Assessment and Selection Centres

• What to expect
• Group activities
• Presentations
• In-tray and e-tray exercises
• Written tests
• Technical interviews
• More help
• Practice exercises

For many employers the selection process falls into two stages. After an initial screening interview successful candidates go on to a final stage, usually several weeks later.

What to expect

At its simplest this may involve just a further interview with another member of staff, perhaps more senior. At its most extensive the process can take two or three days and involve a variety of activities. These may include some of the following: further interviews (including panel interviews), group exercises, presentations, written tests, in-tray exercises and perhaps a technical interview.

Group activities

At its simplest this may involve just a further interview with another member of staff, perhaps more senior. At its most extensive the process can take two or three days and involve a variety of activities. These may include some of the following: further interviews (including panel interviews), group exercises, presentations, written tests, in-tray exercises and perhaps a technical interview.

Students often worry whether they know enough to get through a group activity, and what behaviour to adopt. You may be invited to discuss a general issue such as 'arming the police' for ten minutes, or asked to consider a practical business problem. In fact you've generally not being tested on your knowledge - assessors are more concerned to see how you influence, or react to, what's going on.

In group exercises there is no universally 'right' form of behaviour. Attention will be paid to whether you sit quietly or dominate, whether you contribute constructively or destructively, and whether you're logical or emotional. Employers will look at the role you play - some people are best at the ideas stage, others at pushing things towards a conclusion. It's rare for employers to be looking for just one sort of person. Any team needs people with a variety of skills so try as much as possible to be yourself. Don't imagine, for example, that imposing your views will be seen as evidence of leadership!

Presentations

You may have to give a presentation. Topics vary widely. You could be asked to talk about a personal interest or something directly related to the organisation.

Most people worry about giving presentations but a few simple rules will help you through. Have a clear structure and don't overrun - it's easy to overestimate what you can say in the time you'll be given. Talk to the audience and not your notes, and scan everyone while you're talking rather than just addressing one person. It's also a good idea to check that you're comfortable with the equipment before you start.

Here are a few tips:

• If you don't know the audience, find out who they are and what they know already
• Structure your talk carefully (say what you're going to say, say it, say what you've said)
• Don't start until you're ready
• Make sure you know how to operate the visual aids
• Beware of detail
• Talk from notes, not a full script. Postcard size not A4 (if you're nervous, a sheet of paper will shake!)
• Scan the audience. Make eye contact with all parts of the group.
• Say how long you're going to take. Keep to time. Overrunning is a capital offence!
• Be very conscious of body language (ask a friend? practise in front of a mirror!)
• Too loud is better than too quiet. Check the audience.
• Think 'conversational' in your delivery. Aim to look natural and sound spontaneous
• Don't distribute handouts during the talk unless they're actually used
• If you prepare PowerPoint slides, use only ¾ of the space
• If you get the chance, rehearse out loud into a tape recorder. Time it.
• Don't be afraid of pauses. Allow things to sink in.
• Don't fiddle. Hold nothing in your hands

In-Tray and E-tray Exercises

You may be given a variety of written material (in-tray) or a batch of e-mails (e-tray) and asked what action you would take with each item. You'll be asked to do this within a set time, usually quite restricted. Additional items may be added while the exercise is under way.

These exercises are all about coping with pressure. Stay calm. Quickly go through all the material, deciding on some order of priority. Don't be afraid to file some of it. If you have time, look through the material in more detail. There isn't usually a right answer, but you will be expected to show a broad understanding of the material and offer logical justifications for decisions.

See also the 'Practice exercises' section below.

Written Tests

Employers are sometimes interested in specific attributes such as verbal, numerical or diagrammatic reasoning ability. See our section on Tests for further advice.

Technical Interviews

Engineers and scientists often want to know about technical interviews but, according to the feedback we receive from students, they have quite a low profile. Technical questions are asked, but this often happens as part of a more general interview. Typical questions refer to course projects, special options or work placements. Separate technical interviews which test in-depth theoretical knowledge are mainly given to applicants for research posts.

For more help and information, ask the Resources Help Desk about:

• 'The Assessment Centre' and 'At the Assessment Centre' DVDs available to watch in 'streaming media' format.
• Print resources at class mark 2b.1 including the Second interview reports file - past students report on what employers put them through.
• Events about assessment centres
• Handout - Your guide to information about assessment centres (PDF, 334 KB)

Practice exercises and guidance

• Assessment Centre guidance included with permission from The University of Greenwich, Guidance & Employability Team. It covers what's an assessment centre; what's being looked for; what happens and typical exercises.
• An example team/group work problem solving exercise - the plastic cups game included with permission from Sheffield Hallam University Careers Service.
• Another example Assessment Centre activity - included with permission from University of Worcester Careers Service.
• There is some information about e-tray exercises on the Deloitte website.
• The GlobalTech scenario was adapted by The University of Greenwich with permission from an original produced by the University of Kent who own copyright. Contact B.E.Woodcock@kent.ac.uk for details.
• There is also another sample case study that might be given out at an assessment centre on the University of Kent's web pages. This case study is copyright of the University of Kent. Contact Bruce Woodcock for details. B.E.Woodcock@kent.ac.uk
• TARGETjobs have a page dedicated to assessment centres which you may find helpful.
• Case study interview pages from Imperial College London Business School - information, advice and online practice links.
• Careers Service selection test pages - links to practice tests includes e-tray exercises.