How to succeed at assessment centres How will I be assessed? Employers have a checklist of skills, abilities or competencies against which they rate you during each exercise and interview. These may include:
Click to watch a short video Assessment centres give employers the chance to find out more about you by seeing how you perform in a series of activities and can either be held face to face or now more commonly online. So what exactly do they involve? Employers use assessment centres to obtain a more rounded view of candidates. They want to see how you interact with others, not just at oneto-one interviews. An invitation to an assessment centre usually follows a successful first-round interview, and a wide range of activities can take place there.
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Problem solving Team/group skills Communicating successfully Handling complexity Commercial awareness Drive/energy Initiative Ability to influence/persuade Technical understanding An enterprising approach
Assessors will keep detailed notes on how you are doing and grade you against each competency in each exercise and look carefully at your overall performance. Even the best candidates won’t do everything perfectly, so if you feel you have made a slip, don’t let it put you off – stay focused! Practicalities • If you can, familiarise yourself with the platform that the organisation will be using • Re-read all employer literature and your application form before you begin
What is in it for me? All selection processes are two-way: you can find out much more about your potential employer. You might meet a range of employees, gain a better understanding of the culture of the organisation and have the opportunity to ask lots of questions. You can be more certain that you are really interested in it.
• Dress codes may be indicated in the invitation and should be followed. It is better to be too smart than too casual. If the assessment centre is online it is still a good idea to look professional
How many people will be invited? Assessment centres can include group exercises where you work on a range of problems with five or six other candidates. Some, all, or none of the candidates may be appointed. It helps to regard them as future colleagues, people to cooperate with, rather than as competition. Boost your confidence by realising that assessment centres are time consuming to run – only strong, viable candidates are invited.
• Be friendly and cooperative to everyone you meet. You never know who will have the final say about you
• Follow all instructions carefully and if you are not sure of anything, ask for clarification.
• Participate: there are no marks if you don’t • Make a note of the names of all the company representatives you meet
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