Admissions Tips
Thank You for applying to PreSales Academy! Please refer to the following page for insight and tips on the Admissions process.
Admissions Criteria
When considering candidates for PreSales Academy, we are looking for applicants that will be a good fit for the program and profession. You will be evaluated on the following 5 criteria (the “Five Cs”) that are necessary to be successful in the PreSales field.
Curiosity
A desire to learn and ask “Why?” We are looking for applicants that have curiosity that drives them to want to learn more about the role, profession, and especially technical skills.
Communication
Ability to articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively. We expect applicants to demonstrate strengths in communication in both written and verbal formats.
Critical Thinking
The drive to problem solve, conduct analysis, and make inferences based on the available information. Applicants should be passionate about developing solutions to problems they encounter.
Commitment
Applicants need to demonstrate drive, accountability, and confidence with respect to a given task or goal. Specifically, applicants should be able to clearly showcase how they are committed to making this career change into PreSales.
Coachability
Does an applicant utilize a growth mindset? We are looking for the attitude & ability to receive and incorporate feedback, so applicants can benefit from the extensive coaching and support this program offers.
Admissions Steps
Admission into PreSales Academy is highly competitive. Our staff reviews all applications to ensure that every student admitted to PSA are a strong fit for the program and the PreSales profession.
Please keep in mind that the admissions process will take some time. Depending on when you submit your application and move on to additional stages, this process can take a couple of weeks. We recommend applying early if you are interested in a particular cohort.
Submit an Application
Make sure to include your LinkedIn Profile (or Resume if your LinkedIn is not updated). Spend time drafting your short essay answers. This is your opportunity to show how you will be a great fit for the program. Include specific examples to provide context for your answers!
Schedule an Admissions Call
Candidates who make it to this stage will attend an Admissions Call with one of our PSA staff. This call is to build off your prior application materials and to engage in a live environment. Our staff will have some questions to ask you about your candidacy and we will leave time for you to ask questions as well! Make sure you come prepared.
Receive an Update on Your Enrollment
After the Admissions Call, candidates will receive an update on their admission to PreSales Academy. If you are accepted, we will move forward with enrolling you in the program. If you are not accepted, we recommend asking for feedback and applying again in the future.
Review these video tips to ensure your admissions video is the best presentation of yourself and your experiences.
Review the Question and Make a Plan
It is important that you answer all parts of the question in the video recording prompt. Take some time before filming to plan out what you want to say. We recommend making yourself a light outline to guide your response. Think about how you will incorporate specific examples to support your answer. Note: Do not develop a script that you read off of for your video. Scripted answers limit our ability to see how you effectively present.
Explore the Recommended Video Recording Platform
We recommend that applicants record their video using Loom. Like any new software, take some time to explore and practice using the features. You want to ensure your final recording is a great one! Make sure that your video fills out the entire screen and has solid audio.
Prepare Your Video Setup: Framing, Lighting, and Background
Video setup is key to how you showcase yourself. It sets the tone for your recording and plays heavily into your nonverbal communication skills.
Framing
Your camera lens represents the audience’s perspective. You want to find the right balance between lens distance and lens height. When it comes to lens distance, make sure you are around 2 feet away. That will ensure you are not so far that the audience feels like they are not connected to you, and you are not too close so that the audience feels uncomfortable. For lens height, you want to have your lens right at eye level. That way you are not looking down or up at your audience.
Lighting
There are two things to consider when it comes to lighting. 1) Try not to be backlit - if possible, use another source of light that is direct on your face. 2) Keep your lighting balanced and focused on your face. Shadows and poor lighting can limit the audiences’ ability to see any facial expressions you may utilize.
Background
In virtual recordings, we can control what the audience sees. Consider what is in the background of your video setting and how that is a reflection of you.
Admissions
Call
Tips
The Admissions Call is your opportunity to showcase your skills and experiences in a live setting. While this stage is not a formal interview, you should still prepare. Here are some tips to focus on as you get ready for you call.
Brush Up on Interview Skills
Prepare Your Examples
The questions we will ask you are mostly behavioral interview questions. The best way to answer such questions is to ensure you have past examples or stories that you can connect to your answer. Utilizing clear examples helps us see if you are a good fit for the program based off of your past experiences.
Familiarize Yourself with the STAR Method
When you are leveraging an example or story in an answer, you want to ensure your talk track is structured and clear. One way to do this is to utilize the STAR method. STAR stands for:
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Situation: Provide context for your audience so they understand the elements of your answer.
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Task: What was your role in the situation? What did you need to accomplish?
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Action: What steps did you take and why?
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Result: Finish your talk track with the outcome and what you learned from this example.
The STAR method will ensure all of your examples have a beginning, middle and end. This is a great method to utilize in admissions calls and interviews!
Think About Body Language
Your body language is a nonverbal source of communication. Elements like posture, stance, and gestures can convey to the audience how engaged you are with the conversation. Consider how you use these elements when in a live conversation setting.
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Eye Contact: Eye contact is very different online versus in-person. You want to balance looking at the camera lens when you are speaking, and looking at the audience when you are listening.
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Gestures: Hand gestures are a great way to add variety to your virtual communication. Make sure your use of gestures is intentional and not distracting. Give yourself space to move freely and take time to practice to ensure your use feels natural.
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Posture: A strong and open posture helps convey strength and confidence. Consider how your posture comes across when on a video call. Are you more open or closed on camera?
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Facial Expressions: Facial expressions help support your answers and showcase great listening skills. The use of facial expressions should compliment your gestures and other elements of body language. Make sure you are using expressions that are diverse, but authentic to you!
Want to assess your virtual presence? Check out our free assessment below.
Consider How You Will Present Yourself
Your Admissions Call will be over a zoom video. While these calls are more casual, you should consider how you are presenting yourself in regard to your video setup and what to wear. When it comes to video setup, make sure you focus on your framing, lighting and background. Our video recording tips provide some great things to consider. When you are thinking about what to wear, do not feel like you need to dress business professional. Our staff takes a more casual approach to our work attire and you should as well!
Prepare Questions to Ask
At PSA we are looking for a good mutual fit, so we always leave time at the end of your admissions call for you to ask questions of us. This is an opportunity for you to get any questions answered and ensure you are feeling good about your potential enrollment into the program.
When drafting your questions, we recommend looking over our FAQs page first. Is there an answer already out there for your question? We are more than happy to re-explain a FAQ answer if it is not clear.
Your questions can be related to the program, field, or more! We recommend coming to the call with at least 3 questions, but you are more than welcome to prepare additional ones.
Additional Resources
There is a wealth of resources related to presentation and interviewing skills. Here are a few we have found helpful for applicants going through our admissions process.
Free Virtual Presence Assessment with Virtual Sapiens
What Your Body Language is Saying About You on Video
Nonverbal Communication Cues To Feel More Human on Video PT. 3 - Tone
What Is Effective Communication? Skills for Work, School, and Life
Google Interview Warmup