Presentation Tips? How to stay calm, body language etc?

Question

Hi,

I have to present a powerpoint presentation for a job interview.

I will not be judged on the content of the presentation but on how well i present it.

Could anyone give me any tips on how I can stay calm and how I should be sounding. Is it ok to be slightly humerous?

How should i stand and what shall I do with my hands!?

Any help would be fantastic!

Answer 1

In that case dont use notes, and dont put fancy special effects into the presentation and dont just read from the screen.

Try a practice presentation with someone observing.

Answer 2

First wish them Good Morning or Noon or Eve with a nice teeth showing smile without making any noise! Wear something like a biz suit (black) when you go there and dont wear anything so contrasting and colorful. Since you present it on a big screen, you'll have to use your hands without covering the surface of the screen or the lense of the projector. Stay beside it. A bit of a humor would be great but don't go any further your limits even if they crack any jokes back at you...just a single smile would be appreciated. Keep your feet close and hands clasped by palms when you don't use your hands. If someone looks curious, don't bother to ask him or her if you can help that person with any problem. For that you have to be known about the thing in full. Keep your face mild and pleasant and don't be looking scared and nervous even if you feel so. Make eye contact with everyone to show your confident. But don't widen your eyes! Just be normal. It will be better if you could use something like a stick when you point stuff on the screen. And some how if you had to go get to the other side of the screen, say 'excuse me'.

Hope you'll get the job!

Answer 3

First know your presentation inside out! And learn how to use the keyboard instructions to move forward and how to jump to other screens. Look up all the mouse actions!

Remember the "fives"! Five words in a line - no more than five lines on screen. And then talk about your points. DON'T read the screen! Memorise what you are saying about each point and speak at the audience not the screen. Use that as a refernce point for the next thing you are going to say!

My trick was to black the screen when asked an ackward question, (b on keyboard) look at the questioner answer the question and then resume the presentation. That shows control and probably that is the point of the presentation. Can you cope with interuptions cooly and calmly and then move on smoothly?

Focus on the audience and not you. If you know how to do "jumps" to another screen, add one that says " I don't know the answer to that question but I will check it out and get back to you" - Make it flash or have a little stick man walk in with a book - that is a genuine asnwer but with a good sense of humour! If you know powerpoint you note that screen number, and jump there. Then create a jump back to the screen you were on. That will impress! Big time.

And finally, you will be nervous and they expect you to be nervous! Concentrate on my points above and you will look professional and ... nervous - so what! You will be so busy watching them and answering their question - that's what I think they want.

Best wishes and Good luck!

Answer 4

for power points you don't want to move your feet too much. You want to stand tall and straight and look confident.(basically imaging a small circle around you.. and don't move outside that circle.. and only move moderately inside of it) You can be moderately animated with your hands though (and don't stand stiff as a board either.. just "relatively" still). Humor is fine if the CONTENT of the presentation allows for it (it wouldn't fit in on a presentation about abortion now would it).

IF the content allows for it.. getting the group moving (which gives you a chance to move as well) with a game of some type is a GREAT idea (if this is a training type environment.. if it's simply informative, like say if you were presenting to a board at work, then keep them in their seats)

And practice the power point several times before you present it.. confidence that you know your material will keep you from being anxious about getting lost in the presentation.


I give PP trainings all over my state all the time on nutrition and physical activity. I train groups as small as 3 and as large as 100 all the time... so if you have any specific questions feel free to shoot me an email.

Answer 5

Don't drink caffeine before you get this done, you will bleed more profusely, and it will make you more jumpy. If you jump, you risk ruining your tattoo, and that is a permanent mistake on your skin! Second, eat a good healthy meal a few hours before. You don't want an empty stomach adding to the distress already, this will also help prevent fainting and light-headed-ness. As for dealing with the moments of almost unbearable pain, try focusing on your surroundings, look at the images of tattoos on the walls if you are in a tattoo shop. Look at your significant other, or friend... and you could try talking to the person doing the tattoo or tell them to put the radio on so you can try to relax So really, its all about keeping your mind occupied, its going to hurt no matter what, so you better just sit tight and breathe through it!! Do the best you can to get through it with the least possible pain! Just think of how good the tattoo will look .. :) good luck and hope i helped x

Answer 6

Practice giving the presentation at home, what will be said in sync with the slides. It would be helpful if a friend would listen and critique for you or record yourself with a camera.
It is ok to throw in a little humor if it is done correctly.
Don't stand in one spot the whole time, feel free to take a few steps and use your hands as you would in normal conversation.

Answer 7

a power point should just have enought to get you going..

as for the good stuff
keep eye contact but don't stair.. look and hold for about 5 sec.

Your arms should use gestures so if your stating the number 1 hold your hand and put up 1 finger!

look around the room not just at one human

smile

prepare yourself if you feel more conifident standing then stand seatting does make it more informal in my eyes!

keep your hand open and at your side and slightly moving for the gestures!

that's all i can think....

Answer 8

Practice it a million times til you can say it in your sleep.

Yes, be funny.

Ask the audience for responces occasionally to keep them alert.

Before you go on, imagine that the whole thing is about to be called off and you'll actually have to do it again next week instead. Then come back to the thinking that you have to do it now. It will feel less daunting and you'll feel less pressure about the whole thing.