1. Foundation Assessment Centres How to Prepare, Attend (and survive…)

2. Introduction… Vanessa Gough Professional Development Manager in Foundation Currently managing 32 recently-joined professionals and 37 Industrial Trainees Experienced graduate recruiter Experienced CV and application form “sifter” HOW many application forms??? HOW many graduates interviewed???

3. Aims of the Presentation To understand – What’s the advantage to the recruiting company of running assessment centres? What do they look for? How do they find evidence? How to survive… And afterwards? How to prepare

4. Some statistics… 4000 graduate applications received for this company per year Approximately 3 assessment centres run a week 240 Industrial Trainees 305 current graduate hires

5. Why Assessment Centres?

6. “To satisfy the vitality requirements of the organisation through programmes aimed at recruiting, developing and retaining high calibre individuals”

7. What do they look for?

8. Professional/Commercial experience? - not necessarily Academic Qualifications? - yes Intellectual Capability? - yes Transferable Skills? - most definitely (… and these might be ???) Motivation and Drive? - yes!

9. Transferable Skills Adaptability Client Focus Technical Orientation/Passion for the Business Team Work Communication Skills Analytical Reasoning/Problem Solving Drive to Achieve/Leadership

10. How do they find evidence? Logical Reasoning Exercise Psychometric Test Written/Verbal Communications Exercise Group Exercise(s) Interviews

11. How to prepare Find out what the recruiting company DOES – what they SELL – what they MANUFACTURE – find out what they DO!!! and expect to be asked! The application form is the first interview Some hints – Spell check Sense check Grammar check…

12. …but grammar and punctuation don’t matter, surely? Dear John I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart. I can be forever happy – will you let me be yours? Gloria Dear John I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be? Yours Gloria

13. Extracts from application forms… I have a solid global awareness of business and technology, with strong analytical problem- solving skills, I occupy a drive to solving problems from conception through to completion, with the verve and energy required to be a success with this company. 3.Please tell us about any other achievements or positions of responsibility that support your application I have lived in several foreign countries, including for eighteen months and several times. I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TOWARD NEW TECHNOLOGY.AS A RECOGNISED COMPANY ITVIS ONE OF THEMOST POPULAR COMPANIES THAT HAS ALWAYS PERFORMED A HIGH STANDARD PRODUCTS.

14. Extracts from application forms… I have an aptitude for leaning To succeed in sales it is imperitive you can communicate effectively. During my time at, I was suprised how much I enjoyed calculating fugures and developing buisness acumen. This gave me a competitive edge in versatility of all positions and was able to cover up for any staff in any of these positions

15. On the day Turn up Turn up on the right day, at the right place, and on time What’s the dress code? Make an impression (the right way!) Remove labels/stickers from clothes and shoes Show some interest Be yourself

16. Some questions to ask How is performance evaluated? What training will you provide? How mobile do you expect me to be? Will you tell me about the company’s culture?

17. When it’s over… it’s not over Review the day… What went well? What could have gone better? Update your CV Ask for feedback View as good experience Prepare for the next… Do NOT think you are a “bad person” if you don’t get through!