Assessment Centre Skills

Objectives

To give an insight into recruitment process & To provide practical advice on attending assessment centres

The Graduate Recruitment Process

Attracting

Application Form Selecting 1 Selecting 2 Offer

How many get through?

Applications First Interviews Assessment Centres

33% 33% 50%

Offers

What is an Assessment Centre?

Employer An alternative selection tool which allows the employer to test candidates in a variety of different situations

Attendee The most terrifying experience of my life during which, rather unfortunately, I acted as if I was a somewhat disturbed individual having a particularly bad day

The popularity of different assessment methods

100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

100% Interview 96% References 93% Application forms

Personality questionnaires References

70% Ability tests 64% Personality questionnaires 59% Assessment Centre

Astrology Application forms Ability tests Interview Bio-data

19% Biodata

Graphology Assessment centres

3% Graphology 0% Astrology

Accuracy of some methods of selection

1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0

Perfect Prediction

Structured Interview References Astrology

0.6 Assessment centres 0.57 Ability tests 0.43 Structured Interview 0.39 Bio-data 0.37 Personality questionnaires 0.28 Unstructured Interviews 0.2 References 0.03 Astrology 0.02 Graphology

Personality questionnaires Unstructured Interviews Ability tests Assessment centres Bio-data Graphology
Chance Prediction

Content of an Assessment Centre

Interviews Psychometric Testing Exercises

Interviews
Not the same as your first interview Still need to prepare! Go on an interview skills training course

Interview preparation

Know yourself and your achievements Know what employers want in their graduates And then..

Do your best to bring the two together

Know yourself and your achievements

Similar to application form 3 year plan List and consider all your achievements Think about your strengths and weaknesses Know why you want to do the job

Qualities that employers look for

Academic achievement Drive and leadership potential Intellectual skills Interpersonal skills Career motivation

Drive and leadership potential

People who have done something different People who can differentiate themselves

Ability to get the job done

Pro-activity

Career Motivation
Desire for, and understanding of, the job Genuine interest in (the) business Research!! Reasons for career choices Job Company

Preparation for Interviews

(Bringing the two together) Prepare for questions Think about your examples How can you fit them in? How are they relevant to what employers want? Research!!! Practise interviews Careers Service, friends, parents.

In the interview

Body language from start to finish Dealing with hard questions Get to specific examples Concentrate on what you did Dont over-answer or get too technical

Psychometric Testing

Aptitude Testing
Numerical Ability Verbal Ability Abstract Reasoning Mechanical Reasoning

Personality Testing
The results of psychometric tests usually used as a tool to supplement the information already gathered on the candidate

What to expect

Tests may include: Shapes or Patterns Number or Time Sequences Words or Phrases You may be asked to: Find the odd one out Identify the next sequences or what is missing Find opposites or identify similar meanings

Exercises
Typical Exercises may include: Job Specific Exercises Individual Exercises Group Exercises

Analysis Written exercises

Individual presentations In-tray exercise Report writing

Group discussions Team building Group presentations

In-tray Exercises

Tests various skills including: Ability to understand and interpret information Planning & organisation Ability to provide well-reasoned conclusions Decision-making Written communication Financial/problem solving skills

Case study exercise

Analysis of business information Extracting relevant information & making recommendations Limited time frame

Need to learn how to process information quickly and accurately!

Case Study Exercise - EXAMPLE

A business in trouble Issues facing business Analysis and recommendations

A business in trouble

PROFIT & LOSS ACCOUNT Sales Cost of materials Cost of wages Cost of rent Cost of advertising LOSS 1,000,000 (400,000) (300,000) (300,000) (200,000) (200,000)

A business in trouble
What could they do? Lay off staff? New product line/target market? Cost cutting measures? Takeover/merger? Something else? Advise your client on the pros and cons of each!

Group discussion & Team building exercises

Skills being assessed: Communication & persuasion Understanding of material Listening Compromise and flexibility Utilising all team members Team dynamic Not only looking for Leaders

Group discussion & Team building exercises

Know what you want to say Put your points of view forward clearly Listen to, and build on, others points Help the group reach goals Be prepared to change mind Body language BE PART OF THE TEAM

What can go wrong?

Individuals pursuing personal objectives Lack of flexibility Aggressive or submissive communication Lack of trust Lack of enthusiasm

Indicators in group discussions

Confident v Cocky Listening v Speaking Body language Derogatory comments

Team Work

No matter how much work you can do, no matter how engaging your personality may be, you will not advance far in business if you cannot work through others John Craig

Individual/Group Presentations
You may need to present by yourself or with others Identify main points to convey Structure presentation Good eye contact and body language Do not over-rely on visual aids Try to be CONFIDENT!!! Go on a presentation skills course if possible

Final advice to candidates

Play an active role in any group exercises Be part of the team In written exercises, make use of headings and PLAN Try to incorporate your own business awareness Be confident, speak clearly and precisely Keep to the time frames given Meet all of the objectives set out in all exercises

Ernst & Young requirements

Grade A or B for GCSE Maths and English language 300 (24) UCAS points 2.1 Degree in any discipline Some roles require higher academic qualifications and
specific degree backgrounds

Thank you Any questions?