What to expect
These will involve all or a group of candidates, including yourself, and will normally be a discussion with certain defined objectives. You will be observed by the assessors throughout, so make sure to focus on the activity. The activity may be:
- Structured - you will be given a designated role such as IT specialist; you may have information that nobody else has and vice versa, and may be set personal objectives that will partly conflict with the rest of the group. Negotiation to produce an acceptable compromise for everyone will be required.
- Unstructured - a discussion topic, related to current affairs or the organisation's business, will be given to the group.
- A physical task - for example you may be asked to build a model out of unusual material or move an object in a creative way.
Do
- Join in - once you get started any nerves will rapidly disappear.
- Contribute - there are no points for having good ideas that you don't communicate.
- Demonstrate - listen to others and build upon their ideas or ask appropriate questions.
- Be supportive and friendly.
- Be organised - be aware of the overall progress of the group. Ensure that you get to the end of the task.
Don’t
- Dominate - even if you are assigned or elected as the leader, understand that this role is to get the best from everyone and guide the group to a successful outcome.
- Interrupt or talk over others.
- Be insensitive or dismissive of the ideas of others.
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What to expect
These simulate a business situation. Typically you are a newly appointed manager and there are many issues, both on paper and electronically, demanding your attention such as reports, memos, letters, emails etc and you will be required to respond. You may sometimes be given the opportunity to discuss the exercise with an assessor at the end. The main skills required are to understand and analyse complex information, time management and communication skills.
Do
- Read all the information carefully, but as quickly as possible.
- Identify the most pressing matters with the most serious consequences.
- Look out for non-urgent or low priority issues and discard these.
- Consider your recommendations from the view points of all involved.
- Be politically aware and sensitive, especially if interpersonal disputes or customers are involved.
- Practice beforehand.
Don't
- Expect to do everything.
- Take in all the detail, it won't all be important.
- Panic and miss the important points.
Resources
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What to expect
You'll be given a topic either on the day or a few days beforehand. Your audience is likely to include the assessors and perhaps the other candidates. It should be made clear to you what visual aids or equipment will be available.
Do
- Brush up on your presentation skills - review any feedback from previous presentations you have given.
- Structure your presentation with a beginning, middle and end.
- Rehearse your presentation if you know the topic beforehand.
- Anticipate questions in advance and be prepared to answer them.
- Make good eye contact with members of your audience.
- Speak slowly, clearly, and with enthusiasm!
- Know your audience, consider their knowledge of the subject and pitch your talk appropriately.
Don't
- Overrun - this is very unprofessional, and you may be stopped by the assessor before you cover all your points.
- Fidget, mumble or rush through the presentation.
- Read directly from your slides or notes, use these as a framework for your presentation, not as a script.
Resources
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What to expect
These are either written responses or a discussion (role play) with an assessor about a dilemma or problem that will be presented to you. It is likely to be related to the organisation's business and there won't be an obvious solution.
Do
- Read all the information carefully but speedily.
- Identify what you consider to be the main factors.
- Prioritise - you won't have time to do a perfect or complete job.
- Think through the implications of your recommendations from the points of view of different interested parties (ie staff, management, customers etc).
Don't
- Take forever to make a decision - often the arguments are finely balanced so that there is no obvious “right” answer. It is more important that you can justify whatever decisions you make.
- Panic - do what you can and demonstrate logical reasoning.
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What to expect
These are tools used in job selection and career planning / development to assess ability, aptitude, aspects of personality, motivation or interests. There are two main kinds of psychometric tests: personality and aptitude.
Resources
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What to expect
These will be dinner, lunch or just a coffee break at some point during the assessment. You will have the chance to meet a range of employees of the organisation, perhaps including management, recent graduates, HR staff, and any potential colleagues. Employers sometimes state that the social activities are not assessed, but it is still advisable to be on your best behaviour throughout.
Do
- Seize the opportunity to ask questions about the organisation.
- Be positive about the organisation and the opportunities it offers.
- Be sociable, meet and talk to as many different people as you can.
- Make polite conversation.
Don't
- Drink too much! Decide on your limit and stick to it.
- Be controversial in your conversation, eg politics, religion, etc.
- Relax completely - you may still be being assessed.
- Worry if you knock something over, we've all done it (including assessors!).
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