As part of the selection process, it’s becoming more and more common for companies to ask candidates to attend an assessment centre. The prospect of an assessment day can leave you in a bit of a spin; as you will be meeting lots of new people, taking part in some challenging tasks, while also trying to showcase your best attributes to a potential employer.
Assessment days usually follow a successful initial interview and are viewed as an important part of the recruitment process. The event allows an employer to be able to rate you against certain competencies which are required in the workplace such as communication, team work or leadership skills.
Depending on the role which you are going for, you may also be required to be tested for a certain skill such as logic, grammar or analytical knowledge. The assessors will also be analysing your personality traits and will determine if you will fit in with the current company culture.
If you want to excel during an assessment day and banish any pre-existing nerves, take a look at our handy guide below…
What To Expect
An assessment day is a structured and well organised event that will consist of several activities throughout the day. No two assessment centres are the same; but quite often the company will make you aware of the schedule beforehand. The exercises that you can expect to encounter include presentations, tours of the company, interviews and group activities. The exercises selected will be designed to stimulate the tasks which you will be performing if you do land the job.
How Is It Assessed?
There will be a number of people assessing your performance throughout the day which will help to reduce bias during the interview process. You will most likely see the assessors documenting everything throughout the day, so they are able to evaluate your experience against any agreed criteria.
How Can I Prepare?
Similar to all job interviews; conducting your research and being well prepared can lead you to success during an assessment day. It’s important to gain some background knowledge on the company you’re interviewing for, as well as being up-to-date with all current industry regulations. You can also be prepared for an assessment day by thinking about how you are going to interact with other candidates and those who will be interviewing you.
What If I Get Asked To Prepare A Task?
On occasion, you may get asked to prepare a small presentation or other exercise which you will need to be presented at the assessment centre. Read the brief carefully and if the task is timed, ensure you practice beforehand to make sure you are it runs for the designated amount. Also be prepared to answer any common questions at the end of your presentation that the assessors may have for you.
What Are The Other Things I Can Do At An Assessment Date?
- Listen To Others:It's important to be open to the views of others at an assessment centre as this will illustrate your polished communication and team work skills. You can demonstrate your listening skills through body language, by not interrupting others and by not expressing any controversial opinions.
- Ensure You Participate:Employers will warm to those are able to demonstrate they are eager to take on any task, even if it is out of their comfort zone. Regardless of the outcome of the assessment day, you may find yourself gaining some newfound skills if you approach each activity enthusiastically.
- Be Yourself: While it is important to remain professional at an assessment day, those who are interviewing you will be looking to gain a further insight into your personality. By being yourself, the assessors will be able to judge if you are the perfect fit for the company’s workplace culture.
- Enjoy It: Granted, an assessment day maybe a daunting prospect for even the most polished of candidates. However there is a lot to gain from them; such as new skills or being able to extend your professional network by meeting new people in your field.
- Ask For Feedback: Like all job interviews, it is important to ask for feedback regardless of the outcome. By gaining feedback, you will be able to move forward and make any changes for next time. It will also put you in good stead with the employer as they will acknowledge that you are willing to learn and develop.