1. Assessment Centres workshop Arti Kumar, Senior Careers Adviser / CETL Fellow Marie O’Flaherty Careers Adviser

2. You will learn from this session.. What are assessment centres? Why do employers use them? What activities are involved? What skills and attributes are being assessed? How could you prepare for success?

3. Why is this important? 83% of employers use final round assessment centres or selection events –(source: AGR Graduate Recruitment Survey, Summer Review, 2006) Students need to get better at assessment centre activities for employability reasons Competencies developed are transferable Experience of participating in and observing a group exercise will help you develop relevant skills.

4. A typical application /selection process Attraction Application Research InductionJoin Decide Accept SelectionPre-selection Offer The application process for job-seekers….. The selection process for employers….. Explore

5. Assessment Centres in context Apply online/ on paper Invite to assessment day Employer sifts applications Assessment Centre Second Interview? Offer Initial interview (by telephone or in person) (Typical activities, not necessarily in this order) Tour / introduction to the company Group discussion Group exercise or tasks Written exercise In-tray or e-tray exercise Psychometric tests Presentations Social activities

6. Why do employers use Assessment Centres? ‘The assessment centre is an integrated process of simulations designed to generate behaviour similar to that required for success in a target job or job level. It enables candidates’ performance to be measured objectively against specific key criteria’ Association of Graduate Recruiters (2001)

7. What do employers look for? (Logica) WellRoundedIndividuals Communication Skills Business Awareness Team Players Problem Solvers Flexibility & Adaptability Drive for results Client Focus

8. What makes a Fast Streamer in the Civil Service? drive for results learning and improving decision-making constructive thinking building productive relationships communicating with impact an inquisitive mind adaptability robustness impartiality the ability to challenge a collaborative attitude decisiveness lucidity

9. Experiencing a group exercise You will be allocated roles as participants and observers of a group discussion You will be given written candidate and observer briefs and time to read/prepare Observers will provide constructive feedback after the exercise This should be a fun learning opportunity! (before you experience the real thing!)

10. Skills that you need to demonstrate Time management –ensure you complete the task in the time given Communication – express your views, allow others to speak, listen and be supportive, use whiteboards, present formally Drive for results –keep the group focussed on the task Creative thinking –use ideas and imagination Adaptability –tackling problems that may not be from your area of expertise

11. Observing the group exercise and giving feedback Ideally one observer per participant Make detailed observations relevant to the competencies of interest Use structured observation sheet to help you record Take time to share the feedback collectively

12. Feedback should be Specific –describe specific observations –e.g. “during the brainstorm you butted in when Jon was trying to talk” Owned –say how it made you feel –e.g. “I was aware that I was not confident giving my opinion” Constructive –say how it could have been done better –e.g. “you could try and give the other participants more chance to give their opinion”

13. “How did it feel…. To do the exercise? To observe the exercise? What did you learn from this exercise? What might you do differently as a result?”