Assessment centre

If you are invited to attend an assessment centre you will have made it through to the final stages of the recruitment process. Many large graduate employers use assessment centres to select their applicants.

The employer will watch you undertake a range of activities and also see how you interact with other applicants. Usually these events last one day, although some may last for longer.

What to expect at an assessment centre

Assessment centres usually consist of some of the following activities:

• an interview
• a psychometric test
• a presentation ─ this could be individual or with a group
• in-tray exercise
• group tasks, role playing and case studies
• an ice-breaker exercise
• lunch with the selectors and employees

Preparation

As with interviews, the key to success is preparation. You must thoroughly research the employer and the role you have applied for and consider what the employer is seeking. Throughout the activities, you will be assessed against the job criteria and not against the other candidates ─ some of whom may have applied for other roles.

Video

• At the Assessment Centre - this DVD is split into 10 sections and shows real students and graduates assessed by actual recruiters in activities commonly featured at assessment centres. This video is only available to The University of Nottingham students requiring login to Workspace to access

Events

• We offer assessment centre workshops during the autumn and spring terms. Visit our events page and sign up online.

e-Tray exercises

• The Civil Service example e-tray exercise
• AssessmentDay free practice in-tray exercise