How to prepare for an assessment centre

Methodical preparation for assessment day will help you perform at your best. This will give you the confidence to tackle whatever activities they throw at you and also give you a handy conversation starter to help you with the social part of the day.

Some employers choose to run their assessment centers virtually, but many of the tips in this article will still be relevant. However, take a look at our tips on virtual assessment centers to find out how they differ and how best to approach them.

Start with the instruction given to you

• Carefully read all information your employer sends you
  
  . As well as practical information about the date, venue and start time, it should also tell you how the day will be structured.

• Check if you will need to complete any tasks before the day.
  
  You may need to put together a presentation in response to a brief; if so, this should be in the information pack your employer sends you.

• Confirm the presentation format
  
  ,
  
  if they ask you for one
  
  – for example, check if they expect MS PowerPoint and if so, whether you need to send it in advance, bring it in on a USB or download it from the cloud on the day. Don’t just show up expecting them to have the amenities you need. If your assessment center is virtual, check how you will deliver the presentation. You may need to share your screen with MS PowerPoint, for example.

Do further research on the employer, the role and the industry

• Read about the company.
  
  Revisit the research you did for your application. Check the employer’s social media profiles to find out what they’re buzzing about: any project wins, any initiatives, CEO interviews, media stories, etc. Look at key documents on the employer’s website, such as their business plan or annual report – read the summary if nothing else.

• Read about the industry.
  
  Target the big-name news sites and any sources of industry news – including professional organizations and industry-specific magazines (e.g.
  
  The engineer
  
  for engineering or
  
  Management today
  
  for commercial or trainee management roles). Keep an eye out for industry-wide issues – such as the impact of legislation, environmental concerns or consumer trends – and any news about the employer or its competitors.

• Read about company values ​​and role competencies.
  
  Look again at the job ad and the employer’s recruitment literature to remind yourself of the skills you will be judged on. Employers will also be looking to see if you share and act in accordance with their values. Your knowledge of what the company is looking for can influence your approach to assessment center exercises – for example, if one of the company’s values ​​is to respect the input of others, it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to ignore everyone else in a group exercise .

Practice assessment center exercises and interview questions

• Use your career service.
  
  Most careers services run practical sessions for assessment centers and specific assessment activities such as presentations. At the very least, book an in-person meeting with a careers advisor to discuss tactics for the day itself. Your careers service can provide support and advice even after you’ve graduated. You should find that most of the services they offer can be accessed online.

• Practice free or paid exercises in the assessment center
  
  through our trading partner AssessmentDay.

• Check the employer’s website and their employer center
  
  

  in target jobs
  
  for any advice for candidates on assessment day.

• Brush up on your interview technique.
  
  Individual interviews are usually part of the day. Our guidelines on how to answer tough interview questions will help you prepare.

Get Assessment Center Chat

• Prepare your own questions to ask.
  
  Whether you’re making small talk with assessors, meeting with current graduate employees, or chatting with other applicants, it’s a good idea to have some ready-made conversation topics on hand. These may be based on: your previous research and knowledge of industry trends; information you would really like to know about the company, such as what the training is like
  
  really
  
  as; or the career path of the person you are talking to, e.g. what he likes about his job and/or company and about his career development so far.

• Rehearse your personal presentation.
  
  Also known as an “elevator pitch”, this is essentially how you present yourself at interviews, assessment days and networking events, and it’s useful if you’re asked, “Tell me a little bit about yourself.” Read our tips for perfecting your personal ad.

Plan the practical stuff

If your assessment center is held virtually, think about the practical things you may need to plan for. Thinking about your tech and gear (including the bottom half to be sure!) is a good start, but our article on virtual assessment centers gives more suggestions on how best to prepare.

• Plan your route.
  
  It might seem obvious, but plan how long it will take you to get there and factor in time for potential delays. If you are driving, research parking options and fees (you can ask the parking staff at their offices). It is good practice to arrive on the day of the assessment 10 or 15 minutes early. If the employer reimburses travel expenses, make sure you keep copies of the receipts.

• Plan your outfit.
  
  How do you dress for an assessment centre? It’s always safest to be “smart” in a well-fitting suit or business attire. However, make sure you’re comfortable: you won’t thank yourself for pinching shoes (or ankle-straining high heels) by the end of the day. If you are going to work in manufacturing or a similar job and will be given a tour of a job site, make sure what you wear is appropriate for it.

• Plan what to take with you.
  
  It is good practice to carry an up-to-date CV and/or a copy of your application to refer to if necessary. You may also want to take a summary of your employer’s research with you to brush up on the basics before entering. But there can be other useful things, ranging from your phone charger to snacks before and after the day of the assessment, to reserve tights in case you accidentally climb the stairs (if you’re wearing them, that is!). Keep the recruiter’s contact details on your phone in case you need to get in touch during the day (for example, if you’re running late).

Preparation is based on your great first impression

Remember that employers invited you to an assessment day because they liked you in the early stages of the application process. All you have to do is confirm the initial good impression. Following the steps above will give you the experience and knowledge to throw yourself into the day with all your heart – something that will likely lead to a job offer.