How to prepare for an interview presentation

3 mins read
Interview Presentations

over 2 years ago

​​​Particularly for executive level positions, a presentation stage can be an integral part of the short-listing process.

Many employers opt for a presentation interview as it gives a better overview of your general aptitude when compared to (or combined with) a traditional question and answer interview. The presentation is your opportunity to showcase your knowledge, experience and communication skills as well as your general organisation and diligence.

Here are our tips on how you can ensure you deliver the best interview presentation possible.

Preparing your presentation for an interview

  • Keep each slide short and significant, aiming for no more than 10 slides. This ensures the information you deliver is memorable and will help you to stand out from other interviewees

  • Use a range of formats to help illustrate your points. Include graphs, statistics, diagrams, video clips, and images to help break up large volumes of text and maintain the attention of the interviewers

  • Include quotes from industry leaders and/or research pieces. This helps give your points authority and demonstrate your commercial awareness

  • Incorporate company colours or fonts in the design of your presentation. This will show you’ve done your research and highlight your brand awareness

  • Check spelling and grammar thoroughly – small mistakes can really undermine the content of your presentation

Presenting tips

  • Present confidently and enthusiastically. Remember to speak clearly, make eye contact and use open body language

  • Practice, practice, practice. Ensure you are well rehearsed so that you are familiar with the structure and are able to deliver your presentation smoothly

  • Arrive early to give yourself time to set up the presentation and settle any nerves

  • Get comfortable with PowerPoint and presentation equipment. Make sure you know how to work the projector, visual screens or remote control before you begin to avoid any awkward stumbles or pauses

  • Have access to multiple sources of your presentation. Email the file to yourself and the recruiter, bring a copy on a USB stick and bring printed handouts. This way you are covered if anything goes wrong with the file you’re intending to use

  • Stay within the allocated time. If you have not been given a guidance on length, aim for the 10 minute mark. Time your presentation when you are practising to make sure it will fit within your allowed time slot. If you need to reduce the content of your presentation, cut out the least relevant or weakest points

  • Be prepared to adapt. You may have practiced your presentation in a certain way, but the interviewer might not respond accordingly. Be prepared to be stopped for questions or further discussion unexpectedly

10 minute interview presentation template

Below is an example for the structure of your interview presentation. Use this as a baseline and adapt or reorder where appropriate based on the task you have been set by the interviewer.

Slide 1:Introduction – Reiterate the objectives you have been set and lay out the structure of your presentation so that the interviewers know what to expect

Slide 2:About you – Detail your professional experience, skills and working style

Slide 3:Company history – Give a brief summary of the company history, any milestones or awards

Slides 4-7:Answering the brief – Give your responses to questions you’ve been asked to answer, the benefits and limitations of your suggestions

Slide 8:Question and answers – Include a slide titled ‘questions and answers’ as a cue to pause for interaction

Slide 9:Conclusion – Sum up the key points you have made, reach a decision and explain your reasoning

Slide 10:Personal achievements – End the interview on a high with a brief slide on achievements that show you will succeed in the role

Taking these steps should help you to succeed in your presentation interview.

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How to become a Teaching Assistant

​What do I need to become a teaching assistant in the UAE?

To become a teaching assistant in the UAE, you will typically need a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. Some schools may require additional qualifications, such as a teaching assistant certificate or relevant experience in education. It's also important to have a strong command of the English language, as many schools in the UAE use English as the primary language of instruction.

One way to enhance your qualifications as a teaching assistant is to complete a teaching assistant training program. These programs provide valuable insights into the role of a teaching assistant and equip you with the necessary skills to support teachers and students effectively. Additionally, gaining experience through volunteer work or internships in educational settings can help you stand out to potential employers.

What does a teaching assistant do?

First and foremost, it's important to understand the responsibilities of a teaching assistant.

The main role of a Teaching Assistant (also known as TA or Classroom Assistant) is to provide support and assistance to a teacher, making sure students are given all the help they need to get the most out of their education.

The key duties of a TA will usually include, although not be limited to, the following:

  • Providing support to children with mathematics, reading and writing on an individual, class or small group basis

  • Proving one-on-one help to children who require it

  • Giving further attention to children with any other special needs or requirements

  • Motivating and encouraging pupils

  • Supervising students at lunch, on events or trips and for special activities

  • Taking care of various admin tasks, including preparing materials for lessons, photocopying, laminating and marking papers

Is a career as a teaching assistant right for me?

To be successful in this position, having a passion for working with children is essential, as well as a genuine interest in education. You will also need exceptional communication skills and must be able to motivate pupils who may sometimes be unruly or lack confidence.

Other key skills and attributes include:

  • A friendly and approachable nature

  • Excellent reading, writing, numeracy and listening skills

  • Flexibility and versatility

  • Ability to build relationships with both staff and students, but also display a good level of discipline when required

  • A passion for teaching

  • Patience

Career progression

What’s the initial salary for a teaching assistant?

The salary for a teaching assistant starts from AED 3000 and can go up to AED 6000 monthly.

How long to go from a teaching assistant to a teacher?

The eligibility to start teaching depends on existing qualifications and any additional credentials needed. For individuals with a B.Ed., they can commence teaching straight away. Otherwise, obtaining a teaching diploma, such as a PGCE, PGDE, or Cache level, is necessary. The duration of these programs varies, typically spanning from one to at least two years.

What is the average salary for a teacher in Dubai?

Teacher salaries in Dubai are dependent on various factors, including experience, qualifications, school type, and curriculum. On average, a teacher's salary can range from AED 10,000 to AED 20,000 per month. Please note that these figures are approximate and are subject to change. Additionally, teachers may receive extra benefits, such as accommodation, health insurance, tuition fee concessions, and annual flights to their home country.

How to become a head teacher?

Becoming a head teacher in Dubai involves obtaining a bachelor's degree in education or related fields, followed by optional master's degrees in educational leadership or administration. Accumulating teaching experience and progressing into leadership roles like department head or assistant principal is crucial to demonstrating effective leadership. Meeting certification and licensing requirements is necessary for eligibility. Applying for head teacher roles requires highlighting leadership experience and educational philosophy.

Salary for a head teacher?

Head teacher salaries in Dubai vary based on school type, experience, qualifications, and responsibilities. Typically higher than regular teachers, they range from around AED 25,000 to AED 40,000 monthly. Benefits like accommodation, health insurance, tuition fee concession and annual flights home may also be included, affecting the overall compensation package.

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Workplace monitoring: guidance for your organisation

​In the past, workplace monitoring was relatively simplistic: employers relied on visual supervision and basic timekeeping systems, and the concept of privacy was limited.

Fast forward to the digital age. Employee monitoring has reached new levels of sophistication and become common practice for employers seeking to boost productivity, enhance security, and ensure compliance with regulations.

Improved productivity and deeper insights

With the advancement of technology, including GPS tracking, computer monitoring software, and biometric identification systems, surveillance can provide employers with detailed insights into employee activities and performance.

One of the key benefits of employee monitoring is the ability to track and improve productivity levels. By monitoring employees' activities, employers can identify inefficiencies, analyse workflow processes, and provide targeted feedback to enhance performance. This data-driven approach allows companies to optimise their operations, allocate resources effectively, and ultimately improve their bottom line.

Monitoring can also help employers identify and address issues such as time theft, excessive breaks, and unauthorised activities in the workplace. With real-time monitoring tools, employers can detect irregularities and take corrective actions promptly, therefore improving accountability and integrity among employees.

Employee monitoring can also aid in compliance with regulations and industry standards. By keeping a close eye on electronic communications, websites visited, and files accessed, employers can ensure that employees adhere to data protection laws, maintain confidentiality, and comply with company policies. This proactive approach minimises the risk of data breaches and security incidents and also protects the company from potential legal liabilities.

Balancing surveillance and ethics

Despite the clear advantages of employee monitoring, it is crucial for organisations to approach this practice with sensitivity and respect for staff privacy. As a matter of course, employers should establish clear policies regarding monitoring practices, communicate openly with employees about the purpose and scope of monitoring, and ensure transparency in the use of monitoring tools.

Prioritise the protection of sensitive employee data by implementing robust security measures, restricting access to monitoring data, and complying with data protection regulations such as GDPR. These considerations can ease employees’ minds about any surveillance and even instil appreciation for such measures. After all, workplace security is in everyone’s best interests.

Download our best practice guide to employee monitoring

Our eBook, ‘Employee monitoring: a guide to best practices’ provides insight into how employers might best integrate employee monitoring into their organisation, and considerations for what the impact may be on employees. With opinion from thought leaders, it addresses everything from pre-employment checks to the tracking tech that might be right your organisation.

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Employee monitoring: a guide to best practices
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Employee monitoring: a guide to best practices

Employee monitoring can help ensure productivity and accountability among employees, as managers can track their work progress and identify areas where improvement is needed. Monitoring enhances data security by detecting and preventing unauthorised access or data breaches and additionally, it enables you to adhere to regulatory and compliance requirements, reducing legal risks. 

The key thing to remember is that workplace surveillance is perfectly acceptable, as long as you can legally justify your reasons, and it is always better to be ‘overt’, not ‘covert’.  

A report shows that despite normality returning to working life post-pandemic, demand for employee surveillance software is 49% above 2019 levels. 

Our eBook, ‘Employee monitoring: a guide to best practices’, provides insight from top experts in the field including:    

Keith Rosser, Director of Group Risk and Reed Screening, Reed 

Hayfa Mohdzaini, Senior Research Adviser, CIPD

 By downloading this eBook, you will discover:   

  • What employee monitoring is 

  • Whether it's needed for your business

  • Considerations for introducing workplace monitoring  

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“Monitoring software that employees see as intrusive and unnecessary is more likely to erode mutual trust in the employment relationship. Employers need to show how using monitoring software can benefit employees, while respecting their privacy.” -Hayfa Mohdzaini, Senior Research Adviser, CIPD.