myBrainshark, is a free tool that allows users to add their own voice to Power Point slides and other documents. Candidates can convey their expertise, bolster their personal brand, and add a professional presence to their online portfolios. Rather than a video, a myBrainkshark presentation more like a talking resume - a slide presentation with an easily recorded voiceover.
Here's information on how to create a myBrainshark presentation and tip from Joe Gustafson, CEO, Brainshark, for making a professional myBrainshark presentation to accompany or support your resume:
Tips for Creating a myBrainshark Presentation
Highlight your differentiators. The written content on each slide should be limited to only a few key points, so you can maintain your viewers' attention. Focus on your best accomplishments and the unique qualities or expertise you bring.
Script it. With myBrainshark, you can easily record your own voice narration - letting your audience hear directly from you. So after you create your slides, write a script for what you'd like to say. The best scripts are ones that don't just regurgitate the text on the slides verbatim, but rather provide color commentary and guide the viewer through the material. When you record your voice on myBrainshark, you can also synchronize it with any PowerPoint animations.
Rehearse. Rehearsing the script out loud before recording will help you to avoid sounding like you're reading. Practicing also reveals words and phrases that should be cut because they are difficult to articulate or don't sound natural.
Know your audience. If you're planning to send the presentation to a specific contact or company, tailor your slides based on the specific position or company you are targeting. When adding your voice, you can also use phrases such as, "I feel this experience would be particularly relevant for ABC Company" or "I am intrigued by the new XYZ initiative you announced last month and think my skills would help further that mission." Making slight changes to customize the audio of your presentation takes only a few minutes.
Be upbeat. When people hear your voice, they are emotionally impacted by the tone you use when speaking. An enthusiastic tone communicates interest and confidence. Employers are naturally predisposed to interesting, confident candidates.
Speak conversationally. You are giving a presentation, so speak as you would if you were standing in front of an audience. Speaking too quickly or slowly will make viewers uncomfortable, and they will choose not to listen.
Speak clearly. You want to make sure you pronounce your words correctly. However, over-articulation is also a big mistake. Your audience will appreciate clarity, but they may misinterpret over-articulation for a condescending tone. Solid communication skills are a must-have requirement for most employers, so this is an opportunity to showcase your own capabilities.Deliver the full package. Also with myBrainshark, job candidates should upload additional resources that showcase more of their career portfolio. For example, a job candidate may want to highlight any websites they are affiliated with, writing samples, Twitter pages or a formal resume. Remember, hiring managers might need to print materials for review so uploading these materials to accompany your presentation is a good idea.
