This is typically the types of exercise, and companies will do a mix to make up an Assessment Centre. At Graphcore we do an onsite final stage assessment centre , which might be virtual for 2022 intake.
- Can be face to face or virtual – typically half a day to a whole day
- Undertake a variety of exercises
- Different exercises assess different competencies
- Different tasks designed to ensure you have an opportunity to shine
- Usually your performance across the day is combined
- Two way process, an opportunity to meet different people from the company.
What if you have a disability?
Employers are required to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 if you have declared a disability. The arrangements can range from making sure the venue is accessible and appropriate facilities are available to giving extra time to complete tests.
Group Exercise
- Common assessment centre exercise, sometimes refereed to as group discussion
- Is an opportunity for the employer to assess how you perform as part of a wider team
- There is no right or wrong–behaviour based assessment
- Often about how you work together to achieve a solution rather than an outcome
- Assessors can only assess what they physically see
- Don’t just assign tasks – scribe / time keeper.
Role Play
- Can be an individual or group task
- Scenario based task to see how you respond in certain situations
- Assessors will be looking to compare your approach with the skills required for the role
- Information provided on the day / before to allow time to prepare for the task
Example Tasks:
- Convince a customer or a client to purchase a product / service
- Handle a complaint from a client.
Presentations
- You may be asked to give a presentation as part of your assessment centre, either an individual or with the other candidates in the group
- Might be based on a case study / topic
- Typically last between 10 – 20 minutes
- Consider the tools and resources around you – PowerPoint, flip chart, information provided
- Always be prepared for questions.
Interviews
- Different types of interviews – competency, strengths, values, technical
- May be a one to one interview or with a panel
- Previous session on interviews.
Written Exercise
- You may be given data to decipher or be asked to outline a proposal or draft letter
- Typically presented to on the day so no prior preparation needed
- Might be referred to as an in-tray exercise
- Often tests a number of skills including – time management, decision making, ability to interpret information, problem solving and ability to organise tasks.
Group Exercise Demo
Brief:
Building plans for a new hotel are currently in the development stages. The hotel owners are eager to include a broad selection of on-site facilities that local town people as well as tourist could utilise. A list of onsite facilities that could be included will be provided.
Task:
As a group you need to prioritise the top three facilities you would like in the hotel. You have 10 minutes to complete the task.
Virtual Assessment Centres
- New way of assessing
- Variety of platforms – Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype
- Familiarise yourself with the software to avoid any issues
- Be mindful of your background
- Complete your exercises in somewhere where you won’t be distracted
- Provide the recruiter with your contact details and advise of any connections issues you might have.
