Assessment Centres

Career Development Centre University of Ulster

Aim:

To provide participants with an understanding of the different elements of assessment centres

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

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

http://gradnav.ulster.ac.uk/units/unit-ac005.shtml

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 http://gradnav.ulster.ac.uk/units/unit-ac006.shtml

Typical Exercises/Tasks Group exercises and/or discussions Written exercises/Case study In-tray exercises Presentations Psychometric tests Panel interview Social events http://gradnav.ulster.ac.uk/units/unit-ac007.sh

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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.

What skills are being assessedGroup 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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How you behave in a social situation

Your ability to network and find out about the organisation

Whether you will fit in

Presentation Prepare a short presentation on My Greatest

Achievement Use flip chart paper and markers Key areas to focus on: structure, content and

style

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

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

Presentation - StyleYou 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: 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.

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 http://gradnav.ulster.ac.uk/units/unit-ac023.shtml

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 http://gradnav.ulster.ac.uk/units/unit-ac027.shtml

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?