When to Make Your Project Interview Interactive
Sometimes, when you’re presenting to win a project, you have the option to turn the presentation into a true conversation rather than a one-way performance. At Sage Presence, we recommend taking advantage of that opportunity whenever it’s allowed. When a formal interview feels more like a meeting, your audience becomes more engaged, more responsive, and more invested.
There are exceptions, of course. When you present to a public decision-making body—a city council, a school board, or any group that must maintain the appearance of impartiality—you may not be permitted to engage interactively. In those cases, you’re restricted to a non-interactive format, and you should honor that structure.
How to Invite Conversation Without Undermining Credibility
When interaction is allowed, don’t simply say, “Feel free to ask questions.” That rarely encourages real engagement. Instead, seed the conversation deliberately by asking specific, open-ended questions tied to the work. For example:
- “What challenges are you currently facing on this project?”
- “What goals matter most to you as you move forward?”
The challenge: when you ask questions like these, you risk creating the impression that you haven’t done your homework. To prevent that, start by sharing what you already know. For example:
“We’ve reviewed the documentation and understand that X, Y, and Z are priorities. We’d love to hear from you—what else would you add that’s important to this effort?”
Why Specific Questions Work
Open-ended, targeted questions force your audience to reflect, consider, and articulate their priorities. That creates far more engagement than a generic invitation like, “Any questions?” or a yes-or-no prompt that dead-ends quickly.
When your audience feels involved, the interview becomes more dynamic—and more memorable. You’re no longer just presenting at them; you’re working with them.
Try It in Your Next Interview
The next time you have the option, make your presentation interactive:
- Confirm it’s allowed.
- Prepare specific, thoughtful questions.
- Share what you know before asking for input.
- Invite conversation early, not at the end.
Give it a try—and see how a shift from presentation to conversation transforms the energy in the room and strengthens your connection with your selection committee.
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