Surviving Assessment Centres

Breeze through assessment centres with these tips and tricks.

You’ve been thrust into a room or virtual platorm full of strangers, asked to play games and then observed to see whether you get put through to the next round or eliminated. The situaton is ripe with uncertainty and your nerves are getng to you.

As much as that sounds like something out of a TV show, this is actually a common occurrence at assessment centres. But in truth, graduates ofen make the mistake of treatng these like a competton against their fellow candidates, due to mountng pressure.

Don’t fall into that trap! It’s important to remember that you’re being assessed against the employers’ criteria, not each other, and it’s important for you to show how well you can work in a team. What to expect

Although assessment centres are used to test for specifc skills and apttudes required for the individual role on ofer, most of them typically contain similar elements and exercises.

You can expect to be involved in a combinaton of the following in most assessment centres: • Group work exercises • Presentatons • Apttude and psychometric tests • In-tray/e-tray exercises • Case studies linked to the job functon

Recruiters will assess you for a number of things, including how you demonstrate core skills and competencies such as communicaton, teamwork and problem-solving. The group setng also makes it much easier to assess how well you work with others, how you infuence and persuade, and how others respond to you. How to behave

Though assessment centres may seem artfcial, your goal is to show what you would really be like if you got a place in the company. Here are some tps on how you can be your best self on the spot! Be professional Arrive on tme and look the part. Be friendly but polite. The assessment centre is partly a social exercise, so do partcipate in both formal and informal discussions during projects, lunch or tea breaks.

If you’re atending online, hop onto the platorm early and get to know it. Although it’s temptng to pass your lunch or tea breaks alone in your room, make the efort to get involved in discussions happening over these tmes!

While you should be prepared to initate conversatons, remember that although it’s fne to make small talk with assessors, avoid being overfamiliar.

Get your hands dirty

Don’t stand back and turn your nose up. Group exercises are designed to see how well you work with others, so make sure you take part.

Be enthusiastc and make an efort, whatever the task. Besides, concentratng on the task at hand will help you forget your nerves.

Don’t lose concentration

It’s going to be a long and tring day, so try to make sure you have a good night’s sleep beforehand as you’ll need to stay alert and engaged.

On top of that, even if you’re assured that the informal food and drinks don’t play any part in the selecton process, you should be careful not to gorge yourself – evaluators know when you’re dozing of from a full belly whether you’re physically there or not! Be yourself Instead of feeling the need to act a part, just be the most positve version of yourself. Try to relax and behave naturally.

You might even fnd it possible to enjoy yourself despite the inevitable nerves, and a smile is more likely to make a good impression than a face frozen in fear! Social etiquette

More ofen than not, the trickiest part of assessment centres aren’t even the exercises, but the composure that you must maintain throughout the entre day – in both formal and informal setngs.

That said, how should you carry yourself during social intervals, such as lunch or tea and cofee breaks?

Many applicants have litle experience socialising in a professional context, whether physically or virtually, and this can be a source of stress for them. But there’s no need to fret! Here’s how you should conduct yourself during the social bits of an assessment centre.

Introduce yourself confdently When you want to start a conversaton with a recruiter, be pleasant in the way you approach them – a polite smile and a handshake is the standard introducton practce when in-person, and smiling and speaking clearly if virtual.

You can then get the ball rolling by giving your name and some relevant background informaton, much like your subject of study.

Ask recruiters questions

Avoid approaching recruiters during social breaks with personal questons. Play safe instead, and ask industryrelated questons to demonstrate your earnestness and determinaton.

General questons about recruiters’ career backgrounds and tme with the company are good conversaton starters as well.

Strike a balance between eating and socialising

Don’t forgo eatng just because you’re nervous or want to take the opportunity to network! You stll have a long day ahead of you, and an empty stomach might jeopardise your subsequent performance, even if it might be easier to hide it virtually.

If you feel like you need some tme to eat or compose yourself before the next assessment session begins, don’t be worried about having to move away when atending the event in-person, but do so politely! A simple “excuse me” will usually be more than sufcient to free yourself.

If your atendance is virtual, explain that you need some tme to yourself, and that you’re going to turn of your camera and mute your microphone.

How do I know if it is going well?

You know you are on track when…

• You’ve achieved a mix of taking charge and taking a back seat • At the end of the day, you realise you’ve actually managed to enjoy yourself

Things are not going so well if...

• You didn’t meet anyone – fellow candidates and assessors – whose company you enjoyed • You walk away feeling suspicious, judged and anxious

Bonus tips

Presenting at assessment centres

Speaking in front of a mixed group of candidates and assessors is no easy feat, so give yourself the best chance by following these tps: • Make sure you have a structure for your presentaton • Practse, practse and practse! • Use visual aids to guide your audience • Start only when you’re ready!