First of all well done! To get to the stage is a big achievement. You have probably been through numerous stages so far. The recruitment process is quite expensive, so if you have got to this stage the HR personnel want you to get through to the next stage. Take this as a positive. I will tell you about my experience at an assessment center for one of the top banks. First of all I was extremely nervous. Watching all the other applicants coming in and asking the necessary question 'so where do you go to university and what degree do you study?' I would advise you not to take the answers to these questions to heart. So what if someone attends the University of Oxford? It doesn't mean that they are more suited to the job than you. The assessment center involved three parts: an interview, a group discussion and a presentation. One of the strangest things I found was that we had to manage our own time, so I would advise you to definitely arm yourself with a watch!
- Interview: this was the strongest part of the assessment center for me. I would advise you to look at www.wikijobs.co.uk. This website will give you some idea about what questions you may get asked. I would definitely have answers prepared to the obvious questions such as: 'why do you want to work for us'? and 'what do you know about the company?' Failure to prepare for these kind of questions will put a red mark against your name. It just shows lack of preparation. My interviewer had studied economics at university so we had a lot to talk about. This boosted my confidence as I had found some common ground. We all have achievements. Academic and extra-curricular. When being asked competency-based questions, I would advise you to try and guide the conversation so you can highlight all of these experiences. Companies want to know that you are a 'well-rounded' individual.
- Group discussion: in this task you are given a scenario and you have a certain stance that you have to put forward to others in the group. Usually, you have to persuade others that your scenario is worthy of a certain % of a budget. Firstly, many students go wrong in this area. They think this task is about arguing your point, you are right and no-one else is. This is NOT the purpose of the task. The task is testing your ability to put forward an argument. I do this by putting forward the pros and cons of my scenario and what I am recommending. It is also testing your ability to work as part of a team and communicate with team members. This also involves listening. If someone else suggests something good acknowledge it or if you think it is good but needs something extra say 'while that is a valid point, how about this..?' I would also advise you to either take on the role of time-keeper or note-taker.
- Presentation: this tasks involves reading an abundance of information and trying to put together a presentation arguing a certain point of view in a very short space of time. This is testing your ability to work under pressure, accuracy, presentation and communication skills. Firstly, when reading the information if the 'Manager' is putting forward a certain view point go with this. DO NOT try to argue a different point of view. The task will involve answering certain questions. Make sure you answer these questions. Again I put forward pros and cons and recommendations. I always find this the most logical way to meet the objectives of the task.
If you follow these pointers I think you will do well in the assessment center. However, if you do not take the experience as a learning curve. Someone once told me write NO 100 times on a piece of paper. Every time you get a NO, cross one out. This means you are another step closer to a YES!
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