Assessment centres

An Assessment Centre is in fact a process, and not a place. It is a comprehensive method of recruitment, normally held toward the end of the interview process. Assessment Centres contain more than one way for you to display your skills to an employer. For example, they may include interviews, group activities and presentations.

These assessments are generally simulations of the type of tasks that you will be expected to carry out in the role. Another defining feature of an Assessment Centre is that there is more than one person watching and assessing your behaviors. These assessors confer after the Assessment Center to discuss each candidate, and then rate them for the next step in the recruitment process.

Assessment Centres are unique, in that assessors look at your behaviour throughout the process. This includes social breaks, and possibly information sessions. It is therefore important to maintain a professional but friendly manner throughout the day, interacting with others during breaks, rather then talking on your mobile phone. Use these social breaks to find out more about the organisation, as there are usually current graduate employees and other staff members present.

• Who uses them and why?
• When are they conducted?
• What to expect on the day
• What are assessors looking for in candidates?
• What can you do to prepare for them?
• What happens after an assessment centre?

A video about Assessment Centres is available from the Careers Services Library.