Mastering product design interviews
Presenting your design portfolio in-person
Using public speaking techniques to amplify your message and engage your audience
In the last article, Crafting a compelling story for your on-site design portfolio presentation, we covered project selection, presentation outlines and how to wrap it all up in engaging story by using frameworks such as the Hero’s Journey. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, take a look.
Now for the final part — presenting in-person. Your speech will be part written script, part improv. Here we’ll cover presentation basics from where to sit, to how to end on a high note. One more thing—these days companies are shifting in-person portfolios to online conference calls. While the context is different, many of the same tips apply.
Presenting your content on a silver platter
Think about the last time you went out to a restaurant. What did you order? Where did you eat? If it was a high end restaurant — the light (or the lack thereof), the ambiance, the music, and the way your dish was presented all played into a delectable experience at first bite.
Now think of the time you got a similar dish for takeout. Most likely it came in cheap, disposable packaging. The food might have come in different packets that you had to mix yourself. Same basic ingredients. Completely different experience.
The way you frame your presentation is the difference between fast food and fine dining.
Setting up the environment to your advantage
Aside from getting the basics covered below, remember, this is your time to shine not shy away. Carry a leadership mindset with an executive presence to your onsite interview. The goal is to tell your story, show the work, and connect with your audience.
Practicing ahead of time by yourself or with your friends will make a big difference. If you really want to get into it, I recommend joining a local public speaking group or taking an improv class. Both will give you structure and frameworks for scripted or spontaneous scenarios.
Building rapport while setting up
Hopefully before you start your presentation you’ll have time to set up your laptop and project on screen. But if you walk into a room full of expecting looks, fear not, now’s a the time to say hello and ask questions about how to get your laptop to project with whatever set up they have. This usually takes a while, so get ready to troubleshoot.
Watch out for those notifications
Hey bae what you up to tonight? Whoops, you forgot to disable your notifications. Make sure the do not disturb mode is on. In fact I sometimes go so far as creating a new user account with only my presentation and backup portfolio work on it. No distractions, no messages. If it’s an emergency, it can wait until the end of the interview.
Finding your podium
Since table, chair and monitor configurations vary, a good rule of thumb is to position yourself where you can see your portfolio and your interviewers. This helps you,
- See what you’re presenting so you can point out specific things, and
- Connect with your audience while observing the room
Ideally you’re sitting side by side or slightly behind the interviewers to give the impression that you’re leading the group through a journey together.
At times you may also have to present in-person and on a remote video chat. In that case it’ll help to turn on your laptop’s camera to put yourself on equal footing and build rapport with the folks who are offsite.
Kicking off the presentation strong
Now that you have all the technical hurdles behind you, it’s time to dive in. One way to kick off is to let the people in the room introduce themselves first. This allows for a nice segue into your own intro via the presentation deck.
Your intro is your unique frame of your identity as a designer. Use this opportunity to weave a story about your education, background, interests, and your unique perspective ending on why you’re excited to be interviewing with the company today.
As an interviewer evaluating a candidate — this intro is critical. You want to confidently communicate your story to send a clear signal to interviewers that you’re deliberate and intentional in your career path.
Don’t shy away from revealing relevant hobbies, this is an opportunity for you to come across as a whole person, not just as a designer who consumes coffee and produces pixels. As an interviewer I want to know what makes you tick, your strong areas and what aspects of design excite you the most.
Speaking tips
As I mentioned if you’re really interested in getting better at presenting, I recommend taking a public speaking workshop. Many years ago I’ve signed up with Toastmasters, a public speaking club that would meet on a weekly basis. The basic course alone was inexpensive and provided a good step by step foundation to practice various speech techniques in a safe space.
Here’s a couple of tips that could prove useful in your presentation,
Involve your audience
As you’re presenting your work, be sure to talk to your audience not your screen. This sounds obvious but I’ll guarantee that you might get nervous, you might forget, and without consciously paying attention — you just might spend most of your time talking at your screen instead of connecting with your listeners.
One way to combat this is to use notes. A simple cue….
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