Assessment Centres are becoming more and more common during the interview process, with companies trying to ensure they hire the right person and reducing the costs of ‘poor hires’. Unfortunately, like them or loath them, this means that if you’re looking for a new job you’re likely to have to take part in one at some point.
This article is the first in a four part mini-series looking at what you should expect at Assessment Centres, some of the tests used and how to show that you should be the one they offer the job to.
Read Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 in the series.
1. Don’t just do it…….show the assessors your are doing it
Remember when you passed your driving test. You didn’t just need to look in your mirror before you made a manoeuvre, you had to move your head to show the examiner you were looking. It’s the same in an assessment centre. You not only have to listen to what people are saying, you have to show the assessors you are listening through body language and feedback.
2. Relax and be yourself
In a situation where people are observing you in order to assess you, of course there is an extent to which it is wise to keep your guard up and manage the impression you are making. However, if this is taken to an extreme level what people see is someone who is uptight, wary and they are likely to be frustrated because they just don’t feel they are seeing a real person. Therefore if you can relax sufficiently to let your personality shine through and to let something of your unique individuality be seen the assessors are more likely to warm to you.
3. Try and find an opportunity to practise
With assessment centres, like with most worthwhile activities, practice helps. If you can find the opportunity to run through exercises with a trusted friend you are likely to be more relaxed and well prepared when it comes to the day itself. If you’d prefer to practice under more ‘realistic’ conditions a number of organisations, such as ACP, run practice assessment sessions that you can attend.
4. Know the criteria you are going to be assessed against
In most cases the assessors will be assessing you against a pre-defined list of qualities, attributes or competencies. For many public sector jobs this list will be communicated prior to the event or will be available on request or with a small amount of research. In the private sector, openness from the organisation regarding defined qualities to be measured will vary considerably. If it feels appropriate you can ask the organisation prior to the event. If you applied through a recruitment consultancy they may be able to help. At the very least the job description (if available) or the advertisement you applied to will have some indications of the criteria you are likely to be measured against.
5. Prioritise and manage your time carefully
One of the most common failings at assessment centres is candidates failing to do themselves justice because the run out of time in exercises. Many assessment centres will involve digesting a brief and responding in some way. It is important to initially process the information quickly at an overview level by skim reading. After this there is a chance to go back and study elements in more detail once you have a feel for the overall challenge and what is required.
Find out more information about practice assessment sessions with ACP here
Let us do the hard work for you and take the hassle out of job hunting.
