Example Presentation Topics 5p6621

Recruitment and selection toolkit Example presentation topics

The following pages provide some general examples for presentation topics. Specific and relevant presentation topics should be developed for each role being recruited to in order to the selection process. As well as assessing presentation skills, these topics can be used to assess a number of different skills for example: -

Strategic thinking and planning (example 1, 2, 4, 5)

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People / staff management / leadership (example 3)

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Problem solving (example 3)

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Change management (example 4)

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Project management (example 4, 6)

Recruitment and selection toolkit Example presentation topics

Example presentation topic 1

This presentation topic is fairly broad and could apply to a number of senior roles across the university and is designed to assess strategic thinking and planning.

<Job title>

At the start of the interview, you will be asked to deliver a presentation which should include: 1. Identification of the key strategic priorities over the next 5 years. 2. A brief outline of possible risks and solutions associated with these strategic priorities.

Duration: 15 minutes, plus 5 /10 minutes for questions. Please note that you will be stopped when your presentation reaches 15 minutes in length. PowerPoint facilities will be available but it is not essential to use these.

Recruitment and selection toolkit Example presentation topics

Example presentation topic 2

This presentation topic is fairly broad and could apply to a number of senior roles across the university and is designed to assess strategic thinking.

<Job title>

As part of the selection process, you will be asked to deliver a presentation using the following heading: “The University has a strategy to be in the top 50 universities in the world by 2015. How do you think you can contribute to the Faculty and hence the University achieving this objective?”

Duration: 15 minutes, plus 5 /10 minutes for questions Please note that you will be stopped when your presentation reaches 15 minutes in length. PowerPoint facilities will be available but it is not essential to use these.

Recruitment and selection toolkit Example presentation topics

Example presentation topic 3

This presentation is designed to assess some of the skills required for effective leadership and staff management, including management of staff where reporting lines are less defined, management of change, and some skills required solving problems.

<Job title>

This role encomes the management of a large team of staff based at different sites across the University.

As part of the selection process, you will be asked to deliver a presentation which should answer the following questions: What do you feel would be the key challenges in managing and leading this team through a period of significant change? How might you address these challenges? Duration: 15 minutes, plus 5 / 10 minutes for questions Please note that you will be stopped when your presentation reaches 15 minutes in length. PowerPoint facilities will be available but it is not essential to use these.

Recruitment and selection toolkit Example presentation topics

Example presentation topic 4

This presentation is designed to test the skills required in managing projects (planning, coordinating, and monitoring), implementing and managing change, strategic awareness, skills required in dealing with conflict and differing opinions/needs of stakeholders.

<Job title>

You have been tasked with leading the review of a University wide process and the implementation of any agreed changes.

There are a number of parties who have an interest in this process. You know that some strong (and conflicting) views exist but there is no clear single steer regarding what changes this will actually mean in practice. You are also mindful that whatever is agreed needs to the achievement of the University’s vision and strategy.

At the start of the interview, you will be asked to deliver a 15 minute presentation outlining how you would approach this. This should include, but is not limited to:    

Identifying the key stages Your approach to planning, co-ordinating and monitoring the project How you would deal with the conflicting requirements and/or opinions of key stakeholders Any other key considerations

Your presentation should last for no more than 15 minutes. Please note that you will be stopped when your presentation reaches 15 minutes in length.

Powerpoint facilities will be available but it is not essential to use these.

Recruitment and selection toolkit Example presentation topics

Example presentation topic 5

This presentation topic is fairly broad and could apply to a number of senior roles across the university and is designed to assess strategic thinking and planning as well as the ability to prepare strategy documents.

<Job title>

At the start of the interview, you will be asked to deliver a 15 minute presentation explaining: 1. the approach that you would take to prepare and deliver a 5-year business strategy 2. what the strategy document would contain (headings and brief descriptions of each section)

Wherever possible, please illustrate your presentation by describing specific scenarios from previous strategy work that you have undertaken.

Your presentation should last for no more than 15 minutes. Please note that you will be stopped when your presentation reaches 15 minutes in length. Powerpoint facilities will be available but it is not essential to use these.

Recruitment and selection toolkit Example presentation topics

Example presentation topic 6

This presentation topic is designed to assess the skills required in project management, preparing reports and problem solving / dealing with setbacks.

<Job title> Scenario There are some concerns regarding a project that is due to be implemented within four weeks. The end date is mandatory and the University may face financial penalties should the project not be implemented within the timescales given.

You have been asked, as a priority, to produce a report on the project within 48 hours. Your report must provide a true picture of the progress of the project, how the project issues came about, and importantly your recommendations as to what steps are required in order to achieve the implementation of the system within the agreed timescales.

Task At the start of the interview, you will be asked to deliver a 15 minute presentation explaining the approach that you would take to the preparation and delivery of the required project report. This should include:  

What evidence you would need to collect, and who from, in order to reach your conclusions Examples of successful techniques that you have used or lessons you have learnt when reviewing either your own or other people’s projects.

Wherever possible, please illustrate your presentation by describing specific scenarios from previous project management work that you have undertaken.

Your presentation should last for no more than 15 minutes. Please note that you will be stopped when your presentation reaches 15 minutes in length. PowerPoint facilities will be available but it is not essential to use these.