Top Tips for attending assessment centres.

Assessment Centres are often used when a large number of candidates are being interviewed for a set number of roles.

One of the main benefits to the potential supplier is the fact that they are able to observe behavior in a live environment as well as processing a large number of potential candidates in a shorter time..

`People watching` is often most key when an employer wants to gain an appreciation of your ability to work in a team and deal with people face to face.

Dependent on the type of role you may be asked to take part in a roll play excersise, this could take the form of you being the member of staff whist one of the assesors plays the customer. This is often the case when you are applying for a role relating to telephone based work where being able to deal with people over the telephone is a key skill.

Enemy Within.

One of the weirdest things about the assessment centres is that you will often find that there are people taking part in the activities that are after the same role as you.

Dont worry about it is all that I can say. I have managed assessment centres in the past where it quickly becomes apparent that there is a lot of psyching out taking place. Believe it or not there has even been cases where I have overheard people within the group dropping the odd comment on the lines of.. Well the jobs mine so I wouldn’t bother worrying about it or so and so told me that I was the best person in that group.

This is old tactics and should not cause you any concern. If anything, all it does is highlight the individuals concern at their inability to do the job. The candidate may be nervous and is using these last ditch attempts to try and rub a little of this nervousness on you… It’s just indicative of a lack of confidence, that’s all.

Team Work

In team game type environments make sure that your input reflects the type of role you are going for.

If it is a management role, the assessor will be looking for control of the discussion without being too pushy.

Empathise with the other candidates and summarise the main points at the end. For management roles you will find that you’re not the only person trying to take the lead. Dont get aggressive or start getting pushy. Just go with it. Assessors will not be looking for aggressive staff. Go with the flow whilst not being a walk over.

Being an assessment centre this will not be the only activity. If you push too hard you could risk causing problems for yourself later on which is best avoided.

If you’re applying for roles where you will form part of a larger team, make sure in the group discussions that you involve everyone.

If there is a particular quiet person, try to involve them (without putting them on the spot!) asking open questions on the lines if “so what do you think Bob?”

Think before you say anything. A valid contribution is much more valuable than one in which you talk gibberish for twenty minutes, some people can talk for England but if its not relevant then they might as well of said nothing at all.

Group Discussions

Group discussions are often based on a problem solving exercise. Remember, having the intelligence to solve the problem is not the be all and end all. It is often so much more to do with the way in which you interact with other people to get to the final solution. Keep this in mind when you’re taking part.

Dependent on the type and duration of the assessment centre, you may break for coffee or lunch. Use this time constructively.

Speak to your fellow candidates and assessors. Remember that the assessment is continuing at all times. Your input and contribution during these more relaxed times can be just as important, and may be taken into account as much as your actions during the team working session. It’s all about how you get on with other people. Remember this at all times..

The Interview

The final part of an assessment centre may be an interview. It could be on a one to one basis or with a group of the assessors.

Approach this interview in the same way as you would approach any other. Remember though that your input during the assessment centre may be brought up (on the lines of, tell me John, when you asked Bob that question, what were the reasons behind that? Etc).

If you have being invited to an assessment centre, ask the recruitment agency or company that has invited you what the format will be. (They should be happy to provide you with this information for most roles) Armed with this information, you will be able to prepare a little more which will in turn help you sail through the assessment centre in a much more relaxed and calm manner.