1. Assessment Centres Career Development Centre University of Ulster

2. Aim:
To provide participants with an understanding of the different elements of assessment centres

3. Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the session participants will be able to:
Understand what is involved in the different exercises/tests
Deliver a presentation
Participate effectively in a group discussion or business game
Recognise criteria employers use for selection
Locate good examples of exercises on various websites
Reflect on the key qualities required to perform successfully at assessment centres

4. What is an Assessment Centre?
Employers use assessment centres to select the best candidate for the job.
Assessment centres usually include a combination of exercises and tasks that can measure candidates’ strengths and weaknesses in competencies relevant to the job
You will be working in small groups of five or six, and will be assessed by a team of observers
They typically last from half a day to two days and will be highly structured and organised
At the end, assessors consider each candidate’s individual performance throughout the assessment centre and select who is the most suitable

5. What competencies do employers look for?
time management
personal organisation
problem solving
decision making
personal drive and initiative
creativity and innovation
leadership
interpersonal and communication skills
adaptability or flexibility
team working
influencing and persuasion

6. Typical Exercises/Tasks
Group exercises and/or discussions
Written exercises/Case study
In-tray exercises
Presentations
Psychometric tests
Panel interview
Social events

7. Group Exercise
Binge drinking is widespread among young people, causing violence on our streets and using valuable hospital resources. The government is considering changing the legal alcohol drinking age from eighteen to twenty one
Take five minutes to jot down a few points
Discuss in your group, come to a consensus and respond to the above by writing a short statement, less than 60 words.

8. What skills are being assessed
Group exercises and/or discussion
Can range from building a bridge from Lego to discussing a controversial topic, coming to a consensus and making recommendations within a specified time
You will be assessed on your performance so make sure you understand the instructions and what you have to do
Leadership
Team working
Communication
Problem solving
Analysis and logical thinking

9. What skills are being assessed
Written exercises/Case study
you are given an outline of a real organisational situation and lots of facts and background information. You must read the information and make recommendations which you will discuss with your assessor
Commercial awareness
Creating thinking
Problem solving
Influencing skills
Written communication

10. What skills are being assessed
In-tray exercises
In-tray and other exercises are designed to see how you manage complex information
You may be asked to prioritise or make decisions based on the information given
Planning
Organisation
Analysis
Problem solving
Prioritisation
Adaptability

11. What skills are being assessed
Presentations
Prepare a presentation on a specified topic or one of your choice.
Topic and/or material may be given ahead
Audience will be assessors and may include other candidates
Influencing
Persuasion
Planning
Communication

12. What skills are being assessed
Psychometric tests
Computer or paper based, multiple choice and strictly timed
Be sure you understand the instructions before you begin.
Practice tests available in the CDC and on the PDSystem.
Logic
Numeracy
Literacy
Verbal reasoning
Spatial or diagrammatic reasoning

13. What skills are being assessed
Panel Interview
Two or more interviewers, probably senior members of staff
Treat the same as normal interview but include eye contact with all the panel
Research the organisation well
Be aware of current issues of the sector as well as the organisation, anything relevant in the media recently
Be prepared for questions on the technical aspects of the job
Competencies that may not have been covered elsewhere
Your knowledge of the organisation and interest in the job
Interviewers may refer to earlier exercises for further clarification

14. What skills are being assessed
Social Events
This could be lunch or dinner with other candidates, current trainees and senior staff from the recruiting organisation
Alcohol may be freely available so be careful
How you behave in a social situation
Your ability to network and find out about the organisation
Whether you will fit in

15. Presentation Prepare a short presentation on My Greatest Achievement
Use flip chart paper and markers
Key areas to focus on: structure, content and style

16. Presentation - Structure
Beginning, introduction to what you are covering
Middle, where you deliver the talk
End, which summarises the main points

17. Content - Presentation
Keep your visuals clear and simple.
Use bullet points rather than large chunks of text.
Design visuals to be consistent with what you are saying.
Get someone to check your spelling. Errors will stand out.
Practice using your visuals in advance to make sure you are comfortable with the technology

18. Presentation - Style
You will be assessed on how you deliver your presentation and build a rapport with your audience. Think about your:
Voice. Speak clearly and a little louder and slower than you would in normal conversation, making sure you vary your tone.
Body language. Stand up straight, facing your audience. Don't fidget, cross your arms or put your hands in your pockets.
Eye contact. Look at your audience and share your gaze around the room.
Movement. Don't stand rooted to the spot, but move a little without pacing up and down.
Gestures. Use your hands to stress what you are saying.
Face. Smiling will help you look enthusiastic and confident. You will be assessed on how you deliver your presentation and build a rapport with your audience. Think about your:
Face. Smiling will help you look enthusiastic and confident.

19. Preparing for Assessment Centres
Do your research about the organisation and the job
In the assessment process, your knowledge of the job and the organisation could be examined by three means:
- in an interview
- through work based simulation exercises
- during social activities
Know the competencies required
Do practice tests, case studies, and other exercises beforehand

20. Make the Most of your Assessment Centre
Be well prepared. There is a lot of help available
Listen carefully to instructions. Do not begin any exercise or test without being fully aware of what you are expected to do
Make eye contact with those you are working with, presenting to, or being interviewed by
Be polite and pleasant. Include everyone in discussions and listen to what they have to offer
Consider your contribution. Quality is more important than quantity

21. End of Session Checklist
Do you understand what is involved in the different exercises/tests?
Can you deliver a presentation?
Have you participated effectively in a group discussion?
Can you recognise criteria employers use for selection?
Can you locate good examples of exercises on various websites?
Can you reflect on the key qualities required to perform successfully at assessment centres?