Preparing for Assessment Days

When preparing for an assessment day there are a number of key factors that you have to take into consideration.  For starters, always remember that on an assessment centre you are literally being assessed from the moment you arrive through the door to the moment you leave, therefore, make sure to act professionally at all times!   In addition, here are a few more of our top tips on assessment days we want to share with you in this blog.

As part of a recruitment selection process, there is a chance that you will be asked to attend an assessment day.  The assessment centre itself can include a variety of different tests, including verbal, numerical or psychometric tests followed by a formal interview.  These tests will allow the employer to assess individual candidates more efficiently and accurately.

We understand that attending an assessment centre can be daunting, but remember, it is actually a great opportunity to spend time with company representatives, find out more about the company culture and most importantly, learn more about your potential job role

The Actual Assessment

When you’re in the actual assessment centre there are a number of ways that you can demonstrate your confidence.  Make sure to talk to the other candidates when you have a break; this shows the assessors that you’re confident in speaking to new people.  Another tip, although obvious, is to remember to be enthusiastic and show you’re interested in the role you’re applying for without coming across as overbearing.  If you’re given the opportunity, ask a lot of questions regarding the role, the business, tailoring them to suit the situation.

 Assessment Day Discussion Exercises

Group discussions are used by assessors to analyse how you and other candidates interact with others and to gauge your input and influence when working as part of a team.  Usually, the assessment will be one of two things, it will either be a problem given to your team to solve or a point to discuss, which will require a collective decision to be taken.

Here are some simple guidelines from McCarthy Recruitment on how to make a good impression during these types of exercise:

• The discussion is not about how much you say – remember quality is more important than quantity

• Show an awareness of other team members by listening to them and taking their views into account

• If a team member is quiet or has not been heard, support them by asking what they think the group should do

• Be mindful of the time limits that have been put in place and make sure to demonstrate your ability to manage time – but don’t be tempted to force a decision if time is running out

• If someone is dominating the discussion or talking over others, keep your cool and do not show your frustration

• Although the objective is to influence others to your opinion, don’t stick to your opinion at all costs.  If someone has a good suggestion, it is far better to concede and show enthusiasm

• Look for opportunities to show your leadership skills – offer to write down ideas but don’t just become the administrator

• Ensure you take an active role in the discussion.  If you sit quietly and don’t contribute or demonstrate your management and team working skills, you will score poorly

For more information on Assessment Centres you can click here.