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Assessments centres are usually held at a company’s head office or in a hotel, typically last between half a day and two days and have anywhere between 2 and 8 candidates attending. Attendees are not necessarily there for the same role, for example there may be 3 roles on offer with 2 possible candidates for each.

Assessment centres allow participants to show their skills rather than, as at interview stage, just talk about them. There are 3 main elements to assessment centres - firstly it is a social event, a chance to meet managers and to demonstrate the ability to interact positively; secondly it is a chance for the candidate and company to find out more about one another; lastly, candidates are given the opportunities to prove their skills and attributes through a series of tests and exercises.

Typically an assessment centre will include a combination of the following activities:

• Psychometric/Aptitude test
• Personality Profiling
• Presentation
• Group Exercise
• Role-play
• Interview

To prepare for an assessment centre, make sure you have thoroughly researched the company and products. Ensure that you know where you are going, how you are going to get there and by when. Book the day off work, you don’t want a surprise field visit from your manager to prevent you from attending! Dress smartly and conservatively and wear a watch as some exercises may be timed. Most importantly, remember that you are potentially being assessed at all times so don’t arrive complaining about poor directions, don’t criticise the event over lunch to another attendee and if there is an evening meal, don’t drink too much!

Presentation Advice

• Keep to the time allocated.
• Tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you’ve told them.
• Use acetates, a flip chart or PowerPoint but don’t overload the pages with too much information. Aim for one slide to every 2 mins of talking.
• Stand clear of the slides, don’t obstruct them.
• Try for a conversational tone, don’t just read from cards.
• Speak clearly and more slowly than usual. Don’t waffle or mumble. Use pauses to emphasise points.
• Have a glass of water to hand in case your voice gets dry or you need to take a moment to collect yourself.
• Make eye contact with the group.
• Don’t be afraid to use humour where appropriate.

Group Exercise Advice

The group exercise allows assessors to observe how well you interact with others/work as a team. It is usually a practical task or a decision making exercise.

The group exercise is a chance for you to show the following strengths:

• Listening to others and valuing their contribution.
• Encouraging others to put their ideas forward.
• Decisiveness - contributing to the final conclusion.

Tips:

• Be aware of your body language, don’t fold your arms, and don’t block anyone else’s view of, or access to, the group.
• To ensure that you play a key role within the discussion, you could nominate yourself as time-keeper or note-taker.
• Address others by their name.
• Keep your cool and have a good sense of humour.
• Be willing to change your mind to fit in with the rest of the group, don’t be stubborn or encourage conflict.
• Don’t be aggressive, don’t interrupt others and don’t talk too much!

Role Play Advice

This will normally take the form of selling to a customer played by an actor or a member of the assessors’ team. Sometimes it will be as straight-forward as selling a pharmaceutical product, sometimes it will be selling a product to a customer that has expressed dissatisfaction which you will need to overcome and at other times you will be asked to sell a non-healthcare product such as a mobile phone or a diary.

You’ll normally be presented with a brief or technical data in advance of the exercise but some assessment centres give candidates as little as ten minutes to prepare.

Go back to basics:

• During your preparation, identify your pre-call objective - what are you hoping to achieve? Make two lists - what you know about the customer and what you know to be the features and benefits of the product.
• Greet the customer with a firm handshake and a smile. Maintain positive body language and eye contact.
• Don’t forget to ask questions! You must establish the customer’s needs before you can sell. Listen carefully and don’t interrupt. Overcome objections and match the features and benefits to the customer’s needs.
• Close! The assessors are looking ideally for you to gain commitment from the customer or at least to schedule a call back appointment.

Interview Advice

• Make a strong first impression - smile and give a firm handshake.
• Try to avoid negative body language like crossed arms or turning away from the interviewers.
• Listen carefully and don’t interpret. Focus on what you are being asked.
• Watch for encouraging or discouraging signs from your interviewer. Watch out for signals that they want you to stop talking/sum up.
• Be ready to give concise answers about your reasons for leaving roles. Avoid being negative about the job or the company, even if you did hate working there! Find a positive spin to put on it.
• Make clear what you can offer the organisation.
• Communicate your enthusiasm for the role and the company and close the interview - for example “Do you have any reservations at this stage” or “How do you see me fitting into the team”.

Call 01225 336 335 to find out more about our Permanent Recruitment opportunities and our provisions for Contract Team Recruitment and Vacancy Management.

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