This Business and Moment...

[Amplus]

Thanks for the moral support

Role is an internal role for a application support specialist as such for an internal software. Completely new to me as my background is not related to that at all. a lot of travel involved as showing people how to use the software.

It's completely out my comfort zone giving presentations and I'm pretty crap at interviews despite being outgoing hence my panic. I've decided I'm going to do it. Would look worse if I back out now. Can only try my best even if I only have 2 nights to come up with a 15 minute presentationz memorise it and create a PowerPoint as well.

 

[ChrisD.]

They're asking you to do a presentation to see how you would perform under pressure, ie with customers I presume.

 

[randomshenans]

They're asking you to do a presentation to see how you would perform under pressure, ie with customers I presume.

Exactly, it's a test for a reason. Glad you're going to do it. Only way you'll improve.

What's your current role @Amplus ?

 

[dowie]

I mean if part of the role involves travelling to demo software then it doesn’t seem too unreasonable that presentation skills would be tested. Soft skills are important! A bit late for this specific instance but you could check out something like toastmasters.org in future if you have worries about standing up and presenting to people - they should have a group near to you.

I’m sure there are some YouTube videos or quick help websites you could look up too.

Main thing, don’t rush it, it might feel unnatural and rather uncomfortable if you’re not used to it, you’ll get an adrenaline surge etc... that you’re not used to handling in this situation - don’t let that turn into talking too quickly, don’t start saying “err” and “umm” to needlessly fill any pauses (pauses are absolutely fine) and speak a bit louder than you usually do/don’t mumble.

One thing you could try is almost imagining you’re telling a story to a group of 5 year olds... albeit don’t go way over the top into sounding like an over enthusiastic Children’s TV presenter. Basically put a bit of emotion, bit of variation into how you’re speaking - you want that too because even if you avoid the previous pitfalls you also don’t want to be speaking in some monotone voice for 15 mins as it will be dull as ****.

 

[ChrisD.]

application support specialist

What kind of application is it and at what level, ie 1st line, 2nd line, or dev? Is it an IIS front end and SQL back end? What's the application coded in? .net? If it's a support role perhaps familiarise yourself with common log file locations, cmd line tricks, SQL ports, service accounts etc.

 

[Amplus]

It's a strange one. Says 2nd line but it's not your normal IT job. No SQL or anything like that. Working on in-house built supply chain software. Mixture of project managing tasks to go to office in India, answering tickets raised if issue with system and major part is travelling round the country teaching people how to use the software.

Completely out my comfort zone as my communication is lacking I feel. Hence why I thought I need to get out my comfort zone and do this as only way I'm going to improve and learn is going out there and doing it.

Bricking the presentation due to the lack of time I've had to prepare but what will be will be. Just going to give it my best. Better to go for it then be a wimp and back out...that's what I tell myself anyway

 

[randomshenans]

Had a really random mix of a week so far... busy as anything, and contract/ day job really busy too, but mini wins (I live on mini wins, I need them to get me through!):



1. Met CEO of the company Ciright looking to license our emotion tech for massive projects of theirs
2. Setup he public administration under the president of Kazakhstan with emotuit analytics in Canvas.
3. Promoted our partner, Soneva, the #1 rated luxury resort in the world, and our exclusive offers just for VolAir, to our audience and all our jet partners customers
4. Published Cheese scanning app to Google Play Store as the start of the CHEEZUS world takeover
5. About to hit 400 subs on The Daily Hustle Show
6. Had an instagram influencer with over 85k followers agree to an interview for the youtube channel! (theRoxie on Insta, she's hot too)
7. Smashed out some amazing work at my day job, but really was nothing but it wowed them into thinking I'm awesome

And also, going for a beer in about 5 mins.

 

[blairw]

It's a strange one. Says 2nd line but it's not your normal IT job. No SQL or anything like that. Working on in-house built supply chain software. Mixture of project managing tasks to go to office in India, answering tickets raised if issue with system and major part is travelling round the country teaching people how to use the software.

Completely out my comfort zone as my communication is lacking I feel. Hence why I thought I need to get out my comfort zone and do this as only way I'm going to improve and learn is going out there and doing it.

Bricking the presentation due to the lack of time I've had to prepare but what will be will be. Just going to give it my best. Better to go for it then be a wimp and back out...that's what I tell myself anyway

If in doubt, follow KISS - simplicity is key, do you bring clarity with your message? Remember, you're not delivering a Keynote at an event, they don't need a completely scripted word for work presentation - i'd argue it should almost be more conversational in nature with your slides etc as a reference / guide throughout. Present what you know, you'll find yourself much more comfortable and convincing that way

 

[ChrisD.]

Yup, and if you don't know something they ask you, don't bluff, just say you don't know, you'll find out and you'll get back to them.

 

[memyselfandi]

So got told Monday afternoon I had to give a 15 minute presentation but they will contact me in the next few weeks to arrange the interview. Got told today that the interview is Friday.

Am I right to be completely ****** off at this? From being told they will be in touch in the coming weeks to be given 2 days notice. I have done no preparation whatsoever and never given a presentation before. Not sure how I'm going to do it with 2 days notice. Tempted to tell them to forget the job as seems I'm being set up to fail.

Friend of mine was interviewing with a financial institution for a role earlier in this year with a similar sort of thing ... but it seemed a lot more that they were just completely disorganised. They rearranged the interview three or four times but still wouldn't tell him what the presentation topic was supposed to be. This dragged on for several weeks (during which time he was interviewing elsewhere too) ... eventually they gave him some information and a subject and three or four days to produce the presentation. The information was (a) insufficient to actually produce what they wanted and (b) rather inappropriate to actually give out to someone who wasn't already employed by them.

By this time he accepted something elsewhere and unfortunately we couldn't convince him he should go along anyway and give a presentation on why the information provided, not under any form of non-disclosure agreement and to a non-employee, was an information security nightmare waiting to happen ...

 

[randomshenans]

@Amplus How was the presentation?

 

[dowie]

I think everyone should do some sort of short acting class tbh... it is so useful for stuff like this and there are plenty of people out there who are absolutely guff at presenting - poor posture, can’t speak up/mumble etc...

There is plenty of need for technical people to stand up and present these days and not being able to, along with other soft skills, is a massive blind spot for people.

 

[Deleted member 77746]

I think everyone should do some sort of short acting class tbh... it is so useful for stuff like this and there are plenty of people out there who are absolutely guff at presenting - poor posture, can’t speak up/mumble etc...

There is plenty of need for technical people to stand up and present these days and not being able to, along with other soft skills, is a massive blind spot for people.

Most techs are but I don't think techs need to present presentations this is why you have team leaders/managers IMO. Isn't this really what they get paid to do. Stats, book holidays and present?

 

[dowie]

Plenty of technical people are managers and team leaders - dev managers, dev team leaders, consultants, client services types, quants, data scientists, researchers, product owners, business analysis, systems analysts, pre-sales specialists etc..

Loads of technical roles can and do involve presentation skills, lacking them is a huge blind spot/doesn't help with career progression.

 

[Amplus]

@Amplus How was the presentation?

It actually went surprisingly......really well!! First interview I was beating myself up for days as I'm awful at competency based questions and was surprised I got through to the second round. However I was really pleased how I presented and answered the questions much better for this interview.

However having some doubts on the role if I'm successful due to the amount of time away from home required. Will be an extra 7k a year, company car but there are to go periods when I'll have to go slovakia, Austria and Belgium for a week at a time throughout the year. Plus a lot of travel throughout the UK where I'll be staying over or long commutes on a weekly basis to different sites. As much as I like going to different countries, that's on holiday, as we are looking to start a family next year wondering if the travel might get a bit to much. On the flip side Ive been moaning about my lack of progression for a while so this is a perfect opportunity to finally progress my career somewhat without having to change career which I've considered.

 

[malachi]

Plenty of technical people are managers and team leaders - dev managers, dev team leaders, consultants, client services types, quants, data scientists, researchers, product owners, business analysis, systems analysts, pre-sales specialists etc..

Loads of technical roles can and do involve presentation skills, lacking them is a huge blind spot/doesn't help with career progression.

Unless you are going for a manager, team leader role or working in technical sales. Then there is no reason, not everyone working tech wants those roles.

I don't see a need for Cisco/Dell/HP field engineers to have presentation skills.

People and social skills, now that's whats lacking in the technical world.

 

[dowie]

Unless you are going for a manager, team leader role or working in technical sales. Then there is no reason, not everyone working tech wants those roles.

I don't see a need for Cisco/Dell/HP field engineers to have presentation skills.

People and social skills, now that's whats lacking in the technical world.

Well no - there are other roles - for example the ones I've already pointed out in the post you just quoted.

I didn't claim anything about Cisco field engineers etc.. though again if people want to progress then...

People and social skills is part of "soft skills" and could be helped by the same suggestion.

 

[Amplus]

It actually went surprisingly......really well!! First interview I was beating myself up for days as I'm awful at competency based questions and was surprised I got through to the second round. However I was really pleased how I presented and answered the questions much better for this interview.

However having some doubts on the role if I'm successful due to the amount of time away from home required. Will be an extra 7k a year, company car but there are to go periods when I'll have to go slovakia, Austria and Belgium for a week at a time throughout the year. Plus a lot of travel throughout the UK where I'll be staying over or long commutes on a weekly basis to different sites. As much as I like going to different countries, that's on holiday, as we are looking to start a family next year wondering if the travel might get a bit to much. On the flip side Ive been moaning about my lack of progression for a while so this is a perfect opportunity to finally progress my career somewhat without having to change career which I've considered.

So interview was on Friday morning. Just found out from a colleague that someone else who went for the job found out on Friday evening they got the job and has told everyone. Near the end of the day Monday and Ive still not been told anything by my company. Seems a bit disrespectful I had to find out like that.

 

[Martynt74]

It's tricky, but ultimately the other person may not have accepted/signed an acceptance.

From the companies point of view, they wouldn't announce anything until it was confirmed as they might end up going to a second choice. Would be the same with any external hire, I suppose you'd have expected more discretion from the other colleague though.

 

[Deleted member 77746]

Seems a bit disrespectful I had to find out like that.

Office whispers. This is what happens when people can't keep their mouth shut when. I agree disrespectful and the person who got the job shouldn't have said anything until the company announced it.