It is accepted that visual aids improve speaker confidence, but choosing your support carefully is essential if you want to be persuasive.
Handouts
Visualiser Video/Audio Whiteboard
Flip chart
These are a simple addition to a presentation, because they can be prepared in advance, copied and set aside for the day. Each participant gets a copy of the handout, which is easier to refer to than boards or flip charts at the front of the room. No IT or power outlets are needed.
Make sure you refer to the handouts during the presentation.
Good for a small audience, but difficult for viewing if the group is large. Handy for listing important points. Coloured markers can be used to highlight different points. Writing must be large enough to be visible and legible.
Used with small groups. Too small for large groups.
Pages can be prepared in advance and referred to during the presentation.
Coloured marker pens can be effective when itemising points, drawing a graph or a chart.
Great for live-action images or to add a speaker on film who is unable to attend. Needs certain expertise, as IT resources can be problematic.
A microphone may be required for large rooms and audiences.
This is now more popular than overhead projectors, because any sheet of paper can be viewed on the screen through a visualiser.
Helps when referring to handouts.
Interactive Whiteboard
Training is required to operate the board, as it is highly complex. Very effective interactive software is available.
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Using Visual Aids for Presentations These days, PowerPoint slides are often expected for group presentations. This
presentation tool must be used effectively or it might mislead your audience. Let’s consider the pros and cons:
Advantages
Makes it easy to create visual aids Pictures and graphs are great memory aids.
Can serve as a handout
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Disadvantages
Presenters tend to depend upon the slides to do the presentation, instead of their own speaking skills.
Speakers often talk to the slides.
Slides lacking designs skill can be unattractive.
The slides become the structure instead of the support for the structure.
If text is too heavy, it loses its impact.
Replaces the presenter!
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Tips for PowerPoint Presentations
• Focus always on your purpose and objectives.
• Use it only when it is the best choice for your presentation.
• Minimise the number of slides – fewer is better.
• Number your slides.
• Use graphics – keep them simple and clear.
• Keep words to a minimum.
• Use cue cards – do not read from a written text.
• Stand away from the screen and the projector light.
• Do not speak too quickly.
• Do not use the handout option – it confuses the audience who has to listen, watch and then, read, all at the same time.
Slide presentation
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Interview SkillsInterview skills
Whether for a part-time job or permanent employment, your potential employer will want to speak with you after reading your application. The idea of having to answer surprise questions makes people nervous, but the good news is that if you have been booked for an interview, the employer is thinking seriously about hiring you.
Before the interview
Find out all you can about the company:
the company’s vision for the future company size and branch locations employee benefits
employee satisfaction Think about the job:
the skills needed for the job
the type of person needed to do the job well the reason you want the job
why the company should hire you what you can offer the company Know the interview location:
check the building location on the map enquire about the best transport
do a practice run a few days before the interview Check page 38 on ‘first impressions’.
If this is your first job
You might be worried about your lack of working experience, but over the years you have been involved in extra-curricular activities, clubs and sports. From these experiences, you have learned to communicate well with others, organise and delegate. These skills and others, like time management and team work, are transferable and can serve you well in your first job.
Be ready to talk about the skills you have learned through your involvement in organisations outside school.
Staying calm
Applying for a job is a type of competition so naturally, you will worry about succeeding at an upcoming interview. To stay as calm as possible, you need to prepare carefully. Being well-prepared builds confidence. Remember, at the interview you will be judging the company at the same time that they are judging you. Perhaps you will not like what you see, or they may decide that you are not the right candidate for the job, but you will have had the satisfaction of being short-listed for an interview and gained valuable interview experience. That means you will be even better prepared for the next one.
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Interview Skills Possible interview questions
With a partner, practise answering these general questions:
What is your mobile telephone number?
What are your HKCEE results?
What would your teacher say is your most outstanding quality?
Which computer skills do you have?
Tell me about your work experience? (previous jobs) What did you like about that job/work?
How do you think that work experience will help you in this job?
How will you travel to work every day?
Do you plan to continue your studies? In what area?
Would you be willing to take a course to help you improve in your job?
What are your hobbies?
Do you play any sports?
What do you do during your free time?
Would you be willing to work overtime?
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Activity
Now brainstorm other questions which the interviewer might ask you about the job, yourself or your interests. Write them down with your answers.
Have your partner ask you the questions. Try to answer without looking at your notes.
Interview follow up
Write a short note or e-mail to thank the interviewer for their time and interest in your application and restate your interest in working for the company.