CareerNews
			What to expect from an assessment centre Group exercises Role playing Presentation exercises Who assesses? How to prepare

Employers have found that they can't always rely upon one method of testing to differentiate between applicants.

As a result many now combine a variety of assessment tools - for example, group interviews, psychometric tests, impromptu presentations, role-plays and panel interviews.

Collectively, these make up what are known as Assessment Centres and they are rapidly gaining popularity for the recruitment of managers and other senior personnel.

What to expect from an Assessment Centre

If you are invited to an Assessment Centre you can be sure that you have done something right and the employer is keen to see what else you are capable of. It can be daunting but is only those who have passed through the preliminary interviews and those that the employer thinks are capable of successfully carrying out the jobs on offer that are asked to attend - so be confident and positive.

Assessment Centres are designed to test your intellectual capabilities and future potential. The employer will set tasks aimed at testing your strengths, and uncovering your weaknesses. In turn, you will learn more about the company, how it motivates its personnel, and you will meet some of the people you will work with should you be offered a job.

Assessment Centres differ greatly in design, they may be held at the companies HQ, a hotel or in a rural setting. The form in which the Assessment Centre comes will reflect the ethos of the company.

For example dynamic, constantly changing industries assess the ability of a candidate to adjust to change and to learn new skills whereas in steady state industries they will test your existing skills, which can be used immediately.

The assessment centres activities should bear some relation to the tasks required of you in the job. For example in managerial assessment your decision making will be tested and leadership ability.

Assessment lasts for a day or possibly two or more for senior positions and the employer will be expected to accommodate you for the duration. The location will be arranged so as to be optimally assessable for all the candidates with accessibility for candidates with disabilities.

There will usually be between 5-8 candidates on a course and you should make a concerted effort to socialise and get along with these people. Whilst you are taking part in a competitive activity you will potentially end up working with some of these people. And in any case, how you interact with your fellow candidates will be part of the assessment.

Group Exercises

The key to handling group exercises is to have to the right attitude from the start. You must be positive and enthusiastic and unless told otherwise you should assume that your objective is to 'win' against the other members of the group.

Group exercises are set to test the candidates' teamwork ability and to see who come out as the leaders and who are the followers. Groups will be provided with a brief, which they must complete within a defined time limit.

The tasks may encourage competitiveness or co-operation. The opportunity to compete with other candidates will help some candidates to perform better.

Be actively engaged at all times and be yourself - not who you think the assessors are looking for. Try to introduce humour and be sensitive towards others and have flexibility of thought.

Role Playing

Imagine that you are in the office on the phone to a dissatisfied and angry client, suddenly the fire alarm goes off…. In this task individuals will be assigned roles, each taking terms at being the key employee. The scenario which will be played out will usually be related to either a typical day on the job or a particularly stressful, awkward situation which must be tamed with quick thinking. Dressing up is optional…

Presentation Exercises

Presentation exercises are common as part of test centres. Few people enjoy public speaking but it is a discipline, which should be practised and is very useful. If you can successfully address a room of delegates your confidence cannot fail to impress. It is often useful to make very brief notes, which you can refer to during the talk and you should be provided with sufficient preparation time.

Who assesses?

Employers themselves usually do not usually have a strong presence at these events. Instead they employ professional assessors who's job it is to oversee assessment centres. There will be a number of senior observers and selectors who will make notes on your performance over the range of activities.

These observers will be trained to assess behaviour and seek evidence that is relevant to the job skills required.

How to prepare

Before you attend the assessment centre you should research thoroughly the exact requirements for the job to which you are applying. These key criteria are what the assessment panel will be looking for from you.

Dress as you would for an interview with the organisation and make sure you arrive at the venue in good time. The moment you walk through the door you will be judged, on your appearance, your punctuality and crucially how you present yourself to your fellow candidates.

It could be useful to make a note of the names of all the company representatives you meet, and when in conversation with testers or candidates drop those names into conversation.

When you leave the assessment centre take time to reflect on your own performance. Then after a few days, if you have not heard, contact the employer and politely request some feedback on your performance.

The Assessment Centre is a time for the employer to find out more about you and your capabilities. It is also a time for you to learn more about the job and the company. Relax and enjoy it, just do you best and learn from the experience.