Making a presentation as part of an assessment centre – career coach tips to help you
I’ve helped 2 clients yesterday with their forthcoming assessment centres. Both had to make presentations and both were over wordy on their first attempt.
I really enjoy helping people with presentations; so much easier to critique someone else’s than do it myself! I’ve assessed so many that I know what assessors are looking for and how to help people stand out from the rest.
Firstly it is about addressing the question – think of exams, it’s not saying what you want to say on the topic but making sure you address the, for example, 3 points in the instructions.
Secondly it is about not being overly wordy – this is not to be ‘death by PowerPoint’ you are not to stand and read out each slide – that’s why you have your cue cards. Cut them back so they make more of an impact.
Thirdly it is about being confident in what you are saying. If you have been given the topic in advance the assessors will expect a finished product with you pretty much word perfect, so practice, practice, practice.
Fourth is keep to time. One of my clients took 23 minutes for a 10 minute presentation, on the trial run, this is not ok. If I was assessing her I would have cut her off at 11minutes. So make sure you keep to time, and cut out slides if necessary.
Finally it is about branding, can you use the company logo and colour scheme? Make the presentation fit with the company you are applying for and they will begin to see you as belonging to the company.
My third book (out in January)- Now you’ve been shortlisted devotes a whole chapter to this topic.
If you have a presentation coming up, and you would like my help please get in touch.
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