How do I impress at interview and assessment centres?
Assessment centres are increasingly popular recruitment methods for financial services recruiters. A typical day will usually include a range of exercises, interviews and tests that are designed to allow recruiters to assess candidates’ skills in a variety of areas. Often candidates will complete the kind of tasks they would be asked to do on an everyday basis if they succeed with their application – so depending on the area you want to join you could be tested on your numerical skills, your ability to communicate your views to a wider audience, how you work in a team or how you handle working under pressure. Interviews may be conducted as part of an assessment centre or at a different stage in the recruitment process. Remember that an interview is a two-way process that can help you to decide if you want to work the company, as well as help a recruiter decide if they want to employ you. Recruiters are not necessarily looking for candidates with in-depth financial knowledge – although
Assessment centres are increasingly popular recruitment methods for financial services recruiters. A typical day will usually include a range of exercises, interviews and tests that are designed to allow recruiters to assess candidates’ skills in a variety of areas. Often candidates will complete the kind of tasks they would be asked to do on an everyday basis if they succeed with their application – so depending on the area you want to join you could be tested on your numerical skills, your ability to communicate your views to a wider audience, how you work in a team or how you handle working under pressure. In the past, the FSA have asked graduates to put together a report on a finance-related matter, Towers Watson have asked candidates to undertake role plays to show how they would handle tricky business situations, and insurance companies have created exercises around claims. Interviews may be conducted as part of an assessment centre or at a different stage in the recruitment proc
