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Henrietta
Sweden
5 Posts |
 Posted - 23/09/2005 : 15:41:50
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I'm heading out for a job interview next week, and i was thinking perhaps of bringing a PowerPoint ppt presentation with me rather than just the typical cv print out.
Do you have any advice?
ppt devil  |
Edited by - Henrietta on 23/09/2005 17:44:04 |
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ELK
Australia
2 Posts |
Posted - 23/09/2005 : 18:08:11
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Hi Devil 
I've just joined The Presenters Forum. Wow this is great. I've been waiting for a presentation forum for ages and I'm sooooo glad that someone finally got round to making one for presenters 
I had a job interview last month. I was so nervous I had to put down my glasss of water because I was sure I was spilling some out of the glass I was shaking so much.
I answered all these questions about why I wanted the job, and why I was right for the job, and then I was asked "What has been your best experience working a team and why?"
I replied by telling them about a large IT project I was involved in and though I was only one of many individuals on the team together we had a very good chemistry and learned to work with each other's strengths towards a common goal.
Then I was asked "What has been my your best experience working individually on a project and why?"
So I replied by telling them about a project I believed our organization needed to do but constantly neglected due to timelines and work pressures. I took the initiative to work on the project in my free time. I worked on it just for an hour or so each evening for about 2 weeks and then at an internal meeting I presented my results and what benefits I thought completing such a project could bring our organization.
Well my interview ended, and I left a little unsure as I guess most people are leaving an interview, and I took the bus home.
A week went by and I still hadn't heard anything.
I was sure I had failed in the interview 
Then out of the blue I received a phone call asking me to attend the following day.
I went to the offices and was met by my interviewer who shook my hand and welcomed me into the organization.
To say I was shocked...doesn't cover it at all. I was dumbstruck. Totally flabbergasted.
I said, I'm sorry but I didn't thought I had got the job. Oh yes she told me. But we had to interview over 600 applicants for the post, but we knew after we had interviewed you that we would recommend you for the post.
Of course I was curious and had to ask why they had selected me.
This was her reply.
"When you answered our questions about our organization you gave the reply we were looking for, but then so did most everybody else. Why you wanted to work at our company, why you thought you were right for the position etc. But when we asked you to explain your most successful project both in a team and individual instance. You were so engaged and passionate about what the projects gave you and you gave them that it was clear that you are someone who enjoys their work and strives on an individual and in group level.
The passion you showed when you were talking about the projects simply wasn't there when you were talking about our company, and we knew that if you could bring that passion into our organization then you are clearly the right for the position".
So there you are Devil , if I could share with you my only tip, it would be to be passionate and engaged when talking about things that you have been invloved with and to explain how you would like to bring those passions into the company you are being interviewed for.
And just so you know of the rewards Devil , a month after starting in the postion I bought a car and I have never taken the bus since 
Good luck, and maybe you'd like to check back and let us know how you got on?
That's if the thread can stay open maybe?
RachelS
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administrator
USA
104 Posts |
Posted - 23/09/2005 : 18:11:39
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Hi Rachel, firstly, welcome to The 123PPT Presenters Forum. It's great to have you here, and I hope that you'll keep posting and sharing your experiences with our community.
Don't worry about the thread, I'll keep it open.
Good luck in the interview powerpoint devil
Admin, 123PPT.com
Here to help whenever you need me. |
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Henrietta
Sweden
5 Posts |
Posted - 23/09/2005 : 18:14:38
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Thanks Rachel. Boy that was a lot to get through
I'll keep your advice in mind, but I was wondering what do you think about bring a PowerPoint presentation of myself rather than a printed cv. Do you think that would help?
ppt devil |
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RachelS
United Kingdom
8 Posts |
Posted - 23/09/2005 : 18:16:24
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Go for it man. Anything that can get their attention and make you stand out I think is the thing.
I mean how many people will show up with a PowerPoint presentation of themselves?
Paul |
Edited by - RachelS on 23/09/2005 18:21:46 |
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bob the biscuit
Norway
5 Posts |
Posted - 23/09/2005 : 18:21:08
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| sorry to be the bearer of bad news or to state the obvious but....what about if they don't have PowerPoint on their machines? |
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lrcrabtree
0 Posts |
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bob the biscuit
Norway
5 Posts |
Posted - 23/09/2005 : 18:29:18
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ok. but what if they don't have a pc or computer?
...i mean after all you're going for an interview, you're not sitting down at a desk to work right? |
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Henrietta
Sweden
5 Posts |
Posted - 23/09/2005 : 18:30:31
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Hmmm. Good point. So you are saying that perhaps I should bring both?
ppt devil |
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RachelS
United Kingdom
8 Posts |
Posted - 23/09/2005 : 18:32:13
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Hey Devil,
I think it's whatever floats your boat.
If you want to bring a PowerPoint CV then heck why not? If you want to bring a print out for security reasons then why not? |
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administrator
USA
104 Posts |
Posted - 23/09/2005 : 18:33:58
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Hi guys,
I don't want to butt into your thread, which by the way is fascinating, it's almost realtime
But surely the whole point RachelS was trying to make was that whoever you are going to see and whatever you are gonig to bring them, what they are most interested in is you?
Admin, 123PPT.com
Here to help whenever you need me. |
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ELK
Australia
2 Posts |
Posted - 23/09/2005 : 18:36:08
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Hi again ppt devil
I would be a bit worried to use a PowerPoint presentation in an interview because I think you'll take the focus off you and put it onto a screen.
When you are explaining things about yourself you'll be clicking "next" or Page Down and your interviewer will be looking at the screen and not you.
RachelS |
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lrcrabtree
0 Posts |
Posted - 23/09/2005 : 18:41:56
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Most valid RachelS,
and I would also be concerned over the impression a PowerPoint presentation can leave.
For example, poor design will not make a good impression. Poor text, or grammatically incorrect text would project all the wrong values.
I think it might be wise to focus as mentioned, on yourself ppt devil rather than technology in this instance. I think PowerPoint has a good and practical use in certain instances, and certainly if your propsective employer had requested that you produce a PowerPoint presentation to outline why you should have the position, perhaps this would be a completely different discussion?
I believe that you will have enough to contend with, nerves, the situation, the confrontational aspect that interviews always seem to force, etc., without bringing technology into the equation.
One less complication. Is one less worry.
Charles Henry
Creative Director, 123PPT
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Henrietta
Sweden
5 Posts |
Posted - 23/09/2005 : 18:50:00
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Thanks everyone, this has been great.
I really really appreciate all your feedback and input.
I think I'll drop the whole PowerPoint idea for the interivew and focus on the inputs from RachelS and Charles.
I promise, I'll check back in next week to let you know how I got on so keep the thread open Admin, and I'll see you guys in a few days
ppt devil |
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administrator
USA
104 Posts |
Posted - 23/09/2005 : 18:50:53
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No problem powerpoint devil.
Will do.
Good luck at the interview.
Admin, 123PPT.com
Here to help whenever you need me. |
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ELK
Australia
2 Posts |
Posted - 23/09/2005 : 18:52:04
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Yes, good luck at the interview devil
...I do so love that name. I wish I had been more creative now!
RachelS |
Edited by - ELK on 23/09/2005 18:52:20 |
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any advice?
