The point of the interview presentation is to convince someone that you are the best candidate for the position in question. You want to supply both energy and evidence that demonstrates that you have the qualifications and experience. In our case, the “committee” has a list of duties and qualifications that they are looking at. They need to assure that the person who looks the most capable according to the position requirements get hired. This means that they can’t consider you on any other measures except those that have been published. Otherwise, they are breaking the law.
Therefore, there are pieces of evidence that probably won’t apply. Your favorite pastime, or sports, or video games don’t mean anything. Where you were born and what your parents did also don’t help much in determining your qualifications, unless, of course, you can frame these as applicable to the position.
Instead, use the information in the job announcement to design your presentation. You might be able to create 3 to 5 main points for your speech. Job ads might talk about communication ability, ability to meet deadlines, ability to make rapid decisions, customer service, openness to travel, leadership, ability to work in a team setting, client services, ability to recruit, and the list goes on.
Don’t try to talk about everything. Play to your strengths. You should have experiences and training that you can “massage” into qualifications for the position given the specific requirements. Suppose leadership was desired quality. Have you held leadership positions in groups and/or work situations? What were they? What evidence is there of accomplishments under your leadership? Did your RSO carry out a fund-raising or service activity where you set records and accomplished a goal? What leadership dilemmas and challenges did you manage to overcome? Are their letters or recommendation that speak to your leadership accomplishments?
Again, don’t try to do everything, and don’t make us, the committee, work too hard to figure out how what you say applies to our position. Tell us how your accomplishments and experiences apply. Bowl us over with powerful evidence. Point us specifically toward major features of the position.
Use good presentation strategies. Use an introduction, transitions, and a conclusion. Tell us the themes you are going to focus on, supply both energy and evidence, speak without notes in a clear, active voice, conclude by reminding us in brief what we are to remember from the presentation. Conclude with the simple statement that given your experiences and previous accomplishments, you are the person we should hire, that you are the best candidate. Keep your presentation within the 7- to 8-minute limit.
