Assessment centres

At the assessment centre - Introduction

At the assessment centre - Ice breaker exercise

At the assessment centre - Prepared presentation

At the assessment centre - Role play

At the assessment centre - In-tray exercise

At the assessment centre - Group discussion

At the assessment centre - Meal with the selectors

At the assessment centre - Case study

At the assessment centre - Interview

At the assessment centre - 10 minute guide

Assessment Centres are used by many graduate employers. They involve a range of activities, which are likely to last one or two days, held either on company premises or in a nearby hotel.

Why employers use assessment centres

  • They are considered to be the fairest and most accurate method of selecting staff.
  • Selectors are able to see you over a longer period of time than in a single interview.
  • The wide range of activities and situations enables them to see what you can do rather than what you say you can do.
  • Each exercise is designed to assess a clearly defined set of competencies e.g. technical knowledge, leadership, creativity, flexibility. You are measured on these competencies and not against the other candidates.

What to expect

Assessment cetnres are likely to include some or all of the following:

  • Social events where you can meet other candidates, the selectors, recent graduates recruits in an informal setting
  • Information sessions to inform you about the organisation and the roles available
  • Psychometric tests may be arranged to take place before you reach the assessment centre stage or at the centre. They comprise:
    • Aptitude tests taken under exam conditions and designed to measure thinking and reasoning skills such as numerical, verbal and diagrammatic reasoning
    • Personality inventories not usually timed and with no right or wrong answers, used to assess what you are like as a person and how you might react in different situations.
  • Case studies test your ability to analyse information quickly and accurately, to think logically and express yourself in writing. You are likely to be given a set of papers relating to a particular situation and asked to make recommendations in a brief report. There will be a time limit and not all the information given to you will be relevant. No prior knowledge is required.
  • In-tray exercises involve being given a pile of faxes, memos, letters and company information. You are asked to prioritise actions, draft replies, delegate tasks. The exercise is time limited and tests ability to sift complex information, make decisions and plan.
  • Presentations can sometimes be on topics given and prepared beforehand but more usually have to be prepared on the day. Many of you will have given presentations as part of your degree course and know that planning and practise are the key to success. Keep it simple with no more than 6 main messages. Tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, and tell them what you've told them. Concentrate on clear communication rather than overloading your audience with masses of detail.
  • Group activities can involve completing a practical task in a team or taking part in a discussion. The selectors are looking at your ability to work well with others. Actively listening to others can be as important as getting your own ideas across. The aim is to help the group achieve the set task constructively. Don't be tempted to compete if an individual in the group takes over and dominates. It is better to wait your chance to suggest other members have some input. Remember to make sure the group keeps to time.
  • Interviews at assessment centres can be one-to-one or panel interviews. Questions may refer back to your first interview, to the assessment centre activities or to aptitude test results. The interviewer may be from the department to which you are applying and the questioning will be more in-depth and probing at this stage.

Top tips – before the assessment centre

  • Ensure you have a clear idea of the agenda for the assessment centre day/days.
  • Research the organisation in detail so you know as much about them as possible.
  • Practise any areas of weakness you suspect you have in the range of likely aptitude tests, such as basic arithmetic, percentages, graphs and charts.
  • Identify your strengths, especially concentrating on the detailed evidence of those particularly relevant to the area to which you've applied.
  • Plan your journey to arrive with time to spare.
  • Last but not least get a good night's sleep beforehand as you will need to be at your best. Being observed all day is extremely tiring.

Top Tips – during the assessment centre

  • Try to establish some rapport with the other candidates as this will help with the group exercises.
  • Listen carefully to all instructions.
  • Try to remain focused and motivated all the time as you may be being observed at any point.
  • You do not have to be good at everything - the exercises are devised to give a range of opportunities to show your strengths.
  • Be yourself at your best and try to enjoy the experience!