Public speaking can be a daunting task for many people. It requires practice and preparation to master the skill of delivering a speech with confidence, and even the most experienced speakers can benefit from brushing up on the basics. That’s why it’s important to know the right questions to ask when hiring a public speaker for an event. In this post, we’ll cover some of the interview questions to help you find the right candidate for the job. From understanding the speaker’s experience and knowledge to gauging their confidence and charisma, the answers to these questions will give you a clear picture of the speaker’s capabilities. With the right questions, you’re sure to find the perfect public speaking candidate for your event.
- What made you want to work as a public speaker? …
- What information would you use to sketch out a speech script? …
- What techniques do you use to engage a live audience? …
- How would you ensure key information is understood and remembered by the audience?
Tips for Public Speaking & How to Answer Interview Questions (Day 2 of 15)
The ability to present in front of others may be one of the key competencies for the role, depending on the type of job, which is why the interviewer is asking this question. In general, the need for public speaking abilities increases with role level. However, the size of the organization is typically inversely correlated with this need. Even in more junior roles, speaking in front of others is more likely to be required in smaller organizations, though presentations tend to be less formal and more informal.
The best way to respond to this question is to choose your best instance of public speaking, even if it was only in front of a small group of coworkers or in a classroom setting. The most important thing is to discuss your planning, the presentation, and any post-presentation feedback you may have gotten. If you don’t have any examples from your place of employment, mention presentations you’ve made in the classroom or at association meetings.
“Well, I guess the two things people fear the most are death and public speaking,” is an example of how you shouldn’t respond to this inquiry. For me, I would probably rank death second and public speaking first. You don’t want to put me in front of a crowd because I would freeze, right? Just keep in mind to respond to every interview question behaviorally, regardless of whether it’s a behavioral question or not. Use an instance from your background and experience to demonstrate this; it’s the simplest method. Use the S-T-A-R method to make your response a STAR by discussing the situation or task you were given, the action you took, and the outcomes you saw. This is what distinguishes your interview response as being uniquely yours and turns it into a hit!
Similar interview questions: Tell me about your group presentation skills. Do you have a fear of public speaking? How many people have you spoken in front of? Have you ever froze up while addressing an audience?
For entry-level candidates, an example of how to best respond to this question is, “I’ve had quite a few opportunities to speak before audiences. One of my most recent was when I gave a department-wide presentation of my internship’s deliverables at its conclusion. I had about 15 minutes to prepare my presentation materials before I had to answer team members’ questions. I took the time in advance to make a list of potential questions, and I was prepared with answers for nearly all of them. It went very well because the only questions I hadn’t anticipated had answers that flowed from some material we were preparing for the next phase. My mentor told me after the presentation that mine was unquestionably the best of all the interns that day.
Continue reading for our guide to public speaking if you want more advice on how to deliver a great speech. This manual offers suggestions on how to begin and end speeches, as well as general information. There is also a list of publications, articles, and websites related to public speaking.
No matter if this is your first time speaking in front of an audience or you’re a seasoned public speaker, it’s normal to feel nervous before a speech. The key to success is preparation. You can deliver a presentation to your audience that will captivate and inspire them by taking the time to carefully craft your speech, make thoughtful word choices, and practice.
This inquiry can help interviewers learn more about your problem-solving skills and whether you have any prior experience breaking bad news to a large group of people. Explaining the steps you took to effectively communicate the information to your audience while also holding their interest can be helpful when responding to this question.
Employers inquire about your public speaking style in this question. They’re curious to know if you speak naturally or if you have to practice beforehand. Explain your public speaking style and the types of content you typically present in your response to this question.
Finding out if the person you’re interviewing has experience speaking in front of large crowds is easy with this question. The typical length of a TED talk is 20 minutes, and speakers who are experts in their field frequently use visual aids or other multimedia components. You may have a great chance to showcase your public speaking abilities if your company sponsors its own TED talk series.
Depending on the industry and position you are applying for, different presentation skills are more or less important. If you want to work in sales, marketing, teaching, or any other managerial position, you will need to demonstrate that you are adept at delivering information to both small and large audiences.
As part of the job interview, they might also ask you to give a prepared or impromptu presentation. If they do, be sure to read this article: 4 Tips For Creating A Standout Job Interview Presentation.
Employers will conduct a series of behavioral interview questions regarding previous presentations you have given in order to evaluate this skill. The questions will ask you to do more than just describe a persuasive presentation you have given. They will inquire as to how your public speaking abilities affect others, how you handle pressure during presentations, and what you have learned from your past mistakes.
Why you should answer with the Public Speaking Weakness
A person’s position has a strong correlation with how much public speaking they must do. It’s a fairly safe interview response to say you struggle with public speaking because you would hardly ever be required to do so in a position as a financial analyst.
On the other hand, if you hold a more senior position, you likely need to perform public speaking on a much more frequent basis. This brings us full circle to the key query, “What is your biggest weakness?” You might try the same approach and arrive at a different result.
There are several reasons why using the public speaking weakness response could be a strategically safe one for the job you’re applying for. First off, it is a fairly sincere response that avoids all of the errors we previously mentioned.
Second, it might not even be a requirement for the specific job you’re applying for, so you’ve answered the query appropriately without endangering yourself or your chances of getting the job. Remember once more that the response depends on the job you are applying for. If you are applying for positions at higher levels, you might want to refrain from using this response.
To learn more, check out our free interview guides on:
FAQ
What are the questions for public speaking?
- Which is More Important—Content or Delivery? …
- How Can I Prepare More Effectively for Impromptu Speaking?
- How Do I Address a Hostile Group? …
- How Do I Deal with Stage Fright? …
- How Can I Make a Conference Call or Webinar More Engaging?
What are the 5 P’s of public speaking?
A successful presentation is guided by the 5Ps of presentation: planning, preparation, practice, performance, and passion.
What are the 7 P’s of public speaking?
The seven Ps are posture, pronunciation, pace, pause, punch, power, and passion.
What are the 4 main purposes of public speaking?
Inform the audience. Persuade the audience. Entertain the audience. Commemorate a person, occasion, or event.
