1. How To Pass An Assessment Centre

2. What will you learn?
• What is an assessment centre
• How does one work
• The structure of an assessment centre
• Advice on how to pass one
• Extra tips for success

3. What is an assessment centre?

4. Assessment centres are a way for
employers to assess the skills they
may not be able to in a one to one
interview such as:
• Teamwork
• Negotiation
• Initiative

5. How does an assessment centre work?

6. So, what happens…
A group of candidates will usually spend half a day to a day undertaking various exercises that will test
skills, knowledge and behaviours required for a role. The type of exercises will depend on the role but
expect some or all of the following:
• Group exercises
• Individual written tests
• Role plays
• Presentations
• Individual exercise related to the role (i.e. develop a piece of code if you were applying for a developer
role)
• Aptitude and personality tests
• Interviews

7. The Structure

8. Each employer will vary in the way they conduct their
assessment centre and the type of exercises they run.
Below is a guide to what a typical assessment centre will
involve:
• Arrival of candidates
• Introduction to the day, the company and the people
running the assessment centre (if it is for one role, they
may go into more detail about the role too)
• Ice breaker exercise
• Exercise 1
• Break
• Exercise 2
• Lunch
• Exercise 3
• Closing comments

9. How to Pass

10. Prepare or prepare to fail…
How will you get there, How
long will it take/cost
Is there parking
Location
Understand the role
What time does it
start/finish

11. Research the company
Visit the company website and social
media channels
Key skills for the role
Find out who will be attending the assessment centre from the
company. Connect with them on LinkedIn and look at their own
journey

12. First Impression Count
Arrive 10-15 minutes early
Be polite to everyone you meet
Make conversation with other candidates in the room

13. Showcase Your Soft Skills
Soft skills include; communication, teamwork, negotiation, persuasion, listening,
initiative, problem-solving, creativity, time management, leadership, interpersonal
ability and work ethic
To ensure you showcase your skills to their full
potential:
Put your point forward
Listen to others
Don’t argue
Ask those who haven’t contributed their opinion
Suggest a vote if a decision can’t be made on a task
Keep to time (if a timed task) – maybe suggest allowing
certain times for certain parts of the task

14. Extra Tips

15. Extra Tips….
• Assessment doesn’t stop at lunch or break times –
network and talk to people at the company
• Dress to impress
• Relax and be yourself
• Practice tests
• Avoid negativity
• Believe in yourself!

16. If you’re looking for a new role, maybe we can help?
Take a look at the ASC Jobs Board Today
www.asc-connections.com/job-search
Alternatively, contact a member of the team who specialises in your sector
to see how they could help you.
0121 236 1662