15 Business Presentation Interview Questions and Answers

Giving a presentation is always nerve-wracking, whether it’s to a small group of people or a large audience. And if the presentation is for a job interview, the stakes are even higher. You need to make a good impression and sell yourself as the best candidate for the job.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of common business presentation interview questions and answers. These questions will test your ability to think on your feet, stay calm under pressure, and deliver a clear and concise presentation.

1. How do you prepare for a business presentation?

This question can help interviewers understand how you use your time and organize yourself. It’s important to show that you’re organized, prepared and able to meet deadlines.

Example: “I start preparing for a presentation at least two weeks in advance. I first read through the entire project brief to make sure I have all of the information I need. Then, I create an outline with key points I want to cover during my presentation. Finally, I write out my speech and practice it until I feel comfortable delivering it.”

2. What are some ways to ensure that the audience listens to your presentation and doesn’t get distracted by other things?

Presentation skills are important for any business professional, but they’re especially crucial for those who give presentations. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to keep an audience’s attention and ensure that they understand your message. In your answer, explain what strategies you use to keep the audience focused on your presentation.

Example: “I always try to make my slides easy to read so that people can follow along without having to squint or strain their eyes. I also speak clearly and loudly enough that everyone in the room can hear me. If someone asks a question during my presentation, I take a brief pause before answering so that I have time to think about my response.”

3. How would you convince someone who is skeptical about what you’re saying in a presentation?

This question is a great way to test your presentation skills and how you can persuade others. It’s important to show that you have the ability to convince someone who doesn’t believe in what you’re saying, as this could be an issue with clients or customers.

Example: “I would first try to understand why they are skeptical about my ideas. I would then use evidence from previous projects to support my claims. If they still aren’t convinced, I would ask them for more information on their concerns so I can address them specifically.”

4. What’s the best way to deal with questions from the audience during a presentation?

Presentations often involve questions from the audience. Employers ask this question to make sure you have strategies for handling these types of situations. In your answer, explain how you would respond to a question during a presentation. Explain that you would try to answer the question as thoroughly as possible while still keeping your presentation on track.

Example: “I always welcome questions from the audience during my presentations. I find it helpful when people can ask me about specific details or clarifications. If someone asks me a question during a presentation, I will pause and take a moment to think about my response. I want to be able to give them an in-depth answer without taking too much time away from the rest of the presentation. I also like to encourage other attendees to chime in with their own thoughts if they have something to add.”

5. Can you explain why it’s important to create an outline before writing a presentation?

This question is a great way to assess your presentation skills and how you plan out your work. Your answer should show the interviewer that you understand the importance of outlining before writing a business presentation.

Example: “It’s important to outline before writing a presentation because it helps me organize my thoughts and ideas. I find that when I write an outline first, I can more easily create a well-organized and cohesive presentation. This saves me time in the long run as I don’t have to rewrite or edit my work as much.”

6. What steps should be taken when preparing for a presentation?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the process and how you use it. You can answer by listing the steps, explaining what each one means and giving examples of when you’ve used them in a presentation.

Example: “The first step I take when preparing for a presentation is researching my topic. I make sure that I have all the information I need about the subject so I can speak confidently about it. Next, I create an outline of the points I want to cover during my presentation. This helps me organize my thoughts and ensures that I don’t forget anything important. Finally, I practice my speech several times until I feel comfortable with it.”

7. What does a good presentation need?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of what makes a good presentation. It also allows you to show the interviewer that you know how to create an effective presentation and why it’s important to do so.

Example: “A good presentation needs to have a clear message, visuals and supporting evidence. A presenter should be able to clearly explain their ideas in a concise manner and use visual aids like graphs or charts to help support their claims. Evidence can include testimonials from clients or data collected by the company.”

8. When making a presentation, how can you make sure you are being understood correctly by the audience?

Presentation skills are an important part of business, and employers want to know that you can effectively communicate your ideas. Answer this question by explaining how you ensure the audience understands what you’re saying. You can also mention any techniques or methods you use to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Example: “I always try to speak clearly and slowly when making a presentation so that I am easily understood. If someone asks me to repeat something, I do so without getting flustered. This shows them that I care about their understanding and helps me avoid repeating myself too much. I also take time before my presentation to practice in front of a mirror so I can see if there are any words I’m mispronouncing.”

9. In your opinion, what makes a presentation effective?

This question can help interviewers understand your presentation skills and how you use them to achieve success. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few things that make presentations effective and explain why they’re important.

Example: “I believe the most important thing about a presentation is making sure the audience understands what I’m saying. If they don’t know what I’m talking about or if they miss something, then my presentation isn’t effective. Another important part of an effective presentation is having visuals that support my message. Visuals are essential for helping people remember information and reinforcing key points.”

10. Can you explain the process of creating a presentation?

This question is a great way to assess your presentation skills and how you use them. It also allows the interviewer to see if you have any unique or interesting methods for creating presentations.

Example: “I start by researching my topic, which I usually do online. Then, I create an outline of what I want to include in my presentation. After that, I write out each slide with the information I gathered from my research. Finally, I practice my presentation until it’s ready to give in front of others.”

11. Can you give me some examples of presentations where the presenter was very successful?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have experience with business presentations and how they can be beneficial. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the positive outcomes of the presentation and what skills you used to make them successful.

Example: “In my last role as an account manager for a marketing agency, I was tasked with presenting our ideas for a client’s new website design. We had been working on their project for several months, so we were very familiar with the company and its goals. During my presentation, I started by showing the client’s current website and explaining why we thought redesigning it would help increase sales. Then, I showed our proposed designs and explained each feature and how it would benefit the client.”

12. Can you explain the difference between effectiveness and efficiency? Which one is more important in a business context? Why?

This question is designed to test your understanding of the importance of time management in a business setting. It also helps employers understand how you prioritize tasks and manage your time. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example that shows how efficiency and effectiveness are both important but one may take precedence over the other depending on the situation.

Example: “Effectiveness and efficiency are two sides of the same coin. You need to be efficient at what you do so you have enough time to focus on making sure you’re doing things effectively. For example, if I’m working on a project for my company and I notice that I’ve made a mistake, I’ll stop everything else I’m doing to fix the mistake because fixing mistakes is more important than completing the task efficiently.”

13. What do you understand about storytelling as it pertains to business presentations?

Storytelling is a common element of business presentations. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the basics of storytelling and how it can help you create more effective business presentations. In your answer, explain what storytelling is and why it’s important for business presentations. Share an example of when you used storytelling in a presentation.

Example: “Storytelling is a powerful tool that helps me connect with my audience. I use storytelling techniques like metaphors and analogies to give my audience a better understanding of the information I’m presenting. For instance, in one presentation I gave on marketing strategies, I told a story about a group of people who were lost at sea. This helped me explain some of the challenges businesses face when trying to market their products.”

14. What is the importance of data visualization in business presentations?

Data visualization is a skill that many professionals in business need to have. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you know how to use data visualization tools and what their purpose is. In your answer, explain the importance of data visualization and give an example of when you used it in a presentation.

Example: “Data visualization is important because it allows people to understand information more quickly than they would otherwise. For my last presentation at my previous job, I had to present sales numbers for the past year. Using data visualization, I was able to show the company’s growth over time by using graphs and charts. This helped everyone understand the information much faster.”

15. What are some common mistakes made while presenting information to others?

Presentation skills are an important part of business communication. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to avoid common presentation mistakes and ensure your audience understands the information you’re presenting. In your answer, explain what each mistake is and why it’s a problem. You can also share a story about a time when you made one of these mistakes in the past.

Example: “There are several common mistakes that people make while giving presentations. One is not practicing enough before the presentation. If you don’t practice beforehand, you might forget some key points or misspeak something during the presentation. Another mistake is using too many visuals. Sometimes, less is more when it comes to visuals. Too many visuals can distract from the main message you’re trying to get across. A third mistake is not knowing who your audience is. It’s important to tailor your presentation to the needs of your audience.”