Assessment centre

This workshop was designed to prepare and explain to us the format and kind of activities that occur on an assessment day.

The assessment day comprised of numerous group activities and often ends with the people applying for the job giving presentation.

Competency tests are also common at an assessment day as well as well as further interviews.

The workshop comprised on two half’s, for the first half we were put into groups and assigned a task and for the second half of the day we tool it in turns to be the candidate and part of the panel for interviews

The egg group work

Our challenge was to create a mechanism that would prevent the egg from breaking when dropped from the balcony. We had limited time and could only use items provided

Items given to us included straws, string etc.

Our group worked well with many of us coming up with good ideas, the struggle was deciding on a method and completing the task within the time limit.

Unfortunately our efforts didn’t pay off and the egg broke.

I think this is due to lack of time even though our group had good communication and delegation skills.   

Mock interview

The afternoon session consisted of the group taking it in turns to have five minute mock interviews.

Everyone also took it in turns to be part of the interview panel whether that be the time keeper or the interviewer etc.

A feedback sheet was filled out for the candidate and the panel would then present their observations.

In the interview three question were asked at random.

Individual thoughts and opinions

The feedback to my answers mentioned that I had a strong answer, however I could answer the questions with more elements of the STAR technique of answering.

I thought the day was informative and represented the format of an assessment day well.

Overall I would rate the day a success and helpful in future assessment day preparation.