Graduate assesment centres... tips?
Discussion
Attended a few of these in the past.
Normal interview type stuff during the day. BUT be careful what you say to other candidates. Don't be slagging the company off as you don't know who these other candidates are.
In the evenings (inevitably all meet in the bar with some existing staff) do unwind and have a few drinks. They are saying you are not being assessed but you are. The company want to see that you can unwind and have a bit of fun and socialise (i.e. be a team player). Don't get raring drunk obviously but don't be sat in the corner drinking a single Orange juice and slope off to bed at 8 p.m.
Normal interview type stuff during the day. BUT be careful what you say to other candidates. Don't be slagging the company off as you don't know who these other candidates are.
In the evenings (inevitably all meet in the bar with some existing staff) do unwind and have a few drinks. They are saying you are not being assessed but you are. The company want to see that you can unwind and have a bit of fun and socialise (i.e. be a team player). Don't get raring drunk obviously but don't be sat in the corner drinking a single Orange juice and slope off to bed at 8 p.m.
and insult one of the hiring managers sitting right next to you chrisbr68 said:
Cool, just the sort of things I was thinking. Anything on in tray exercises? I guess a lot of its just common sense really and dont make a balls of it.
Treat the in tray exercise like an elaborate board game. If something is a matter of opinion hold onto a reason why you think you are right, but try not to show arrogance.
I had one where there was group discussion that had to decide who would be able to survive after a nuclear halacast. Basically, there were so many buses, and a bunker, with a time limit. You all agree "Those in the Prision can die", Too many ill people in hospital, only Doctors, Nurses, and caretakers, but no managers, and only 2 classes at the local secondary school (Sixth Form only) If the discussion starts getting heated, YOU be the one to put it to the vote. You be the one to remind people of the time. Don't spend ages on any one thing.
Oh and turn your phone to silent.
The in-tray exercises are a bastard. Fudged mine up for RBS. They're so time consuming. Some feedback i got on mine was that it was good i realised communication was a way to solve problems and to be customer focussed. Also good to realise you need more information sometimes. However i didn't specify enough what communication tools (phone etc) to use or exactly what i would try and achieve, ie my plans wern't resolved enough. Also I've had feedback on several sections that i don't consider contingency plans enough.
Hope it might be of some use, good luck!
Rob.
Hope it might be of some use, good luck!
Rob.
Do not dominate the conversation in the group exercises.
Lean forward and look interested in what those around you are saying when they put opinions forward.
Ask the interviewer questions, if you can get them talking for most of the interview they will remember it as being a good one (as they felt important talking about what they do).
Never, ever be the person to write things on the whiteboard during the group discussions. It removes you from the table and makes you a scribe rather than an active part of things.
Don't tell an MD you play golf when you don't (he will then start asking all kinds of questions!)
When you are all sitting in reception waiting for things to kick off at say 8 on the first day - don't sit there reading your paper and ignoring everyone around you. Be the one to break the ice and get people talking - it will be noticed.
(These are all from a banking perspective but apply across most services)
Lean forward and look interested in what those around you are saying when they put opinions forward.
Ask the interviewer questions, if you can get them talking for most of the interview they will remember it as being a good one (as they felt important talking about what they do).
Never, ever be the person to write things on the whiteboard during the group discussions. It removes you from the table and makes you a scribe rather than an active part of things.
Don't tell an MD you play golf when you don't (he will then start asking all kinds of questions!)
When you are all sitting in reception waiting for things to kick off at say 8 on the first day - don't sit there reading your paper and ignoring everyone around you. Be the one to break the ice and get people talking - it will be noticed.
(These are all from a banking perspective but apply across most services)
Thanks 4rby. All these things make sense really. I suppose it could be all to easy not to do these things in these scenarios.
And your point about the interview conversation is a good one. I noticed this at the interview stage. Actually, I could have sat asking questions all day!
And your point about the interview conversation is a good one. I noticed this at the interview stage. Actually, I could have sat asking questions all day!
Edited by chrisbr68 on Thursday 1st March 16:49
Have to go with what most other people are saying here.
In my experience it's less about the actual tests (although this obviously counts!) but more about how you interact with others. There will be people there who don't have an ounce of common sense, and people who try to be very forceful. If you can show that you are able to interact easily with all types, and even can bring the best out of them, you are onto a winner.
Try and give evidence or experience in some way to back up things you say.
I would also say be yourself and try and relax - you don't want to be employed on the pretense that you're something you are not. It only means you are probably not right for the job, and you may not enjoy it when you do start. One of the best assessment centres I did was a 2-day one, when I already had a very good job offer under my belt. I actually enjoyed the process, was quite laid back but still assertive, and the result was that instead of getting notified 2-weeks later as they said would happen, they rang me up and offered me the job as I was walking out of the door!!
In my experience it's less about the actual tests (although this obviously counts!) but more about how you interact with others. There will be people there who don't have an ounce of common sense, and people who try to be very forceful. If you can show that you are able to interact easily with all types, and even can bring the best out of them, you are onto a winner.
Try and give evidence or experience in some way to back up things you say.
I would also say be yourself and try and relax - you don't want to be employed on the pretense that you're something you are not. It only means you are probably not right for the job, and you may not enjoy it when you do start. One of the best assessment centres I did was a 2-day one, when I already had a very good job offer under my belt. I actually enjoyed the process, was quite laid back but still assertive, and the result was that instead of getting notified 2-weeks later as they said would happen, they rang me up and offered me the job as I was walking out of the door!!
We have graduate assessment centres & I've been an assessor on quite a few. Very often you see a lot of actors playing up for the assessors, you can see the false behaviour a mile off. You can see the disinterested people as well. You are looking to see if the real person is coming out.
I would only recommend what some of the others say, be yourself, don't act...it's normally obvious & frankly a turn-off.
I would only recommend what some of the others say, be yourself, don't act...it's normally obvious & frankly a turn-off.
I've been to an assesment centre as an 'assesor' and i was still in the bar at 4 am 
with a couple of graduates. Needless to say, the following day, i got a phone call saying i was late for my sessions and 1 of the graduates missed the 1st couple of hours as well.
After all of that, i've still got a job and they hired the guy who was with me in the bar.
with a couple of graduates. Needless to say, the following day, i got a phone call saying i was late for my sessions and 1 of the graduates missed the 1st couple of hours as well. After all of that, i've still got a job and they hired the guy who was with me in the bar.
Should have put that about being yourself....
My first interview with an IB in London - a few days before I had been at a "fashion show" (don't ask) at university. Half way through the night there was a huge explosion and flash and all this fing glitter was sprayed over the crowd. Day of the interview got my suit out of its carrier to realise that everytime I moved I gave off a little shimmer. In bright lights I looked like Garry Glitter.
Interview day was going well, final interview 1 on 1 with MD, all going smoothly until at the end he goes "I'm not sure about that suit you are wearing, quite different..." So I told him the truth, that a few days earlier I was at a party and got covered by a glitter cannon - pissed himself laughing and asked a load of questions about the party etc... - ended up getting an offer from them.
My first interview with an IB in London - a few days before I had been at a "fashion show" (don't ask) at university. Half way through the night there was a huge explosion and flash and all this fing glitter was sprayed over the crowd. Day of the interview got my suit out of its carrier to realise that everytime I moved I gave off a little shimmer. In bright lights I looked like Garry Glitter.
Interview day was going well, final interview 1 on 1 with MD, all going smoothly until at the end he goes "I'm not sure about that suit you are wearing, quite different..." So I told him the truth, that a few days earlier I was at a party and got covered by a glitter cannon - pissed himself laughing and asked a load of questions about the party etc... - ended up getting an offer from them.
Being natural is the way to go! 
Also there is always someone at an assessment centre who has to do 'ALL' the talking. These kind of people use a thousand words to explain something that could be said in 20 words. From my experience, the assessors want you to put forward your point of view very clearly and concisely.
Another thing to do is that if/when someone gets very forceful with their opinion do not just dismiss them as you look as bad as them. Instead just say something like "Yes, I like that method of thinking, but perhaps if we look at it from this angle...blah blah"
Be yourself and you will do just fine.
Also there is always someone at an assessment centre who has to do 'ALL' the talking. These kind of people use a thousand words to explain something that could be said in 20 words. From my experience, the assessors want you to put forward your point of view very clearly and concisely.
Another thing to do is that if/when someone gets very forceful with their opinion do not just dismiss them as you look as bad as them. Instead just say something like "Yes, I like that method of thinking, but perhaps if we look at it from this angle...blah blah"
Be yourself and you will do just fine.
4rby said:
Never, ever be the person to write things on the whiteboard during the group discussions. It removes you from the table and makes you a scribe rather than an active part of things.
As someone who designs and runs these things for companies, I'd disagree with that. I often give extra 'points' for someone who takes the initiative and gets the white board out and makes notes. However, you must make sure that if you do this, you do not simply act as note taker, but you lead and summarise the conversation.
I'd call the company and ask what you can expect. At best they will give yu a brief run down of the day, at worst they won't, in my opinion, won't do any harm to ask. I would expect the day to cover most of the folowing;
Interview(s) - probably 1:1 and quite possibly with a panel
Group discussion - most usually I run these based on the company, (if an internal Assessment/development centre, but if its a big company, I would expect new candidates to know enough to be able to talk about it), or industry and would typically ask about the major changes in the past year or so and what recommendations for the future you would have. Can't do any harm to prepare for this by doing a competitor analysis to have in your head, but do not bring out notes made before the session.
Psychometrics - personality questionnaire and probably some ability tests. The anbility tests I personally loathe as a candidate, but I'm afraid are usually done and its a pass/fail thing unless you are boarderline and a very good candidate. The personality test must be followed by a debrief in which you are given the opportunity to explain/discuss your profile. There are no right/wrong answers/profiles so don't try to fake it, just be yourself. Put it this way, if you get the job having tried to fake it, chances are there isn't going to be a good match between you and the job.
In-trays/work based simulations are an attempt to give you a real world situation and see how you deal with it. I either use written answers, or sometimes a mix of written and a presentation. Treat it as an exam; make sure you read the question, re-read it and then plan how you are going to answer it. General tip is that if you find yourself thinking that you can't answer it as you need more information, there is a pretty good bet you've missed something. Its generally bad practice to deliberately miss information from the case study unless you are an experienced hire who is expected to know about the industry.
Presentation - prepare it, (if you know what it will be in advance), practice and keep an eye on time. Tell them what you are going to say, say it, then tell them what you told them.
I'd prepare a 2-5 minute summary of who you are, key skills and expereice and what you can do for the company and the sort of position you want. Its about brand management/image, and in this case, you are the brand.
Enjoy it, be yourself, treat it as a learning experience and don't get so horribly pissed you fail to turn up the next day. Thats usually an automatic fail IMHO.
HTH
Just as an additional note, i've had 2 Assesment centres at big four banks, and have been invited back to another one based on the fact they thought my skills were more applicable to a leadership programme. Both of them had all their scenarios (group talk/presentation) based around a fictional company, so no knowledge of the company or job was needed at either. Never got a "why do you want the job" question. So i'd spend some, but minimal time on research about the specifics of the company and more time thinking about situations you've been in which place you in a good light - especially involving team work. Also, i've had a couple of personality questionarres and never had a debrief, so don't expect one!
Cheers,
Rob.
Cheers,
Rob.
Thanks Psychobert. Made some notes, going to do some prep now.
I found that with the interviews I have had leading up to these, I always completely over prepared. Which isnt a bad thing really, but I am finding that as I approach this I have not felt the need to do so much, Im putting this down to 1. having already done it and 2. I feel more confident
I found that with the interviews I have had leading up to these, I always completely over prepared. Which isnt a bad thing really, but I am finding that as I approach this I have not felt the need to do so much, Im putting this down to 1. having already done it and 2. I feel more confident
Cheers Rob.
I already did aptitude tests, not sure if I need to do them again to prove I didnt cheat. One of the companies said that...
The plan is a competency interview, a technical interview, two group exercises and an individual exercise. They also said they can suggest alternative entries if Im not right for it which is cool.
I already did aptitude tests, not sure if I need to do them again to prove I didnt cheat. One of the companies said that...
The plan is a competency interview, a technical interview, two group exercises and an individual exercise. They also said they can suggest alternative entries if Im not right for it which is cool.
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