An assessment centre is an event organised by employers as part of their selection process.

It takes place over 1 or 2 days and it's usually for candidates who have successfully negotiated the first interview - so reaching this stage is a definite achievement. You and the other candidates will be put through a number of assessed exercises designed to help the recruiters to assess your suitability for the job.

Centres may vary from company to company but common to all centres is the fact that you will be assessed constantly throughout the day. The sort of thing will be expected to do are:

• Group Exercises (this may be a group discussion or a task)
• Presentations (on your own or as part of a group)
• In Tray Exercise (a theoretical exercise around prioritising a workload)
• Aptitude/Psychometric/Personality Tests
• Interviews (panel or one to one)

You may also have dinner with senior managers or be given a tour of a prospective work location.

Remember

• you are being assessed throughout.  It can be tiring to keep up your level of involvement - but each exercise is as important as the first
• Each of you is being assessed against the company's criteria - it is not a competition between individual candidates.
• Dress smartly and appropriately - think about how people dress in the profession you are entering
• Be friendly and polite
• Speak clearly and concisely

• In group exercises the job isn't given to who shouts the loudest - it is all about how you work with other people

More Information and Help

Many Careers Services run mock assessment centres to help you prepare or have feedback reports from students who have undertaken them previously. Make use of these services and give yourself the best chance possible on the day.