Applications and Interviews
Preparing for an assessment day
Prior preparation prevents poor performance
What you can do to improve your chances of success
Find out as much as you can before the day, read what the company has sent you and use the internet to find out about previous assessment days and the experiences people have had in the past. Bear in mind that what may happen at your assessment centre could be different from others that have happened in the past.
Make sure you have done your research in to the employer, ideally spoken to people who work for the employer or have been to a previous assessment day. Assessment days usually involve a variety of different activities which can include an interview, group exercise, psychometric assessment, individual exercise and presentations.
Reflect on your previous experience and think why you want to work for the employer. Have a positive attitude and try and look forward to the assessment day, it is a useful experience for you and can be rewarding too.
Interview
You can practice giving answers to questions you might be asked. Try and think of things you want to highlight including examples of your skills and experience and how you would get these across to the employer.
You could be interviewed by one or two people or a group so be ready to walk in to a room with a panel of people who want to ask you questions. Also prepare your questions to ask the employer at the end of the interview.
Group exercise
Work as part of the team and contribute with your ideas. Listen to the other team members and think about what you say (but do say something!) and encourage others to contribute. If there is a time limit remember to keep an eye on how long you have to finish.
Psychometric assessment
Psychometric assessments are either ability assessment or personality assessment. You can find out about these and take practice assessments before the assessment day using various websites including SHL (www.shldirect.com), Morrisby (www.morrisby.com) and Aptitude Tests Online (www.aptitudetestsonline.co.uk).
Individual exercise/in-tray exercise
This is an exercise where information will be given to you and you have to decide how you would work your way through the tasks. Read the instructions, organise and plan what to do.
You will probably have to prioritise the order in which you would do the tasks. Remember to watch how much time you have to complete.
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Presentation
You should have a structure to any presentation you deliver whether it is one you can plan days in advance or minutes in advance. Make sure you have a beginning, a middle and an end. You should make a positive impact on those you are presenting to.
Keep to the time you have been allocated. Speak clearly and make eye contact with your audience. Be aware of your body language and try and relax (this helps with your breathing which helps with your voice projection).
Finally
You may well be informally assessed during the other parts of the day including how well you socialise with the other candidates and employees.
You have done well to be invited to an assessment day, so try and relax and be yourself and remember the people who are running the assessment day want you to do well.
Coventry University Careers Department
04-01-2010
