During the University’s Employability Festival Grant Thornton ran an excellent workshop on assessment centres, which included their top tips.
Before the day:
- Be sure you’ve done your research – on the company and on the scheme.
- Practice – practice questions, attend mock assessment centres and interviews.
- Make sure you know how to get to the assessment centre. Make sure you are on time!
- Ensure you dress well.
During the day:
- Take time to think before you speak (Don’t Panic!)
- Smile and connect with everyone you meet.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions – make sure you know exactly what you are being asked to do.
- Be yourself, on a good day. Don’t try and be who you are not.
- In group exercises make yourself standout by putting ideas forward. Be patient with everyone and listen. Look at what you say and how you act with others. Always include the whole group.
- If you are asked to do a case study interview make sure you use the time properly, break it down and write your notes in a structured way. Make sure your notes are easy to read for the interview – bullet point, highlight or use key words for the key points.
After the day:
- Thank everyone for their time.
- Know when you will hear from them and the next steps.
- Reflect – think about what you could have done better.
- Get feedback – ask the organisation what you could have done better.