How can you demonstrate your data presentation skills during an interview?

1 Prepare a data presentation portfolio

Before you go to an interview, you should prepare a data presentation portfolio that showcases your best work and your process. A data presentation portfolio is a collection of data-related projects that you have completed or contributed to, such as reports, dashboards, infographics, or slides. You should include a brief description of each project, the context and purpose, the data sources and methods, the tools and techniques, and the results and insights. You should also highlight your role and responsibilities, the challenges and solutions, and the impact and feedback. A data presentation portfolio can help you demonstrate your skills, experience, and value to the interviewer.

2 Tailor your portfolio to the role and company

Not every project in your portfolio will be relevant or appropriate for every role or company. You should tailor your portfolio to the specific role and company that you are applying for, by selecting the most relevant and impressive projects that match the requirements and expectations. You should also research the company's industry, goals, values, and culture, and align your portfolio with them. For example, if you are applying for a data analyst role at a healthcare company, you should include projects that involve healthcare data, show how you can solve healthcare problems, and use healthcare terminology and standards.

3 Use a clear and consistent format

Your portfolio should be easy to access, navigate, and understand. You should use a clear and consistent format for your portfolio, such as a website, a PDF, or a slide deck. You should also use a simple and professional design, such as a white background, a readable font, and a color scheme that matches your brand. You should also use charts, graphs, images, and icons to enhance your visual appeal and communicate your data effectively. You should also use captions, labels, legends, and annotations to explain your data and highlight your key points.

4 Practice presenting your portfolio

You should practice presenting your portfolio before the interview, so that you can deliver it confidently and convincingly. You should practice presenting your portfolio to different audiences, such as your peers, mentors, or friends, and ask for feedback and suggestions. You should also practice presenting your portfolio in different scenarios, such as online, in-person, or on the phone, and adapt your style and tone accordingly. You should also practice presenting your portfolio in different time frames, such as 5 minutes, 15 minutes, or 30 minutes, and prioritize your main messages and details accordingly.

5 Anticipate and answer questions

During the interview, you should expect and welcome questions from the interviewer about your portfolio. Questions are a sign of interest and engagement, and an opportunity to showcase your knowledge and skills. You should anticipate and prepare for common questions such as what the goal or problem of the project was, what data was used and how it was collected, cleaned, and analyzed, which tools and techniques were used and why, what the results and insights were, how findings were communicated and presented, which challenges were faced and how they were overcome, and how impact and feedback of the project was measured. When answering these questions, be sure to use examples and evidence from your portfolio. You should also ask follow-up questions to the interviewer such as what current or future data challenges or opportunities exist for the role or company, how data presentation skills are valued in the team or organization, and what expectations or standards for data presentation skills are set in the role or company.