Assessment Centre Tips and Preparation for Graduates

So what is an assessment centre and what is involved?

It’s a series of activities or tasks that are relevant to the job that will assess a candidate’s suitability for the role and for the company.

At The Graduate, we have worked with our clients in developing a whole range of activities and key exercises that can assist in the assessment of candidates on the day as well as checking the documentation and activities that are already in place. These activities and exercises would include:

• One on one interviews – An interview between yourself and another person. The best way to prepare for an interview like this would be to research the company and practice with someone you know. This way you will be more confident on the day knowing you are more prepared.
• Panel interviews – Similar to one on one interviews, a panel consists of two or more people interviewing you. Like before, you need to know the company inside and out. This way if they decide to throw curveballs at you, this won’t be a problem as you will know everything about what they do.
• In-tray exercises – This is a paper-based scenario which you would be asked to complete. Before attending the assessment centre, go online and practice scenarios which relate to the role you are applying for, this way when it comes to the big day there will be little surprises and you’ll feel more comfortable.

• Presentations – Presenting a topic to an audience you have been given time to research. Not everyone is great at presentations. The best way to prepare is to get good practice in front of different audiences. This will not only help confidence but help you learn and understand what you are talking about more, making it easier for you to remember what to say!
• Team exercises – Working with one or more person/s to complete assigned tasks. There is no real way to practice working with others. Just make sure on the day of the test you put yourself out there as much as possible. Make sure to be confident and get involved so the employers notice you more.
• Tests – Numerical, proofreading, writing, analysing information. Once again practice. You need to practice different tests that can be found online or on our website. Attempting different test for the role you are going for will give you an insight to what type of questions you will be faced on the assessment day, therefore giving you the advantage on others.

Physical team assessments and exercises

It is vital that all delegates attending an assessment centre are marked in the same way so you can compare results. The Graduate will either create the matrix for you or assist with creating. You are the client so we work with you until you have the right solution for your campaign.

Tips for Graduate assessment days

• Dress as if it is an interview. First impressions are key, so dressing appropriately will instantly set a good example for yourself before even beginning the tasks.
• Be confident. Never allow others to take control of tasks, as you will then be overshadowed by then, making it difficult for yourself to be noticed by the observers. You need to continue your confidence through all tasks, whether presenting in front of a big audience or completing an individual task on paper.
• RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH! You have to research the company you are having the assessment day for. They will expect you to know the business very well. A lot of the tasks could potentially be based on them, so including extra researched information in your answers will be fantastic. The observers will be able to notice if you have researched based on the answers you have given.
• Health and wellbeing. Make sure that the night before the assessment day you are eating well, having a chilled out time and getting plenty of sleep. You want to be able to wake up in the morning feeling well prepared and good about yourself. Having late nights or going out will only set you back from the beginning.
• The final tip is practice. There are plenty of resources online, like this Assessment Centre Guide and this Practice Group Exercises, which can help you prepare for the tests you will be set throughout the assessment period. If you complete practice assignments before the proper day, this gives you an advantage over other candidates as you already know what types of tasks and questions you will be set.