Letter examples and templates help you with the layout of your letter. They also show you what elements you need to include, such as introductions and body paragraphs. Along with helping with your layout, letter samples and templates can help you see what kind of content you should include in your document, such as a brief explanation of a lay-off. You should use a template or example as a starting point for your letter. However, you should always personalize and customize your cover letter, so it reflects your skills and abilities, and the jobs you are applying for. Sample Mail Cover Letter Spacing Your NameYour Street AddressYour City, State  Zip CodeYour Phone NumberYour Email AddressDateDear Hiring Manager:First Paragraph:The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are applying for.Middle Paragraphs:  The  next paragraphs  of your cover letter should describe what you have to offer the employer. Make strong connections between your abilities and their needs. Use several shorter paragraphs or bullets rather than one large block of text. Keep the paragraphs single-spaced, but leave a space between each paragraph.Final Paragraph:  Conclude your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position.Signature:Sincerely,Signature  (Handwritten)Signature (Typed) Expand Sample Email Cover Message Spacing Subject:  Your Name - Sample Position ApplicationDear Hiring Manager:First Paragraph:The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are applying for.Middle Paragraphs:  The  next section  of your cover letter should describe what you have to offer the employer. Provide details on your qualifications for the job. Keep the paragraphs single-spaced, but leave a space between each paragraph.Final Paragraph:  Conclude your cover letter by thanking the hiring manager for considering you for the job.Signature:Include your contact information in your signature at the bottom of your email message.Best Regards,Your Name____________FirstName LastNameEmail AddressPhoneCell PhoneLinkedIn Profile  (Optional) Expand