Many organisations, such as consultancy firms, financial institutions and government agencies, use assessment centres to evaluate candidates for management associate roles and other positions. You may be put through various tests, exercises and interviews to determine your fit for the organisation. Follow these pointers to perform your best at your next assessment centre.
KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT
Assessment centres may be conducted in person, online, or in a hybrid format. Familiarise yourself with the setup and any required digital platforms in advance.
- Research the organisation’s mission, values and work culture through its website, LinkedIn and employee insights.
- Reach out to current or former employees to learn about the selection process. You may also check reviews on job platforms such as Glassdoor.
- Find out what specific activities are likely to take place at the assessment centre, so you can prepare accordingly.
SET A POSITIVE FIRST IMPRESSION
- First impressions matter, whether in person or virtually.
- Dress professionally and appropriately for the workplace.
- Be punctual and log in a few minutes early if the session is online.
- Maintain positive body language, good posture and a confident smile.
PITCH YOURSELF
- Be proactive and seize opportunities to speak up and demonstrate your skills.
- Remember, you are there to showcase why you are the best fit for the role.
- Assessors are looking for team players who understand the tasks and are able to adopt effective strategies to meet objectives.
- Highlight how your skills and knowledge will add value to the organisation.
BE A PURPOSEFUL LEADER AND TEAM PLAYER
- Demonstrate interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills throughout the exercises.
- Interact constructively with other candidates to demonstrate your ability to collaborate and lead when necessary. This demonstrates your confidence and situational awareness as a team player.
- In group settings, manage dominant personalities and involve quieter team members. This shows leadership and emotional intelligence.
NETWORK CONFIDENTLY
- Prepare a short self-introduction to kickstart conversations with assessors and fellow candidates.
- Participate actively during informal moments such as lunch and tea breaks. Assessment centres are as much about social interaction as they are about formal tasks.
- Be professional, pleasant and polite.
SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION
- Follow up with a thank you note to the company for the opportunity at the end of the assessment.
- Share a brief reflection or anecdote of your positive experience at the assessment centre to make the message more personal.
- Reiterate your enthusiasm and interest in the role.
COMMON TYPES OF ASSESSMENTS
- Group discussions or interviews (in person or virtual)
- Aptitude and psychometric tests
- Presentations and case studies
- Work simulation exercises (e.g. handling emails or prioritising tasks)
- Role plays and team games
CONNECT WITH A MENTOR
Attend CAO’s workshops on assessment centres to get feedback through mock practice. Check out the workshop calendar on CAO’s Student Intranet page.