Placement interview with BT

Angst · 29 Nov 2013 at 20:34

Long story short i have an interview for an 11 month networking placement with BT on the 5th, this means i have just six days to get a hair cut buy a suit and plan a 10 minute presentation.
I was hoping that i could get some advice on the presentation, i have never done one in this environment before so i don't know whether it should be a power point or from notes etc.

Any advice would be appreciated guys and gals.

kiteloopy · 29 Nov 2013 at 20:36

Do you know the topic of the presentation?

Mr-White · 29 Nov 2013 at 20:38

What's the presentation on and what's the placement for ?

MW

Angst · 29 Nov 2013 at 20:42

The placement is literally titled "Network" and the topic of the presentation is “What is your understanding of current network trends? How do these trends fit into BT’s long-term commercial growth plans?”.
I have a rough idea of what to talk about e.g the cloud and server virtualisation, im just unsure on presentation techniques and how to structure it as like i say i have never done this before.

AshD93 · 29 Nov 2013 at 20:47

In general:

- 1 slide per minute excluding title and final page so around 10-12 slides. Maybe add a contents and try to keep a clear intro middle and end.
- Allow them to ask questions at the end
- Slides need to be brief. Use images or short phrases. No sentences unless it's important and if using phrases, 5 words per phrases with 4/5 phrases per slide
- Do not read from your slides
- Eye contact to all audience
- Use your hands to demonstrate your point and walk around but do not walk in front of your projector
- Vary your tone of voice
- Speak clearly and concisely. Don't shout but don't be timid. Pace needs to be understandable but not like you're at a funeral.
- Use presenter view to aid timing
- You are the focus of the presentation, the slides are just to aid you
- If you can, bring something to show and pass around. But needs to be small and easy to pass.

Might add stuff later when I'm on a comp.

Angst · 29 Nov 2013 at 20:52

AshD93 said:
In general:

- 1 slide per minute excluding title and final page so around 10-12 slides. Maybe add a contents and try to keep a clear intro middle and end.
- Allow them to ask questions at the end
- Slides need to be brief. Use images or short phrases. No sentences unless it's important and if using phrases, 5 words per phrases with 4/5 phrases per slide
- Do not read from your slides
- Eye contact to all audience
- Use your hands to demonstrate your point and walk around but do not walk in front of your projector
- Vary your tone of voice
- Speak clearly and concisely. Don't shout but don't be timid. Pace needs to be understandable but not like you're at a funeral.
- Use presenter view to aid timing
- You are the focus of the presentation, the slides are just to aid you
- If you can, bring something to show and pass around. But needs to be small and easy to pass.

Might add stuff later when I'm on a comp.

Thankyou

£15 · 1 Dec 2013 at 05:07

I'd also ask them what equipment is available/permitted during the interview. It might be that there is nowhere for you to plug in your device and deliver a Powerpoint presentation. It might be all they'll provide is a flip chart, or not. I wouldn't assume anything. You might have to do it without any presentation aids at all.

Practice your presentation. As much as you can. Make sure it fits the time allowed.

Good luck.

areksnumbr1sxylady · 1 Dec 2013 at 05:33

BadMojo said:
I'd also ask them what equipment is available/permitted during the interview. It might be that there is nowhere for you to plug in your device and deliver a Powerpoint presentation. It might be all they'll provide is a flip chart, or not. I wouldn't assume anything. You might have to do it without any presentation aids at all.

Practice your presentation. As much as you can. Make sure it fits the time allowed.

Good luck.

There is a chance that you wont even have to do a presentation.... I had to do a presentation in the morning and a manager clearly wasnt in his mood at 9 am... So he just said.. "oh **** sake, not this ****" "you are hired, now **** off"

Apparently his girlfriend broke up with him night before....

Angst · 1 Dec 2013 at 12:16

There isnt any facility's to present an actual power point, they said just to give handouts etc.

Buffman · 1 Dec 2013 at 14:38

you could give out powerpoint slides on a handout and run through them etc. still the same idea.

Thanks for the tips AshD93! got a presentation for final year uni coming up soon and that sounds about right..

Angst · 1 Dec 2013 at 19:25

The Craig said:
you could give out powerpoint slides on a handout and run through them etc. still the same idea.

Thanks for the tips AshD93! got a presentation for final year uni coming up soon and that sounds about right..

Thats what i was planning on doing

AshD93 · 1 Dec 2013 at 20:13

Handouts is a good tip as above. Normally they suggest what they want (i.e. 6 per page). Just go for what you think is appropriate (normally 4/6 will allow readability without a silly amount of pages).

Go in a suit and tie. Trousers and shirt with tie at the bare minimum if you have't got a blazer. No trainers.

When you're answering a question, try and use STAR like you do at interview (obviously when its appropriate. If he asks for your favourite colour, don't bother).

Are you watching other people's presentations as well? Is it an assessment centre or one to one interview session?