Simi Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 I've got an interview for a job next week. I've been asked to prepare a five minute speech on one of my interests. I'm a little worried that going in and talking about football for five minutes is going to be a little bit cliché? Anyone done anything like this in the past? What would you recommend? Cheers.
RobHawk Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 I've got an interview for a job next week. I've been asked to prepare a five minute speech on one of my interests. I'm a little worried that going in and talking about football for five minutes is going to be a little bit cliché? Anyone done anything like this in the past? What would you recommend? Cheers. Where's the interview?? Most employers who ask people for a presentation or speech are only looking to see if you can communicate clearly under the pressures of speaking in front of a group of people they don't know. very often when i listen to presentations, i dont care to much for the content but more how it is delivered!
Simi Posted 7 May 2010 Author Posted 7 May 2010 Where's the interview?? Most employers who ask people for a presentation or speech are only looking to see if you can communicate clearly under the pressures of speaking in front of a group of people they don't know. very often when i listen to presentations, i dont care to much for the content but more how it is delivered! That's what I thought, more about being able to talk infront of people and deliver it fluently. I've got a lot to discuss really, the whole setting up of N Block, meetings with the club directors and I did my work experience there so it won't just be about how much I'd like to go out for a few beers with Wayne Brown.
StanSP Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 If you think it's going to be a little bit cliché, maybe you could focus your speech on something different other than football, but then make some relations to football? Basically, make the majority of your speech something else you feel passionate about, but keep the connection with football as after all it is a football-related job you are going for.
AoWW Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 Nothing wrong with doing it about football, imo - you've already said you've more to say about it than just "yeah, football's great, innit". I'm sure they'd be interested to hear about your links with the club - or perhaps you could make it a bit more focussed, such as putting forward your opinion on safe-standing or something similar? As RobHawk said, they'll be more interested in how confidently you come across, the clarity of your presentation, etc, rather than the content. Make sure you're well-prepared, and try to stick to the timing but without waffling and unnecessary repetition. Personally I think you're better to be a little shorter than the time limit, but punchy and professional, rather than ramble on just to fill the time. If they're that fussed, it'll be obvious that they're sat there with a stopwatch, etc, but that's rare in my experience. Good luck.
Smudge Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 Write your "bullet" points on index cards and practice over and over in front of someone you trust who will give you useful feedback. That will help you get the timing right and boost your confidence. Remember to breath during your presentation and take your time. I would actually write "SLOW DOWN" on the top of every page of my notes to remind me. Oh another trick was to cut two holes in the cards and tie them together, so if I dropped them, I wouldn't get them out of order. Remember they put their pants on the same way you do and try not to be intimidated by them. If they come over as people who want to belittle you, they aren't worth working for in the first place.
Smudge Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 Chebs. Is that a suggested topic or are you having a tourette's moment?
AoWW Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 we don't know what your interests are... Chebs. Dunno, seems some of us do.
Benji Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 Nothing major but a couple of things I picked up last year: - Whatever you talk about it doesn't matter, they really don't care! For one interview I had half of the people decided to talk about areas of law that interest them (sophisticated you'd have thought?), and yet I know one of the two places given actually went to the guy that talked about why he preferred fish to chicken. - Structure the presentation. Start off with 20-30 seconds after saying hi and setting out what you're going to talk about in the presentation. Just 2 or 3 sentences, a bit like you do in an essay, don't go into detail otherwise you'll repeat yourself later but I remember the first time I had to do one in an assessment day and those that did this came across so much more prepared. - An obvious one; practice practice practice. Know it off by heart then you can concentrate on your body language, making sure you look at those that interview you, and if you're feeling confident throw in a politicians hand throwing gesture into the mix. Don't fidget! Don't pick anything up or have anything in your hands. I know it probably sounds dumb and obvious but they make the difference. - Speak slowly, and pick one topic. Football is massive and you say yourself you have a lot to talk about. I'd personally suggest picking something specific and going into detail with examples, thoughts and analysis instead of jumping from topic to topic. 5 minutes is not a long time and it doesn't look good if you overrun and have to be stopped.
Bert Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 Make sure you relax mate, the more relaxed you are the more free flowing things will be and it'll come out a lot easier.
coale39 Posted 8 May 2010 Posted 8 May 2010 Chebs. Yeah make sure you get them out, whats the worse that can happen.
DJ Barry Hammond Posted 8 May 2010 Posted 8 May 2010 If you can talk about something that relates to the job your doing - showing that you have researched it and not just 'applied,' I am sure that will provide you with lots of brucey bonus points. Try not to write out what your going to say to a tee - prepare prompt notes on the area you wish to discuss so you can adlib from them, that way you can maintain eye contact with the interviewees, not just look down at a peice of paper and speil for 5 minutes.
Simi Posted 12 May 2010 Author Posted 12 May 2010 Thanks for the tips people, seems like they paid off. Got the job!
Unit Posted 12 May 2010 Posted 12 May 2010 Thanks for the tips people, seems like they paid off. Got the job! Congratulations!
Craig Posted 12 May 2010 Posted 12 May 2010 Thanks for the tips people, seems like they paid off. Got the job! Well done
davieG Posted 12 May 2010 Posted 12 May 2010 Thanks for the tips people, seems like they paid off. Got the job! Wow the coalition's having an immediate impact the unemployment figures have dropped already - well done Cameron and Clegg. Oh and hearty congratulations Ched.
Daggers Posted 14 May 2010 Posted 14 May 2010 Thanks for the tips people, seems like they paid off. Got the job! Never underestimate the power of chebs.
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