Features - Interview Technique
Assessment Centres - How To Succeed - A CV Centre Guide
Assessment Centres are becoming increasingly popular tools for recruiters
to use and are considered by many to be the most reliable, objective and
fair process of selecting suitable candidates for a role. Traditionally,
Assessment Centres have formed the second stage of the interview process,
but employers are now often using them as a first interview, enabling
them to create a shortlist of the most suitable applicants.
Assessment Centres generally consist of a series of individual and group
exercises and tasks specifically designed to gauge your actual ability
to perform a job - rather than simply relying on what you say your capabilities
are. As a result, the employer can make an informed judgement on your
future job performance based on the personal and technical skills that
you have demonstrated.
The programme of events is often very intensive and may require an overnight
stay with the other candidates, so it is essential to create a positive
impression for the duration of the programme. Although certain stages
may appear to be informal, you are more than likely to be monitored throughout.
The programme may include a social or informal gathering with other candidates,
selectors, senior managers and employer representatives who have recently
graduated from the Assessment Centre themselves. This is an invaluable
opportunity for you to find out more about the company from people at
different levels within the organisation. The potential employer may well
be assessing your ability to entertain future clients so your behaviour
should of course be impeccable.
In general, you should do your best to relax and enjoy the Assessment Centre as much as you can under the circumstances, whilst remembering that you may be under observation at all times, even in seemingly informal situations. Try to be yourself at all times and show the employer that you have confidence in yourself and in your ability to perform the job for which you are applying.
Group Activities
A number of the activities undertaken at an Assessment Centre will involve working in groups enabling the employer to assess your teamwork skills, your ability to listen to others and the way you react if your opinion is challenged. Group activities can include discussions (where you are assigned a particular subject and asked to form a conclusion as a group), and role play exercises involving each member of the group taking on a particular role and participating in discussions and negotiations to demonstrate their interaction and communication skills. Additionally, business scenarios can be simulated whereby the group has to perform certain tasks or challenges that may well arise in a normal business environment.
In-Tray
This is much more likely to be undertaken on an individual basis and involves dealing with a typical in-tray, consisting of various forms of correspondence and documentation. The task will be to ensure that appropriate action is taken to deal with each piece of information which can include drafting formal and informal written responses and preparing statistical reports. You may be assessed on how you prioritise the workload that you are faced with, how effectively you deal with each document, and how well you have read and understood the information. You may also be assessed on any notes you have made indicating further action that may be required, and on how much of the workload you are able to complete within the allowed timeframe.
Interviews
The interviews that take place at Assessment Centres may differ from normal interviews in that they may be more in-depth and may also involve facing a panel of interviewers rather than just one single interviewer. If this is the case, it is important to focus your attention on the specific interviewer posing the question whilst also ensuring that you include the other panel members in your glance to show that they too are included. As in any interview situation, it is always beneficial to have done your homework on the company and be prepared to provide evidence of your skills and knowledge. Advice and tips on successful interview techniques can be found in Coping with Job Interviews, also compiled by The CV Centre.
Aptitude Tests
Aptitude tests are generally taken under examination conditions and are aimed at assessing your logical/analytical skills and your capacity for reasoning. Quite often, they will also be tailored towards the specific role for which you are applying so that the employer can get an idea of how you would perform in the role. It is essential to make sure you read and understand each question before attempting to answer it - don't be tempted to rush and risk making careless mistakes.
Presentations
Sometimes, you may be required to prepare and deliver a short presentation, although you should be given prior warning of this to enable you to carry out any necessary research and to practice your presentation. Further help on presentations can be found in Interviews - Presentations, also compiled by The CV Centre.
Further Help
We can offer no better recommendation than to get hold of a copy of the book "Great Answers To Tough Interview Questions" which, despite its title, actually covers every single aspect of the job-hunting process. It’s the best book on the subject, is sponsored by The CV Centre, and is available from them for just £12.50. Of course, to get to the interview stage you do need an outstanding CV and there really is no substitute for taking advantage of in-depth professional experience. The CV Centre is the UK's leading CV consultancy; their CVs are carefully crafted to have the strongest possible appeal to potential employers, rather than being just an uninspiring typed summary of an individual's basic information. Their team of consultants also has a broad range of previous experience within recruitment and personnel management, which enables them to produce CVs of the highest standards. Find out how The CV Centre's professional CV writing services can help to maximise your chances of getting the job you deserve.
