I have given many talks, I am not comfortable speaking to an audience... I remember almost nothing of what goes on during a talk I give- I kind of black out partially during a talk. I am there and able to answer questions but the memory part of my brain turns off.

The first talks I gave I spent huge amounts of time memorizing what I was going to say- like a script... They were all stiff and awkward, because I was spending too much of my time trying to recall memorized lines rather than getting the important points across clearly.

I have come up with a formula for giving talks since then that has proved VERY effective. In short that formula is "DON'T PRACTICE YOUR TALK!". I prepare a set of slides that contain the important points of my talk... I read them and silently think about the way I want present them, and anticipate the questions people will ask... but I dont have a script, (other than a few jokes that I prepare on the subject).

I have found these off the cuff talks to be VERY successful, the audience knows if you are speaking from a memorized script and it makes them uncomfortable, it makes you look like you don't know really understand your subject- you are putting on an act. If you know your subject you can discuss it without needing a script. I also preface almost all my talks by telling the audience to ask questions at any time- I like having my talk interrupted by questions, it means the audience is paying attention and is interested, it also gives me time to think about what direction to take the talk next.

This technique may not work for everyone but I have found it to be highly effective. In the two talks I have given as part of my interview process at the two jobs I have interviewed for I have made a point of not practicing. Both were 100% successful and I got the job.

When I interviewed for my first job, I gave my talk- it went well, but the person with the most say about my hiring wasn't able to make it to my talk due to a delayed flight. He showed up at the end of the day and asked for me to explain my previous work that I had given the talk on. I got out my slides and offered to repeat my talk for him... He declined and asked me to explain my work using his whiteboard as the only visual aid. He was an expert in a field related to mine and he grilled me. If I had memorized a script I would have appeared to be an idiot.

I was hired, and enjoyed almost every day I went in to work.

I did the same when I gave an interview for my second and current job. I read my presentation over and over on the long flight to Hawaii but never 'practiced' the talk. A man in the seat next to me peeked at my laptop and started up a conversation asking about my work... I explained it at a layman's level and that gave me my 'practice'.

If I had one bit of advice for people interviewing for a job it would be this: NEVER try to appear an expert in something you are not. An honest 'I dont know' in answer to a question is respected as honesty. In both interviews I have had, I have been asked questions that I couldn't answer- I always answered with 'I don't know, but I can learn' and gave examples of the many things I have had to learn to accomplish things in the past. Attempts at bullshitting are a BIG red flag- it means the person is insecure about their abilities.