Assessment Centres Information

Assessment Centres are becoming more widespread because companies do not want to rely solely on interviews to recruit their new employees. Many organizations now run a series of extended selection procedures, lasting between one and two days or sometimes even longer.

The Final Round Of Selection

An assessment center as a rule represents the final round of selection activity, although some employers might ask you back for another discussion or round of interviews. It is common for an organization to let you know when they expect to have made a decision and how you will be notified but don’t be scared to ask if this has not been made clear.

They are normally held either at the employers’ location or in a hotel and are considered by many organizations to be the fairest and most precise method of selecting staff.

An Assessment Center involves the use of a variety of testing techniques which are designed to allow candidates to demonstrate, under standardized conditions, the skills and abilities that are most essential for success in the job under consideration.

The term "assessment center" is just a catch-all phrase that can mean some or all of a variety of exercises. Assessment centres usually have some sort of in-basket exercise which contains contents similar to those which may be found in the in-basket for the job which is being tested.

Other possibilities include oral exercises, problem analysis exercises, interview simulations, role play exercises, written report/analysis exercises, and leaderless group exercises.

Whilst assessment centres aim to allow candidates to demonstrate more of their skills through a number of job relevant situations, the issue for candidates is that they must be fully conversant with the criteria for the job.

Professional Assessors

Employers themselves usually do not usually have a major presence at these events. Instead they employ professional assessors, usually psychologists, whose job it is to oversee the assessment centres and look for evidence that is pertinent to the job skills required. There will be a number of senior observers and selectors making notes on your performance across the range of activities.

This is because a number of diverse observers get to see what you can do you over a longer period of time, rather than what you claim you can do, as in an interview.

The assessment center usually consists of a number of exercises, which will include a presentation, an individual exercise, possibly an in-tray exercise, group work and a further interview.

Before you go to the assessment center you should research the requirements of the job you are applying for. This is what the assessment panel will be looking for through the exercises you participate in.

Job Selection Exercises

The exercises are intended to measure the skills and behaviours necessary to be successful, including flexibility, customer focus, team working and focus on outcomes. Don't try to guess what type of person they are looking for; only present yourself in a way that is genuine.

Whilst the Assessment Centre is for the employer to find out more about you, it is also a time for you to learn more about the job and the company. Lighten up and enjoy it, just do your best to learn from the experience.

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