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 support 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)

- People / staff management / leadership (example 3)

- Problem solving (example 3)

- Change management (example 4)

- 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>

<Include some background / context to the role and its responsibilities in relation to strategic
development>

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>
<include background / context as appropriate>

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>
<include background / context as appropriate>

This role encompasses 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>
<include background / context as appropriate>

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 support the
achievement of the Universitys 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>
<include background / context as appropriate>

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>
<include background / context as appropriate>

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.
<Develop scenario / background / context as appropriate>

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 peoples 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.