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Career Basics Lesson #2: Assessment Centres
Job-seekers who find themselves being invited to an assessment centre often look upon the day-long event with a sense of dread. However, while it is human nature to worry, the format of assessment centres, where the candidate is assessed over multiple tests, is designed to give candidates opportunities to succeed.
1. How to prepare
The format of assessment centres varies both according to the nature of the role being applied for and according to individual companies. Consequently the first piece of preparation you need to undertake is to clarify exactly what you will be asked to do on the day. Very often this information will be covered in the letter, email or phone call inviting you to attend the assessment centre. If not, get straight in touch with whomsoever invited you and get as full a run-down of the day's itinerary as possible.
2. Anticipate interview questions
Almost all assessment centres will involve an interview, so you should prepare to answer questions about your workplace performance - how you have handled difficult situations, examples of successful team leadership, what motivates you to succeed, that sort of thing.
3. Research the company
Additionally, you must do some research on the company at which you are hoping to work. You need to be able to talk intelligently about recent developments, their competitors and things about the company that attracted you to the role. Get yourself out to a couple of their stores, familiarise yourself with their product range, store layouts, etc. Failure to show this most minimal level of commitment will count against you.
4. Getting the basics right
Have an early night, avoid drinking and smoking heavily the night before and dress smartly. It's also a good idea to plan your journey to the assessment centre in order that you arrive in good time. Arriving late shows lack of planning and forethought. That said, if something unexpected happens to delay your journey try to contact the assessors and advise them that you're going to be late.
5. On the day itself
Remember to be polite and friendly at all times to everyone you meet at the assessment centre, irrespective of whether they are the receptionist or the chief executive. In group exercises, for example, it's easy for natural competitiveness to come across as aggressiveness. Even breaks during the day are opportunities for your would-be employers to observe your social skills.
6. The tasks
As we've said, the exact format of assessment centres will vary. However, favourite tasks to be thrown at you include group exercises, prioritisation exercises, presentations, leadership assessments and psychometric tests.
7. Perfect timing
If there is a timed group exercise an easy way to score a couple of early points is to suggest that someone is nominated to keep track of the time and another to write down the group's ideas. If you are expected to make a presentation you will have been informed of this well ahead of the assessment day itself in order to prepare and you should have an idea of how long it will take you.
8. Any questions?
You will almost certainly feel quite washed out by the end of the day so it is a good idea to note down any questions that occur to you as they occur to you. Almost every assessment centre will conclude with a brief question and answer session and having something to say makes a positive impression.
9. And finally...
Remember to thank the assessors for their time before you leave (even if it feels like thanking a dentist for drilling teeth without anaesthetic), they will be tired from the rigors of the assessment centre too. After the event it is important to contact the company or recruitment agency that invited you - even if you are told that your application wasn't successful. One of the real advantages of assessment centres is the capacity to get constructive, objective feedback (be it positive or negative). That way, even if you failed this time, you'll have a better chance in the future.
