Assessment centres
Most job hunters will never have heard of an assessment centre. It conjures up an image of a concrete bunker in the middle of a forest where you spend your days tackling assault courses and having your face shoved in the mud – at least that’s the image that sprang to my mind when I was first invited to attend an assessment centre!
As it happens, this image couldn’t be further from the truth. For a start, an assessment centre generally isn’t a ‘centre’ at all. It’s a term used to describe an event that will commonly take place at an organisation’s premises, and is unlikely to last more than one day but can sometimes last up to three days. It doesn’t involve assault courses either; it’s normally just a mishmash of other, better-known interview scenarios. So even if you have not been invited to an assessment centre (yet!), you may still find some of the information in this chapter useful for other situations.
Assessment centres are increasingly popular with employers from many large corporations, either in the initial or final stages of the recruitment process, and are particularly used to assist in graduate recruitment drives. They are also used in the public sector; for example, the police force. So you need to know what to expect.
Hosting an assessment centre is certainly a major undertaking on an employer’s part; it is costly both from a financial perspective and in terms of the amount of people involved in planning and running the event. But it’s a very effective technique for employers to thoroughly assess a large number of candidates in a variety of situations in a short space of time. It enables them to determine, with some confidence, which candidates it will be worth investing in further by ensuring that they meet the job competencies.
What to expect at an assessment centre
All of the interview scenarios I’ve described so far could come into play at an assessment centre.
You could have a one-on-one interview. You could have a panel interview. You will certainly undergo group interviews.
You may be faced with aptitude tests, psychometric tests, case studies, group exercises, and be expected to give a presentation.
You have to be prepared for all of this – and more.
Facing a number of different challenges over a prolonged period of time can be extremely daunting. However, if you feel a particular activity did not go well for you, there is the opportunity to still make a good impression by succeeding in one of the other exercises.
How to prepare for an assessment centre
The best advice I can give is be prepared for all the scenarios I have covered in the previous chapters. I have also included some top tips for the types of activity that are commonly included in an assessment centre.
TOP TIP
If this all sounds a little extreme then keep it to yourself. Employers can take these sorts of exercise very seriously indeed!
Group interviews/group exercises
Group interviews or group exercises will probably occupy a large proportion of your time at an assessment centre.
A group exercise enables employers to assess the skills that you would be required to demonstrate in the workplace, such as communication, teamwork, leadership and problem solving. Crucial to success in this particular activity are the following:
- Confidence – make sure that you contribute and add value to the team but without being seen to dominate.
- Be sure that you listen to and respect the viewpoints of other members of the group, even if you do not necessarily agree with them. Be prepared to compromise your position for the good of the group.
- Make your voice heard but not to the extent that it drowns out all others.
- Above all, make sure the group remains focused on the overall aim of the exercise.
Preparing for a group exercise is something that you can do every day either in your current workplace or in your place of study. Practice being diplomatic in difficult situations you encounter. Take the time to listen to your colleagues/peers and ensure that if you have something to contribute, you do so with confidence. After all, these are attributes that will serve you well in any situation, not just an assessment centre.
In-tray or e-tray tests
There are many other tests an employer may use to gauge your capabilities, one of the more popular being what is known as ‘in-tray’ or, increasingly, ‘e-tray’.
The concept is very straightforward. You will be presented with a ‘typical’ in-tray (or email inbox) containing various items that require your attention. These could include telephone messages, letters, reports, documents and emails. The goal is to read through all of this information as quickly as you can and to ensure that you prioritise your in-tray effectively. You will be expected to explain what the most appropriate action is to deal with each item – whether that involves actioning it yourself, delegating it or postponing it. And you’ll normally be up against the clock – typical in-tray tests last between 30 minutes and an hour. It’s just like real life!
You can prepare for this kind of test quite easily by ensuring that you brush up on the latest techniques for time management. There are even online resources available that enable you to practice in-tray exercises. (Please visit www.jamesinn.es for access to online resources which supplement this book.) Above all, the in-tray items that you will be faced with will invariably be related to the type of role you are applying for. So doing your research on the company and the role is really important.
Case studies
Another favourite is the ‘case study’. You will be presented with details of a realistic situation you are likely to encounter at work, and expected to report back your thoughts, findings and recommendations, either by way of a written report or in a verbal presentation. This is your opportunity to really show the employer how well you can perform the role – rather than an interview where you are just telling them what you can do.
For the case study exercise, you may be required to work on your own or in small groups. A specific scenario will be presented to you, which you will need to carefully analyse before presenting your proposed solution.
Crucial to a successful case study is an accurate understanding of the scenario you are asked to investigate. You may well deliver a killer presentation at the end of it, but if you have missed the point of the exercise you are unlikely to be successful.
Preparation may be difficult because you do not know what situation you will be presented with. After all, the aim of a case study is for an employer to see how you cope with the unfamiliar. As with the other activities, researching the company and the position you are applying for is always helpful. And on the day, make sure you take the time to read all of the information that you are given.
Top tips for delivering winning presentations
Assessment centres will invariably require you to deliver a presentation of some form, whether individually or as part of a case study or group exercise. Whilst presentations can be nerve-wracking, you can certainly maximise your chances of success on the day with the following tips:
- Structure your presentation carefully with a clearly defined beginning, middle and end so that you don’t lose your way.
- Always keep the timeframe in mind when preparing the presentation. Make sure the content is not too long (or too short).
- Deliberately slow your speech down. Nerves can make you talk quicker than you normally would and you want to make sure that you get your point across clearly and articulately.
- Use visual aids where appropriate to emphasise your key points but don’t make them too wordy.
- Smile, and engage with your audience by varying the tone of your voice.
Please refer back to Chapter 14: Presentations for further advice on this topic.
Assessment centres can be demanding but they can also be great fun! Do your best to enjoy this unique opportunity to showcase your skills and you will be sure to come across well.