ASSESSMENT CENTRE GUIDE

What is a CV?

What is an Assessment Centre?

An Assessment Centre (or Assessment Day) is a recruitment process used by certain firms to compare and evaluate a group of candidates through a series of activities. Typically held at the firm's office, this process consists of a combination of individual and group tasks. Assessment Centres can be conducted over a period ranging from an afternoon to two days, although they typically run from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Their primary purpose is to comprehensively evaluate candidates' skills and determine their suitability for the role.

COMMON TENTATIVE  ITINERARY

Time Activity
9:00 AM Arrival and Introduction
9:15 AM Employer Presentation and Group Ice-breaker Exercise
10:00 AM Psychometric Tests
11:30 AM Individual Task: In-tray Exercise
12:45 PM Lunch
1:45 PM Group Exercise: Case Study
2:45 PM Assessment Interview
4:15 PM Individual Presentations
5:15 PM Evaluation
5:30 PM Finish

TYPES OF  EXERCISE

  • Case Studies
  • Group Discussions
  • In-Tray Exercises
  • Presentations
  • Psychometric Tests
  • Role Play
  • Social Events
  • Written Tests

PREPARATION  TIPS

  • Read the invitation email carefully: Understand the arrival time, location, and any materials you need to bring. Ensure all required preparation tasks are completed in advance.
  • Prepare for icebreakers: Have some interesting facts about yourself ready and prepare thoughtful questions for both the employer and other candidates.
  • Research the organisation: Explore the company’s website, social media, key literature (e.g., business plan, financial reports, CSR strategy), and industry trends, competitors, and opportunities.
  • Review your CV and application: Be ready to discuss them during face-to-face interviews.
  • Use career services: Visit your university’s careers and employability service for practice resources, coaching, and mock assessment centre interviews.

HOW TO  EXCEL  IN GROUP EXERCISES

  • Manage time effectively: Keep track of the time allocated for each task to ensure you complete everything within the given timeframe.
  • Encourage inclusive discussions: Ensure all voices are heard and avoid talking over others to foster productive group discussions.
  • Assign a scribe: Designate one person to take notes, allowing the group to focus on generating ideas and solutions.
  • Balance leadership and teamwork: Strong leadership is valuable, but ensure all members contribute, each idea is considered, and everyone is acknowledged.
  • Introduce team members: Before starting discussions, take a moment to introduce yourselves. Learning about each other’s backgrounds can be beneficial depending on the task.

PRESENTATION  TIPS

  • Support your main ideas: Use concise anecdotes, relevant examples, statistics, and facts to make your points more compelling.
  • Speak clearly and confidently: Maintain a steady pace and practice by recording yourself to evaluate your delivery.
  • Maintain good eye contact: Engage your audience by making eye contact with individuals in smaller groups or scanning different sections in larger settings.
  • Use confident body language: Stand with your feet hip-width apart for a stable stance. Avoid crossing your legs, as this can appear unsteady.
  • Leverage visual aids effectively: Do not simply read from them; instead, use them to reinforce and complement your spoken content.
  • Conclude with impact: End your presentation by inviting questions and thanking your audience for their time and attention.

THINGS TO BE  MINDFUL  OF

  • Stay focused on the next task: Don’t dwell on mistakes; instead, concentrate on performing well in the upcoming exercises.
  • Showcase your working methodology: Assessors want to see how you think and approach tasks.
  • Balance participation: You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room, but make sure you contribute meaningfully.
  • Engage in discussions: Join conversations, even during informal settings like mealtimes. If unsure, ask other candidates about university or career plans.
  • Be yourself: Relax and let your personality shine—assessors appreciate individuality.
  • Find the right balance: Avoid being over-dominating but also ensure you are not too quiet.
  • Show your problem-solving approach: Even if you get the wrong answer, demonstrate how you apply your skills and tackle tasks.
  • Dress appropriately: Unless stated otherwise, wear smart business attire as you would for an interview.

MOCK ASSESSMENT CENTRE  SCENARIOS