Career resources
Assessment centres
An Assessment Centre is a method of recruitment that incorporates a number of exercises in order to allow for different skills and competencies of candidates to be shown.
You may be assessed individually, or with a group of other candidates, in which case the whole procedure is often called an Assessment Centre.
You are generally interviewed or assessed by more than one assessor. In addition centres can also be run to assess individual's potential for development and these are called Development Centres. On arrival at an Assessment Centre you will be offered refreshments and given the opportunity to meet other candidates.
Suggested preparation
Unless otherwise specified there is unlikely to be any requirement to prepare for the Assessment Centre but there are some common sense guidelines, which may help with your performance on the day:
- Get a good night sleep before the assessment centre
- Read any information provided prior to the assessment centre carefully
- Do some research on the organisation and its products and services
If you have any disabilities or special requirements, contact the assessor in advance
- Allow plenty of time to get to the session
- Prepare any questions you might have
- Rehearse how you will respond to any challenging questions/scenarios
- On arrival try to relax and be yourself
- Listen carefully to the instructions given at the outset of each exercise
- If in doubt, ask!
Assistance with exercises
If you have a disability, which might present difficulties for you in any of the exercises or in attending the venue, please, let us know in advance so appropriate arrangements can be made.
What is the dress code?
The dress code is usually business dress unless stated otherwise.
How do you decide if I have been successful?
All the assessors pool their observations and evidence around your performance throughout the session. An agreed evaluation is then made on whether to progress with your application.
What happens if I do badly in one exercise?
Don’t worry, this will not necessarily jeopardise your success as we look at your performance throughout the session. No one exercise is judged in isolation.
Am I in competition with other candidates?
Your performance will be assessed against the specific competencies, not the performance of the other candidates. It is possible for all candidates at an assessment centre to be successful, or none, depending on each individual performance.
Will I be assessed the whole time e.g. at coffee/lunch breaks?
You will probably be assessed from the time you arrive, as everyone you come into contact with is likely to form an impression of you. So although company tours, breaks and social activities may be regarded as informal, you will still need to make a good impression and behave in a way that reflects favourably on you.
Who will have access to my results?
Your results will be retained in confidence. Only those who are making decisions about candidates will have access to the results.
Can I find out how I performed?
You should always be entitled to receive feedback on how you performed at an assessment centre and it is recommended that you always take the opportunity to ask for it, even if you have been successful. It will provide a valuable insight into how you performed against the specific role and competency requirements and any potential development areas.
