Recorded Interview / Presentation (Leaving Cert LCVP): Revision Notes
Recorded Interview / Presentation
The recorded interview or presentation is an optional portfolio item that allows you to showcase your communication and self-presentation abilities through an audio or video recording.
What is a recorded interview/presentation?
A recorded interview or presentation is a short audio or video recording, typically lasting between 3-5 minutes. During this recording, you discuss or present information about a topic connected to your LCVP studies and activities.
This portfolio item is valuable because it demonstrates several important skills:
- Communication skills - your ability to express ideas clearly
- Organisation skills - how well you structure your content
- Self-presentation skills - your confidence and professional manner
The recording should meet three key criteria:
- Be clear, structured and relevant to your LCVP work
- Show evidence of planning and preparation beforehand
- Demonstrate your ability to speak confidently while staying focused on your topic
Format options
You can choose from three different formats for your recording:
One-to-one interview
In this format, a teacher or classmate asks you prepared questions about your chosen topic, and you respond naturally. This format works well if you prefer having prompts to guide your discussion.
Best for: Students who prefer guided conversation and find it easier to respond to questions rather than speaking freely.
Solo presentation
Here you speak directly to the camera or microphone about your chosen topic without an interviewer. This format gives you complete control over the content and flow of your presentation.
Best for: Students who are comfortable speaking independently and want full control over their presentation structure.
Panel interview
This less common format involves multiple interviewers asking you questions. While it can be more challenging, it demonstrates your ability to handle various perspectives and questions.
Best for: Students who want to showcase advanced communication skills and ability to handle multiple questioners.
Topic choices
Your recording should focus on one of these LCVP-related areas:
- Your work experience - discussing what you did, skills you developed, and challenges you encountered
- An enterprise activity - covering the planning process, teamwork involved, and outcomes achieved
- A career investigation - sharing your research findings, qualification requirements, and job prospects discovered
- Your involvement in a local community or voluntary project - explaining your role and contribution
- A summary of learning from your overall LCVP programme experience
Recommended structure
Introduction
Begin by clearly stating your name and Leaving Certificate exam number - this identification is essential for marking purposes. Then provide the title or topic of your interview or presentation and give a brief outline of what you plan to cover.
Main content
Organise your main discussion into 3-4 key points or sections. The specific content will depend on your chosen topic:
Example Structure: Work Experience Topic
Point 1: Where you worked and your reasons for choosing that placement
Point 2: Your main duties and responsibilities during the experience
Point 3: Skills you gained and challenges you overcame
Point 4: How the experience influenced your career thinking
Example Structure: Enterprise Activity Topic
Point 1: Description of what the activity involved Point 2: Your specific role and contributions to the project Point 3: Successes achieved and problems encountered along the way Point 4: What you learned about teamwork and business operations
Conclusion
Wrap up by summarising your main points and mentioning what you gained from the experience. You might also discuss how it could influence your future plans or career direction.
What to include
Focus on including these elements to strengthen your recording:
- Specific examples rather than general statements (say "I learned to answer phones professionally" instead of "I learned communication skills")
- Clear, confident speaking with varied tone and pace to maintain engagement
- A logical sequence that allows the examiner to easily follow your points
- If using interview format: prepared, relevant questions from your interviewer
What to avoid
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Reading your answers word-for-word from a script, which sounds unnatural
- Including information that's not relevant to your topic
- Speaking too quickly or too quietly for clear understanding
- Poor sound or video quality with background noise or inadequate lighting
Assessment criteria
Examiners evaluate your recording based on these key areas:
- Clarity of communication - your pronunciation, pace and tone
- Organisation - whether the structure is easy to follow
- Relevance - how well all content relates to LCVP activities or learning
- Confidence - demonstrated through eye contact (if video), steady voice and professional manner
- Preparation - evidence that you planned your answers or presentation beforehand
Practical tips
Preparation Tips:
- Practice several times before making your final recording to build fluency and confidence
- Use cue cards with keywords rather than reading from a full script
- Keep to the time limit of 3-5 minutes as examiners may stop listening after the allowed time
Technical Tips:
- If recording video, check your background and appearance and dress appropriately for your topic
- Ask a teacher or peer for feedback on a practice recording
- Save and label your final file clearly including your name, exam number and item name
- Remember to submit the required sequence sheet with your portfolio, listing the order of questions or topics covered
Key Points to Remember:
- Recorded interviews/presentations are 3-5 minute audio or video recordings demonstrating communication skills
- Choose from one-to-one interview, solo presentation, or panel interview formats
- Focus on LCVP-related topics like work experience, enterprise activities, or career investigations
- Structure with introduction, 3-4 main points, and conclusion
- Examiners assess clarity, organisation, relevance, confidence and preparation