Get That Job by Bloomsbury Publishing

Author:Bloomsbury Publishing
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781472993304
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

9

Succeeding in assessment centres

This method of selection usually involves a group of candidates performing a number of different tasks and exercises over the course of one to three days. Assessment centres were traditionally used at the second stage of recruitment, but nowadays it is not uncommon to be asked to one at the first stage.

Assessment centres usually include:

1. Group exercises: role-playing, discussion, leadership exercises

2. Individual exercises. For example:

• written tests (such as report-writing based on case studies);

• in-tray exercises (a business simulation where you are expected to sort through an in-tray, making decisions about how to deal with each item) presentation of an argument or data analysis;

• psychometric tests (please see Chapter 13 for more information);

• interviews.

3. Social events

4. Company presentations

You will be assessed most of the time – the administrator should clarify this for you – so there’s rarely an opportunity to let down your guard.

BUSINESS ESSENTIALS

Being called to an assessment centre can be a nerve-racking experience. However, you can make these events a little less stressful by following a few simple rules.

✔ The organization will probably tell you what they are looking for in their career literature or their invitation. Make sure you have read this, thought about it and worked out how you can show the behaviours they are interested in.

✔ Behave naturally but thoughtfully. Do not attempt to play an exaggerated role – it is never what the assessors want to see! Unnatural behaviour quickly becomes inappropriate and boorish.

✔ Make sure that you take part fully in all activities; assessors can only appraise what you show them.

✔ Don’t be over-competitive. The assessors are likely to be working to professional standards, not looking for the ‘winner’.

✔ Take an overview. Most of the exercises have a purpose wider than the obvious. Try to stand back and look at things in context rather than rushing straight in. With the in-tray exercise, for example, you will probably find that some items are related and need to be tackled together.

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