Top 5 KEY features to be mindful of in a Graduate Assessment Center.

I remember my first experience attending a graduate assessment center like it was yesterday actually more like 6 years ago??. We had been invited to a cocktail dinner that night which had been arranged by the company as a networking opportunity for the graduate candidates. Now this below was my exact reaction when I checked into the hotel absolutely mesmerized and really taken aback with the idea that the company had booked us into 5-star hotel!

I did not waste any further time and got ready for the cocktail dinner now if my memory serves me right I think I wore that evening a formal olive-green shirt dress, black strappy heels and some large chunky shiny chandelier earrings I had purchased at Lovisa it was a go big or go home kinda moment guys??

I was lucky enough to have bumped into one of the candidates at the reception area of the hotel absolutely relieved that I had made a new friend for the evening ?? Initially we found ourselves wandering Melrose Arch trying to find the restaurant hosting the cocktail dinner.

Eventually we did and as we were about to enter the room did my heart not literally drop to floor guys?? sana my nerves had already started to get the better of me shame…

All I remember seeing was a crowd of people talking, engaging and networking wearing their fancy pin stripped suits and here I was trying to take it all in a state of utter panic as I entered the restaurant- where do I even start... who do I even talk to??

You will never understand the curse of being an introvert until you go to a networking event ??the idea of approaching strangers and starting a conversation at that time was as worse as sticking needles in one's eye ???at least that’s what I thought at that time!??

I stopped dead in my tracks when I realised what I was doing at that point... a WHOLE ME?? guys a WHOLE ME!??????♀???

Was comparing herself to the extroverted candidates and the pressure of knowing that my assessors were in the same room observing me didn’t make it any easier

I had to literally drag myself out of my comfort zone chile ????♀?and throughout the night I had finally managed to mustered the courage to speak to a few people and in that very night I had my 1st aha moment ??as I had learnt a new revelation about myself which was...

That being MYSELF was ok and that I had needed to accept myself for who I was in that moment and instead of putting a mask being Olwethu was INDEED ENOUGH and my superpower????♀?

I may not be the life of the party or know how to seamlessly work the room but honey???? I am an amazing listener???? and do very well in having more deep thought provoking and meaningful conversations???

This worked in my favour as it made me feel more connected, confident and grounded in who I am because what I know for sure is that I hate surface conversations and that epiphany?? allowed me to place less pressure on myself for the duration of the assessment center.

That was 6 years ago guys and I yes I was successful and had the pleasure of working for that amazing company now back to you ambitious professional.

You just received that exact email or call inviting you now to the assessment center now as excited as you might be to take part in an assessment center-? I want you to be more intentional on how we are going to approach the next few days.

Hence why my last article for 2024 will be uncovering my TOP 5 KEY FEATURES IN A GRADUATE ASSESSMENT CENTER so lets get started!

1??KEY 1???: THE GROUP EXERCISES

??The group exercise are a key part of the assessment center day and helps the assessors to assess how you would perform in the job.

?The group exercise is used to see your communication style??? your problem-solving skills?? in action and to ensure that you can work effectively in a team????????

?You need to support the group in completing the task that has been set:

1??Whether that involves discussing an issue

2??Analysing a complex business case study

3??Presenting your findings as a group

?The best way to impress the employers is to show yourself as a good team player?? who is flexible, full of ideas?? but willing to listen???? to and help expand the ideas of others.

2??KEY 2???: THE CASE STUDY

?In this type of exercise, the group is given a set period ?to work together to respond to a case study brief often a set of documents?? based on a real-life business situation.

??The case study scenario is likely to present the sort of challenges that you would encounter on the job this gives the assessors a chance to see how you would perform.

??So here are key roles you can play:

??You can decide to take charge of the group’s working processes

??Look at the time allocated and if you divide the time equally between group members, so everyone has enough time to speak

??This allows quality of content and contributions for the quieter group members

??This will show that you are empathetic but also democratic

3??KEY 3???: PSYCHOMETRIC ASSESSMENTS:

??Psychometric tests are a level playing field employers’ value them because they are a fair way of comparing different candidates’ strengths and a way of gauging one's future potential rather than assessing what you have done in the past.

??5 tips to apply when doing your psychometric assessments:

1??If you have a disability? that may affect your performance let the recruitment team know before you take the test.

2??Don't panic! Take a calm????♀?methodical approach to the test then you will be more likely to perform at your best.

3??If you are taking online tests in your own time, make sure you have a reliable internet connection?? and are using a suitable device??

4??Take the tests somewhere calm and quiet?? where you won't be disturbed or interrupted for the duration of the test.

5??But don't be surprised?? or downhearted ??if you don't finish everything

??KEY 4???: PRESENTATIONS :

??Give your presentation a beginning, middle and an end:

1?? At the beginning welcome????♀? your audience and set the scene by letting your audience know what you will cover.

2??Prune your talk to the essentials- you might want to break your presentation into three memorable points??? you want your audience to take away with them.

3??If you are given visual aids make them visual e.g. white board or sticky notes???? etc

4??The end ??of your presentation should be a summary of what you have covered

5??Invite questions????♂? from the audience and when that's finished and thank them for their attention.

5??KEY 5???: THE SOCIAL ELEMENT

??There will still be times when you will need to communicate with other candidates and assessors such as:

??In scheduled breaks??

??Lunch???

??Cocktail dinners????

??Here are 5 key ways you can navigate the various social settings:

1??You need to introduce yourself ????????with confidence this is not the time to be shy!

2??Make sure you have brushed up on your industry and company research prior this will make it easier for your conversations with the assessors.

3??When talking to the assessors ask general questions about their careers and backgrounds with the company.

4??If you are sitting on a table make sure to talk to people on either side of you and make sure to even interact with the other graduate candidates.

5??Lastly do not drink ??too much and avoid eating anything you don't know how to eat it??

??There you have it TOP 5 KEY FEATURES IN A GRADUATE ASSESSMENT CENTER has been unlocked??!

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Olwethu M- " I am in the business of transforming ambitious graduates into high-performing professionals"