How to Succeed at an Assessment Day
An assessment day – or assessment centre – is commonly used in recruitment. It’s when a group of candidates are all invited in together; and a combination of tasks and activities are set to help assess the candidates’ suitability for the job. It is usually the final stage of the recruitment process and is also often part of graduate recruitment schemes in particular.
In this helpful article, CMA’s HR Business Partner Hayley Murphy offers her expert advice to help de-mystify assessment days and ensure you are fully-prepared and set up to succeed on the day.
What to expect at an assessment day
Assessment days will vary from employer to employer, depending on the values and skills that the employer wishes to see demonstrated. They usually include one or more activities designed to test the candidate’s skills – it could be as a group such as a problem-solving challenge, a case study or presentation, or individually in the form of a solo presentation or aptitude test.
How to prepare for an assessment day
We’ve included tips here which are really relevant to assessment centres; of course all the usual interview preparation is also necessary to be successful! For help and support getting ready for an interview take a read of our articles Interview Tips for Finance & Accountancy Roles and Top 5 Interview Dos and Don’ts.
Prepare your introduction
As part of an assessment centre, you will be asked to introduce yourself to many assessors and you will need to stand out. This is commonly referred to as an ‘elevator pitch’. Hayley advises: “Be prepared to confidently say who you are and what your specialism is, using any key achievements or facts that back up your statement.
“If you can demonstrate any market knowledge with regards to the employer, and how your skill set will help to address any challenges or pain points, even better!”
Prepare your questions
It’s important – as with any interview – to ask good questions. It shows you are interested and is a chance to leave a good impression. Preparing some of these questions in advance and jotting them down on a notepad or tablet to take with you shows you have been prepared and will help you demonstrate your research and knowledge. If possible, find out who will be leading the assessment day and which of the team will be involved. You’ll find more help on what questions to ask further down the page.
The Assessment Centre: What to remember on the day
Be collaborative.
Assessment centres will often include group activities where you will interact with other candidates. Hayley explains: “Assessors are looking for candidates who are able to actively listen to others, encourage their ideas and discuss topics in a constructive and collaborative way. It is definitely not about who can shout the loudest!”
So forget everything you’ve ever learnt from watching BBC’s The Apprentice! What’s Hayley’s top tip? When debating a topic as part of a group exercise and you are trying to come to a group decision, ensure this is done through discussion, influence and persuasion, rather than asking the group to vote.
Don’t dwell on any mistakes
We all make mistakes sometimes – if you bumble an activity keep calm and try not to let it put you off your game. Hayley says: “Each exercise at an assessment centre will be scored individually, so if one particular task has not gone so well, you have a fresh opportunity with the next to impress.
“And don’t forget, the assessors will be watching even during the ‘informal’ break times, so be sure to ask good questions and stand out from the other candidates.”
What questions should I ask at an assessment day?
Asking questions, as we’ve already demonstrated, is a great opportunity to engage with the employer and with any current employees who may be present. You have a chance to stand out here so use it well! Make the most of opportunities to interact with other candidates, the event organisers and graduate employees of the company. Always phrase questions in a positive way, for example “What is the best thing about your job?”
Avoid asking questions that you should already know the answer to, for example where are other office locations, or specifics already covered in the job spec, as this will highlight a lack of research and preparation. It’s also wise to avoid questions about salary at this stage.
On the day, it’s important you consider who is interviewing you and pitch your questions appropriately. For example, the HR team will not know the ins and outs of your daily duties, while your prospective manager is unlikely to know the detailed structure of the training programme.
We hope you have found this article useful as you prepare for your assessment day. To conclude, we’ve summarised the five most important Dos and Don’t below for you. Good luck!
What not to do at an assessment day
- Don’t talk over other candidates
- Don’t dwell on mistakes
- Don’t ask the group to vote in a group decision
- Don’t ask questions you should already know the answer to
- Don’t forget you are being watched and assessed at all times!
Top 5 things to remember for your assessment day
- Prepare your introduction
- Stay calm
- Be collaborative
- Ask good questions
- Demonstrate market knowledge