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Hi all,

I've been a long-tmie listener and have used MT mainly for a non-profit org I ran. Thank you so much to Mark and Mike!!! 

I now find myself interviewing for a scientific/management position within a biomed company. I've made it through to the 2nd interview and am really excited about the role.

The company has asked me to present on the disorder for which they make devices to treat. I thought the best way to tackle this would be to give a short background on the disorder and then cut to the different treatment options and what is state of the art. I'd be interested to hear thoughts on this.

My main question is how to insert references into my presentation. I find the author-date method can become cumbersome. The numbered style means a slide at the end which also has dissadvantages. What is most effective?

Thanks so much,

Dave

ashdenver's picture

Off the top of my head, I would probably end up with a PowerPoint presentation with superscripted numbers matching the reference and then provide the Handout Notes from the PPT along with a References or Resources page.  You want to give credit where credit's due but speaking the entire reference list during a presentation would probably take up half the time allotted for your presentation.

If you're not able to use PowerPoint for the presentation - if it's strictly a speech - then I'd give a handout with an outline of the presentation and the references page.

Personally, I don't give hand-outs until AFTER the presentation because people skim the handouts and think they've got all they need & start to tune out.  That and you'll be fighting the sounds of rustling pages throughout the presentation.  I generally tell the audience up-front "At the end of my presentation, I'll provide you with an outline of the topics we've covered so you can walk away with the high points, along with the references used in the preparation of this presentation."  If you don't mention it ahead of time, they might scramble to take notes (or not) and focus too much on the words you're using rather than the overall impact of the presentation.  If I know I'm going to get an outline, I can kick back and have my Critic's Hat on for the presentation.  If I assume the burden of note-taking is on me, I'll be focused on "wait, what did s/he say, who did s/he say said that, what was that statistic again?"

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DiSC profile: 7-2-1-5

jhack's picture

I agree that handouts with the references is your best approach. 

Since this could simply be a bibliography (with your contact info, and one paragraph abstract of your presentation) it really doesn't matter if you distribute before or after.  

John Hack

dcumin's picture

Thanks for your input guys. I ended up running with the handout - I turned it into a pamphlet. That had to help me get the job!

A massive thanks to Mark and Mike for the podcasts which I refreshed myself on before the interview. Thank you guys for the great work!

I'm really excited about my new role and am grateful for all the support here.

Cheers,

DC

jhack's picture

Credit to the player on the field...well done!

John Hack

ashdenver's picture

Congratulations!  I'm sure it was a stellar presentation.

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DiSC profile: 7-2-1-5