A number of organisations are using presentations, scenarios and role-playing as part of the selection process and it is seen as an extension of the interview. This is more often used at the more senior and / or strategic positions.

Presentations and scenarios:

Although not the same thing presentations and scenarios are often used together. Companies might be taking different routes with this, e.g.:

The interviewer gives you information and statistics on a non-existing company. You then get a certain amount of time to come up with a strategy or solution to the problem contained in the information pack. You then have to present this solution or strategy to the interviewer or to an interviewing panel who will evaluate your presentation.

There are a number of advantages for the employer:

• they get to examine your thinking style as well as your strategic thinking

• they get a first hand demonstration of your presentation skills

• they can observe your interaction with other people (in the case of a panel interview)

• they can also evaluate how you will appear to customers.

Role playing:

A common role playing exercise, especially with prospective sales staff, is to hand them an item and to ask them to sell it to someone else in the room.

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