How to Make an Interview Presentation Stand Out

by Thea Kelley | July 31, 2025

Interview Coaching

How to Make an Interview Presentation Stand Out – Summary for Educators

Source: Thea Kelley. How to Make an Interview Presentation Stand Out. Published July 31, 2025. Full article URL: https://www.jobsearchdev.com/how-to-make-an-interview-presentation-...

When educators, administrators, or career seekers are asked to give a presentation during an interview process, it can be both a pivotal opportunity and a source of anxiety. Thea Kelley’s guide, How to Make an Interview Presentation Stand Out, provides a practical, step-by-step roadmap to help candidates prepare a memorable and effective presentation that will impress hiring committees.

Choose the Right Topic

Even when the invitation is open-ended, the topic you select should demonstrate insight into the organization’s needs and reflect your qualifications. Ideally, your topic should align with the goals or challenges the employer faces. In educational settings, this might mean focusing on instructional leadership, innovative learning strategies, or improving student engagement.

Cultivate Calm and Confidence

Kelley emphasizes that calmness is essential to delivering a strong presentation. Preparation is the best antidote to anxiety. Candidates should rehearse their presentation multiple times—ideally in front of someone who can provide constructive feedback. Preparing for equipment use and rehearsing with technology in advance also adds to a sense of control.

Speak Conversationally

Presentations should feel natural, not rehearsed or robotic. Avoid jargon unless the audience expects it. Speak as if you’re explaining something to a trusted colleague or friend. This makes your content more accessible and humanizes your delivery—both key to strong impressions.

Know Your Audience

Before the presentation, candidates should ask for the names and roles of those they’ll be addressing. This information, often available via LinkedIn or the institution’s website, can help tailor content appropriately. For educators, this might mean adjusting technical content when presenting to non-educator stakeholders or emphasizing pedagogical theory when addressing instructional leaders.

Make It Interactive

One of the most effective ways to stand out is by engaging the audience. Most candidates default to one-way lectures. Kelley suggests breaking the mold by asking open-ended questions, inviting feedback, or incorporating light group activities. She provides strategies to handle both silent audiences and overly talkative participants with tact and professionalism. A well-timed interactive moment can foster connection and show leadership in group facilitation.

Use Visual Aids Strategically

Avoid slides filled with text or that simply mirror your spoken words. Instead, use slides as visual cues—think impactful images, minimal text, and key phrases. Simple animations can be effective if used sparingly and purposefully. Educators accustomed to visual teaching tools can lean on these skills to make their message memorable.

Be Ready for Anything

Flexibility is key. Your timing may change depending on the room's dynamics or technology hiccups. Having a plan to expand or condense your content ensures you remain composed and effective. Practice multiple versions of your presentation to handle either situation.

Begin and End with Purpose

First impressions matter—start with an engaging question or short anecdote. Rather than diving into titles and topics, begin by setting a narrative hook. Kelley offers examples such as, “How can a team balance competition with collaboration?” or humor-driven stories that lead into the core message.

Endings should reinforce your value while energizing the audience. You might circle back to your opening question, summarize your message with a quote or story, or make a call to action that aligns with the organization’s mission. Most importantly, signal clearly that you’ve concluded. A smile and sincere “thank you” help punctuate your message and create a professional, confident close.

Why It Matters for Educators

In the competitive education job market, interview presentations are increasingly common for leadership, instructional coaching, and even teaching roles. Kelley’s article offers strategies that translate directly to these contexts. By choosing relevant topics, engaging stakeholders, and demonstrating confidence, educators can differentiate themselves meaningfully. Beyond interviews, these presentation skills enhance professional communication, advocacy, and influence in everyday roles.

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com