Assessments

Assessments are used build up a picture of an applicant's key strengths against a 'template' of what is required to do the job well, and are becoming a key element in the selection of job candidates. There are a wide variety of different tests and exercises that employers can use to give applicants the opportunity to display the skills and talents needed for the post, and can include group exercises, presentations, analysis tasks and psychometric tests.

These exercises may be held at the employer's premises or off-site at a hotel or another similar venue and may be assessed by managers, human resources staff or possibly external consultants. Depending on the responsibilities and seniority of the role, these assessments may take place over a few hours or a few days; however, most may be completed over one day.

Assessments can demonstrate to an employer a candidate's ability to prepare for the unknown and deal with unexpected and unfamiliar situations. In this section, we take a look at the types of tests that you might encounter in more detail, along with a range of practical hints and tips to help you to shine on the day.