Assessment guide - Assessment centre focus

They're a regular feature of the graduate selection process as more recruiters want to observe candidates in 'real-work' situations. But how do you cope with trial by assessment centre and show yourself at your best? Three high profile recruiters explain what they are looking for from attendees and recent recruits give tips on how to pass with flying colours.

The tasks

Whether you visit a commercial assessment centre in the heart of London or a barracks in the wilds of the countryside, you'll be tested to your limits. That's the idea as recruiters check how candidates respond to real life situations. Knowing what to expect is half the game however, and familiarity with the generic tasks will help you cope with any grenade that's lobbed in.

• Dinner
  The evening of arrival is for socialising and senior staff members and assessors may be there. But it's all about networking rather than formal assessment at this stage. Still, first impressions are important so don't blow it by over indulging at the free bar - not least because you've got a big day ahead.
  
  
• Group discussion
  Topics up for debate range from 'Do we need to carry ID cards?' to 'Should supermarkets sell energy?' to 'Should people pay towards their healthcare?', depending on the recruiter. Remember that showing you can engage, listen and respond are more important than hogging the floor.
  
  
• Intray
  Candidates prioritise a list of issues such as an in-store security hitch, an opportunity to increase sales and staff motivation problems. They will propose a solution to the most pressing problem. You need to think on your feet under questioning, rather than rely on pre-prepared arguments.
  
  
• Group exercise
  Perform a practical task such as building a tower or boxes using specified raw materials and to a set standard and a budget. These tasks are less about having the right answer than demonstrating flexibility and ability to influence within a team.
  
  
• Interview
  This may be based around an exercise the candidate is asked to prepare in advance, such as critiquing an aspect of the business. It's your chance to set out your stall and to ask questions in a more private setting.
  
  
• Presentation
  Some assessment centres require you to complete a presentation on a given topic. Make sure you give yourself enough time to prepare and also be armed with all the information you need, including any statistics that will help impress the assessors. Don't forget to stand up and address the entire audience - looking down and reading from a script does not set a good impression.

The recruiters

The retailer: Tesco

Number of applicants 3,000
Number of graduates hired in 2005: 50
Assessment centre: Cheshunt, Herts
When: Q1, January and February

Competencies

• Winning others' support
• Managing decision making
• Managing performance
• Managing change
• Drive
• Customer focus
• Personal integrity
• Team player
• Developing themselves and others

"It's less about winning or losing team exercises than how candidates cope under pressure and interact with their team," says Emma Taylor, Graduate Recruitment Manager with the retailer.

Recruiter advice

"Some people think they have to be the loudest person in order to be heard - or that it's more important to be a team player than a leader. One person who impressed in the one-on-one interviews came over as bolshie and aggressive in the team exercises".
Emma Taylor, Graduate Recruitment Manager, Tesco.

Candidate tip

"I did not worry about what the assessor was or wasn't looking for. This worked well for me for two reasons; firstly I enjoyed the day and was enthusiastic throughout and secondly by being myself it assessed whether or not I would fit in Tesco'.
Chris Howell, IT Manager, Cambridge University graduate.

The bank: HSBC

No of graduates hired in UK, 2005: 235
No of applicants: not known
Assessment centres: Canada Square, London and Bricket Wood, Herts.
When: Q1 from January to March

Competencies

• Commercial judgement
• Strategic thinking
• Customer orientated
• Teamwork
• Drive

"HSBC is looking for future leaders, not someone who wants a couple of management appointments and that's it", explains John Morewood, Senior Manager, Graduate Recruitment.

Recruiter advice

"Candidates need to contribute because we can't assess you on what you potentially contribute. So the introverted people have to get out there too. Candidates who stand out have often worked in the real world in between graduating and applying." John Morewood, Senior Manager, Graduate Recruitment.

Candidate Tip

"After college I worked for a local authority debt collecting. I learned to speak to customers and how to deliver difficult news and I think that experience paid off. I would advise any candidate to be physically prepared as it's an exhausting day." Tomos Ashfield, Executive Management Programme, UCL graduate.

The armed forces: The Army

Assessment centre: Westbury
Approximately 38 sessions a year

Characteristics

• Intellect
• Application of intellect
• Physical potential
• Character

Graduates can apply through the soldier or officer route and the latter go before the Army Officer Selection Board. Assessment is as comprehensive as it gets consisting of a gruelling three-day assessment, where physical ability, planning, teamwork, discussion and individual presentation skills are tested.

"Interviews are not regarded by the armed forces as a reliable selection tool. We're interested in how people interact in a group - it tells us much more about potential performance", says Lieutenant Aston-Wickett

The envy of many modern corporations, recruiters have borrowed assessment exercises from the Army but one aspect that remains unique is the physical fitness test. This is designed to test agility and endurance and components include:

• Speed test
• Long jump
• Dive through a window
• Climb an eight foot wall
• Swing over a void

Recruiter advice

"Be mentally and physically prepared. It's no use pretending to be someone you're not because our tests are so comprehensive that any veneer will be spotted. They are also extremely stressful - some people faint under cross examination - because we have to see what kind of pressure they can withstand."
Lieutenant Aston-Wickett.

Soldier's advice

"On the planning test I was very nervous but the preparation I did in advance on my mental arithmetic stood me in good stead. It helped me think on my feet."
Major Mike Keighley.

For more information on getting a new graduate job, take a look at our graduate advice pages.