Careers > Application Process
Assessment Centres
Assessment centres are extremely common for graduate jobs, placements and internships, giving the employers the opportunity to assess lots of candidates on a range of tasks.
In This Article
Assessment Centres
How to Prepare
What to Expect
The majority of assessment centres used to be in person, however since COVID-19 many have moved online. The day will usually involve a range of activities such as: psychometric tests, group exercises, case studies, presentations and interviews. You may receive a breakdown of the tasks a few days before the assessment centre in order to give you time to prepare, or it may be at the beginning of the day. The activities and structure will vary for each organisation, so make sure you ask the recruitment team any questions before attending.
If your assessment centre is particularly large, you will be split into smaller groups for the activities, giving the assessors the opportunity to observe a manageable group of attendees. The skills employers look for will vary, but it’s likely to include key areas such as: communication, time management, analytical ability, leadership, persuasion etc.
Top Tip
You do not have to showcase each of these skills to be successful. For example, a group exercise is likely to need a leader, however this doesn’t necessarily need to be you. The most important thing is that you contribute, without being overbearing or dominating the discussion.
How to Prepare for Assessment Centres
- Research
Re-visit your research areas from earlier stages in the application. If you’ve been in the process for a while, ensure your knowledge is still up-to-date and relevant. Visit recent articles posted by the organisation on their website and social channels to get an insight into their latest news – you may find something you can draw upon on the day. It’s also important to look at company values and have genuine reasons for wanting to join the organisation.
- Practice
Practice psychometric tests and answer common interview questions to ensure you are best prepared. It’s worth checking the company website as they may have their own practice tests or preparation materials that you can complete. Some universities will also run mock assessment centres that you can attend and get feedback from.
- Are you attending an online assessment centre? Test your tech!
If you’re attending an online assessment centre, test that your technology is working properly and is fully charged. Ensure your camera is of a reasonable quality, the audio is clear, and the strength of your WiFi is sufficient.
- If you’re attending an in-person event, plan the controllable
There are a few things you can plan to make your day as smooth as possible:
- Your journey – Plan your journey beforehand and factor in some time for delays. You don’t want to be late!
- Your outfit – Smart is always safest, but it’s also important to be comfortable
- A bag for the day – The company should tell you what you need to bring, make sure it’s all ready to go
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In This Article
Assessment Centres
How to Prepare
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