What is an assessment centre?
Assessment centres are usually day-long events that allow recruiters to see you perform in simulated work situations.
The activities may include; group exercises and case studies, psychometric tests, interviews, presentations and e-tray/in-tray exercises.
Due to the pandemic, many employers are running virtual assessment centres, but your preparation should be the same.
Tips
Before
- Read everything you have been sent about the day and understand what tasks and activities you will be getting involved in.
- Re-read your application as it may contain tips on what the employer is looking for.
- Re-read the job description and related documents to refresh your memory on what the company is looking for.
- If an interview forms part of the day, be sure to follow our advice on interview preparation.
- If the assessment centre will be run online, make sure you have a good internet connection, a suitably quiet environment without distractions and a neutral background behind you.
At the Assessment Centre
- Speak up and get involved. If you don't the recruiter can't see what you have to offer!
- Don't worry if you don't do so well in one aspect. Employers rarely expect perfection in every area.
- Manage your time. Understand what each task is and how long you have to do it. Split tasks up. Try to agree with the group how you might split the tasks between you.
- Enjoy it! Most students we talk to say assessment centre activities are mostly good fun.
Afterwards
- Think about how you and others performed in the assessment centre. What did you do well? What could be improved? Come and talk it over with us at a Careers Consultant appointment.
What next?
- On the Careers Moodle pages watch the assessment centres videos. The videos follow students through a real assessment centre and include feedback from the recruiters.
- Check our events page to see if there are any approaching assessment centre events.
- On Moodle take a look at the helpsheets provided on assessment centres (includes presentations, written & e.tray exercises and group exercises), interviews, and psychometric tests.
- Read more about assessment centre activities and e-tray/in-tray exercises.