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?