I have an internal interview and they have asked that I put together a 10-15 powerpoint on....... ANYTHING. Doesn't even have to be related to our field our products. I would rather be given a specific topic, but oh well.

Has anyone done this or asked as an interviewer? Any presentations that stood out and why?

I've been asked to do three presentations, but all were targeted towards a specific topic

Entry level: Sent some data in excel and asked to make a presentation with a recommendation
Internal interview at same company a few years later: Sent data in excel and asked to build a two slide presentation on whatever I thought was relevant in the data

Ended up taking both of the above jobs

Third time I was applying externally and the final round was to present a recent analysis from my current company, but obfuscate any sensitive internal data. I backed out of the interview process before proceeding with this round due to a retention bonus at my current company.

Targeted assessments are way better for interviews imo. Maybe it's because I'm a weak interviewer with the "tell me a time you disagreed with a coworker" BS.

ATM9000 said:

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Aggie95 said:

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I have an internal interview and they have asked that I put together a 10-15 powerpoint on....... ANYTHING. Doesn't even have to be related to our field our products. I would rather be given a specific topic, but oh well.

Has anyone done this or asked as an interviewer? Any presentations that stood out and why?

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Ive had to do this a few times and I've requested it too. Usually you are given a hard timeline and what they are after is if you can find a way to explain complicated concepts in a way that will resonate with everybody.

Being 80% but 100% understandable earns you more points than being 100% right but 50% understandable if that makes sense. Best advice I have is focus more on the narrative of the presentation than the slides themselves.

Pick something recent in your career with hair on it and be clear how you lead it to resolution.

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Thank you!

Use a framework like the pyramid principle to organize your thoughts. Most strategy consulting companies use a structure like this.

https://www.myconsultingoffer.org/case-study-interview-prep/pyramid-principle/

They said anything? I would do it on something you're very passionate about and make it extremely unique so you stand out.

Something that would showcase your presenting skills as well as your ability to convey important information in a concise and professional manner; and flash your personality a little.

If it's a sales position, sell something but make it unique and fun. If it's managerial pick something that will show you know how to manage people, budgets, forecasts, and cost-benefit analysis.

That could be really fun, actually.

SpreadsheetAg said:

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They said anything? I would do it on something you're very passionate about and make it extremely unique so you stand out.

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Being on both sides of the coin on an interview like this, what I'd say is all you need to do is be clear and concise and you will stand out. That link in the post above you is VERY consultant like but it will get the job done if you stick in the framework.

Most people I've seen who come in with the 'I'm being different!' angle to their presentation, it ends up being a bit of a mess. And a lot more people go about it that way than you think. Don't be risky. It's a professional presentation, not a TED Talk. Know your audience and present as you'd expect those people to see on a normal basis. All it is is a check that you can score a par on a presentation. No need to risk it and put your drive in the woods.

Maybe do a PowerPoint on how ineffective PowerPoint presentations are.

SpreadsheetAg said:

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They said anything? I would do it on something you're very passionate about and make it extremely unique so you stand out.

Something that would showcase your presenting skills as well as your ability to convey important information in a concise and professional manner; and flash your personality a little.

If it's a sales position, sell something but make it unique and fun. If it's managerial pick something that will show you know how to manage people, budgets, forecasts, and cost-benefit analysis.

That could be really fun, actually.

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I have to appreciate "SpreadsheetAg" saying powerpoint is fun.