The Individual Presentation
There are different types of presentation. Some organisations want you to give a self-presentation about your skills and experience, while others are on a specific topic. The preparation time that is allowed can also vary.
How should I present myself?
The length of the presentation and the preparation time depend on the organisation. Presentations in selection interviews typically last between 1 and 10 minutes, with up to 30 minutes of preparation time. Throughout you should appear flexible, structured and confident. And remember all the other candidates will be nervous too. Nerves show how important it is to you to receive the scholarship. Sometimes you will be asked questions during your presentation. If this happens try to stay calm. Also, it is important to try to finish in time. If your presentation is too short you will leave the impression that you don’t feel confident talking about your achievements. A presentation that is too long will leave the impression that you are not good at summarising your arguments.
Choose the content wisely. You should pick a creative and interesting opening as it will help the interviewers remember you. After the opening, present the most important parts of your CV. Focus on your experiences and achievements that relate to the goals of the scholarship. If you are applying to an organisation that values social involvement, you should talk about how you have direct experience.
Keep a close eye on the time. Take a watch with you and rehearse your presentation at home with a watch, so you know exactly how long each section takes. If you go over the allocated time, a member of the commission may cut your presentation short, so timing is not just a matter of style but can determine whether you get to finish at all.
If flipcharts or blackboards are available you should use them if possible. They allow you to visually support what you are saying and make it more memorable. You can use pre-drawn graphics when sufficient preparation time is given, or show the content visually on a blackboard or a flipchart while you are talking. This is one way to show that you are professional and dynamic.
What should I pay attention to when giving a presentation on a specific topic?
Instead of giving a presentation about yourself you might be asked to talk about a specific topic. Usually you will be given the topic before the presentation which will allow you to prepare and structure your thoughts. You might get an assigned topic before the selection day so you can prepare at home. Or you might have to prepare in a very short period of time while at your interview. In the second case you will be rated on how well you can perform under pressure.
If you are free to pick the topic yourself, the choice matters. Go for a subject that genuinely interests you and is likely to spark the interest of your audience, ideally one that invites debate or a bit of controversy. A good starting point is a topic that has recently made you think, or a current issue that is relevant to the panel. Make sure there is enough solid material available so you can back up your points with substance rather than opinion alone.
When presenting on a topic the interviewers will want to see how well you can put your case across and structure your arguments. At the end of your presentation you should give a conclusion. Even if you are given an emotional topic you should present the issue in an objective and structured way.
How do I prepare myself best for my presentation?
If you have to give a presentation about yourself make sure you prepare at home in advance. If you are given a topic on the day of the selection spend as much time as you can gathering information and arranging the main arguments. If you are worried about forgetting something you should write your main points on index cards or note paper. Make sure your notes are easy to read, and avoid using A4 sheets of paper. Even if you don’t have much preparation time you should concentrate on making the opening as good as possible. This will help you get people’s attention from the start. And at the end of your presentation you should ask if there are any questions, then close by saying thank you.
For the index cards themselves, a practical format is DIN A5 (148 x 210 mm) or DIN A6 (105 x 148 mm). Both are large enough to hold clearly readable notes but small enough to sit unobtrusively in your hand during the presentation. A5 works well when you want space for mind maps, diagrams or slightly longer bullet points, while A6 is better for compact summaries and key words. Whichever format you pick, use the cards only for short cues, not for a full script to read out.
Once the interview is over, it is worth sending a short thank-you note to the people you spoke to. This practice is well established in the US and less common in Europe, but it still helps to underline your interest and professionalism. Send it reasonably soon after the meeting, usually within a day or two, and address it individually to each interviewer rather than using the same generic message for everyone. Keep it brief: thank them for the conversation and their time, refer to one or two points that came up, and briefly restate why the scholarship matters to you. Avoid mass mailings, spelling mistakes and any hint of pressure for a quick decision.