ASSESSMENT CENTRES
chance to shine
Your
Assessment centres can be a daunting prospect. The anticipation of spending a whole day being observed completing mystery tasks can bring even the most confi dent candidate out in a cold sweat, but they should be seen as a unique opportunity.
Companies use assessment centres because they are more reliable than an interview. Using exercises based on real-life scenarios you might encounter in the workplace, assessors are able to gauge how well you would perform as part of their team.
This can work to your advantage. Unlike an interview – which usually results in a pass or fail based on one conversation – assessment centres give you the opportunity to demonstrate a wide range of skills with a series of tasks. Even if you don’t do so well during one exercise, there are still plenty of chances to shine!
To help calm your nerves, it is worth trying to fi nd out what the day is likely to entail. This information may be included in your introductory email/ letter or on the company website. If not, you can ask when you call to confi rm your attendance. There are lots of online forums where previous participants share what they were asked to do, but take this information with a pinch of salt – the company may have changed the format of the day.
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GradJobs.co.uk | Directory 2016/17
When you are at the assessment centre, always listen to any instructions given at the start of the exercise; you might not have the chance to ask questions once you have begun.
Typical exercises Introduction
The day often begins with each candidate giving a short presentation to introduce themselves. You could be asked a specifi c question, eg ‘why did you apply for this role?’
Group task To break the ice, many companies use a warm-up exercise. You might be asked to build something or solve a brainteaser under timed conditions. The assessors will be looking for collaboration, analytical thinking, time management, and communication skills.
Group discussion You may be asked to consider an issue that directly relates to the organisation, or a more general topic such as Brexit. The most important thing to remember is that the quality of your contribution matters much more than the quantity. Try and involve others to show you can engage, listen, respond and infl uence. Speak clearly and be sure not to talk over other people.
Interview This is your chance to impress on an individual
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