how to handle questions after presentation

10 Tips for Handling Questions after a Presentation

In this article, we’ll provide 10 tips for handling questions effectively, from being prepared to staying calm and concise. By following these tips, you can feel confident and prepared to handle any questions that come your way.

As a presenter, handling questions post-presentation can be stressful. However, it’s a crucial part of engaging with your audience and showing your expertise. 

1. Listen Carefully

2. repeat the question, 3. don’t interrupt, 4. encourage dialogue, 5. be respectful, 6. be honest, 7. keep it brief, 8. repeat key points, 9. don’t overpromise, 10. be prepared.

When someone asks you a question, listen carefully. This helps you understand better and gives you time to collect your thoughts and form an appropriate response.

Repeat the question aloud before answering to ensure you’ve understood it correctly and give the audience a chance to hear it. It helps clarify any ambiguity and ensures you’re addressing the right question.

Let the person finish speaking before you respond. Interrupting can seem rude and may make your audience uncomfortable. Wait until they’re done to reply.

Encourage dialogue by asking follow-up questions and inviting the audience to share their thoughts or opinions. This creates a more engaging and interactive experience for everyone.

It’s crucial to be respectful and professional when answering questions, even if the inquirer is difficult or confrontational. Respond calmly and avoid getting defensive or argumentative.

If you don’t know the answer to a question, be honest about it. Admit you don’t have the information at hand. Offer to follow up later or direct the person to someone who can help more effectively.

When answering questions, be concise and focused. Avoid rambling or straying off-topic, as this can confuse or bore the audience. Stick to the main point and provide a clear response.

When answering questions, repeat key points from your presentation. This reinforces information and helps the audience understand better. It also contextualizes the answer within your presentation’s larger framework.

Be honest and realistic when answering questions. Don’t overpromise or make claims you can’t back up. If you don’t know the answer, admit it and offer to follow up later.

Before giving a presentation, you should anticipate your audience’s questions. This preparation boosts your confidence and ensures you’re ready with the right answers. Research your topic well, focusing on areas that might cause confusion or trigger interest.

Related Posts:

How to Nail the Q&A After Your Presentation

by Caroline Webb

Summary .   

When preparing to give a presentation, most professionals focus their energy on the main portion of their talk — their key messages, slides, and takeaways. And far too few people think through how you’ll answer questions at the end of the presentation can be a big mistake. If you’re worried about how to hand the Q&A, there are several things you can do. Change your mindset. Rather than dreading this part of the talk, develop an appreciation for the conversation. It’s a good thing that people have follow-up questions and want to further engage with your content. Beforehand, think through the types of questions audience members might ask. Put yourself in your shoes and ask yourself what concerns they might have about how your message impacts their job. Then, when you’re asked a question, especially one that might be contentious, start your answer by focusing on where you and the person asking it agree. This makes the person feel seen and connected to you. And if you’re asked a question out of left field, be curious. Ask follow-up questions that help you understand what they’re getting at and where they’re coming from.

If you’re not a huge fan of public speaking , you’re in good company. It’s such a widely shared source of anxiety that when psychologists want to induce unpleasant stress in a person for experimental purposes, they often use a public speaking task called the Trier Social Stress Test . The test requires people to give a talk and do sums in front of a panel of impassive listeners, and it reliably generates stress markers such as a faster heart rate, raised cortisol levels, and “enhanced skin conductance,” which is the polite way of saying sweaty palms.

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Guide for Handling Questions after a Presentation

October 19, 2017 - Dom Barnard

The questions at the end of a presentation can be terrifying for many speakers as they can’t be controlled and are hard to prepare for. However, questions form an important part of the presentation for the whole audience as they allow for clarification and consolidation of learning.

The presenter can enhance the usefulness of the question and answer session by treating it as a formal part of the presentation that requires as much careful planning and control as the delivery of the core material.

Identify possible questions and scope in your preparation

The background work that you undertook whilst planning your presentation is the key to handling questions effectively and understanding what  type of audience  you’ll be faced with. If you have defined a focus for your presentation and have explored this thoroughly in your research and planning, you are more likely to be able to confidently respond to questions.

When planning your presentation, you will need to prepare prompts for questions that are open and straightforward, for example saying “That’s the end of my presentation. I’ll be taking questions for the next 10 minutes”.

You might also want to define topics for discussion before taking questions, by stating the areas you’re willing to field questions in. Your preparation will help you identify topics you are not confident with and want to avoid in the questioning.

Set some rules for asking questions

At the start of your presentation, make it clear when you would prefer to deal with questions – as you go along or at the end of the presentation.

Some speakers prefer questions to be raised as they arise during the presentation. The advantage of this approach is that any misunderstandings can be dealt with immediately. However, there is also a danger that the question will disrupt or distract the speaker, or that questions are raised that would have been covered later in the presentation.

If you leave questions until the end, plan to leave plenty of time for questions so that the audience doesn’t feel rushed.

Framework for responding to questions

Answering questions under pressure can make you say things you shouldn’t have – the nerves can force you to give an inappropriate response. In your panic you might have misinterpreted the question or given away company information that was sensitive. Use the following framework to help you respond effectively to your audience.

Practice answering AI-generated questions on your speech or presentation with  VirtualSpeech .

1. Listen to the whole question

You don’t have to answer a question immediately. Pause for a few seconds,  actively listen  to all parts of the question and think about the best way to answer.

Frequently questions can change direction at the last moment, particularly if the questioner is thinking on their feet. This can throw you if you have already started to prepare an answer. Remember that questioners will frequently try to make a point whilst asking their question – it’s therefore important to both hear the content of the question and try to decipher the questioner’s intention.

2. Understand the context

If you are worried that you haven’t understood a question, ask them to clarify what they mean. Check for confirmation by paraphrasing the question back to the questioner – “You want me to list the improvements of X?”.

3. Involve the whole audience

It is important to remember that even though you are taking a question from one member of the audience, you are still responsible for the interest of the other audience members. This is particularly important in large groups as the audience will become bored if the presentation descends into a series of one-to-one discussions.

To involve the rest of the audience, make sure the whole audience has heard and understood the question by repeating it or paraphrasing it to the audience.

4. Respond concisely

When you reply to a question, direct your answer to both the questioner and other members of the audience. Try to keep your responses as focused as possible, leaving space for other questions. To avoid going into too much detail, check back with the questioner to see if you have answered their query – “Does that answer your question in enough detail?”.

We’ll cover different ways to respond in a later section.

5. Allow follow-up questions via email

You can also encourage your audience to ask questions after the event has finished by providing your email address. This shows a high level of respect for your audience and implies that the topic still has much further scope for enquiry.

Two good resources for handling questions

• What’s the art of answering a tricky question?
• Dodging the Question

Practice Answering Questions

Practice answering questions after your presentation using a 4 step process. Learn More

Options for answering the question

There are five possible choices depending on how well you understand and can answer the question. It’s okay to say that you don’t know the answer to something. This can add to your credibility instead of trying to waffle through an answer you don’t really know.

If you have a good answer for the question from the audience, go ahead and answer it in a short and clear message.

Ask a question back the audience member, such as “Can you clarify what you mean by that”. You can also attack the question if it is not related to the issue, factually inaccurate, personal or based on false assumptions. Be careful with this method.

Ask the question back to the audience or pass it to another panel member if possible. If suitable, another technique is to imply the question has been asked already, with you stating you don’t want to cover old ground.

Tell the audience member you will talk to them after the event. This gives you more time to think of a good answer and there is less pressure to give a perfect answer.

Or mention that that point is coming up in a slide.

This involves answering the question but changing the subject. You can also give a partial answer or give a negative answer, saying that something else will happen instead.

Avoid answering questions that fall outside of the remit of your talk: “I’m afraid that really falls outside of my objectives for today’s presentation. Perhaps we can resume discussion of that particular point later?”

Diagram Explained : Once you receive a question, you’ll have a few moments to think about it and reframe it in a way that makes sense to you. This will give you five choices on how to react – you can answer, reflect, deflect, defer or change the scope of the question. Once you’ve answered concisely, you can then follow up to check if the person asking the question is satisfied and then continue with the presentation.

Strategies to use when struggling to answer

Here are some strategies to use when you are struggling to answer the question posed to you. For more information, read this article on  Dodging the Question .

• Acknowledge the question without answering it – “That’s a good question, let’s consider the impact by looking at…”
• The question fails to tackle the important issue.
• The question is based on a false assumption.
• The question is factually inaccurate.
• The question is too personal or objectionable.
• Decline to answer. Refuse to answer on the basis that it is not your area of responsibility or it is sensitive company information – “You will have to ask [name] because I wasn’t involved in that particular project.”
• Partial answer
• Start to answer but change the subject
• Negative answer. You state what won’t happen instead of what will happen
• Answer a similar question
• State or imply the question has already been answered – “We’ve already covered that topic”

Things to avoid

When handling questions and answers, you will still need to be as professional as you have been for the main delivery of your presentation. There are some common dangers to avoid.

Answering the question you wished you’d been asked

A common trick played by politicians, this strategy ignores the precise nature of the question and uses a predetermined answer to the broad topic area. If handled poorly, this technique is very obvious to the audience and frustrating to the questioner.

Giving a lengthy response

This is the process whereby you make a lengthy response, including all the information you’d left out in planning the main presentation. Your unplanned response will be unstructured and rambling, so keep things focused and brief. If you find yourself rambling, ask them to talk to you after.

Passing the blame

Passing the blame to others comes across as weak and evasive. If an idea from the audience is a good one, acknowledge its value. If it isn’t, make a polite rebuttal and move on.

Defensive answers

Occasionally, questions can really put you on the spot, but it is important to remain calm and in control. An aggressive or defensive reply will be seen as weakness on your part and will spoil the effect of an otherwise successful presentation.

Handling difficult questions

It is important not to start responding to a difficult question before you have thought about the answer. Repeating the question and asking for clarification will help create some space for your thoughts.

Sometimes you will need to think about a question for a moment before responding. You may be able to buy a little bit of thinking time to help focus your response. Useful strategies include searching for an appropriate visual aid to help focus your response or simply pausing for a moment or two to think. For even more time, suggest that you’ll come back to the topic later (but don’t forget to do this).

7 myths when answering tough questions during presentations

Sometimes questions are too difficult to answer. Don’t worry about admitting that you don’t know something or haven’t considered an alternative approach. An enthusiastic “That’s an interesting idea, I’d not thought of that” is much more positive than a mumbled “I don’t know ”. Remember that a presentation is a two-way process and it is important to show that you are learning from your audience as well.

Finally, you can come across a questioner who disagrees strongly with your argument. Although this can feel very awkward, remember that you are still responsible for the whole audience and that you cannot allocate all of your question time to one individual.

If you feel that you have answered the initial question, announce that you will move on and suggest that you might continue discussion after the presentation. If the questioner persists, assert your position calmly by saying “I’m afraid I need to move on”.

You can read more on this topic here:  Responding to questions effectively (PDF)

How to Answer Questions After A Presentation – 11 Tips

August 12, 2022

How do you answer questions after your presentation? For many people, handling presentation questions is the scariest part of presenting.

Answering questions becomes much easier if you prepare properly. so how do the best presenters answer challenging questions effectively, answering presentation questions is a real skill.  and it’s a skill you can learn.  over the last 15 years we’ve coached thousands of people to be brilliant at presentation questions and answers. , do please call us and we’ll tell you about our presentation coaching – it’s fast and good value., having coached executives for critical presentations for nearly 15 years, we recently asked our team of experts for their top tips., whether you are a business executive or from the c-suite or just want to improve how you present, these ten tips will help you shine when you answer questions:, ten steps for answering questions after a presentation..

Let’s review each tip in turn:

To Answer Questions Tip #1. Listen to the question!

Take a mental step back when you hear a question.

• What’s really being asked?
• What’s behind the query?
• Is there a hidden agenda?

Don’t be tempted to think of the answer as soon as you hear the start of the question. Instead be an active listener. You may need to clarify the question before answering. If you are not certain what you are being asked, you may answer the question you want, rather than the question they asked. And as you listen, you will learn something . Most questioners are looking for something specific.

How to clarify the question you are asked If you are not 100% sure what you are being asked, then use one of these question clarification techniques. 1. Repeat the question back and rephrase – then check that’s what they want to hear 2. Ask a question 3. Ask them to repeat the question. 4. Apologies, and say you did not understand, could they please repeat.

Answer Presentation Questions Confidently Tip #2. Have the mind-set of a teacher

A question is not an exam test . If you are asked a question, its because someone wants to know something. Your job is to help them understand. Whatever is on their mind, how can you help them?

So, put yourself in the role of a teacher. You have presented on a subject you understand, and you have a someone who wants to know more. Your can inform, educate and perhaps even entertain. If you do it right, you will look good in the eyes of the questioner and in the eyes of the audience. Enjoy the prospect of helping people when you answer questions.

Answering Questions Tip #3. Every question is different

We can never know what’s going on in the minds of the audience. That means each person in the audience will see you differently. For some, it will be about protecting their own interests, for others it may be about gathering more information.

And people have their own style – from super soft to nail hard . You’ll have to assess where they are coming from, what they re looking for and how they think. The best way to answer questions is to listen and learn from the comments they make and the questions they ask.

How we can help – schedule a free consultation now

Answering Presentation Questions Tip #4. There’s no such thing as a stupid question

It may sound stupid to you, but every audience question is aimed at understanding something. Don’t assume that you know what the person really wants. Perhaps they don’t understand – or perhaps they are testing how you react (yes, some people do this!). So treat every question with respect, consideration and then use it as an opportunity to help the audience understand better.

Presentation Questions Tip #5. Every question is an opportunity

If you are properly prepared for your presentation, then you will have key messages to get across. Use your answers to reinforce, restate, or reframe your messages.

Beware of feeling challenged by tough questions . You do not want to look defensive of uncertain. Instead, like a teacher, you want to help your questioner and perhaps help the audience see the world the way you see it. One powerful piece of advice is Show, Don’t Tell. Use stories , examples and illustrations to bring your business to life when answering tough questions.

Answering Questions Tip #6. How you answer questions is as important as what you say

As we said before, your meeting is not an exam. It’s more like a meeting of minds. So work out what the other person believes and is feeling. How can you do this?

You could ask probing questions, such as:

• Does what I’ve just said explain it?
• Do you want to know more?

For more hypothetical questions you could explore what they believe: “And what do you think?” The more it feels like a conversation rather then a quiz, the more likely you’ll be successful.

Give Great Answers Tip #7. You must prepare

We have seen too many people turn up to presentation Q&A sessions unprepared. By contrast, successful presenters and management teams prepare to answer questions with the intensity of an elite athlete.

After all, you want to be seen at your peak when presenting.

There are three best practice techniques for preparing your Q&A:

• List the tough questions you may be asked – especially the ones you don’t want to be asked. Work out answers to these in advance, decide which should be answered before the Q&A by incorporating it into an earlier part of your presentation, and which will wait for the Q&A.
• Select who in your team will respond – You will feel more confident and, if the questions do get asked, you will be properly prepared.
• Bring in a fresh perspective . Get someone outside the organisation to identify new questions you may get asked – and get the outsider to listen to your answers to the tough questions. A neutral third party (like Benjamin Ball Associates ) can give you insight and expose the weaknesses in your arguments and answers.
• Stress-test your answer s. Spend time as a team firing questions back and forth. Then review how you answer these. Keep at this until you have got it right. The more you prepare, the more natural you will sound.

For important presenting events, we frequently spend many hours preparing teams with tough questions, video review and rehearsals. Just like elite athletes, you only build muscle strength with practice.

Answering Questions Tip #8. Don’t try and answer impossible questions

There are some audience questions you cannot answer. If you learn our approach of Question Triage (a technique for classifying questions up front) you can spot these a mile off. Then you can use proven techniques to get yourself back to safe ground and onto a topic that you can talk about with confidence.

Presentation Question Answering Tip #9. Finish strong

Audience question sessions often end flat. Frequently, people feel pressured to finish quickly, especially if time is short. This is a mistake.

Never miss this opportunity to reinforce your important messages while also showing that you have listened to what the other person has said. Even a strong 30-second summary at the end will show that you have listened. This can also highlight what they need to hear.

Tough Question Tip #10. Beware the last question trap

AKA the Columbo moment. If you are a child of the ‘70s you may remember the TV series Columbo .

The bumbling detective always finished his interview with a suspect and, as he walked away, would say “Just, one more thing….’  With that one line he caught the suspect off guard and got the information he needed.

How to answer questions confidently

Top tips for answering questions confidently

What To Do Next to Better Answer Presentation Questions

I f you’d like to improve how you handle tough questions, please give us a call.

We’d be happy to discuss ways we can help you. For example, we run extensive Q&A rehearsals to build skills and increase confidence. You’ll find that working with our experts is a small investment that can deliver amazingly high returns. We offer short, intensive coaching sessions.

To discuss how you can improve your next presentation question session, please call Louise Angus on 020 7018 0922 or email [email protected] .

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We can help you present brilliantly. Thousands of people have benefitted from our tailored in-house coaching and advice – and we can help you too .

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For 15+ years we’ve been the trusted choice of leading businesses and executives throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East to improve corporate presentations through presentation coaching, public speaking training and expert advice on pitching to investors.

Unlock your full potential and take your presentations to the next level with Benjamin Ball Associates.

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email [email protected] to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.

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Contact us for a chat about how we can help you with your presenting.

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Presentation Skills: How to answer those killer questions

Feb 19, 2017 by maurice decastro in communication skills , presentation skills , presentation tips.

Questions can be a major source of anxiety for many presenters.

In our presentation skills courses we are often asked to help people to answer questions more professionally.

It’s a much bigger issue than many people think.

When we probe a little deeper to understand the issue, our delegates often ask 3 questions:

         1. ‘How do I respond confidently to a question I simply don’t know the answer to?’

         2. ‘What if I don’t understand the question?

         3. ‘How do I deal with hostile questions?’

Our first task is to re-frame the way we think about being asked questions. For many people that presents a significant challenge.

It is often perceived as the moment of truth

We’ve spent hours crafting our presentation to ensure its content rich and helpful. We know our content well and have practiced exhaustively.

We’ve left nothing to chance; so what’s the problem?

It’s as simple as it is frightening. We convince ourselves that our entire reputation depends on how we answer questions.

Unfortunately, there can be a touch of truth behind that limiting belief. That’s why it’s the cause of so much anxiety amongst presenters. 

There’s plenty you can do to answer those challenging questions with confidence and credibility. Before we explore them, try to avoid this mistake.

Don’t answer a question saying:

“That is a really good question and I am glad you asked it.”

Quite often, it’s not a good question? If it’s not a good question the response sounds glib. If it is a good question, does that mean the others aren’t?

How you would feel if you asked the next question and the presenter didn’t acknowledge it as a ‘really good question’.

Just answer the question.

The scary six

Our job as presenters extends beyond crafting a content rich, compelling, presentation. We also have to deliver  it in a way that is congruent with our message. We have to anticipate difficult questions too.

Surround yourself with a small group of people you trust and respect. Share your presentation with them giving each person a specific role. 

Devil’s advocate 

Ask them to be contentious, oppose your view and challenge the strength of your presentation.

 Their role is to criticise you and to create an atmosphere of hostility and distrust.

The energy thief

 Get them to look for a negative aspect of everything you say.

The know all 

Encourage them to actively demonstrate that they know more than you on the topic.

Let them tell you in the most respectful way that they don’t agree with you.

The wanderer  

They demonstrate that they haven’t listened to a word you said.

It’s not an excercise for the faint hearted because it takes courage.

It is, however an investment worth making.

Once the scary six have taken you and your presentation apart, take another look at your presentation.

As painful and as strange as it may sound, remember it’s not real and it won’t happen. You, however, will be prepared for anything.

What exactly should you do with those awkward questions?

Killer question 1  – You don’t know the answer

The old saying ‘honesty is the best policy’, has stood the test of time because it’s true. The moment you try to bluff your way through a question you don’t know the answer to, you lose your credibility.

Try this instead.

Step into the question. In other words, take a step forward towards your audience. If you are seated then lean forward into the table or desk.

Have you noticed how common it is for people to be on the ‘back foot’ when they don’t know the answer to a question?

Your challenge is to be on the front foot and to step into or lean into the question.

Acknowledge the person who asked the question with eye contact. After that, bring the rest of the room into your response with eye contact too.  Once you’ve  moved forward and made eye contact, confidently say, ‘I don’t know, but I’ll find out and let you know’.

You have a few choices at this point. You can:

Ask the audience

“I don’t know the answer to that but I wonder whether anyone else in the audience does.”

“Can anyone help answer that question?”

Share a thought

You may not have the answer but you may have a view. Share a thought or perspective on the question if you have one. 

‘I don’t know, but I’ll find out and let you know. In the meantime I have a thought on the issue. Please keep in mind that it’s not the answer to your question as I’ve already stated I don’t know the answer but here is a thought…

What’s your view on that?’

Ask for a moment

If you need a little time to think about the question, ask for it.

‘I need a few moments to think about that.’

This also take a little courage but remember, you don’t need to rush in to giving an answer.

Give yourself a little time to think. Your audience will respect you for it.

Postpone the answer

It may well be that you know the answer but under pressure the answer has slipped your mind. This is another opportunity to be honest.

‘ Given the importance of the question, I’d like to give you the most complete answer I can. I will need to get back to you in…’

Killer question 2 – You don’t understand the question

I’ve long held the view that most people don’t really listen. I believe that many do something else – they wait to speak.

“Most people don’t listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” Stephen R. Covey

That is often the reason why we don’t understand the question. The solution is relatively simple; we need to really listen. That means:

– Listen – to the entire question

– Breathe – don’t leap straight into a response

– Check – ‘Let me just check that I understand you correctly, you are asking me if…’

‘To make sure that I’ve understood you correctly are you asking…’

If you still don’t understand the question, don’t panic.  Take a deep breath and ask them to clarify what they mean. Explain politely that you are still not clear you understand the question.

Killer question 3 – It’s a hostile question

Most audiences are on your side. They are friendly, open and are keen to learn from you. That said, every now and then you may get what we call hostile questions.

They feel hostile because of the emotional charge. The questioner may wave their pen at you challenging or criticizing your perspective.

If this happens, your  job is to remain calm. Depersonalize the attack and avoid being over defensive; easier said than done I know.

Your first priority is to diffuse the emotional charge and to take care of the rest of the audience whilst respecting the questioner.

Treat them the same as any other member of the audience.  Answer their question as honestly and as professionally as you can.

Avoid matching your tone of voice to theirs. Stay calm, professional and polite. Remember that your audience will align with whoever is more courteous and respectful.

Very occasionaly it appears as though the questioner is looking for more of an argument rather than an answer. This is rare but if it happens, you owe it to the rest of your audience to close it down.

You do have some options:

– You can acknowledge their concern and suggest that the two of you meet separately after the presentation to discuss the matter in greater detail.

– If the questioner persists you can calmly assert:

‘I’m afraid I need to move on now.’

It’s possible that you may need to repeat this two or three times.

– A  simple but powerful technique you can use to respectfully regain control of your presentation is to:

That means listening very closely and carefully to the perspective of the questioner.

You have listened closely enough to find something you can sincerely agree with. That does not mean you agree with a point they make even if you don’t. It means you listen intently for something that does make sense to you that you can agree with. When there is such a high emotional charge in a question it’s often fueled by passion and a need to be heard.

The questioner isn’t a bad person. They are simply someone who feels very strongly about what you are saying and may not share your perspective. Once you have listened closely enough to find something you can genuinely agree with, no matter how small, there is only one thing left to do.

You acknowledge that you agree with that element of their argument. Tell them that you understand their perspective or that the specific point they just made makes sense to you. Then you pause and you stay silent.

It’s more than a pause of course, as you are signalling to the questioner that you have nothing else to say on the matter.

You don’t say a word and watch what happens next.

Try to understand the motivation behind the question and tone. Share what you are picking up from them: “It sounds like your main concern is with the process. Is that correct?” This will encourage them to focus on the point they are trying to make. It will  also give you a little  time to consider a response.

One of the many key distinctions between a Mindful Presenter and a mediocre presenter is the ability to handle challenging questions professionally and effectively.

That distinction is achieved through the conscious focus and effort to:

– See questions as an opportunity to learn and engage, rather than be judged

– Listen very carefully to the question

– Lose the ‘headstuff’; in other words not making it all about you

– Pause and breathe

– Repeat the question if necessary and appropriate

– Understand the motivation behind the question

– Respect the questioner and the audience

– Anticipate difficult questions whilst crafting the presentation

– Stay calm, focused and on message

– Close the questions down politely and move on

If you need help answering those killer questions:

– Book yourself onto a powerful  public speaking course .

– Invest in some really good one to one  public speaking coaching .

– Get yourself some excellent  presentation training

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The Art of Question & Answer: Handling Audience Questions Like a Pro

Hrideep barot.

• Presentation , Public Speaking

If you have ever given a presentation , you might know how witty and challenging a question-and-answer session can get. Not knowing the answer to a question can be quite unnerving and leave a bad impression even after a fabulous presentation. This blog will help you bridge that gap before your next presentation. We will talk about how to maintain your composure as you deal with questions and also the different types of difficult questions one can face.

Why should I have a Question-and-answer session?

Having a Question and Answer (Q&A) session serves multiple valuable purposes. It transforms one-sided communication into a two-way exchange, turning lectures or speeches into engaging discussions. This interaction not only enhances audience engagement but also promotes collaboration and the collective building of knowledge. Historically, great questions have driven innovation and change, such as Isaac Newton’s curiosity about gravity. During a Q&A , encouraging audience participation by inviting questions and making eye contact with various attendees creates a sense of connection and keeps the session lively, much like a talk show host engaging their audience. 

Including a question and answer (Q&A) session after your presentation holds numerous advantages and is a pivotal aspect of engaging with your audience effectively.

Let’s delve into these reasons:

1. audience engagement and participation: .

Inviting questions at the end of your presentation allows your audience to actively participate, transforming your session into an interactive experience. As Albert Einstein aptly put it, “The important thing is not to stop questioning.”

2. Addressing Confusion and Skepticism:

 Your presentation might leave some audience members perplexed or unconvinced. Before you begin, it’s vital to gauge your audience’s understanding. As Aristotle noted, “Rhetoric may be defined as the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion.” Q&A provides an excellent opportunity to clarify doubts and bolster your argument.

3. Expanding on Your Message: 

Often, time constraints force you to condense crucial information during your presentation. Q&A, however, empowers you to elaborate on your points, share practical examples, and address any opposition, creating a more comprehensive understanding. This aligns with Robert Frost’s sentiment: “Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.”

4. Fostering Natural Interaction: 

Effective public speaking thrives on interaction. Audiences seek speakers who communicate openly and naturally. Q&A brings a conversational and relatable dimension to your presentation. As Maya Angelou wisely said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

5. Challenging Your Expertise: 

The unpredictability of Q&A keeps you on your toes. You must be well-prepared and nimble to handle a variety of questions and objections. Eleanor Roosevelt’s words resonate: “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face.”

How do you answer Questions effectively?

Handling a question-and-answer session effectively requires preparation, communication skills, and adaptability. Whether you’re conducting a Q&A session as a speaker, presenter, or moderator, here are some tips to help you manage it effectively:

1. Preparation is Key:

Know your audience: Research your audience’s demographics, interests, and knowledge level. Tailor your responses to their needs and expectations. Imagine you’re hosting a Q&A session about pets. Knowing your audience means finding out if they’re mostly cat lovers, dog enthusiasts, or perhaps reptile fans. This helps you tailor your answers to their specific interests, like offering dog training tips for dog lovers and habitat ideas for reptile enthusiasts.

Anticipate questions: Develop a list of potential questions that might arise during the session. This can help you prepare concise and informative answers. If you’re giving a presentation about a superhero movie, anticipate questions like “Who’s the main villain?” or “What are the special powers of the hero?” Prepare concise answers to these common questions to keep the audience engaged.

Review your material: Revisit your presentation or discussion content before the Q&A session. This will help you recall key points and examples that may be relevant to questions. For Ex: You’re a teacher conducting a Q&A after a science class. Before the session, review your notes on the periodic table. This ensures that when a student asks, “What are the noble gases?” you can confidently explain their properties.

2. Set Expectations:

Clearly explain how the Q&A session will be structured. For example, inform the audience whether questions will be taken throughout the session or only at the end. Mention any time constraints.

Let the audience know if you have topics you’d like to cover or all questions are welcome. 

For example: Think of a cooking class where you’re the instructor. Before starting, inform your students that they can ask questions anytime during the class. This sets the expectation that it’s an interactive learning experience.

3. Active Listening:

Give the questioner your full attention. Make eye contact, nod to acknowledge understanding, and avoid interrupting.

Repeat or rephrase the question if needed to ensure clarity and show that you are actively engaged with the questioner.

Imagine you’re a detective in a mystery novel. When a witness asks, “Did you see the suspect?”, listen attentively, nod to acknowledge, and ask follow-up questions to gather all the details. This demonstrates active listening.

4. Take a pause

Before answering any question there is a key aspect that makes you look smart and composed- “The Pause.” The Pause is where you gather your thoughts and prepare your answer in a gist. You decide how to answer the question and tackle it swiftly. If you perhaps don’t know the answer, what is the best way to say you will get back with an answer, and so on? You can get a firm grip on your audience as they wait for you to speak and then speak with utmost clarity, that is the power of Pauses. 

5. Be Concise and Clear:

Answer each question briefly and directly. Avoid going off on tangents or providing excessive background information.

Use plain language and avoid jargon that might confuse the audience. Suppose you’re explaining how to play a video game. Instead of going into a lengthy backstory, say, “To win, you must collect all the magical crystals and defeat the dragon boss.” This clear and concise explanation keeps players engaged.

6. Stay Calm and Confident:

If you don’t know the answer to a question, admit it gracefully. Offer to research or follow up later, and don’t try to bluff your way through.

Maintain a calm and composed demeanor even in the face of challenging or critical questions. Focus on addressing the question, not the tone.

This is also where your preparation becomes your backbone and provides you the confidence to deal with your audience. 

Also, I want you to remember that knowledge is very vast- The more you gain knowledge the more you realize how little you know! Do not worry about admitting that you don’t know an answer, you can provide whatever information you have and later get back to them when you do find one.

7. Manage Time:

Allocate a specific amount of time for the Q&A session and communicate this at the outset. Stick to the schedule to ensure you cover all planned topics. If necessary, prioritize questions based on relevance or importance.

Think of a soccer coach during a practice session. Allocate specific time for different drills and stick to the schedule. This ensures that all aspects of the game are covered within the session.

8. Field Diverse Questions:

Encourage a wide range of questions, including those that challenge your viewpoint or prompt discussion. This diversity can lead to more engaging and informative sessions.

For Example: In a book club discussion, encourage members to ask questions about various aspects of the book, from plot details to character motivations. This diversity of questions leads to a more engaging conversation.

9. Moderate Effectively:

As someone who has to give direction to the discussion, try to maintain control of the session and ensure questions are relevant to the topic and audience. Politely redirect or filter out off-topic or inappropriate questions.

Give everyone a chance to ask questions, and manage time to allow for a variety of voices to be heard.

Pretend you’re a radio DJ taking calls from listeners. If someone goes off-topic, gently steer the conversation back to the music or topic of the show to maintain a cohesive experience.

10. Encourage Feedback:

After the Q&A, ask the audience for feedback on the session’s effectiveness. This can help you improve future sessions and tailor them to the audience’s needs. 

Example: After a group art project, ask each participant what they liked and what could be improved. This feedback helps everyone learn from the experience and create better art in the future.

11. Follow-Up:

If you promised to provide additional information or research an answer, do so promptly after the session. This demonstrates your commitment to addressing the audience’s needs.

12. Reflect and Improve:

After each session, take time to analyze what went well and what could be improved. Consider seeking feedback from colleagues or mentors to refine your Q&A skills for future engagements.

Can I answer a Question with a Question?

Many a time we think is it disrespectful to answer a question with a question, or perhaps even condescending? However, answering a question with a question can be an effective communication technique when used thoughtfully, but it’s essential to be mindful of the context and tone to avoid coming across as disrespectful or condescending. 

Consider, for instance, a scenario where someone asks, “Do you know where my keys are?” Responding with, “Have you checked your coat pocket?” instead of a direct “yes” or “no” can be helpful. However, if someone in a team meeting asks, “How do we solve this problem?” replying with, “Well, what solutions have you considered?” can encourage collaborative problem-solving. So, while answering a question with a question can be a valuable tool for prompting critical thinking or guiding discussions, it’s crucial to gauge the situation and intent to ensure it’s used appropriately.

Types of Difficult Questions:

Often times in presentations we don’t get softball questions that are easy to handle but rather some sort of pushback. The audience tries to gauge your authenticity or simply disagrees with you. These are what we call Difficult questions. They are inquiries that pose challenges beyond their surface. They require careful consideration, provoke thought, or test one’s knowledge, often demanding more than a simple yes or no answer. Handling difficult questions effectively is a skill that involves not only providing accurate responses but also managing the dynamics of the discussion and the emotions of those asking. In this exploration, we’ll delve deeper into these challenging types of questions, dissect their nuances, and offer strategies for responding adeptly and constructively.

1. When You Don’t Know the Answer:

• Challenge: It’s common to face questions to which you don’t have an immediate answer, especially in complex or unfamiliar topics.
• Example: In a technical presentation, someone asks a highly technical question beyond your expertise.
• Admit it gracefully: Acknowledge that you don’t have the answer, but express your willingness to find it.
• Offer a partial answer: Share what you do know or suggest possible resources or experts to consult.
• Follow up: Make a commitment to research and provide a comprehensive response after the session.

2. Too Many Questions at the Same Time (Machine Gun Questioning):

• Challenge: Some audience members may bombard you with multiple questions all at once, making it difficult to respond coherently.
• Example: An audience member asks, “How does this technology work, and what are its applications? Can you explain its impact on the industry?”
• Politely request clarification: Ask the person to specify which question they’d like you to address first.
• Address one question at a time: Break down the multiple questions into individual responses to maintain clarity.
• Control the pace: Politely request that questions be asked one at a time to facilitate a more organized discussion.

3. Audience Member Makes a Statement and Tries to Take Over:

• Challenge: Some individuals may attempt to dominate the Q&A session by making lengthy statements or challenging your expertise.
• Example: An audience member insists on sharing their own knowledge and experience, seemingly to undermine your credibility.
• Acknowledge their input: Politely thank them for their perspective and acknowledge their knowledge.
• Redirect the focus: Gently guide the conversation back to the topic or the question at hand.
• Set boundaries: Establish ground rules for the Q&A session at the beginning, emphasizing that questions should be concise and relevant.

4. Emotional Questions Driven by Anger:

• Challenge: Emotionally charged questions, often stemming from anger or frustration, can be challenging to handle without escalating tension.
• Example: An audience member confronts you with anger about a controversial topic you’re discussing.
• Stay calm and empathetic: Maintain composure, listen attentively, and acknowledge the person’s emotions.
• Avoid confrontation: Refrain from responding with defensiveness or aggression, as it can escalate the situation.
• Reframe the question: Politely ask the person to rephrase their question in a more constructive and specific manner.

5. Off-Topic Questions:

• Challenge: Sometimes, audience members ask questions that are unrelated to the topic of your presentation or discussion.
• Example: In a business presentation on marketing strategies, someone asks about your personal hobbies.
• Politely redirect: Acknowledge the question but gently steer the conversation back to the main topic.
• Offer to discuss later: Suggest discussing off-topic questions after the session to avoid derailing the current discussion.

6. Provocative Questions:

• Challenge: These questions are designed to provoke a reaction or create controversy.
• Example: During a political debate, someone asks a loaded question aimed at stirring up emotions rather than seeking a constructive answer.
• Stay composed: Maintain a calm and respectful demeanor when responding, regardless of the provocation.
• Address the core issue: Focus on the underlying topic or concern within the provocative question rather than getting drawn into the emotional aspect.

7. Incomprehensible Questions:

• Challenge: Some questions are poorly phrased or unclear, making it challenging to discern the intent behind them.
• Example: An audience member asks a question with convoluted language and vague references.
• Seek clarification: Politely ask the person to rephrase or clarify their question to ensure you understand it correctly.
• Paraphrase and respond: Restate what you believe the question is about, and answer based on your interpretation. The person can then confirm or correct your understanding.

8. Condescending Questions:

• Challenge: These questions are posed in a belittling or patronizing manner, often implying that the person asking believes they know better.
• Example: An audience member asks, “Do you even understand the basics of this topic?”
• Maintain professionalism: Respond with professionalism and confidence, avoiding any temptation to match the condescension.
• Address the question’s substance: Focus on providing a well-informed and concise response to demonstrate your expertise.

9. Overly Technical Questions:

• Challenge: In technical or specialized discussions, questions may become overly complex, making it challenging for a broader audience to follow.
• Example: A highly technical question filled with industry-specific jargon is asked in a general audience setting.
• Simplify the response: Offer a simplified explanation or analogy to make the answer accessible to a broader audience.
• Offer follow-up resources: Suggest additional reading or resources for those interested in delving deeper into the technical details.

Handling these challenging question scenarios effectively requires a combination of good communication skills, patience, and tact. Remember that the goal is to maintain a productive and respectful dialogue with your audience while addressing their concerns and inquiries.

People Also Ask:

Why is it important to know how to take the audience’s questions when you are presenting.

It is crucial to know how to handle audience questions when presenting for several reasons. Firstly, audience questions signify engagement and interest in your topic, making it an opportunity to further connect with your audience and demonstrate your expertise. Secondly, addressing questions allows you to clarify any misunderstandings or provide additional context, ensuring that your message is well-received and understood. Moreover, handling questions effectively helps you maintain control over the presentation’s flow, ensuring that it stays on track and doesn’t deviate too far from your intended message. Lastly, audience questions can provide valuable feedback, enabling you to gauge the audience’s comprehension and adapt your presentation in real time if necessary, leading to a more successful and impactful presentation overall.

Who is responsible for answering questions from the audience at the time of the presentation?

The responsibility for answering questions from the audience during a presentation primarily falls on the presenter (most likely You). You’re the one who’s been preparing and practicing your presentation for weeks, months, or maybe even years. You’re the guru on the stage, the oracle of information. When those curious souls in the audience raise their hands or type away with their burning questions, it’s your time to shine. You get to flex your brain muscles and give them answers that will make their heads spin (in a good way, of course). It’s your duty to facilitate a productive Q&A session by actively listening to each question, providing thoughtful and accurate responses, and ensuring that the discussion remains relevant to the topic at hand. However, in some cases, especially during larger presentations or panel discussions, a moderator or facilitator may assist in managing the question-and-answer

In conclusion, mastering the art of Q&A, and handling audience questions like a pro, is a skill that can transform any presentation, discussion, or public speaking engagement. By understanding the diverse types of questions that may arise and adopting effective strategies to address them, you can create an interactive and engaging dialogue with your audience. From riddles that stimulate creativity to emotionally charged inquiries that demand empathy, each question offers a unique opportunity to connect, educate, and inspire. 

Remember, the key to success lies in active listening, clear communication, and maintaining composure, even in the face of challenging questions. Whether you’re a speaker, presenter, moderator, or simply someone engaged in a meaningful conversation, the ability to navigate difficult questions with finesse not only enhances your credibility but also fosters a more enriching and enlightening exchange of ideas. So, embrace the art of Q&A, and with practice and patience, you’ll continue to refine this valuable skill, ensuring that your interactions with your audience are both memorable and impactful.

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• Effective Presentation Skills Tutorial
• Handling Questions and Answers

At the end of your presentation, if it is appropriate for the type of presentation, solicit questions from the audience.

Responding to Audience Questions

When someone is asking a question, make eye contact with that person, listen positively, and acknowledge by saying "thank you for that question," or say "that is an excellent question" or "that is an important question".

If the audience is in a large room and cannot hear each other's questions, repeat the question loudly for everyone to hear, before answering it.

If you know the answer to the question, respond appropriately and briefly so you can take more questions and not spend too much time on one question.

Effective Response to Question

This video clip is an example of a presenter effectively responding to an audience member's question .

Ineffective Response to Question

This video clip is an example of a presenter ineffectively responding to an audience member's question .

If the question is not relevant to the presentation, say something like, "I am really sorry that question is outside the scope of this presentation, but I will be happy to stay after the presentation and discuss it with you."

Effective Response to Off-topic Question

This video clip is an example of a presenter effectively responding to an off-topic question or one in which he or she does not know the answer .

Inappropriate Response to Off-topic Question

This video clip is an example of a presenter inappropriately responding to an off-topic question or one in which he or she does not know the answer .

If time is running out for answering all of the questions, say, "I am sorry. I am running out of time, but I will take one last question, and then I will be available at the end to answer any remaining questions."

If you do not know the answer to a question say, "That is an interesting question, and I will have to get back to you later on that" or ask the audience "Can someone help me with this?" or be gracious and acknowledge you do not know the answer at that time.

If an audience member criticizes or attacks what you had covered in your presentation, do not attack back, but separate the valid criticism from the personal attack, and respond to the criticism appropriately.

Some things not to do during the question and answer period:

• Shuffling papers or technology and not making eye contact with the questioner
• Belittling the questioner
• Calling those who want to ask questions by their physical characteristics
• Not taking questions in the sequence they are asked, but focusing on certain people or a side of the room

Asking Good Questions

If you are in the audience, know also how to ask good questions to indicate that you are following the presentation.

You can ask some general questions about any topic, and you may be genuinely curious about some things presented.

• What were the most challenging aspects, or what surprised you the most, in conducting this project?
• Why did you choose this particular methodology or argument instead of another one?
• How did you collect the data? Were there any problems in collecting data? What was the sample size?
• How did you validate your work? Did you validate with a real problem or situation?
• What are some of the limitations of your work?
• What recommendations do you have for further exploration in this project?

Learning to ask good questions at the end of a presentation demonstrates your active participation.

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7+ Tips for Handling a Q&A Session in 2024

You've prepared your presentation and delivered it flawlessly. But there's one more hurdle to get through before you can declare the event a success: the presentation questions and answers session, or Q&A. 

It's the time when your audience gets to ask questions, and sometimes you've got no idea what they're going to ask. So, how can you wrap up your presentation in style? In this guide, I'll share tips and expert advice on responding to questions after a presentation, so you can nail the Q&A session.

Why People Worry About the Q&A

Even seasoned public speakers can be terrified by the thought of the question and answer session in a presentation. You may believe that your audience should be a part of your presentation but still be worried when it's time to invite questions from the audience. One reason for this is the lack of control. After all, as the presenter, you've got no idea what audience members are going to ask. 

The tutorial below will help you overcome other fears about public speaking you may have:

Another concern about taking questions in presentations is that you won't know the answers. If you're new to public speaking, taking questions can be even more nerve-wracking. Some presenters feel they're not good at improvising and will be floored by unexpected questions. Overall, presenters worry about looking silly in front of the audience. There are tips for handling all those issues in this guide. 

Why You Should Include a Q & A Section in Your Presentation

So, why is it important to include a Q&A session? There are several benefits to inviting questions from the audience at the end of your presentation. For a start, your audience should be a part of your presentation if you want to make your session more interesting and engaging. Taking feedback questions for a presentation is one way to do this. 

A Q&A session is a great chance to connect more with your audience and complete the process that you've started with the presentation. Most presentations are concise, and don't cover everything to avoid boring the audience. So, responding to questions gives you another chance to showcase your expertise by expanding on points made in the main presentations. 

Another great thing is that a lively question and answer session in a presentation tells you that people are interested in what you've got to tell them and engaged with your topic. 

Public Speaking Trainer  Gary Genard says:

"Too often, speeches have the feeling of a monologue, delivered through a one-way dynamic to a polite but anesthetized crowd of onlookers. The back-and-forth of Q & A should feel more comfortable to you AND your listeners. Best of all, when you’re conversing about a topic you truly care about, all of your best qualities as a speaker will emerge."

The Q&A is excellent feedback for a presenter and gives you the confidence you need for future presentations on your topic. And a good Q&A shows your expertise.

Wondering how to invite questions at the end of a presentation? Use a questions image for your presentation and leave it up when you've finished presenting the main content. 

I'll talk more about creating your Q&A slide later in this article, but the following guide is a good starting point:

How to Prepare for Questions After a Presentation

Presentation questions don't have to take you by surprise. As a presenter, there are several tasks you can do in advance, so you're ready for anything your audience throws at you. Here are some tips to help you handle presentation questions:

1. Know Your Topic

One of the best preparations is to know your topic inside out. If you're an expert on the subject you're presenting on, there's little that can faze you.

2. Know Your Audience

When preparing to invite questions from the audience, research is key. If you know who you're presenting to, tailor the information to their interests. This same research will also help you figure out what might be coming up in the Q&A.

3. Hold Back Some Information

Your presentation question session will be easier if you've got some new information left to share. If your presentation is concise, you'll have useful data that didn't make the final cut. Some of this can help you answer your audience's questions.

4. Prepare for the Most Likely Questions

Responding to questions with a little preparation. Go through your presentation and try to see where audience members might want clarification or extra insight. Do a little more research so you've got supporting statistics on hand. Check to see if there's a related topic that might follow naturally from something you present.

Content Strategist and Founder of Write Minds, Jacob McMillen  says:

"My biggest fear heading into my first Q&A was that the audience might not ask interesting followup questions, so I could keep the discussion moving. I overcame this fear by spending a bit more time than was probably necessary preparing for the session and thinking through what I'd say if it was left to me to fill dead space."

5. Lead Your Audience 

Related to that, you can subtly invite questions from the audience by giving them a teaser. This encourages them to ask a question about information you've already prepared. For example, if you use a surprising or interesting fact, it's almost certain someone will ask for more information.

6. Decide When to Respond to Questions

There's no set time frame for responding to questions. As the presenter, it's completely up to you when to run a question and answer session for your presentation. There are two options:  

• Let people ask questions throughout your presentation.
• take all questions at the end. 

Each method has pros and cons.

If you go with interactive questions for your presentation, and take them throughout, it's easy to tell when your audience is engaged. That's affirming, and you also won't have to remember to come back to a topic later. But taking questions throughout can also interrupt both the flow of the presentation and your train of thought. That can make it harder to follow for your audience.

If you take presentation questions at the end, then you can focus on delivering the best presentation you can, without worrying about interruptions. That makes it less interactive during the presentation itself. But it means both you and your audience can easily follow the issue you're presenting.

Amma Marfo , Professional Writer, Speaker and Trainer, says:  

"If the topic is one where understanding is needed to move forward (e.g. if I've shared a framework or am building layers of knowledge), I'll take questions throughout. If it's less essential that all points are understood to move forward, I'll hold until the end.

I find myself asking for questions throughout more and more on digital/virtual events, because it's a means to ensure that participants are engaged. These questions can take the form of "what questions do you have?" (preferred to "any questions?" because someone might hedge if they think no one else has questions), or can show up in the form of polls, thumbscales (thumbs up if you feel good about this, thumbs down if you feel bad), or even share an emoji if I feel confident that the audience will universally know how to do so on their device :)"

A good middle ground, especially for a longer presentation, is to take questions at specific times. For example, if you're making several main points, you could have a brief Q&A after each of them. 

Whichever you choose, you can signal your audience that it's time for questions by adding a Q&A slide to your presentation. Include:

• the presentation title
• the word "questions"

Many premium presentation themes include a well-designed questions image for your presentation.

7 Tips on Responding to Questions

Ready to invite questions at the end of your  presentation? Here are some tips on handling your Q&A session:

1. Listen to the Presentation Questions

Handling questions in presentations starts with listening. Listen to make sure you understand what the audience member is asking.  Don't be afraid to ask the person to repeat the question if you think you've missed something. This is also a good way to get more thinking time.

2.  Acknowledge the Questioner

Acknowledge the questioner, even if it's simply by saying: " that's a good question. " This makes your audience member feel good and buys you a little time to think about your response.

3. Empathize With the Audience

Audience members want to know you empathize with their concerns. If you know your topic, you'll understand WHY they're asking a particular question, and can use that as a lead in to your response.

4. Promise to Follow Up

Every now and then you get a question you really can't answer on the spot. There's no need for terror. Simply let the questioner know that you'll follow up afterwards and do it as soon as possible after the presentation. That may even be a good time for some self-deprecating humor, as experts recommend in the following article:

5. Get Some Help

You don't have to answer all questions in presentations yourself. If there's an expert in the audience who's likely to have relevant information, call on that person. Even better, if you know the list of attendees, give that expert some advance warning. Either way, it'll make your Q&A even more useful for your audience.

6. Stay in Control

If an audience member starts to ramble, don't be afraid to rein them in. Gently interrupt and clarify to keep the session relevant, interesting, and on-topic for the rest of your audience. Jacob McMillen says:

"Staying on topic is really just about spending more time on the things you feel are "on topic" and less time on that things that aren't. If the audience member tries to dive into something that I don't want to take about, I just give a relatively brief answer that communicates I'd prefer to move on, and then when I'm answering something I do want to talk about, I really dive in and take some time to give a comprehensive answer."

7. Have Someone Monitor the Chat

If you're presenting online, then taking questions can be slightly more complex. Often, people use a chat function to post questions during the presentation. It's essential to have someone monitor the chat so you don't miss anything

There are more tips on virtual presentations in our remote meetings guide:

Finally, summarize your presentation at the end of the Q&A. This lets you leave your audience with the core message you want to get across.

How to Respond When People Disagree

Interactive questions for presentation sessions are all well and good, but what happens if an audience member strongly - and vocally - disagrees with what you're saying. A good way to handle disagreement is to:

• Acknowledge the question.
• Clarify to make sure you understand the questioner's perspective.
• Identify where you agree (hopefully you'll agree on some points).
• Explain why your perspective is different - and why - on issues where there's disagreement.

Amma Marfo has this to say about handling disagreements:

"For me, it depends on if the disagreement is grounded in information or ideals. If it's an informational dispute, I try to cite sources and encourage others who may know of additional information to share it. Those tend to be easier because there's a theoretical right answer.

The challenge is if the dispute is ideological (or, ideological masquerading as informational). When those kinds of disputes arise, I state my position and try to hold there. If it escalates to where I can tell the person wants to be heard or "heard out," *and the argument is a good faith one*, I refer them to another way to get in touch. Let's continue this over email, or perhaps a phone call.

I don't entertain bad faith arguments, especially if they're grounded in denying the humanity of people - racism, sexism, -phobias or bigotry - and will typically move the conversation along for the sake of time."

How to Create a Winning Presentation

To create a presentation that gets attention, consider using a premium presentation template from Envato Elements. Premium templates are well-designed and well-supported. They can also save you time when creating presentations, and help you achieve a great look even if you don't have strong design skills. 

If you want a great-looking template for your next presentation, Envato Elements has an offer you won't want to miss. Download as many presentation templates as you want, all for one low price. If you only need a single presentation questions template , consider the options at GraphicRiver, where you can get attractive presentation templates for a questions and answer session for one-off use.

Here are some cool templates to use the next time you're taking presentation questions:

Learn More About PowerPoint Presentations

To learn more about using PowerPoint for presentations, check out the following guides:

Prep for Your Presentation Q&A Session Today

As we've seen, the Q&A session doesn't have to be a nightmare. With the right preparation you can handle presentation questions efficiently and respectfully while still coming across as the expert. Don't forget that you can create an eye-catching presentation with premium templates from Envato Elements. You can also get appealing presentation templates for one-off use from GraphicRiver. Start creating your next presentation today!

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8 Ways to Handle Tough Q&A Sessions During Presentations

Written by: Ashish Arora

If you’ve ever given a presentation in front of a live audience, you probably know the Q&A session can feel scarier than the speech itself! That’s because while you can spend weeks preparing for your speech, the Q&A session is largely out of your control. And as we all know, anytime we don’t have full control, things can—and sometimes do—go wrong.

The key is to think of the Q&A session not as a potential snafu, but as another opportunity to show off your expertise, get immediate feedback and expand on your message. When you focus on taking advantage of this extra time with the audience, you put yourself in a mindset to further inspire and motivate attendees.

Read our top tips for handling tough Q&A sessions by  skipping ahead  or view the visual summary of this post below.

Embed on your site: <script src="//my.visme.co/visme.js"></script><div class="visme_d" data-url="01o01qy3-8-ways-to-handle-tough-q-a-sessions-like-a-pro" data-w="800" data-h="6674" data-domain="my"></div><p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; color: #333333" >Created using <a href="http://www.visme.co/make-infographics" target="_blank" style="color: #30a0ea"><strong>Visme</strong></a>. An easy-to-use Infographic Maker.</p>

Q&A Sessions: 3 Rules to Remember

Before we get down to the nitty-gritty, let’s first talk about what your ultimate goals for a successful Q&A should be:

Goal #1: Be a Responsible Speaker

Even though individual people are asking individual questions, your responsibility is to the entire group when answering all of them.

This leads us to goal number 2:

Goal #2: Keep an Eye on the Audience

Just as eye contact is critical throughout your presentation, it’s equally important during your Q&A session. Don’t just look at the person who asked the question, but always scan the entire audience so your answer really lands.

And that leads us to goal #3:

Goal #3: Make Connections

Every question asked is an opportunity to highlight your core message. Don’t just answer a question. Find ways to make a connection between the question and your content.

Now that you understand these three key principles, let’s move on to some ways you can handle Q&A sessions like a pro.

RELATED:  What Is Paralanguage? And How Can You Use It to Give Better Presentations?

1 Be prepared.

Eating half-priced sushi is never a good idea.

Know what else is a bad idea? Being unprepared for your Q&A session. Now you may be asking, “How can I be prepared for my Q&A when I don’t know what questions I’ll be asked?”

My “A” to your “Q” would be, “Are you sure you don’t know what you’ll be asked?” If you’re giving the presentation for the first time, consider showing it to friends, family and colleagues and have them ask you the toughest questions they can think of.

You may also want to spend some time searching Google using a variety of keywords related to your topic. This will bring up tons of relevant articles and blog posts where you can discover questions that have been answered within the content.

And finally, social media sites like LinkedIn and Twitter are a daily Q&A hotbed, so be sure to spend time looking on there as well.

2 Separate the wheat from the chaff.

Once you’ve gathered a nice list of potential questions, you’ll want to separate them into two separate categories: those you can answer in your presentation, and those that you can’t.

The questions that can be answered in your presentation are essentially little indicators that you’ve left important information out. Go back through and weave these answers into your content.

Will this take a bit of time to ensure you keep the flow of your original speech? Yes, yes it will. However, neglecting to add this information will be a red flag for the audience, and may perhaps indicate that you’re not the expert you’ve claimed to be.

Those questions that are not directly related to your topic but sort of “hover” around it should not be weaved in, but you should prepare to answer them nonetheless. And don’t shy away from any curveballs. Those are the ones you should prepare for the most!

3 Provide contact information.

No matter how prepared you try to be for your Q&A, it is very possible that one or two questions may be asked that you have no answer to. Don’t feel pressured to give an answer if you really don’t have one, because chances are it will seem weak and thrown together, and you won’t really be helping your audience members.

In these situations, it’s much better to prepare a slide with your contact information on it. Should someone ask you something that requires more thought or research, simply show the slide and ask that person to contact you so you can present them with the right answer at a later date.

This contact slide is also a great way to keep on schedule. If questions are not slowing down, let your audience know your time is almost up but that they can contact you with whatever further questions they may have.

4  Schedule your Q&A session.

The majority of Q&A sessions take place at the end of a presentation, but sometimes they happen in the middle. Then again, maybe the speakers right before you invited people to ask questions all throughout their presentations.

Tell your audience up front when the Q&A session will take place. This will help you avoid being distracted and will also encourage your audience members to begin thinking of questions.

5 Repeat the question.

Sometimes when the audience is very large, the venue needs to be even larger. This causes the acoustics to be less than desirable. In some instances, maybe the acoustics are fine but the question being asked is a bit jumbled and complex. Whatever the situation, it’s always a good idea to repeat, and if necessary, rephrase the question for the benefit of the rest of the audience.

And, for those attendees who ask three questions in one, just focus on what is the most answerable or relates to your content. You could say, “I’d like to answer all of your questions—but because I know other people have questions as well—let me focus on that first point.”

RELATED:  5 Proven Ways to Get an Audience on Your Side

6 Have fun.

A study conducted by the Bell Leadership Institute found that the two most desirable traits in leaders (speakers are definitely leaders) are a strong work ethic and a good sense of humor. When you’re answering questions, feel free to crack some (appropriate) jokes.

This is especially important when someone asks an awkward question, just to see how you’ll handle it. Yes, those people exist, and you can’t let them get the best of you.

7 Don't let them see you sweat.

Remember those old Dry Idea commercials?  That catchphrase “Never Let Them See You Sweat” certainly applies to Q&A sessions. Don’t ever lose your cool with awkward questions, but instead, deflect any awkwardness with humor.

If, for whatever reason, a question should make you a bit angry, take a second, breathe, and regain your composure as best you can. The good news is, your attendees are there to learn from you, an expert in your field, so, more often than not, you should only be asked sincere questions.

8  Don’t attempt perfection.

We can’t talk about having fun without talking about NOT trying to be perfect in your Q&A session. Human beings make mistakes; we’re not perfect but rather lovely works in progress.

If you make a mistake in one of your answers, don’t panic. Simply make a joke of it and correct your information. The important thing is to never let a mistake throw you off course. How you handle a mistake will tell the audience a lot about your character.

RELATED:  20 Creative Presentation Ideas That Will Delight Your Audience

9  End your Q&A the right way.

You’ve worked hard and come this far, don’t just abruptly end your Q&A with a, “Are there any more questions ... okay, thank you,” and walk off the stage. Always end your Q&As by repeating the main themes or key content points of your presentation. This will leave your audience with your overall message in mind.

Whether it’s an auditorium full of people or just a few team members in the conference room, handling a Q&A session like a pro will help you enforce your message and establish your credibility. Remember, since most Q&As happen at the end of a presentation, how you handle it will have a lasting impact on your audience members.

If you want to learn all our secrets on how to deliver an unforgettable presentation (as well as how to create visual slides with impact), grab our free e-book below.

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About the Author

Ashish Arora is the Co-Founder of SketchBubble.com , a leading provider of result-driven, professionally built presentation templates. Travelling the world to gather new creative ideas, he has been working in the digital marketing space since 2007 and has a passion for designing presentations. You can also find him on  Twitter or  LinkedIn .

Presentation Guru

The most successful ways to answer questions from your audience.

Every presenter will eventually have to deal with questions from an audience, but what are the best ways to prepare for the questions they may ask? In this article Simon gives a few tips to make sure you’re always ready to answer your audience’s questions effectively, and with confidence .

Let’s face it, presentations are scary. And that’s quite right – they should be. Nerves show you care. If you’re not nervous, why are you bothering? I’ve met good presenters and I’ve met presenters who aren’t nervous: I can count the number of presenters who are in both camps on the thumbs of one foot.

So far, so obvious. But when I ask clients what the most scary bit of presentations is, they most common answer I get is, the questions section.

If I probe deeper, the reasons it’s the most nerve-wracking include things like:

• I can control the rest of the presentation but not this bit
• I can’t rehearse the questions – or the answers!
• I have to think too fast
• I might not know the answers
• I might find out people didn’t like it
• I might have made a mistake

The scary bit, then. The bit of the presentation which brings even experienced presenters out in a cold sweat. Before we get into the tools and techniques for handling questions, let’s look at some of these, very quickly. We can shoot a few of these issues down without breaking sweat – particularly the last few…

Get your ego out of the way

Let’s face it, if you’ve made mistakes, wouldn’t you like to know? If you’d rather people didn’t tell you that you’ve screwed up, you’re not ever going to get a job on my team. The same is true if you’d rather not know that people didn’t like it. Grow up.

And while we’re at it, if you don’t know the answers, that’s fine. Not ideal, but it’s not the end of the world. So long as you know enough, it’s okay. Not knowing the answers is only a problem if you don’t know too many of the answers.

So let’s move on and look at bit more at the ‘real’ issues.

The first thing to say is that more or less any and all of the tricks you learn as a presenter for handling nerves can be used at the start of questions. At the moment when you invite the questions, do your nerves-control-techniques , just like you did at the start of the presentation. (If you don’t have any, pay me to learn some 😉 )

The second key point is very simple. People only ask questions for one of two reasons. Firstly, to show off and secondly because they’re interested. The first group will be transparent to the audience, so don’t lose any sleep over anyone whose ego is bigger than their common sense. The second group, those who ask questions because they want to know more, are to be celebrated. They’re a good thing. Honestly.

Remember, people only ask questions if they care. The very fact that they’re asking questions is a great thing because it shows you did the key thing a presentation is supposed to do – you got them interested. When the questions happen, allow yourself a little smile inside. Result!

Predicting the future – and guessing the questions

But what about this idea that you don’t know what the questions are going to be?

Sorry, but that’s tosh. You might not be able to predict exactly what question, but you can certainly predict the sort of question. A structured, sensible process for designing your presentation – whatever process you use – will certainly throw up more content than you can fit into your presentation. The process of designing your presentation should start off by deciding what to remove.

Chances are, the questions you get will lie in that area you’ve cut out. And if that’s the case, you know what the content is, so you can design your answers just like you’d design the rest of your presentation . Simple.

Well yes… but just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s easy. Just ask anyone who’s ever tried to lose weight. The rules of “Eat less: move more” are simple – but not easy!

So let’s break it down a bit to make it more practical. I’m going to start by looking at how to handle the worst case scenario… the blank head where you just don’t know the answer. (Note, I’m dealing with it first because it’s easy to get out of the way, not because it happens often!)

I have no idea

The worst case scenario is simply not to know the answer, so let’s deal with that first. The best way I’ve ever found to handle this issue is to be honest about it, but to respond in a very structured way, so that my credibility stays intact. The formula is this:

• I don’t know, but it’s a good point
• so I’ll find out
• and if you give me your email address I’ll get back to you about it
• by lunchtime on Thursday

Obviously you change the time in the last part to be something you can handle. The first line is a simple admission that you’ve not got the answer to hand. The second part is where you start to recover. The last line is the critical one though. This is how you sound credible to the audience.

Try it for yourself: just say the first line and see how ‘shallow’ it sounds. Then start from the beginning and go through the first two lines. It’s better, but it’s not trustworthy. Finally, run through the whole set of lines and see how much more ‘weight’ the whole thing has when you make a specific promise.

It goes without saying that you need to deliver on that promise!

I still have no idea

A couple of alternative techniques are useful here, too… you can use these in a mix-and-match way.

• Open up to the audience. Try something like “That’ a very good question – what does everyone else in the room think?”. If you do it with enough style and you’ve used an approach up until that point which has been sufficiently collaborative and informal, it can work seamlessly.
• Use a broader-brush answer . Sometimes the question isn’t one that requires a very specific response. You’d be surprised how often one broad-brush answer can be applied to different questions. Take a few moments to consider if this is one of those times. If you’ve got (say) five or six such ‘generic’ answers sorted out in your head before you start your presentation you can often apply one of them instead of trying to improvise an answer.

Save yourself some thinking and PREP

Answering questions means you have to think hard and fast – about both the content of what you say and the way that you say it. One very handy trick is to use structured formulae to give your response a shape. That way you only need to think about the actual content – halving the work on your brain. Once you’ve learned these tools, not only will you love ‘em, you’ll spot them almost every time you listen to a political interview.

This formula is particularly handy for dealing with challenging questions: it stands for Past, Present and Future.

You use it like this:

•  “You’re absolutely right to point out that in the past our response times have been too slow. It often took us up to a week to get back to users who emailed in with questions – although the average response time was only 36 hours.”
• “What we’re doing right now is investing in training 14 new members of the online help team. They’re all experts in the software already, so we’re just bringing them up to speed about how the helpdesk works.”
• “What this means that starting next Monday we’ll have a bigger response team standing by, as these new people come on-stream: they should all be up-and-running within only ten days.”

(Numbers 1, 2 and 3 representing Past, Present and Future, in this example.)

This is the most subtle of the formulae, and it stands for Point, Reason, Example, Point. The last point is a restatement of the first one to really hammer it home, not a new point.

The Reason section of your response deals with big picture, data and statistical responses. It puts a logical set of facts to your audience. To make it more impactful with your audience you need to back it up with an Example . Finally you recap your Point .

This example shows you how I used it to respond to a challenging question about women’s rights from someone who was genuinely surprised that women and (more or less) equal rights to men in the UK, including being able to vote…

• “Do I believe women should have the right to vote? Yes, absolutely!”
• “Let’s face it, women make up a bit over half the population of the country and they bring in about forty-eight percent of our GDP – nearly half the money they country gets in.”
• “In fact, in my own household, my wife has a great job and bring in nearly twice the amount I do. It makes her the economic head of the household, although we don’t think of it in those terms. It would seem daft to have the economic head of the household able to vote!”
• “So yeah, absolutely, I think women should vote!”

I’ve labeled the PREP parts as numbers 1 to 4 so you can see what’s what, but the words should flow naturally.

That’s it. Actually it’s not – there’s always more to be said… but it’s a great start.

Predict your questions, prepare your answers. Celebrate them when you get them, and use formulae to help you structure your answers. You’ll be great!

Don’t finish with questions

It all too easily means your presentation gradually runs out of energy and finishes with a whimper. Better to end with a bang. What I do is to take the questions and then when there are (almost) no questions left, go back into ‘ delivery ’ mode to give a very (very!) brief summary before wrapping up with my trademark close. It means the presentation finishes with high energy, on my terms…

• Latest Posts

Simon Raybould

+simon raybould, latest posts by simon raybould ( see all ).

• Motivational Speakers – Are They All They’re Cracked Up To Be? - 4th April 2017
• Do I Really Need Slides in Every Presentation? - 18th October 2016
• The Most Successful Ways to Answer Questions From Your Audience - 8th September 2016

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10 Tips to Handle Difficult Questions During Your Presentation

Working with CEOs and other leaders preparing for their presentations, I find that one of their greatest concerns is how to handle questions that might arise during or at the conclusion of their presentations.

This was confirmed for me when I was interviewed recently by  Inc. Magazine  for an article on how to effectively answer questions.

You can read the article here:  7 Surefire Tips to Ace You Next Q & A .

To supplement this I wanted to give you a deeper perspective including 10 quick tips on answering difficult questions.

Why do you think we are all so unnerved by the prospect of answering questions?

I believe there are many reasons for this fear, including:

Fear of the unknown:  Virtually any question might be asked and we will be on the spot in a high-pressure situation.

Lack of preparation:  Most people don’t actually prepare, or know how to prepare effectively for questions.

No real confidence  in our positions, our answers or our ability to respond.

Over-imagining the difficulty of questions  and assuming our questioners will be antagonistic.

Fear of failure:  What if I can’t answer the question? Will I be embarrassed, ridiculed, rejected? Fired?

It may seem as if I’m being extreme with these reasons, but believe me, I am not. From my intimate work with leaders, all of these may underlie our feelings of exposure. You may have felt some yourself; I know I have.

Early in my career, I became a media spokesperson and found myself doing live interviews on local and national television or talking to crowds of reporters about controversial subjects. I would also speak at public meetings with sometimes-hostile crowds.

Those experiences taught me what I teach others today in media training and speech coaching: To handle questions effectively, you must be prepared, listen carefully, be present inthe moment, and answer with confidence.

Here are some tips to help you when questions put you on the spot: 1. Do not attack the questioner

During an earnings call on May 3,  Tesla CEO Elon Musk  was asked a question on capital expenditures from a financial analyst. It is a relevant topic for a company that has yet to make a profit. Nonetheless, Musk responded, "Excuse me. Next. Boring, bonehead questions are not cool. Next?"

Though he apologized in a later call, Musk showed the damage that can be done when we attack the questioner to avoid answering legitimate questions. Do your best to avoid picking on your questioners. 2. Prepare and rehearse

As I have written before, the best way to deal with any communication situation is to  prepare as much as possible in advance . You can't anticipate every question that will come at you, but you can prepare for most of them. You can also be ready in a generic way for almost every type of question that will come your way. 3. Develop go-to messages

You should have an overriding theme –– the one thing you want people to remember about your presentation. I also recommend having three key points that will serve as your go-to messages. For instance, if you’re doing a status update on a project, your theme might be, “Our product introduction is on target.” You support that theme with three main messages, such as “we are on budget, on schedule and initial sales are on plan.”  4. Pivot to your messages  

Whenever you’re asked a question, you should pivot back to your key messages that support your theme. It might feel odd repeating these messages, but it’s necessary, given peoples’ limited attention spans today. It will feel like repetition to you, but you’re really reinforcing your main theme.   Just don’t use exactly the same words as you say these messages: change it up by saying things a different way. Use different data, examples or stories to make your points. People won’t think of you as repeating yourself, they’ll think of you as someone who is clear on what you’re trying to communicate.   5. Make a written list

I was trained in journalism in college and will share this formula reporters use to write news stories: In the first paragraph journalists are supposed to include the who, what, where, when, why and how, so that people get all the information they need up front. You can use the same approach to develop your list of questions. Take your topic and write every related question you can think of that might come up. For instance, if you are presenting to management about your product introduction, then consider questions like: What  is the most important potential obstacle to success? When  will we see results from this new product? Who  is responsible for any delay in this product?   6. Add the toughest question  

When you’re done writing your list of questions, there’s one more you need to add. I tell people to add the question that you don’t want to be asked.budget

All of us have a question that is the absolute toughest in our minds. It’s important to write that question down and also write down your best answer to get it out of your head and onto paper.   If you don’t write it down, it will be swimming in your subconscious during your presentation. You may just be thinking, “don’t ask  that  question,  please  don’t ask that question.” When the question is asked, your mind might go blank.   But if you’ve written down your answer—the best possible answer—you’ll feel more confident and ready to answer the toughest question.   7. Don’t get defensive

It’s important not to let people  hit your emotional triggers   when you’re answering questions. If that happens during a session and you get defensive, you lose. Maintain your confidence by maintaining your composure.   8. Don’t dwell on a negative questioner

When someone in a crowd, such as in a meeting, essentially heckles you by posing negative questions, it’s important not to let them steal the show. In other words, it’s okay to answer a question or two from that person, each time going to your key messages, but then move on. Turn your gaze and your head to someone else, another questioner, as soon as possible.   9. Don’t end your presentation on a negative question

Be sure to end your presentation on a positive note. You may have several negative questions in a row, but when you get to a positive question and you feel like things are wrapping up, it’s time to end your talk.   I recommend having two “closes” or final remarks for your talk. What I mean is, that first you summarize then open it up for questions and answers.

When the questions are over, hopefully ending on a positive question, again summarize with your theme and some of your key messages or call to action (your second “close”) so that people walk away with what you want them to remember.

10. Don’t Wait

The worst thing that people do is wait until the question is asked and then try to think of the answer -- under pressure -- and then smoothly give the answer.

That’s a really difficult feat to accomplish. It’s no wonder that we feel anxiety when we’re not ready to answer. Questions only become “tough” if you aren’t prepared for them, or if you’ve inflated them out of proportion in your mind.

In other words, even “tough” questions can be handled with confidence and grace, if you have the right mindset and are prepared to address the questions.

There is both an art and science to answering live questions. Be patient with yourself. Like any other skill, answering questions takes focus, deliberate practice and repetition.

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Honesty is the only policy when presenting.  Blatantly admitting, “I don’t know”, in front of an audience can be a credibility disaster.  What to do?

No one can know the answer to every question.  It’s how the inevitable is handled that separates the amateurs from the Pros.

Use the following Seven Strategies to field even the toughest questions with tact and poise.

1. Reflection

Repeat the question and reflect it back to your audience, “Does anyone here have any experience with that?”

When you allow the audience to help you, they will save you without ever realizing it.  In fact, the audience will revere you because adults love to be involved and share their knowledge.  After you have fielded all contributions, summarize, and add your own ideas, if any have been sparked.

Summarizing at the end helps you to maintain control and authority.  Always repeat questions before answering for the same reason.

2. I’ll Get Back to You

This trusted standard works well if you do Three Things…

•  Write the question down. Be conspicuous.  Make sure everyone knows you are writing the question down.  I go so far as telling the audience, “I am writing this question down.”
• Tell the questioner exactly when you will get back to them. Be honest.  Then do it.  Can you get back to them by the end of the day?  If it is an allday program, can you get back to them after lunch?
• Be sure to get the questioner’s contact information if you don’t have it.

These Three Things give this Strategy power.  This is not smoke and mirrors.  It is real-time Customer Service- go the extra mile, expand your knowledge, impress your audience.

3. Defer to the Expert

This is a more sophisticated version of the Reflection technique.

Sometimes a question is legitimately outside your area of expertise.  You may be a marketing expert, and someone asks a question about engineering.  The question requires an engineer.

If there is an engineer in the room you could say, “Sally, you’re an engineer.  Do you have any insights into that?”  If there are no engineers in the room, state that you will confer with an engineer and get back to them .

Notice I have just combined two techniques.

4. Compliment the Questioner

Two Things make this Strategy effective…

• Rarity Some presenters respond to EVERY question with, “Great question.”  If you do this, break the habit immediately.  Otherwise, you will lose one of the most effective techniques in your toolbox when you don’t know the answer.

This Strategy works, when sincere, because audience’s love to be complimented.  They like to “stump” the teacher.  The audience becomes focused on how smart they are instead of judging the presenter.

You can also combine this technique with I’ll Get Back to You .

5. Answer a Question with a Question

Sometimes questions are too narrow or too general to answer.  Reserve the right, as the expert, to open a question up or close it down by asking a question in response.

Once upon a time I was a software trainer.  One day a woman asked me a very specific question, “What does that button do?”  I had no idea, but I didn’t confess, “I don’t know.”

Instead, I asked her a question, “What is your goal in pushing that button?”  She elaborated and explained what she wanted to accomplish.  I knew a way to help, and it didn’t involve pushing that button!

She was happy.  I was honest, credible, helpful, and very happy.

6. Parallel Answer

If you don’t know the bull’s eye answer to a question, offer what you do know quickly to demonstrate some credibility and then combine with a previous technique.

Many moons ago, when I was a software trainer, I used to be an expert in Lotus, a now extinct spreadsheet package.  As Microsoft Excel eclipsed Lotus, I had to learn Excel so I could teach it.  I was on a learning curve.  Sometimes I would be asked a question about Excel that I didn’t know the answer to, but I did know the answer in Lotus.

Quickly I would say, “I know that is possible in Lotus.  I can find out if that is possible in Excel.  I’m writing this question down.  I’ll research it at the break and get back to you .”  Refrain from droning on and on about your parallel knowledge.

Brevity is the key to this technique.  Be sure to combine with Reflection or I’ll Get Back to You to hit the bull’s eye answer for your audience.

7. Set Rules

Prevention is the best medicine.  You can avoid many Difficult Questions by Setting Rules in the beginning.  Whenever you present, you are the Leader.  So, take the Lead and Set Rules up front.

If you Set Rules and follow them, the audience respects you.  If you make rules up as you go, you lose credibility.  This has been my experience.

The number of Rules you set will vary depending on the topic and your audience.  When I taught Programming Languages and Software, I set lots of Rules because I knew the questions would be many and varied.

Example… I would start a Software Seminar by saying, “I welcome general questions at any time about anything on the Agenda.  If you have questions about a specific project or a subject outside the Agenda, please see me at a break for private consultation.  Because we have limited time, I may stop taking questions and comments sometimes to make certain we cover every Agenda topic today.”

Setting Rules is critical.  Lead and Set Rules conversationally at the beginning of your presentation to Prevent most Difficult Questions.

No one can know the answer to every question.  It is possible to handle the inevitable situation with honesty and credibility like a Pro.  Use these Seven Strategies to enjoy Difficult Questions, learn from them, and impress your audience.

About the Author

Mary Sandro helps professionals deliver brief, logically sound, emotionally engaging presentations that get an audience to take action.  Learn to excel at presenting and love the process in just 60 Minutes with the Get Them MarchingFramework.  Includes instant online access and optional live coaching.  Visit www.ProEdgeSkills.com or call 800-731-0601.

About Mary Sandro

Mary Sandro helps organizations deliver exceptional customer service and standout presentations. In 1994 she founded ProEdge Skills, Inc. to deliver engaging training programs, videos, coaching, and train-the-trainer licenses that empower employees to achieve goals. Learn more at www.ProEdgeSkills.com or call 800-731-0601.

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100+ Questions to Ask After a Presentation

After a presentation, asking the right questions is key. It can help clarify what was shared, spark more discussion, and ensure everyone’s on the same page. Whether you’re the presenter or an audience member, knowing what to ask can make a big difference.

But how do you know which questions are worth asking? Not all questions are helpful or relevant, and you don’t want to miss out on a chance to gain more insight. So, what are the best questions to ask?

Don’t worry, though. I’ve got some simple yet powerful questions you can ask that will leave a great impression.

Table of Contents

If You Are the Presenter

If you are an audience member, frequently asked questions, final thoughts, questions to build audience connection.

• Which part of the presentation resonated with you the most?
• Did anything in the presentation inspire you to take action?
• How do you feel this information could benefit you personally?
• Were there any parts that reminded you of your own experiences?
• Did you find any particular section especially interesting or relatable?
• What emotions did the presentation evoke for you?
• How do you see this information fitting into your daily life?
• Did anything surprise you about the presentation’s content?
• How did the information challenge your existing knowledge or beliefs?
• What was your favorite takeaway from today’s presentation?
• Is there a topic you’d like me to explore further in the future?
• Did you feel the presentation style encouraged interaction?
• What question do you think I should have asked the audience during the presentation?
• How did the content align with your expectations of the topic?
• Was there a specific part that you felt connected to on a personal level?

Questions to Address Uncertainties

• Was there any part of the presentation that you didn’t fully understand?
• Are there any terms I used that need further explanation?
• Did the data or statistics seem clear, or would more context help?
• Were there any concepts that felt too complex or confusing?
• Should I go over any part of the presentation again to clarify?
• Was there enough background information for you to grasp the topic?
• Did any section feel rushed, making it hard to follow?
• Is there anything I can explain in more detail to make it clearer?
• Were the examples I used helpful, or should I include different ones?
• Is there anything you were hoping to learn that I didn’t cover?
• Would you like me to break down any specific points further?
• Were there any moments where you lost track of the main idea?
• Did any slide or visual aid need more explanation?
• Were there any conflicting ideas in the presentation that needed clearing up?
• Do you feel confident about the main takeaways, or should I revisit them?

Understanding and Retention Questions

• Can someone summarize the key points I made today?
• What is the one takeaway you’ll remember most from this presentation?
• How would you explain the main concept of this presentation to someone else?
• What are the three most important things you learned today?
• If I were to ask you about this topic in a week, what would you still remember?
• What part of the presentation do you think will stick with you the longest?
• Can you recall the first major point I made?
• How does the information I presented align with your current understanding of the topic?
• What new idea or concept did you learn that you didn’t know before?
• How would you apply the information presented to a real-life situation?
• Can someone point out the main takeaway from the second section of the presentation?
• What question do you think I should ask to test people’s understanding of the content?
• Can someone recall an example I used to explain a key concept?
• Which part of the presentation helped reinforce what you already knew?
• What information do you think you’ll need to review to grasp the content fully?

Questions for Self-Improvement

• What part of the presentation did you find least engaging?
• Were the visuals helpful or distracting?
• Did I pace the presentation well, or was it too fast/slow?
• Was there enough detail to make the content clear?
• Did the presentation feel too long or just right?
• How could I make the content more relatable?
• Was my tone appropriate for the topic?
• Did I make the main points clear and easy to follow?
• Were the transitions between topics smooth enough?
• How could I improve my delivery in future presentations?
• Was there anything in the presentation that felt unnecessary?
• Did the examples I used help explain the concepts?
• How could I make the presentation more engaging for the audience?
• Was my body language effective in keeping your attention?
• What suggestions do you have for improving this presentation?

Follow-Up Questions to the Topic

• Can you explain more about the key points you mentioned?
• Could you provide more examples to clarify your ideas?
• How does this information compare to other views on the subject?
• Could you expand on the background of this topic?
• What research or sources support your presentation?
• How does your perspective differ from other common approaches?
• Could you explain your thought process behind these conclusions?
• Can you talk more about how this information applies in broader contexts?
• What are some challenges in applying this concept?
• Could you provide more context regarding some of the data presented?
• How did you decide which aspects of the topic to focus on?
• Could you explore further how this impacts different fields or industries?
• How has this subject evolved over time?
• What additional resources would you recommend for further understanding?
• How do you see this topic developing in the future?

Challenging Questions for Critical Thinking

• What are the limitations of this approach?
• Have you considered alternative viewpoints or methods?
• What would critics of this approach say?
• Is there evidence that challenges your conclusions?
• How do you address situations where this idea doesn’t work as expected?
• What risks could arise if this idea is applied incorrectly?
• What factors might limit the success of this approach?
• Are there any ethical concerns related to this?
• What if the opposite of what you suggest is true?
• How would you adapt this idea to different scenarios?
• Are there exceptions where this concept wouldn’t apply?
• What external factors could influence the success of this idea?
• How does this fit into the larger conversation about this topic?
• If you had to critique your own ideas, what would you say?
• What should we consider before fully accepting this concept?

Application and Practicality Questions

• How can I apply what you’ve shared in practical situations?
• What are some first steps to putting this into action?
• Can you provide real-life examples of this being applied successfully?
• What should we consider when trying to implement this?
• What obstacles might arise when applying this information?
• How does this concept apply in different situations?
• How can this information be useful in everyday life?
• What tools or resources would help in applying these ideas?
• How do you recommend starting to use this information?
• How does this work for teams or individuals?
• Can you give an example of this working well in challenging conditions?
• How long does it usually take to see results from applying this?
• What are common mistakes to avoid when using this information?
• Are there real-world examples that show the success of this approach?
• What should someone know before trying to apply these ideas?

Should you end a presentation with any questions?

Yes, ending a presentation with a Q&A segment is a common and effective practice. It allows the audience to clarify any doubts and provides a chance for interaction. It shows that you are open to feedback and willing to engage further, which can strengthen your connection with the audience.

How do you start a Q&A session after a presentation?

Transition smoothly by inviting the audience to ask their questions. You can say something like , “Thank you for listening. Now, I’d be happy to take any questions you have.” Make eye contact, stay relaxed, and give the audience time to formulate their questions before jumping in to answer.

What should you avoid when asking questions after a presentation?

Avoid overly personal questions or those that might seem confrontational. The goal is to enhance understanding and discussion, not to challenge the presenter in a negative way.

How should a presenter handle questions they cannot answer?

It’s important for presenters to be honest if they don’t have an answer. They can offer to find the information and follow up or suggest resources where the audience might find the answer themselves.

Is there a limit to how many questions one should ask after a presentation?

While there is no set limit, it’s respectful to be mindful of time and the number of other audience members who might also have questions. Asking one or two thoughtful questions is generally appropriate.

Asking the right questions after a presentation can open the door to better understanding and stronger connections. Whether you’re presenting or listening, thoughtful questions help everyone learn more and keep the conversation going.

So, next time you’re in a presentation, don’t hesitate to speak up. Your questions could make all the difference in how well the message is understood and remembered.

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Bea Mariel Saulo

Bea is an editor and writer with a passion for literature and self-improvement. Her ability to combine these two interests enables her to write informative and thought-provoking articles that positively impact society. She enjoys reading stories and listening to music in her spare time.

Presentation Training Institute

A division of bold new directions training, how to handle questions and objections.

It has been long known that delivering engaging presentations is the key to success in the business world. However, it has more recently been discovered that the way in which speakers respond to questions and objections during presentations is just as important. Research has shown that audiences’ evaluations of speakers were significantly affected by how well the speaker responded to questions and how well they handled objections. If they failed to respond to questions and challenges confidently, the audience doubted the credibility of the speaker. 

No matter how well you have prepared for your presentation, you never know when you might receive an awkward question or comment. Rather than let questions and objections throw you off course, learn how to handle these situations with confidence. There are a number of ways to answer a question and the kind of answer you give and how you deliver it will go a long way in building positive relationships with your audience. So, consider the following tips for how to handle questions and objections in a courteous way that makes you look professional and knowledgeable. 

1. Tell the audience in advance when you will be taking questions. 

One of the most distracting things for a speaker is to get asked a question when they are in mid-flow of their presentation. This can interrupt their train of thought and throw them off balance. An easy way to avoid this is by letting your audience know in advance when you will be taking questions. You may prefer to take questions at the end of each section or at the conclusion of the entire presentation. Either way, letting your audience know ahead of time will prevent you from being surprised and distracted in the middle of your presentation. 

2. Anticipate questions in advance. 

Part of your presentation preparation is preparing for possible questions. Look at the content through the eyes of your audience and try to anticipate what questions they might have and how you will answer them. You won’t be able to predict every question in advance, but hopefully giving it some thought will allow you to prepare some answers for questions you might be expecting. 

3. Pause before answering the question.

No matter how well you know the answer to a question, it is always a good idea to pause briefly before launching into your answer. This gives the person plenty of time to finish their question and add clarifying points if needed. This also shows that you are taking the time to respectfully consider the question and your answer. It also gives you time to think about the best answer and deliver it in a powerful and confident manner. 

4. Acknowledge the value of each question. 

A great speaker validates the questioner by making them feel that their question is valid and constructive. There are plenty of ways to express acknowledgement before answering the question or responding to the comment. Here are a few examples: 

• “That’s a great question that I get asked a lotâ€
• “You’re making a great pointâ€
• Thank you for asking thatâ€
• “That’s a really interesting point that I haven’t consideredâ€
• “Thats a great question that we have discussed with our teamâ€

5. Always keep your cool. 

Even if the questioner appears to be trying to get a rise out of you, never get angry or defensive. This would never make you look credible and professional. Rather, remain courteous and respectful, acknowledge the questioner, and if needed, simply ask if you can get back to them at a later time or let them know you would be happy to discuss it in more detail after the presentation.

Presentation Skills

• Introduction
• Storytelling
• Presentation Outlines
• Writing a Presentation Script
• Tools for Creating Presentations
• Creating Interactive Presentations
• Designing Presentation Slides
• Finding & Citing Media
• Citing Your Sources on Slides
• Preparing & Testing Technology
• Recording Your Presentation

Handling Audience Questions

• Presentation Anxiety
• Group Presentations
• Online Presentations
• Feedback Form
• AI Survey for Students
• Co-Curricular Recognition Form
• Faculty Resources

The Question & Answer (or Q&A) session happens at the end of your presentation—audience members are free to ask you questions about your content and your ideas, and you have the chance to show how well you know your research.

But what happens if someone asks a tough question?

In this section, we'll look at how to handle audience questions so you can feel more in control of the situation.

Tips for Answering Questions in a Presentation

Make sure you understand the question and that you've heard everything the person wants to learn.

Re-state the question in your own words and have the person confirm that you've heard and understood their question. For example, you could say, "Are you asking…?" or "Did you mean…?" before rephrasing the person's question.

Be direct and honest. If you don't know the answer, that's okay too, but you should try your best to respond in a way that will satisfy the person who asked you the question.

Use a story that is relatable to the audience to build a better connection with your audience.

If someone asks you a difficult question, don't get rattled! Make sure you're polite, professional, and courteous. Be prepared for your presentation—think about what people might ask you during your presentation and either include the content in your session or leave it for the Q&A.

How to Handle Different Types of Questions

Handling questions from audience members can be one of the most difficult aspects of presenting your work. So, what kinds of questions might come up during your Q&A session?

Check the boxes below to learn more about a few different types of questions and how to handle them.

Direct Questions

Direct questions are the typical questions we use when we want information. Direct questions require direct answers. You want to be clear and concise with your response, and you'll likely only need one sentence to answer the question.

There are three types of direct questions:

• True/False (Yes/No) : You either confirm or deny what the questioner has asked you.
• Multiple Choice : You state which option is true based on two or more choices included in the question.
• Fill in the Blank : Your answer will provide missing information for the questioner.

Hostile Questions

Hostile questions are often designed to challenge the narrative, structure, and conclusions of your presentation. These types of questions can range from annoying comments or rude interruptions to mild differences of opinion to highly charged challenges.

It's important to handle these kinds of disagreeable questions without getting hostile back. Remember: You have the power to control and optimize these difficult situations.

Types of Hostile Questions

Four common types of hostile questions include:

Example: "Your conclusion here is unrealistic, don't you think so?"

With these types of questions, you can respond with a simple “No,” immediately followed by a recap of the issue under consideration.

For example: "No, my conclusion is based on… and…"

In this case, long answers can be effective for diffusing the hostility. Maintain a neutral expression, and maintain eye contact with the questioner. Focus on the issue at hand and use this time to reinforce your ideas. Don’t let your emotions dictate your response.

Example: "How can you suggest such a flawed idea to solve this issue?"

What's essential about your response here is that you do not repeat the inflammatory word (in this case, it would be "flawed"). Keep a cool head, and summarize the issue without repeating the word that the questioner used.

For example: You might start your response saying, “The issue at hand is what impact this solution will have on our user group going forward… ”

You can then use this time to provide more information about how you came to this solution for this particular user group. Respond on your terms, not the terms of the questioner.

Example: "What kinds of sources did you look at to come to your conclusion?"

This type of hostile question is difficult to convey in a written form because they will sound similar to a direct question. The question is not using any inflammatory words or asking you to agree with a negative, but the question may still be hostile depending on the tone

In these situations, ignore the tone and respond as if the question was asked in a completely straightforward way–as difficult as that may be. Stay calm and give the questioner the information in a simple, direct way.

Example: "Given your background and limited knowledge on this subject, why did you even choose this topic for your presentation?"

Negative preconditions refer to the inclusion of negative assumptions or statements about the presenter or their work before the question is even asked. By framing the question in a negative way first, the presenter is then put into a defensive position, which makes it harder to provide a confident or satisfactory answer.

Similar to inflammatory trigger words, try to ignore the negative preconditions and focus exclusively on the issue at hand.

For example: "During this project I learned… which has a major impact on… As I stated earlier in the presentation, I was drawn to this topic because of… and… which has helped me…"

It's important to note that these kinds of negative preconditions are not constructive or helpful in the classroom—ideally, your professor will confront the person who asked a question like this!

Multi-Part Questions

Multi-part questions are questions that have multiple distinct parts or sub-questions. Instead of asking a single, straightforward question, the questioner will weave together different inquires in the same question.

For example: "I appreciated that your project focused on renewable energy sources—I was curious about a few things: What are the advantages of those sources in Ontario? Are they more expensive than our current energy solutions? What's their potential for widespread adoption here?"

As a presenter, it can be difficult to keep track of all these different questions—in most cases, the questioner genuinely wants more information, but they know you'll only have time to call on them once during the Q&A session.

You can approach this situation by answering each part separately. It can help to pretend a different questioner asked each question. Make sure that you're concise with your answers so that other audience members can ask their questions as well.

If you're having trouble remembering each part of the multi-part question, you can ask: "Could you remind me of your next question?" There's nothing wrong with briefly asking the questioner to repeat a part of their question—it shows that you care about providing a complete answer for your audience.

Long-winded 'Questions'

Long-winded 'questions' are more of an experience than a question.

In this situation, an audience member will flood you with their opinions or personal stories and there may or may not be a question tacked on to the end of their speech—but you're still expected to respond to them.

For example: "This is more of a comment, but your presentation reminded me of a project I worked on where I had to… It's refreshing to see someone else explore this topic, I only just learned about it last term when we… I was hoping to learn more about… I added something similar in my presentation for… … …"

A simple way to handle this situation is to acknowledge the higher-level, big picture ideas in what the person has said, and to then talk to the central idea of their 'question'. You don't need to address all the smaller opinions or ideas the person has shared—just stay focused on the key ideas or arguments from your presentation.

You could start by saying, "Clearly, there are a lot of issues going on here. Overall, I would say…" and then either answer the question or summarize your key ideas in about 2-3 sentences. Then you can move on to the next questioner.

Watch the video below to learn about the tone you should use during your Q&A session. You'll also learn specific phrases you can use to clarify questions or communicate when you're not sure about an answer.

Tips to Run a Successful Q&A Session

Successful presenters prepare for the Q&A session with the same focus and detail as their presentations—this is a chance for you share extra details, clarify any confusion, and make a great last impression on your audience.

Check the boxes below to learn what you should do before and during your presentation to create a smooth, successful Q&A!

Before Your Presentation

You might not know exactly which questions you'll be asked during your Q&A session, but there are still ways you can prepare yourself.

Try the following three techniques before your next presentation:

Work out the answers to these questions as you're working on your presentation—these questions can help you figure out where you might need to do more research. Decide which questions you'll incorporate into your presentation, and which ones you'll leave to the Q&A session.

Test out your presentation with a friend, a family member, or a tutor at Sheridan's Tutoring Centre . Ideally, you want to test your presentation on someone with little to no knowledge about your topic—they can help point out areas that aren't clear so you can add more detail. You can book a free tutoring appointment on TutorOcean .

Spend time practicing your answers by speaking them out loud. The more you prepare, the more natural you will sound during your Q&A session!

During Your Q&A Session

Use an open-ended question (e.g., "Who has the first question?" "What topic should we start discussing?") rather than a 'yes/no' question (e.g., "Are there any questions?" to get the conversation started.

If you've waited about 30 seconds and no one is asking a question, you could start the Q&A by talking about something that interested you in you research. For example, "When I started my research, I had a lot of questions about 'X'. A key part of 'X' is…"

Repeating questions serves two main functions: First, it allows you to clarify what the questioner has asked; second, it helps to make sure your audience has heard the question.

You don't need a quick answer for everything—give yourself the chance to think about what the questioner has asked, what you know about the topic, and what information might help the questioner.

Aim for 2-3 sentences in your answer. If you feel like your answer needs to be longer, offer a summary of your ideas in 2-3 sentences and then offer to either talk to the questioner after your presentation or to e-mail the questioner (or the class) with a longer response.

It's better to say, "I don't know, but let me look that up and I'll send a note to the class" than it is to make up an inaccurate or misleading answer.

If someone asks you a difficult question, respond calmly and politely. Help the questioner feel heard by briefly acknowledging their concern or point or question, and then offer to follow up with them after the Q&A session is over.

End your Q&A session by thanking everyone for their thought-provoking questions. Make sure that you return the favour by engaging with your classmates during the Q&A session of their presentations too!

• Last Updated: Sep 12, 2024 3:49 PM
• URL: https://sheridancollege.libguides.com/presentationskills

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The Best Way to Respond to Questions After a Presentation or Meeting Using this method is sure to increase your credibility with your audience.

By Stacey Hanke Oct 8, 2018

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You have just delivered an outstanding presentation, sales call or meeting, but now come the dreaded questions and answers. For most, the nerve-racking part of any presentation is the unscripted part. What if someone asks you a question you cannot answer? What if a listener turns hostile? What if someone monopolizes the room? What if you just don't know the answer?

Related: 7 Powerful Public Speaking Tips From One of the Most-Watched TED Talks Speakers

How you handle the Q&A portion of a presentation can make or break your established credibility. If dealt with the wrong way, you lose the impact of the message shared. Your content and behavior are critical at this moment.

First, recognize the value of the questions asked. One study by the National Statistics Council found the average working professional spends 37 percent of his or her time in meetings. Meeting overload tempts anyone to become distracted and tune out during a presentation. When audience members ask questions, it means they are engaged and intrigued by your topic.

Answering a question provides an opportunity for you to bond with those asking, even if the question is challenging. Questions allow you to clarify misunderstandings and set the record straight. Your objective is to be personable and relatable in order to defuse any disagreements or contempt.

Don't take difficult questions personally. A hefty 92 percent of meeting attendees acknowledge that questions give them the chance to contribute to the overall discussion. This is important to remember when someone challenges your position, facts or suggestions. It provides you with an extra opportunity to provide more supporting evidence. Correctly handling questions will prevent others from joining in on the attack.

Related: 14 Proven Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills

Start with the "3A method": Acknowledge , Answer and Add value. It's a great formula for dealing with dreadfully tough questions.

1. Acknowledge.

Acknowledging a question takes seconds to do yet helps the questioner respond positively to your answer. Acknowledgment lets your questioner know that you are open to their concerns and are willing to listen to what they have to say. It's typical for people to become defensive when asked a challenging question, which negates the value of the question and the person asking it. When you acknowledge appropriately, you defuse emotions and create an open dialogue.

Example question : "How can we possibly afford the time and money it will take to train our management staff on this new concept?"

Example answer : "I appreciate your concern with cost, especially since the company has been cutting costs for the past quarter."

Avoid the cookie-cutter response of saying, "That's a really good question." It offers no value and appears as though you're buying time. Your goal is to listen carefully enough to find a point you can acknowledge. Often, the person asking just wants to be heard.

Related: Stop Interrupting and Listen to the Question

Keep your response brief, clear and specific to the question asked. Provide evidence with facts or examples to support your answer.

Sometimes we are asked questions for which we don't know the answer. In this case, it's better to be honest than to bluff. Bluffing is sure to cost you credibility and make you look less than trustworthy. You don't want to risk your reputation and presentation because you don't know an answer. Acknowledge that you don't know the answer and then commit to getting back to the questioner later.

If you don't understand a question well enough to provide an adequate answer, request clarification. Acknowledge the question and ask the speaker to clarify. Listen intently and, before answering, respond by acknowledging what you heard to ensure you understand.

Related: 3 Tricks to Get People to Actually Listen to Your Presentations

3. Add value.

Connect the benefits of your answer to the listener. Your goal is to continue reminding your listener of the value of your response and the benefits for them.

Example : "I appreciate your concern with cost, especially since the company has been cutting costs for the past quarter. First, our solution will save you time and money by training your management staff for you. We have worked with multiple industries like yours with proven immediate results. As a result, your management staff will learn practical methods to increase productivity and build relationships. Past clients have earned a return on their investment in as little as two months following the training date."

The Q&A portion of a presentation doesn't have to be a total surprise. When you practice your presentation, consider some of the possible questions that attendees may ask. Play devil's advocate and contemplate your answers. Consider the audience in attendance and the benefits your presentation provides them. This will help you remember key points for adding value when the need arises.

Questions are inevitable in presentations and a great sign of audience engagement. Celebrate them for what they are and prepare yourself for every possible scenario. This will ensure that your reputation and credibility remain strong.

CEO of Stacey Hanke Inc.

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Speak & Present Effectively

13 How to handle audience questions

Most audiences want to ask questions during or after your presentation. in this chapter we help you prepare for and respond to audience questions..

While it’s not always possible to anticipate exactly what might be asked, these steps can help you skilfully address audience questions.

1. Anticipate & practice

List possible questions that your audience might ask after your presentation. They might include these types of questions:

Query – wanting more information Clarification – wanting to make something clear Confirmation – wanting a yes or no response Challenge – wanting to disagree / argue with what was said

Then draft answers to the questions you listed, and practise delivering your answers.

You might not have guessed the exact questions you’re asked, but the practice gives you some ready answers that are easily adapted to the questions that you do get asked.

If this is a team presentation, assign teammates to answer specific questions or types of questions. For example, in a team presentation on defunding the police, Teammate A might answer questions about the law, Teammate B about social impact, and Teammate C about retraining.

2. Encourage

Sometimes it can be scary for an audience member to ask a question. So as a presenter, it’s important to warmly encourage the audience to ask questions. Also, as presenters, we might look very serious or unfriendly, but just because we’re nervous or trying to think of a good answer to someone’s question. So make sure to warmly encourage the audience:

• Let them know that you’ll be glad to answer questions
• Smile while asking if there are questions, and while answering
• Thank the audience member for their question “ Thanks for asking. I’m so glad you noticed that” or s ay something like “ That’s a great question! I’ll be happy to answer it. “

3. Listen & repeat

It’s important to carefully listen to the question asked, and then to repeat it. There are three benefits to repeating the question:

• Ensures that you properly understood the question that was asked
• Lets all of the audience members hear the question (people behind the questioner might not have heard)
• Gives you time to think and formulate a good answer

The final step is to answer the question, speaking clearly and making eye contact with the whole audience. Conclude by asking the audience member “Does that answer your question?” or “Is that the information you’re looking for?”

What if you don’t know the answer?

You can say, “ I’m not entirely sure, but I’d be happy to do some research and get back to you.” Be careful though – if you do this more than once or twice, you might seem ill-informed.

In an informal, collaborative meeting you could ask if anyone else has an answer.

 Test your knowledge 

Business Presentation Skills Copyright © 2021 by Lucinda Atwood and Christian Westin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Presentations > How to handle questions and objections during a presentation

How to handle questions and objections during a presentation

Don’t let an unexpected inquiry shake your confidence while presenting. These tips for adjusting to and accommodating questions and objections can help you leave your audience even more impressed that they already were.

Hold your questions, please

While you might be confident in your notes and your delivery, you never know what a questioner might throw at you during your presentation. And if you have presentation anxiety , the idea of an unplanned interaction can just be one more thing to worry about. One simple way to offset those spur-the-moment interruptions is to set up the structure of the presentation, including when you’re taking questions, as part of your presentation’s introduction. Here’s two distinct approaches to handling questions.

• Ask your audience to hold all questions until the end. This approach can hopefully help you get through your entire presentation uninterrupted. It may even cut down on the volume of questions if you’re able to answer common curiosities by covering your subject thoroughly or even including an FAQ slide or section towards the end of your talk. If you choose this tactic, you can encourage your audience to write questions down so they can remember their questions and ask them during the appropriate time.
• Allow question time at the end of a topic section. This approach can help group likely questions or objections by subject matter and can be a flexible way to give your audience a more in-the-moment feel while still allowing you to cover your material in a way that feels comfortable. You can even provide a timeframe, i.e., “Now we’ll have three minutes for questions” to further structure this moment.

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Your approach will probably be dictated by the overall length of your presentation and how your material is organized. But in general, it can save you a bit of time and sanity to have designated Q+A periods rather than allowing questions to be peppered in willy-nilly. A secret benefit to saving questions until the end is that by that point, you and the audience likely have built rapport with the audience, hopefully because you’ve demonstrated that you’re a competent, thoughtful presenter. Establishing that relationship may head off a listener’s desire to challenge or object to you that they may have walked in with an hour ago. But audiences can be unpredictable, so be prepared to field a few questions or comments that might not be as friendly as you hoped.

The question that’s more of a comment, and more

Perhaps you’ve succeeded in holding questions at the end of the presentation. Or, maybe despite your best efforts, someone really had to satisfy their curiosity on slide 26. No matter when these questions, comments or concerns come up, these tips will help you handle inquires with grace and aplomb.

• Prepare ahead of time. If you know your subject matter, you know what questions you’re likely to get, what parts an audience might find confusing or upsetting. By thinking of responses that you can share in the moment, you’ll be able to draw upon those responses more easily when similar questions arise. The preparation will also help you feel more confident if someone attempts to rattle you by asking a “gotcha”-type question.
• Think about what you want to convey. What is this presentation really about? This is the material you can use to help refocus when someone’s question threatens to derail your point. You can acknowledge what they’re saying and then redirect towards what is more important for the audience or more familiar to you.
• Empathize but don’t get sucked in. If someone’s confused or upset, it’s good to acknowledge those feelings. It helps them feel heard and may lessen their desire to antagonize or challenge you. At the same time, you have a job to do, and the rest of the audience will feel left out, and time will run short if you make this exchange the sudden focus of your moment in the spotlight. Try to avoid defensiveness. Think of yourself as separate from the question and material to helps you become less personally invested in the situation. You can also offer up to follow up with the person later if the interaction risks becoming bigger than the presentation itself—and then keep your promise.
• All eyes are on you, but also the other person. How you handle this question or objection might just stick out in people’s minds and may be an additional opportunity to impress them. But it’s also possible that if the questioner is belligerent or rude, their approach may be reflecting poorly on them and direct others’ sympathy to you, so focus on being the best you that you can be in that moment, a you that knows your subject and wants to help others understand it.

Handled thoughtfully, questions and objections during a presentation are an additional learning opportunity for everyone involved—if perhaps not the learning opportunity you expected.

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How to handle questions during a presentation

Posted by Belinda Huckle  |  On January 29, 2022  |  In Presentation Training, Tips & Advice

In this Article...quick links

1. Tell the audience in advance when you will be taking questions

2. anticipate questions in advance, 3. realise that questions are a good thing, 4. make eye contact with the questioner, 5. always take a brief pause before launching into your answer, 6. be sure that you understand the question they are asking or point that they’re making, 7. acknowledge how valuable the question they’re asking is, 8. always keep your cool, 9. be honest if you don’t know the answer, 10. answer in sections if the question is a long one, 11. check-in with the questioner after you have given your response, tailored and personalised presentation skills training, follow us on social media for more great presentation tips:.

You’ve prepared your presentation, practised it a dozen times and you’re ready to go. But what’s the one thing that might throw you off course, undermine your confidence and your credibility? An awkward question. One that comes at an inopportune time, or one that’s difficult, or one with a complicated answer, or one you can’t answer! So it will come as no surprise that a question we get asked frequently centres around how to handle questions during a presentation!

Think about your work or everyday life, when someone asks you a question, how do you usually respond? Do you take a minute to think about your answer before launching into an explanation?

Do you interpret their question as a challenge of your authority/knowledge/intelligence and become defensive? Do you answer a question with another question? Did you notice that we’re asking a lot of questions right now…?

There are seemingly a thousand ways to answer a question and the kind of answer you give and how you deliver it can go a long way in helping to build positive relationships with other people, as well as facilitating constructive and helpful debates and conversations about certain issues and topics.

This is especially true in workplace environments, where you may be giving a presentation to your client, or delivering the quarterly business results to your team.

Questions may arise from the audience , which do have the potential to throw your presentation off course or set a bad tone in the room if not handled well. Some people can even inadvertently come across as rude, curt or dismissive when answering questions, simply because they feel attacked or they’re rushing to get back to their presentation before they lose their train of thought.

So in today’s blog post you’ll learn how to handle questions during a presentation. We’ve given you some specific advice to follow when answering questions and how to always remain courteous, on-track and respectful of the question-asker – so that in turn, you look professional and knowledgeable.

One of things that can sometimes throw you off course is being asked a question when you are mid-flow through a presentation or least expect it. It can interrupt your train of thought and momentarily put you off balance.

One way to avoid this is to agree in advance when you will be taking questions; anytime, at the end of each section, or at the end of the presentation. This way you won’t be surprised when they come up.

Whilst you are preparing your slides or deck, think about the questions you might be asked around the content and formulate your answers ahead of time.

Look at the content through the eyes of the audience and try to anticipate where their views might differ or where they might need clarification. If you are presenting to your executive board , you might be questioned on how your ideas affect or support the bottom line. Whereas a presentation to middle management on streamlining processes might raise problems about additional resources for support.

Therefore, is there any additional data or information that you could take along to the presentation that might help you to answer some of these questions?

You won’t be able to predict every question in advance, but by giving it some thought it will give you a foundation on which to base your answers and hopefully make it clearer to you how to handle questions during a presentation that you might be expecting!

It’s important to remember first and foremost that the fact that people are asking you a question in the first place means that they’re interested and engaged in what you have to say.

Either they want more information, they need clarification, they’re curious to know more, or they want to test your thinking, logic, and recommendations.

So, a question should always be taken as a good sign, and met with an extra boost of enthusiasm and confidence on your side .

Unfortunately, we’ve seen all too many presenters use the fact that someone has asked a question as an opportunity to adjust their microphone, check their slides, straighten their clothes, drink some water, wander around the room or stage… And we can’t say how much of a big no-no this is! It is definitely not how to handle questions during a presentation!

Becoming immediately and significantly distracted when someone is asking you a question can make you look as though you don’t really care about the question being asked, and can be quite disrespectful.

So be sure to maintain eye contact, nod regularly , and give the questioner your full attention.

Remember that it’s not just about your verbal response, your body language can be a powerful tool or a dead give away if you are feeling anxious or unconfident.

So be sure to show your interest in the question and questioner.

No matter whether someone is asking for some data or facts from you, questioning your way of doing things, or simply asking for more information, the first thing to do is to pause briefly after they’re finished asking their question, even if you know what your answer will be straight away.

There are 3 main reasons for this:

• It gives the person time to finish their question, and add any clarifying points.
• It shows that you are taking the time to consider the question, which shows respect.
• It gives you time to think of the best answer, and deliver it eloquently, rather than launching in, rushing through, and coming across as confused or uncertain.

One of the best communication techniques in life and business is to clarify and even repeat or paraphrase a question or point someone is making to you, as it helps avoid misunderstandings.

This is no less true while giving presentations as well, so when needed be sure to ask the questioner to expand or fine tune their point.

Remember, if you don’t understand the question, chances are you’ll give the wrong answer.

Repeating or paraphrasing a question also has the added bonus of ensuring that everyone else in the room has heard the question as well. Plus it gives you some extra thinking time too!

Don’t forget, if there is someone in the room who can add additional weight to your answer or expand in another area which is relevant, don’t be afraid to invite them to contribute also.

The old saying, “There are no silly questions” definitely rings true here, so you need to communicate this by making the questioner feel that their question was valid and constructive.

This needs to be done genuinely, and there are plenty of good ways to express an acknowledgement before giving your response:

• “That’s a question I asked myself”
• “That’s a question a lot of people have asked us recently”
• “I’m not surprised you’re asking that given …”
• “I think the point you’re making is a good one”
• “That’s a question we have discussed at length within our team”
• “Many thanks for your question. You’ve reminded me to touch on …”
• “In most situations, you’d be right, and I would agree with you”
• “That’s a really interesting point and not one we had considered”

It’s a good idea to practise these regularly, but always make sure the way you acknowledge the question is genuine or you’ll sound rehearsed and not authentic or credible as a presenter.

If a question is off-topic and not relevant to the presentation you might want to ask where the question is coming from, answer briefly and offer to give a more detailed response at a later date.

When it comes time to actually give your answer don’t get angry or defensive, no matter what the question is. This is not how to handle questions during a presentation in a professional, credible way!

We’ve all seen those video clips of celebs or politicians losing their temper after an interviewer asks them a less-than-favourable-question, and the only one who almost always comes off looking silly is the interviewee themselves.

So if you find yourself in a similar situation, even if the question was intended to be intentionally provocative, losing it or getting visibly emotional will make you come across as immature and unprofessional. If you feel yourself getting emotional, simply ask if you can get back to them at a later time.

We all have to admit to bluffing our way through an answer to a question we’re just not 100% sure of every now and then… But a presentation is not the time to do it.

Making up an answer or trying to dance around the question completely is a surefire way to come across like you don’t know what you’re talking about, which can really undermine your confidence for the rest of the presentation. Instead, here are some options for managing questions when you don’t know the (entire) answer.

• Tell them what you do know. E.g. if someone asks “What is the current rate of inflation?” you may not know the exact answer so you could reply by saying “I’m not sure of the precise rate of inflation right now, though I can look that up for you if you like. What I can tell you is that it is rising faster now than it has done for many years.”
• Tell them why you don’t know. E.g. if someone were to ask the above inflation question, you could reply by saying “The rate of inflation is extremely volatile at the moment. Let me look up the most recent data and get that figure to you straight after the presentation.”
• Tell them someone else knows. Again, using the inflation question, you might reply “That’s a hot topic at the moment and our CFO has just published a report looking at the current rate of inflation and the drivers behind it. I’ll email that report to you later this week.”
• Tell them you don’t know. It’s not ideal to admit that you don’t have the answer to hand but it’s better than making up the answer. In this scenario it’s imperative that you acknowledge the question so that you still come across as confident and in control rather than nervous and on the back foot. E.g you could say “That’s a very valid question you raise. I don’t have that data with me but I will send that information to straight after this presentation.”

Curly questions can really rock our confidence so stay calm, take your time and remember that no one expects you to know everything. You’re only human after all!

If the question is a particularly long one, ‘chunk’ up your answer into sections so your answer stays clear and concise.

For example, if someone asks you when a project is going to be completed, you might say:

“That’s actually a critical question as timings on this project are particularly tight (acknowledging worth). Based on our last status update, stage 1 will be completed by xxx, stage 2 by xxx and stage 3 by xxx.”

Or, if their question is multi-part, answer each part separately before moving onto the next.

You could say something like “And to address the second part of your question…”

After you finish your answer it’s important to check-in with the questioner to make sure that you’ve answered the question to their satisfaction. You can do this by simply asking:

• “Does that answer your question?”
• “Can I provide you with any more detail?”

Or, you can also check in non-verbally, such as by making eye contact with them and smiling. If you get a smile back, you can assume you’ve answered the question to their satisfaction. If you get a puzzled look or a frown, we recommend you follow up with a verbal check-in.

So, by learning how to handle questions during a presentation, following all these important points, and being thoroughly prepared before your presentation, it will help to  calm your nerves and leave you feeling ready to engage with your audience, stimulate constructive conversations, all while looking confident, professional and in control.

And if you’re going back into the meeting room after a long period of remote working you can brush up on your in-person presentation skills by reading this blog .

If you’re specifically looking to learn how to handle questions during a presentation, or more generally to build the presentation skills of your team (or yourself) through personalised training or coaching that is tailored to your business, we can help.

For nearly 20 years we have been the Business Presentation Skills Experts , training & coaching thousands of people in an A-Z of global blue-chip organisations – check out what they say about our programs .

To find out more, click on one of the buttons below:

Header image credit.

Written By Belinda Huckle

Co-Founder & Managing Director

Belinda is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of SecondNature International. With a determination to drive a paradigm shift in the delivery of presentation skills training both In-Person and Online, she is a strong advocate of a more personal and sustainable presentation skills training methodology.

Belinda believes that people don’t have to change who they are to be the presenter they want to be. So she developed a coaching approach that harnesses people’s unique personality to build their own authentic presentation style and personal brand.

She has helped to transform the presentation skills of people around the world in an A-Z of organisations including Amazon, BBC, Brother, BT, CocaCola, DHL, EE, ESRI, IpsosMORI, Heineken, MARS Inc., Moody’s, Moonpig, Nationwide, Pfizer, Publicis Groupe, Roche, Savills, Triumph and Walmart – to name just a few.

A total commitment to quality, service, your people and you.

How to Handle Questions and Answers (Q&A Made Simple)

Allowing your audience to ask questions during a presentation keeps them involved. It makes them part of the presentation. And it lets you know whether they’re really understanding what you’ve said.

Depending on your skills and attitude, questions can unnerve and sidetrack you or help you clarify and strengthen your presentation.

Knowing how to handle questions and answers during a presentation makes the difference.

1. Set the Rules at the Beginning Let the audience know when and how you’ll handle questions. Unless you’re giving a formal speech to a large audience, be prepared to take questions throughout your talk, not just at the end. You may, however, want to save Q&A for specific times during your presentation. (If you are making a controversial proposal, it may be wise to ask people to hold their questions until the end of your presentation.)

2. Field Questions Fairly

• Listen to the entire question.
• Understand what is being asked. You may need to rephrase the question and ask, “Did I understand you correctly?”
• Repeat the question only if necessary. If someone asks a question in a large audience without using a microphone or if your presentation is being taped, you will need to repeat the question.
• Correct factual errors or misunderstandings immediately.
• Don’t embarrass the questioner. (For example, say “I’m not sure I understand your question…” not “Your question doesn’t make sense.”
• Defuse loaded questions.
• Give all audience members a chance to ask questions.

3. Answer Questions Tactfully

• Talk to the audience, not just the person asking the question. Begin by addressing the questioner, then turn to others in the audience. When you finish, look to some other part of the room and ask, “Who else has a question?”
• Be respectful: avoid sarcasm, criticism, or arrogance.
• Keep your sense of humor.
• Answer the question as directly and briefly as possible without being abrupt.
• Use your answers to reinforce your main points. Avoid making a presentation about a whole new subject.
• Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you with the answer.”
• Postpone questions that require lengthy answers. Give a brief answer, admit that there’s more to be said, and offer to discuss it more fully in private.
• Turn certain questions back on your audience, asking for their input.
• Retain control of the situation, deciding when to move on.

4. Have Your Own Questions Ready Some audiences will be slow to ask questions. Instead of asking, “Do you have any questions?”, ask “What questions do you have?” You may want to begin with a question or two of your own. “I’m often asked…”

5. End the Q&A with a Summary After you’ve answered the last question, wrap-up your presentation with a one or two sentence summary. Don’t simply say, “Thank you,” and sit down.

See also Effective Handouts .

Chris Witt, a coach based in San Diego, works with executives and with technical experts who want to give more effective presentations. If you’re interested in learning more about how you could benefit from his coaching, contact him for a complimentary call.

10 TIPS TO MAKE YOU A BETTER SPEAKER NOW

• How Leaders Speak
• How to Plan a Technical Presentation
• How to Plan an Oral Proposal
• Take the Listening Quiz
• How to Handle the Q&A Session
• 10 Tips for Using Visual Aids
• How to Develop Confidence in Public Speaking
• Build Rapport with Any Audience
• 7 Principles of Influence
• What to Do When Your Mind Goes Blank

Speaking your way to success

Have you ever been bored by a PowerPoint presentation? Of course you have. The real question is, why can't more people speak in a way that has the power to change the way people think and feel and act?

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• CAREER FEATURE
• 27 September 2024

I botched my poster presentation — how do I perform better next time?

• Nikki Forrester 0

Nikki Forrester is a science journalist based in Davis, West Virginia.

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Illustration: David Parkins

The problem

Dear Nature ,

I’m a PhD student studying plant biotechnology at a university in South Africa. I recently attended an international conference to give a three-minute flash talk, discussing my research using just one slide, and it went really well. The audience was engaged and showed interest in my work. Later in the day, I had an overwhelming experience while presenting my research during the informal poster presentations. When people came over to chat with me, my mind went completely blank. I could see the spark of interest drain from their eyes as I struggled to remember basic things like my name.

Part of the issue was that I experienced sensory overload in the busy surroundings — I’ve been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and feel this is one of the ways it manifests for me. The poster room was cramped, so people were constantly moving around and bumping into each other. My station was also nestled in a corner, making it hard to work out where to stand. I felt so awkward compared with how I did in the more controlled environment of the presentation room. Am I the only one who feels overstimulated and out of place at conferences? How do I avoid panicking while trying to promote my research in challenging environments? — An overthinking introvert

Nature reached out to two researchers and an ADHD coach for advice on how to manage nerves and deliver a great conference presentation. All three emphasized that it’s completely normal to feel nervous and overwhelmed in a conference environment.

“I have so much empathy for this situation,” says Susan McConnell, a neurobiologist at Stanford University in California. “At a poster, it is chaotic. You can’t control when people come and go, or if they’re having side conversations. The first thing is to acknowledge that presenting a poster is much more challenging to control than giving an oral research presentation.”

McConnell recommends that, before going to a conference, you prepare two versions of your poster presentation and practise each out loud several times. “The first one should be very short, no more than three or four minutes,” she says, noting that most people don’t like to stay at a single poster for too long. This version should cover the main research question, what you did, what you learnt, and why your project is exciting and ambitious. “It’s exhausting, because you’re going to have to do that over and over and over again as each group comes to the poster,” she says. “But you can start to recapitulate that sense of control that you have in a talk.”

How I became the ‘hoodie girl’: attending conferences as a neurodiverse scientist

Another benefit of preparing a short version of your presentation is that it can help you to navigate the ebbs and flows of conversation. “Even though it’s chaotic, everyone who comes to your poster walked over there for a reason, so it’s important to give them some portion of your attention,” says McConnell. When someone new arrives, you can pause your presentation to briefly welcome them and say that although you’re in the middle of talking through the poster, you’d be happy to start from the beginning if the person is willing to stick around. “If you rehearsed your talk and know exactly how much more time you have, you can even say, ‘It will be about three more minutes before I finish up this version.’”

McConnell also suggests preparing a longer version of your poster presentation that is no more than 15 minutes, for those people who seem particularly interested and want to spend more time discussing your work. “If you rehearse it, then you have a lower chance of forgetting where you’re going,” she says.

For Mark Freiermuth, a linguist at Gunma Prefectural Women’s University in Tamamura, Japan, seven is the magic number for practice talks. During his practices, Freiermuth places a photo of his smiling seminar students at the top of his computer monitor to mimic an audience and records himself to assess his performance. “The first time I practise, there are lots of gaps because I can’t remember what I’m supposed to say. The second time, there are fewer gaps, but I usually discover I didn’t present certain information clearly. By about the sixth time, my talk is pretty good. And by the seventh time, it’s always smooth,” he says.

What is it like to attend a predatory conference?

Freiermuth, who wrote the book Academic Conference Presentations: A Step-by-Step Guide (2023), also suggests practising a poster presentation three times in a big auditorium with fellow students and colleagues. Not only does this approach help presenters to get acquainted with where to stand and how to use their poster effectively, it also gives them a chance to answer questions and receive feedback from familiar faces. “When similar topics come up at the actual conference, you’ve already fielded those questions, which helps you feel much more relaxed,” he says.

Laurie Dupar, founder and director of the International ADHD Coach Training Center, says that once you arrive at a conference, it might be helpful to explore the presentation room to work out where you’ll be speaking. “I would make sure that you’re comfortable in the space,” says Dupar, who is based in Blaine, Washington. The centre says it trains ADHD life coaches to be able to “increase awareness of ADHD in their communities and empower their clients to live with ADHD”.

If you feel uncomfortable in your presentation space, Dupar says, it’s completely OK to advocate for yourself and ask the conference organizer to move your location to a more open spot, for example. “You might say, ‘I’m really looking forward to giving this presentation and want to ensure it’s as effective as possible. I think a different location might better support that goal. Would it be possible to discuss a more suitable space?’ or ‘I understand that making changes might be challenging, so I’m open to any suggestions that might help create a more comfortable environment for the presentation,’” says Dupar.

Collection: Conferences

She also emphasizes the importance of relaxing before your presentation. “I think most people have no idea how overwhelming it’s going to be to go to a conference,” she says. “If you’re someone who has an introvert energy, it might be better for you to sleep in that day or take a break for two hours in the afternoon to regroup.”

Even with ample preparation, nerves can still throw even the best public speakers off balance. If you start feeling anxious during the poster session, it’s completely fine to step away for a few minutes. “Do some breathing, get something to drink, use the bathroom, stretch, recover and come back. It’s really important to take care of yourself during the poster session,” McConnell says, adding that practising physical relaxation techniques, such as controlled breathing or taking a brisk walk, can help to slow down your heart rate and calm your nerves.

Although it’s easy to feel bad about yourself for not giving a great presentation on your research, McConnell emphasizes that people often overestimate how memorable their performances are. “I would encourage you to practise self-forgiveness and remember that the audience wants you to succeed. They’re cheering for you to do a good job. When speakers are struggling, most audience members tend to feel sympathetic rather than judgemental.”

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-03171-1

This article is part of a series in Nature in which we share advice on career issues faced by readers. Have a problem? E-mail us at [email protected]

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Hybrid conferences should be the norm — optimize them so everyone benefits

Editorial 06 AUG 24

How to spot a predatory conference, and what science needs to do about them: a guide

Career Feature 30 JUL 24

Postdoctoral Fellow in Biomedical Optics and Medical Physics

We seek skilled and enthusiastic candidates for Postdoctoral Fellow positions in the Biomedical Optical Imaging for cancer research.

Dallas, Texas (US)

UT Southwestern Medical Center, BIRTLab

Associate Professor

J. Craig Venter Institute is conducting a faculty search for Associate Professors position in Rockville, MD and San Diego, CA campuses.

Rockville, Maryland or San Diego, California

J. Craig Venter Institute

Associate Professor position (Tenure Track), Dept. of Computational & Systems Biology, U. Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Please apply by Dec. 2, 2024.

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh | DCSB

Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor position (Tenure Track), Dept. of Computational & Systems Biology, U. Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Please apply by Dec. 2, 2024.

Independent Group Leader Positions in Computational and/or Experimental Medical Systems Biology

NIMSB is recruiting up to 4 Independent Group Leaders in Computational and/or Experimental Medical Systems Biology

Greater Lisbon - Portugal

NOVA - NIMSB

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