The Careers Service. Careers Day Assessment Centres 1 What to expect Why employers use them Chance to practise Top tips

The Careers Service. What to expect 1 or 2 full days Training centre or company HQ Information sessions: Social / informal events: Staff /senior managers Recent graduates Exercises / tests: Aptitude tests Practical task E-tray Group task & role play Presentation Interview

The Careers Service. Why? Chance to see you in variety of situations Assess skills and abilities – potential WRITE about them on application form TALK about them at interview TESTED through psychometric tests DEMONSTRATE them at assessment centre Fair & accurate selection measured against criteria - not each other

The Careers Service. What might employers look for? Communication skills - oral, written Interpersonal skills - teamwork, leadership Self management skills - time management, self- confidence, working under pressure, pro-active approach Problem solving – analytical thinking, creativity

The Careers Service. Assessment Centre Task Chance to practise: Group discussion - Lost in Peril! 10 minutes 13/08/2015

The Careers Service. Group discussion – Lost! How would you rate your contribution? What did you do that helped (or hindered) the group complete its task? Did other group members impress you by their contribution? What did they do? What would you do next time to improve your performance?

The Careers Service. Group Task – top tips! Alumni / group feedback: Follow the instructions Contribute Not about ‘who speaks most’ Be aware of group dynamics Listen, clarify, ask questions, involve others Concentrate on the process – not just the task Challenge ideas politely; if challenged don’t be defensive

The Careers Service. Success at Assessment Centres Alumni tips? Create a good first impression Be professional – appearance, behaviour & language Be nice to everyone... But not too sociable if it involves a late night/alcohol! Don’t forget your alarm clock if staying over Exhibit skills & attributes they seek at all times Each task is a new opportunity - move on! Pace yourself – need stamina Be yourself, try to stay calm & focussed!

The Careers Service. Preparation Find out the format for the day Be clear about what skills or competencies they seek Consider how you can demonstrate these on the day Brush up on company and sector knowledge Reflect on 1 st interview - how can you show you’ll ‘fit-in’? Practice tests, exercises & interview technique - use resources available via the Careers Service What do you want to ask them?

The Careers Service. What next? Investigate: Careers Service website: Handouts/downloads/videos Booklets, ‘Assessment Centres’ DVDs and online talks at Practice psychometric tests Prospects website

The Careers Service. What’s on - Careers Service Talks- ‘Interviews’; ‘Psychometric tests used in selection’ Assessment centre workshop Skills for Success activities Also: employer presentations, fairs and one-to-ones See website for details of what’s on:

The Careers Service. Your questions

The Careers Service. Finding opportunities MyVacancies – Careers Service website (with SMEs) ( international summer opps)

The Careers Service. Finding/creating opportunities...Overseas

The Careers Service. Finding opportunities Proactive job search Find names of companies Identify name of key contact Write with tailored CV and cover letter Follow up with a call - Ask for ADVICE See Creative Job Search pages of Careers Service websiteCreative Job Search

The Careers Service. Finding opportunities pharmaceutical industrieswww.abpi.org.uk Med Tech Innovation – supplier showcaseMed Tech Innovation Remap for voluntary work opportunitiesRemap Medical Engineering Resource Unit volunteering and vacation internship opportunitiesMedical Engineering Resource Unit Limb Loss Information Centre (for a list of prosthetics manufacturers)Limb Loss Information Centre

The Careers Service. Finding opportunities Aerospace/defence directories

The Careers Service. Tips on managing your time 13/08/2015 Automate your job search – set up alerts Apply early – less competition! Prepare now – before the pressure really mounts! Keep a folder/record of each company’s requirements Keep a ‘Word’ document of your answers to typical questions (can adapt then copy and paste into the application?) Economies of scale. Apply to several – offset the preparation time Keep this ready for interview preparation

The Careers Service. Top Tips for International students See the International Students careers guide See the advice on Students Union web pagesStudents Union Be aware of the Tier 2 sponsors companiesTier 2 sponsors Apply early Apply in the appropriate way according to country see Going Global pages of Careers Service website Know what special qualities you bring to the company/role and present these persuasively Eg language skills or cultural understanding Language skills Make the most of the English Language Teaching Centre

The Careers Service. Summary Inspired to apply? Applications Interviews Assessment centres Answered your questions Introduced you to how the Careers Service can help you Lots of support and advice available

The Careers Service. To get further help... Careers Service 388 Glossop Road (Mon to Fri) Open 9am - 5pm Mon to Fri (11am – 5pm Tues) Faculty based (IPO office) Thursday –Mappin Building book for Careers Appointment Placements Drop in Tuesdays – Careers Service 12.00pm-2.00pm Thursdays Mappin IPO Orange Room – 1.30

The Careers Service. 13/08/2015© The University of Sheffield Careers Service Thanks to:  Alumni / graduates  Katharine  Mikil  Ketul  To you  Evaluation forms