Consultant Interviews - Presentations at Interview

Consultant Interviews: Guidance for Public Health Trainees
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Presentations at Interview

Presentation titles are provided to candidates with interview details. It is usually best to prepare a powerpoint presentation.

Do not be surprised if you are expected to present in a larger room to an audience much wider than the interview panel. You may not receive any warning that this is to happen.

Times allocated can vary from 3 or 5 minutes up to 15 minutes.

Make sure you stick to the time stated, make it relevant and up-to-date, keep it light and up beat, and (but only if you are comfortable with this) inject some humour.

Practice in front of an audience beforehand, even if only an audience of one. This is one part of the recruitment process that you can fully control and it is often what forms first impressions.

If the presentation is in an organisation where you have previously worked or where you are well-known, you are likely to feel more nervous than in an organisation where most of the audience is unknown. Recognise this beforehand and practice the presentation.

Do not make assumptions about what the audience knows – present as if you and the audience have little knowledge about each other, and assume some of the audience (eg Lay Chair, Faculty representative) have no or little knowledge of the organisation/ area about which you are talking.

Example Presentation Titles

How would you tackle health inequalities in X area?

How would integration of the public health department with the local authority improve the health of people in X area?

What would you hope to achieve in your first 6 months in the job? (with reference to specific areas of responsibility outlined in the job description)

What would you do to support practice based commissioning in your first 6 months of the job?

Prepare a 5 minute presentation for the Senior Management Team of the council outlining your approach to Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.

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	Presentation titles are provided to candidates with interview details. It is usually best to prepare a powerpoint presentation.
	Do not be surprised if you are expected to present in a larger room to an audience much wider than the interview panel. You may not receive any warning that this is to happen.
	Times allocated can vary from 3 or 5 minutes up to 15 minutes.
	Make sure you stick to the time stated, make it relevant and up-to-date, keep it light and up beat, and (but only if you are comfortable with this) inject some humour.
	Practice in front of an audience beforehand, even if only an audience of one. This is one part of the recruitment process that you can fully control and it is often what forms first impressions.
	If the presentation is in an organisation where you have previously worked or where you are well-known, you are likely to feel more nervous than in an organisation where most of the audience is unknown. Recognise this beforehand and practice the presentation.
	Do not make assumptions about what the audience knows – present as if you and the audience have little knowledge about each other, and assume some of the audience (eg Lay Chair, Faculty representative) have no or little knowledge of the organisation/ area about which you are talking.

	How would you tackle health inequalities in X area?
	How would integration of the public health department with the local authority improve the health of people in X area?
	What would you hope to achieve in your first 6 months in the job? (with reference to specific areas of responsibility outlined in the job description)
	What would you do to support practice based commissioning in your first 6 months of the job?
	Prepare a 5 minute presentation for the Senior Management Team of the council outlining your approach to Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.