This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kendall McGill, a 32-year-old project manager based in Baltimore. It’s been edited for length and clarity.
I’d been working as a project manager at a retail pharmacy company for a while, but a few months ago, I started looking for something new. I hated my role, and it felt like it hated me.
I started searching internally and externally for a new job, and I ended up landing an internal transfer for a different project manager position. It was a lateral move, but I got a 5% pay increase.
I’ve been using a job interview hack — the same slideshow presentation— since 2018, and I credit it with helping me land this new role and pay raise. It’s easy to use and showcases my ability to jump into any role and hit the ground running.
I don’t worry about personalizing my presentation for each interview
I remember someone I went to college with used a presentation in a job interview, so I took that idea from her to land a corporate job in 2018. I wanted that job so badly, and I didn’t want to be stumbling over my words, looking silly, so I figured the best way to combat that issue was to be prepared.
I also figured nobody else was going into the interview with a slideshow that included a portfolio deck and questions already answered in the STAR format — a framework to answer questions by defining the situation, task, action, and result — so I went for it. I’ve given a presentation in job interviews ever since then, and I’ve hardly changed its setup because interviews are the same old song and dance.
I use the same presentation for every job interview, and it has helped me land multiple jobs. I’ve probably applied to hundreds in the last seven years.
Here’s what I put in my slideshow
Toward the beginning of the interview, I ask if I can share my screen and present a quick slideshow. I try to keep the presentation within five or six minutes, and I’ve never had someone say no. I’ve also given this presentation in person in paper format once.
If I get the sense that their interview process is more strict, I go through the slides as they ask me questions, keeping my shared screen active. If they ask me to tell them about a time I did xyz, I’ll go to the slide that best represents the answer.
The first slide introduces who I am, thanks them for taking the time to interview me, and shares briefly why I’m a good candidate.
The next four slides highlight the last few companies I worked for. I put the logo of the company and a themed title. For example, when I worked at Motorola Solutions, I titled it “high stress, big personalities.” In the text, there are three or four bullet points detailing my impact at the company in the STAR format.
The final slides include different tools and platforms I’m familiar with, and a 30-60-90 plan to discuss what my goals will be for the beginning of my time at the job. This is to make sure I’m on the same page with them about what success looks like in the role.
When I send a thank-you email for the interview, I always include the slides alongside my résumé for their review.
My advice for job seekers
I’ve never had someone react negatively to my presentation.
I feel like hiring managers appreciate that I’m two steps ahead and confident in my presentation skills. For those reasons, I’d absolutely use the slideshow again.
Something I always tell myself is that the only way out is through. I didn’t get this job because I presented this to one company, and all of a sudden, they said yes. You’ve got to show up with your A game at every single interview and keep swinging, because eventually it’ll work out.
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