4. How many get through?
Applications 33%
First Interviews 33%
Assessment Centres 50%
Offers
5. Employer
“An alternative selection tool which allows the employer
to test candidates in a variety of different situations”
What is an Assessment Centre?
Attendee
“The most terrifying experience of my life during which,
rather unfortunately, I acted as if I was a somewhat
disturbed individual having a particularly bad day”
6. The popularity of different assessment methods
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Personality
questionnaires
References
Astrology
Application
forms
Ability tests
Interview
Bio-data
Graphology
Assessment
centres
100% Interview
96% References
93% Application forms
70% Ability tests
64% Personality questionnaires
59% Assessment Centre
19% Biodata
3% Graphology
0% Astrology
8. Content of an Assessment Centre
• Interviews
• Psychometric Testing
• Exercises
9. Interviews
• Not the same as your first interview
• Still need to prepare!
• Go on an interview skills training course
10. Interview preparation
• Know yourself and your achievements
• Know what employers want in their graduates
And then…..
Do your best to bring the two together
11. Know yourself and your achievements
• Similar to application form
• 3 year plan
• List and consider all your achievements
• Think about your strengths and weaknesses
• Know why you want to do the job
12. Qualities that employers look for
• Academic achievement
• Drive and leadership potential
• Intellectual skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Career motivation
13. Drive and leadership potential
• People who have done something different
– People who can differentiate themselves
• Ability to get the job done
• Pro-activity
14. Career Motivation
• Desire for, and understanding of, the job
• Genuine interest in (the) business
• Research!!
• Reasons for career choices
– Job
– Company
15. Preparation for Interviews
(Bringing the two together)
• Prepare for questions
• Think about your examples
– How can you fit them in?
– How are they relevant to what employers want?
• Research!!!
• Practise interviews – Careers Service, friends,
parents….
16. In the interview
• Body language from start to finish
• Dealing with hard questions
• Get to specific examples
• Concentrate on what you did
• Don’t over-answer or get too technical
17. Psychometric Testing
• Aptitude Testing
• Personality Testing
• Numerical Ability
• Verbal Ability
• Abstract Reasoning
• Mechanical Reasoning
The results of psychometric tests usually used as a tool to
supplement the information already gathered on the candidate
18. What to expect
Tests may include:
• Shapes or Patterns
• Number or Time Sequences
• Words or Phrases
You may be asked to:
• Find the odd one out
• Identify the next sequences or what is missing
• Find opposites or identify similar meanings
19. Exercises
Typical Exercises may include:
Group discussions
Team building
Group presentations
Individual presentations
In-tray exercise
Report writing
Analysis
Written exercises
Job Specific
Exercises
Individual
Exercises
Group
Exercises
20. In-tray Exercises
• Tests various skills including:
• Ability to understand and interpret information
• Planning & organisation
• Ability to provide well-reasoned conclusions
• Decision-making
• Written communication
• Financial/problem solving skills
21. Case study exercise
• Analysis of business information
• Extracting relevant information & making
recommendations
• Limited time frame
Need to learn how to process information quickly
and accurately!
22. Case Study Exercise - EXAMPLE
A business in trouble
• Issues facing business
•Analysis and recommendations
23. A business in trouble
PROFIT & LOSS ACCOUNT
Sales 1,000,000
Cost of materials (400,000)
Cost of wages (300,000)
Cost of rent (300,000)
Cost of advertising (200,000)
LOSS (200,000)
24. A business in trouble
What could they do?
• Lay off staff?
• New product line/target market?
• Cost cutting measures?
• Takeover/merger?
• Something else?
Advise your client on the pros and cons of each!
25. Skills being assessed:
• Communication & persuasion
• Understanding of material
• Listening
• Compromise and flexibility
• Utilising all team members
• Team dynamic
• Not only looking for “Leaders”
Group discussion & Team building exercises
26. Group discussion & Team building exercises
•Know what you want to say
• Put your points of view forward clearly
• Listen to, and build on, other’s points
• Help the group reach goals
• Be prepared to change mind
• Body language
• BE PART OF THE TEAM
27. What can go wrong?
• Individuals pursuing personal objectives
• Lack of flexibility
• Aggressive or submissive communication
• Lack of trust
• Lack of enthusiasm
28. Indicators in group discussions
• Confident v Cocky
• Listening v Speaking
• Body language
• Derogatory comments
29. Teamwork
‘No matter how much work you can do, no matter how engaging
your personality may be, you will not advance far in business if
you cannot work through others’
John Craig
30. Individual/Group Presentations
You may need to present by yourself or with others
• Identify main points to convey
• Structure presentation
• Good eye contact and body language
• Do not over-rely on visual aids
• Try to be CONFIDENT!!!
Go on a presentation skills course if possible
31. Final advice to candidates
• Play an active role in any group exercises
• Be part of the team
• In written exercises, make use of headings and PLAN
• Try to incorporate your own business awareness
• Be confident, speak clearly and precisely
• Keep to the time frames given
• Meet all of the objectives set out in all exercises
32. Ernst & Young requirements
• Grade A or B for GCSE Maths and English language
• 300 (24) UCAS points
• 2.1 Degree in any discipline
• Some roles require higher academic qualifications and
specific degree backgrounds
