What is it?

An assessment day is likely to involve a combination of tasks and activities that test your suitability for the job. You'll have the chance to demonstrate a broad range of skills, more than in a traditional sit-down interview with an employer.  Assessment days can be half a day or several days, this type of interview usually comes after the initial selection process.

• Scenario based events, involving role play.
• Group based tasks – involving communication skills and social interaction
• Looking at case studies as a group or individual
• Group discussions
• Individual and/or group presentations
• Personality (psychometric) tests
• Written tests
• Initial impressions, candidates may find they are assessed by everyone they meet and therefore successful interaction with anyone on the assessment day (at reception or at lunch) could be part of the assessment!

Here are some Key Skills that employers might look for in their recruits:

• flexibility
• critical thinking
• sociability (good communicator)
• creativity
• decisive 
• good sense of direction and leadership
• cooperation
• organised and prepared
• persuasive and influential 
• team worker
• time management.

Assessors will take into account all aspects of your performance before reaching a decision on whether to hire multiple candidates, one individual or no one. If you aren’t successful following the assessment centre make sure to ask for feedback so that you know what you need to work on for a future assessment day with other employers.

• Check the details of the assessment day with the employer’s recruitment team, ring the number of any letters / emails you are sent to confirm any details that you aren’t sure about.
• If you are given something to complete and/or practise beforehand make sure this done ready to take with you to the assessment day or email – depending on guidance provided.
• Look again at the job description for the position you are applying for, familiarise yourself with the skills, interests and experiences the employer has specified.
• Do you research – look at the employers website, social media profiles and key literature (e.g. business plan, company strategy/ethics policies). If asked about your views at the assessment day you can align your views and ideas to this.
• Think about any previous interviews how these went and any questions that you found hard to answer. You could practise these on your won or with family and friends to improve your responses in the future.  
• Think about the job sector you are applying for, it may be worthwhile researching beyond the company you have applied to familiarise yourself with the overarching concerns of the industry.  
• Re-read your application form you may be asked about some of the content and statements you provided so make sure you know what you have said.
• Think about how you will get to the assessment centre, have you planned the route? It may be a good idea to go there a few days before to ensure you know where you are going and how long it takes, ensuring you allow time to arrive early.  

Performing well at the assessment day.

It's important that you:

• Be assertive during all exercises
• If the first task doesn’t go well don't worry about it don’t let it divert your attention, the assessment day is about a range of tasks and exercises, be present in the moment concentrate on performing well in each task.
• Think about how the assessors can see your ability to work through tasks and the reasoning and decision-making skills you employed.
• You can’t concern yourself with the performance of other candidates, be calm and focus on demonstrating your key skills and competencies. 
• Draw others into discussions in a group – don’t hijack tasks and ignore other opinions, demonstrate that you value input from others and can work in a team.
• Be clear about what is expected in each task take time to ensure you understand the criteria, check this with other candidates or assessors, clarity is important and can provide you more time to think about appropriate responses.        
• Be aware that discussions, even at 'informal' mealtimes may also provide opportunities to shine. Speak to other candidates about their backgrounds, education, experiences and how they feel the day is going to break the ice.
• Be polite, friendly and open and try and relax. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not - assessors will want to see your personality and will respond positively to someone who is confident and comfortable in their own skin.