Lame? Or no?

[stephogirl]

I have a job interview tomorrow and I need to give a presentation (under 10 minutes). They mention that they have projector/laptop for Powerpoint (I know, I know) so this makes me think that they expect some kind of visual with my presentation.

Would it be really lame of me to use paper notes (as in hold them in my hand while I give the presentation), or would it be okay for me to use them? I'm going back and forth as to whether holding the notes is okay or the Powerpoint presentation should be all the notes I need. I think I know the answer to this, but I'm always open for outside input.

Give it to me! ;D

[MadamePresident]

If this is a topic you know well. There are a lot of ways to help you remember things, such as associating each topic with a room in your house, etc.

[litasail]

Absolutely no notes. It makes you look like you aren't confident in what you are presenting.

[MrsAxilla]

I think notes are ok as long as you're not reading from them and it's just to make sure you don't forget anything. My powerpoints are just the highlights or imporant points of what I'm talking about. DO NOT just read from the PowerPoint! They can read it themselves. You should have your presentation memorized, but we all get nervous and are apt to forget things, so notes are ok.

[Deleted]

I guess for me I wonder how long the presentation is? I'm leaning toward saying no notes. Also I've found the most successful PowerPoints have very few words on them. Usually having a strong visual element that illustrates what you are saying instead of bullet points is much more effective.

[SuziSaysDa]

I voted no notes. For an interview you want to impress them. Consider, if your competition has similar background and experience and is doing a similar presentation you need to do something better - I think notes make you look less confident.

I might bring them, if you are presenting from a podium you could put them there just in case you need them, but you should go in fully prepared with no notes. In the real world you might use them, but for an interview you need to be the best version of yourself.

[steph96]

I would say no notes. Just make a powerpoint that has the main points/pictures to help guide you along if you get lost.

[mbcdefg]

Whether or not you end up using the notes, I would bring them just in case. What if their Powerpoint or projector doesn't work, and they want you to give the presentation anyway? (Or what if they're setting up a "malfunction" to test how prepared you are?)

[drloretta]

I was always taught that all the info you need should be on the slides