What happens in an assessment centre?
An assessment centre is not a place. It is a process designed to assess whether candidates have the skills required for a job and the future potential the organisation is looking for. It comprises a range of activities or simulations designed to tests these factors. Some elements may replicate the tasks and demands of a particular job. Assessment centres are commonly used in both the private and the public sectors. They generally last between half a day and two days, and usually come towards the end of the recruitment process. They take place at employer premises or another suitable location, such as a hotel or training facility. Common features of the assessment process are that several candidates are observed by a team of trained assessors, against pre-identified competencies, in a variety of different situations and exercises. Interviewees usually work in teams of four to eight, but some exercises will be performed individually. All of this may sound scary, but remember that: • Havi
