Assessment Centre Guide
Step 4: Assessment Centres
An Assessment Centre is a recruitment process that combines various activities to compare and assess a group of candidates.
Only done by certain firms
Usually held at the firm’s office
Consists of a combination of individual and group tasks and activities, from writing emails/reports to group presentations and case studies
Usually lasting from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
09.00 – Arrival and introduction
09.15 – Employer presentation and group ice-breaker exercise
10.00 – Psychometric tests
11.30 – Individual task: in-tray exercise
12.45 – Lunch
13.45 – Group exercise: case study
14.45 – Assessment interviews
16.15 – Individual presentations
17.15 – Evaluation
17.30 – Finish
Call the organisation’s graduate recruitment team if something is unclear.
Take some time to complete and practise any material that you’ve been asked to prepare.
Identify which skills, interests and experiences the employer is looking for by revisiting the job description and any other material that the company has sent you.
Practice potential exercises with a friend or family member.
Read the organisation’s website, social media profiles and key literature (e.g. business plan, financial reports and corporate social responsibility strategy), ensuring that you’re prepared to share your views and ideas.
Reflect on your first interview, asking the company for feedback, reviewing your performance, and noting any questions or situations that caused you difficulty.
Research the news, trends, competitors, history and opportunities of the organisation and its job sector.
Review your CV and application form.
Visit your university’s careers and employability service for further guidance, as many have practice resources, offer one-on-one coaching and host mock assessment centre interviews.
Check the key competencies for the role.
Perfect your presentation skills. If public speaking is not your strength, practice speaking out loud in front of other people.
Get a good night’s sleep and have breakfast.
It’s important for you to:
Be assertive during all exercises.
Not dwell on any mistakes; instead, concentrate on performing well in the next task.
Ensure that the assessors can see your working methodology.
Not worry about the other candidates, and instead focus on putting your key skills forward.
Draw others into group discussions.
Ensure that you understand the requirements of each task by quickly digesting the brief, and revisit this once you understand the overall challenge.
Join in discussions, even at ‘informal’ mealtimes, and ask other candidates about university if you’re struggling for conversation.
Maintain a friendly and polite manner with everyone you meet, and remember that you’re always being assessed.
Relax and let your personality shine, as assessors warm to individuality.
Ask questions to the interviewer in individual interviews.
Contribute to group discussions.
Not be over-dominating, but at the same time, do not be too quiet.
Dress professionally and smile.
Take it as an opportunity to network with other students – team-work is key!
Remember when writing reports/emails, make sure to use the relevant information, be concise and answer the question or required task.
Are you taking on board everyone’s input?
What balance do you strike between letting go insignificant asides and making sure everyone agrees on important issues?
How do you deal with quiet people?
Would the discussion benefit from some structure, and how are you doing for time?
Are you talking for talking’s sake? Has your contribution helped solve the problem?
Do you criticise or encourage input from others?
How convincing are you? Do you speak with conviction?
Can you think on your feet when presented with an issue?
Can you recognise a good idea, and how do you tactfully deal with weak ideas?
Do you take time to contemplate the problem, or are you too busy talking?
Has the group strayed away from the original exercise brief?