How to Succeed at Assessment Centres Imperial College London Careers Advisory Service Aims        What are assessment centres? Why are they used? A typical one-day assessment centre Individual and group tasks Practical exercises Tips for success Further help Assessment centres are about Meeting people: selectors, current graduates, senior staff, other candidates Gathering information: about the organisation, the job, and the working culture Demonstrating your potential: tests and exercises about your competencies Assessment centres …     … are used for selection by larger employers to assess competencies … can last from 1/2 a day to two days … are considered a fair way of assessing candidate’s skills and abilities … use a range of selection methods for individuals and for groups A typical 1-day assessment centre          Introduction of participants and candidates Company presentation Individual presentations Coffee break, socialising informally Psychometric testing In-tray exercise Buffet lunch, socialising informally Group exercise, solving a work-related problem Interviews, ½ hour, skills-based Individual tasks  Socialising - chance for networking, food and drink, still observed!  Employer presentation, tour of premises - description of company mission, structure, job functions  Your presentation - short presentation about a topic of your choice, often prepared in advance, testing your presentation skills - can be short verbal presentation about yourself by way of introducing yourself in the group (similar to 30” CV)  In-tray (e-tray) exercises - about prioritising administrative tasks, timed exercise, putting items in order (reports, phone messages, emails, letters – providing notes with your responses)  Interviews - usually the “second” interview, small panel, competencies, technical abilities  Role play - one of the assessors to take on a part which relates to the role you’ve applied for (e.g. complaining customer)  Case study - scenario related to the role applied for, about analytical problem-solving; asked for recommendations  Psychometric tests - verbal and numeric reasoning tests / personality tests Group tasks  Group roles with leader assigned - members assigned a specific role and aim; may involve arguing your case, negotiating, persuading others - not about winning or losing but communicating effectively in a group to achieve your goal  Group discussion without a leader - topic given, often timed and required to make a group recommendation (often a group case study) - get involved and contribute in whatever way you can (e.g. leading, facilitating, generating ideas, encouraging, monitoring progress, questioning, analysing)  Practical team exercises - Timed exercise, groups may be competing against one another; task could be anything from building a structure with simple materials to solving an imaginary problem such as conveying ping pong balls from a to b - Purpose to assess drive, leadership, creativity, motivation, team working. Exercise 1: Over to you! In-tray exercise:   It’s Friday afternoon and you’re clearing your desk, as you’re about to start your holiday on Saturday. You still need to pack. There are some items in your in-tray for you to clear before you go. Decide: A: What needs your immediate attention? B: What can be postponed until you return? C: What can you delegate to someone else? Your in-tray 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Minutes of a recent management team meeting circulated for your information. A mail shot from a regular supplier, asking you to act within 5 days to qualify for a huge discount. Phone message from the MD’s secretary. He needs to deliver a speech at an important function tonight and wants to clarify some figures. Message from the marketing department – have you had a chance to look at her proposals for your product. Arrange meeting to discuss strategy? The report of the latest customer survey you’ve been waiting for with anticipation. Exercise 2: “Movies R Us” A case study Movies R Us – 1/3     Your client is a small independent cinema. Profits have been in decline for some time. Your tasks is to suggest possible ways to increase their revenue. Background Information: 4 screens, opening hours 2pm – 11pm, snacks and soft drinks are on sale, average age group of visitors 18 - 40 Movies R Us – 2/3     How would you tackle this exercise? What factors do we think may have led to a decline in profits? What recommendations would you make? Discuss with your neighbour – 5 min. Movies R Us - debrief What recommendations would you make? Key point: no right or wrong answers! Answers might include:  Show children’s movies to attract whole families  Include special midweek deals (2 for 1)  Extend opening hours to have morning screenings for school children at weekends  “Golden Oldies” nights to attract older people  Investigate snacks – what sells well? What not? What else might people want? Tips for success    Relax, be yourself and enjoy the event Be pleasant and positive to everyone including other candidates Prepare a short introduction about yourself that you could use in a group introduction or during the interview (why you have applied and what you have to offer)  Prepare as you would for an interview (research employer, read press releases, practise questions and answers)   Remain interested and involved throughout, show enthusiasm for tasks Make eye contact, speak up, speak clearly, don’t interrupt  When working in groups: – join in – try not to dominate, include others – pay attention to time and check details – articulate your thoughts and ideas; be concise – respect other views, acknowledge better ideas even if this means changing your mind   You are NOT in competition with other candidates! It’s about how you behave and work with them - some, all or none may be selected! Further help     Watch AGCAS video/DVD about assessment centres (approx. 25 min.) Handouts about assessment centres, group exercises, presentations Reference books Careers Service www.imperial.ac.uk/careers Good luck!