It is one I have had to meet on many occasions before, but have been offered an IT Training post that I have been after for a long time. However, have to do a 15 to 20 minute training session before final acceptance. Does anyone have a tried and trusted method?
Subject unknown - but as an IT Trainer assume is going to be IT related.
Also, of value, recommended guides or reading material.
Experience has taught me that pitching the training exactly to requirements can be difficult, as many prospective employers seem to leave a lot to one's intuition!
Kathleen Miller
6 Responses
In their shoes…
Hi Kathleen
If they’re following best practice, they’ll have given you some selection criteria (even better they’ll have told you which criteria they are assessing through the test). But even if you don’t have any selection criteria to go on, think about what you’d be looking for if you were in their shoes. I know I’d be looking for you to present a session which….
– is appropriate for the amount of time
– engages the panel or assessors in some interaction with you – nothing worse than being talked at for 20 mins
– allows you to showcase as many of your training skills as possible; motivating, explaining, creative use of aids, etc – think variety
– results in some concrete learning outcome
Don’t dismiss the idea of contacting the organisation to check what they are looking for – is it primarily about your delivery, or the structure of the session, or both? Do they want the content of the session pitched to a particular group or level? No harm asking, and good luck.
Mandy
Something old …
Presumably (?) you know whather the position is to train inhouse or customers, whether it’s hardware or software, and whether it’s programmer or end user (or any combination thereof).
In addition to Mandy’s excellent comments I would add – if the main training will be to end users (customers or inhouse) then base your “audition” on a well-known piece of software which you’re already familiar with, such as WORD.
This will allow you to demonstrate your various qualities as a trainer that Mandy mentioned without you, or the interviewers, having to go through a steep learning curve. And ythe less you have to learn, the more time you’ll have to hone your presentation.
Best wishes
Andy B.
demonstrate some TNA
Go Mandy
Mandy says there is “no harm in asking” what they are looking for……by asking you are demonstrating your ability to tailor the training event to the needs of the learners…
…get in there and ask…lots of pertinent questions!
This removes the “intiution” and makes your session the considered outcome of intelligent planning.
Rus
IT Training – Stick with what you know!
Hello!
I agree with the other comments. See how much information you can obtain about exactly what they want and if possible – train on something you are completely comfortable with. (I have done this in the past and always used PowerPoint as I find there isn’t much that can go wrong or surprise me!) Word is a good suggestion too! Personally I would also find out as much about the set up of the room as possible. Will your ‘delegates’ have a PC to use during the session? What version will they be using? Are they expecting handouts etc.
Good luck with it!
Lucy
What a great bunch!
I just what to say what a great bunch fellow trainers are, so many answers in such a short time! Thanks guys, very useful information that I intend to follow. I always feel that to ask exactly what panel are looking for is a sign of lacking knowledge, which is really quite ridiculous – as to the best of my knowledge Trainers are not supposed to be psychic! Though some might question that statement). I will be asking questions as Mandy so astutely advised.
PP (although in danger of overuse)- used in moderation can a useful tool. At this time I am still awaiting a date and criteria details, so cannot get down to preparation – but if appropriate will probably go with PP or Word.
In case you are wondering what led to my placing this post – I once had a disastrous experience – having spent ages preparing (what I considered to be) a very well planned micro teaching – with supporting PPP on my laptop. The subject was ‘How to use advanced search engines’. However, to my horror, upon arrival I discovered that they had made provision for candidates to use their pc’s to go online and train! Why did I not know this? Quite simply – they never said – and I never asked.
I explained the situation and they let me go ahead with my prepared demo, this involved them scrabbling on the floor to find power outlets. (How hot and uncomfortable was I by this time?) This having taken around half of my alloted time,I proceeded,(bravely in the face of adversity – as a good trainer should), trying to prove that I was prepared for any event. Unfortunately, job interviews are not the same as live Training situations. Need I say more – I did not get the job.
I have also had very successful micro-training sessions, but this one always lurks – darkly – at the back of my mind.
Summary: As all Trainers know – few learning experiences have quite the lasting impact as that of a bad one. More importantly, if you are not sure – ask. You have helped me answer my own question.
Thanks again, and I will give ‘feedback’ on my experience.
try screen shots
I had to do a micro teach when at college and did mine on screen shots. Delivering to the others in my group, all teachers but delivering in other areas. They found the micro teach very useful as we all have to produce handouts no matter what the subject.