Assessment Centre Tips for Interview Success

When you apply for a job, you might be asked to attend an assessment centre. Here, you will be given various tasks and activities to perform, which allow the assessors to work out how well you would be able to perform in the advertised role.

All your activities may take place on the same day, or you may be asked to attend for two or three days for a more comprehensive assessment. Other candidates will usually be present at the same time, allowing assessors to compare your performance.

What Happens at an Assessment Centre?

Assessment centres typically put candidates through a range of assessments. These can include one-on-one interviews, group interviews, psychometric tests, role play exercises and discussions of case studies related to the job you are applying for.

These assessments are designed to identify not only your individual skills, but also how well you can work with other people, which is a key part of almost any job.

Tips for Success at an Assessment Centre

Succeeding at an assessment centre requires a particular set of skills. These include communication skills, team work and problem-solving. Here are some general tips that can help you succeed on your assessment day.

Stand Out Without Dominating

At an assessment centre, it’s easy to sit in the background while the other candidates discuss the tasks.

This approach is unlikely to impress a potential employer, who wants to see what skills and knowledge you have to offer. If you’re a naturally shy person, practice speaking up in group situations to ensure you aren’t intimidated into silence on the day.

On the other hand, if you’re a very extroverted, talkative person, you’ll need to remember to give others the chance to speak. In group activities, invite others to share their opinions and listen to what they have to say. Try not to talk over other people or interrupt.

Brush Up Your Skills

If you are applying for a professional job, such accountancy or banking, the assessors will probably ask you to demonstrate your knowledge of the industry.

Practice looking at case studies and think about how you would handle various situations that might come up in role play exercises.

Prepare Fully

Carefully read through all materials that the assessment centre sends to you before the interview. This information may let you know what kinds of assessment you will be facing, whether you need to bring anything with you, and how you should dress for the interviews.

If anything is unclear, call the assessment centre to find out what you need to know.

Succeed in Interviews

For more information on how to succeed at assessment centres, check out our free guide. We can help you ace your interviews and other assessments to land your next job.