Assessment centres

You could be required to engage in a group discussion or debate, complete a group task (typically relevant to the role) or even take part in a group role play where you are assigned a specific role. Assessors will be observing candidates' ability to participate and contribute, present reasoned arguments, communicate effectively, listen to others, negotiate and co-operate.

In group exercises, it's important to:

• Get a clear understanding of the information or brief and what is required
• Set clear goals and priorities - you might consider assigning roles if this has not formed part of the brief already
• Be assertive but also be prepared to compromise - this demonstrates your ability to generate ideas but also that you are open-minded
• Work with the group - your ability to work collaboratively with others is vital for the workplace! Make positive contributions but encourage contribution from others and listen to others' ideas. Don't talk over other people or interrupt them, and try to avoid letting the same happen to you
• Keep an eye on the time to ensure the team remain focused

Read Bright Network's and Assessment Day's advice on how to do well in group exercises.

Psychometric tests often appear earlier in the recruitment process for highly competitive graduate roles. However you might be asked to complete one as part of an assessment centre, or even re-take a psychometric test you completed previously. You can read our advice on psychometric tests for more information about what to expect and how to prepare.

You may be asked to deliver a presentation about a specific topic - you could be informed about this in advance or given a set period of time to prepare it during the assessment centre itself. In delivering a presentation, especially when you have not been told about it beforehand, assessors are looking for strong time management, excellent communication skills and your ability to work well and present clear ideas under pressure.

When thinking about your presentation, consider the content, structure and delivery:

• Content - What is the purpose of the presentation and who is the audience? Research the topic and identify the key points/issues - what are your views on these? Prioritise what to include based on importance and the time limit you have been set
• Structure - Even the best content can get lost if your presentation doesn't follow a clear structure! Your presentation needs to be logical and easy to follow. Identify your key arguments and conclusions and ensure your presentation covers these. Follow this helpful structure as a guide: (1) Welcome, introduction and outline - introduce yourself and the presentation, explain purpose, format and outline of your presentation; (2) Introduce the topic - what does the audience need to know?; (3) Main body - make clear, logical points; and (4) Summarise and invite questions 
• Delivery - It's perfectly normal to feel nervous when delivering a presentation but effective presentation skills will make you stand out from the competition and engage the audience! Read these helpful tips from Coursera and Indeed as a guide

An interview is a common task at an assessment centre. As with any interview, assessors will be looking for evidence that you can do the role, are interested in the work and will fit in and collaborate well with colleagues in their workplace. You can read our advice on interviews for more information about what to expect and how to prepare.

In-tray and e-tray exercises simulate a real-life working scenario by putting multiple pressures and demands on your time. Both exercises present you with competing tasks, emails or documents to sort through, prioritise and respond to. An e-tray exercise is simply a digital version of an in-tray exercise - typically an e-tray exercise will simulate an email inbox, whereas an in-tray exercise will be paper-based. Read all information you have been given carefully so you understand the instructions and what you need to do. These exercises test a wide range of skills, from time management to your analytical and problem-solving skills (you might for example need to prioritise a deadline or complete certain tasks before you can start on others), as well as your professionalism and email etiquette.

TargetJobs and Assessment Day have useful advice on how to tackle these exercises.

You could be given a case study exercise, where you need to either report on or present your recommendations to a problem or situation that would replicate one faced by professionals working in the role you are applying for. Case studies typically test your problem-solving and analytical skills, as well as your commercial awareness. You will likely be presented with a range of background materials to work through, perhaps news stories, business reports or sale figures. Assessors are looking at how well you process and analyse the information you have been provided with, understand the problems you have been set, identify what the key issues are and then justify your recommendations.

Read TargetJobs and Assessment Day's advice on case study exercises.

In a role play scenario, you are required to act out a scenario, typically recreating a difficult situation like a customer complaint, difficult client or explaining technical information. Don't worry, a role play exercise is not testing your acting skills! It is assessing how you would explore and address a difficult situation like this in the workplace. Nonetheless, the more you can get into character and immerse yourself in the situation, the more relaxed and natural it will feel for you.

Before you begin, make sure you have read the brief carefully and understand what the scenario involves. Initiate with open questions to find out more information. Think about what you need to know to move the scenario forward - for example, in a customer complaint scenario, what is the complaint and how did it arise? Be mindful of your tone and interpersonal skills - if you were dealing with a customer complaint, you may need to be apologetic and empathetic but also move to being more assertive, particularly if the customer becomes difficult or rude. Use what you know about the employer and their values to help you consider how they might approach the situation in their workplace.

Assessment Day has useful advice about role play exercises at assessment centres.