the careers service. careers day assessment centres 1 what to expect why employers use them chance...

The Careers Service.

Careers Day

Assessment Centres

1

• What to expect• Why employers use them• Chance to practise• Top tips


What to expect• 1 or 2 full days

• Training centre or company HQ

• Information sessions:

• Social / informal events:• Staff /senior managers

• Recent graduates

Exercises / tests:

• Aptitude tests

• Practical task

• E-tray

• Group task & role play

• Presentation

• Interview


Why?• Chance to see you in variety of situations

• Assess skills and abilities – potential• WRITE about them on application form• TALK about them at interview• TESTED through psychometric tests• DEMONSTRATE them at assessment centre

• Fair & accurate selection • measured against criteria - not each other


What might employers look for? • Communication skills - oral, written

• Interpersonal skills - teamwork, leadership

• Self management skills - time management, self-confidence, working under pressure, pro-active approach

• Problem solving – analytical thinking, creativity


Assessment Centre TaskChance to practise:

Group discussion - Lost in Peril!

10 minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2dhD9zR6hk

19/04/23


Group discussion – Lost!How would you rate your contribution?

• What did you do that helped (or hindered) the group complete its task?

• Did other group members impress you by their contribution? What did they do?

• What would you do next time to improve your performance?


Group Task – top tips!Alumni / group feedback:• Follow the instructions

• Contribute

• Not about ‘who speaks most’

• Be aware of group dynamics

• Listen, clarify, ask questions, involve others

• Concentrate on the process – not just the task

• Challenge ideas politely; if challenged don’t be defensive


Success at Assessment Centres• Alumni tips?

• Create a good first impression

• Be professional – appearance, behaviour & language

• Be nice to everyone...

• But not too sociable if it involves a late night/alcohol!

• Don’t forget your alarm clock if staying over

• Exhibit skills & attributes they seek at all times

• Each task is a new opportunity - move on!

• Pace yourself – need stamina

• Be yourself, try to stay calm & focussed!


Preparation• Find out the format for the day• Be clear about what skills or competencies they

seek• Consider how you can demonstrate these on the day• Brush up on company and sector knowledge• Reflect on 1st interview - how can you show you’ll

‘fit-in’?• Practice tests, exercises & interview technique - use

resources available via the Careers Service• What do you want to ask them?


What next? Investigate:

• Careers Service website:• www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/gettingajob/assessmen

t.html

• Handouts/downloads/videos• Booklets, ‘Assessment Centres’ DVDs and online talks

atwww.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/gettingajob/assessment.html

• Practice psychometric tests• http://www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/gettingajob

• Prospects website• www.prospects.ac.uk/interview_tests.htm


What’s on - Careers Service• Talks- ‘Interviews’; ‘Psychometric tests used in

selection’

• Assessment centre workshop

• Skills for Success activities

• Also: employer presentations, fairs and one-to-ones

• See website for details of what’s on: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/events


Your questions


Finding opportunities• MyVacancies – Careers Service website

• www.prospects.ac.uk

• www.targetjobs.co.uk

• www.gradcracker.com

• www.ratemyplacement.co.uk

• www.studentladder.co.uk

• www.step.org.uk/ (with SMEs)

• www.iaeste.org/ (international summer opps)


Finding/creating opportunities...Overseas


Finding opportunities

• Proactive job search• Find names of companies

• Identify name of key contact

• Write with tailored CV and cover letter

• Follow up with a call - Ask for ADVICE

• See Creative Job Search pages of Careers Service website


Finding opportunities• www.applegate.co.uk

• www.ipem.ac.uk

• www.jobs.nhs.uk

• www.abpi.org.uk - pharmaceutical industries

• Med Tech Innovation – supplier showcase

• Remap for voluntary work opportunities

• Medical Engineering Resource Unit volunteering and vacation internship opportunities

• Limb Loss Information Centre (for a list of prosthetics manufacturers)


Finding opportunitiesAerospace/defence directories

• www.applegate.co.uk

• www.careersinaerospace.com

• www.adsgroup.co.uk

• www.raes.org.uk


Tips on managing your time

19/04/23

• Automate your job search – set up alerts

• Apply early – less competition!

• Prepare now – before the pressure really mounts!

• Keep a folder/record of each company’s requirements

• Keep a ‘Word’ document of your answers to typical questions (can adapt then copy and paste into the application?)

• Economies of scale. Apply to several – offset the preparation time

• Keep this ready for interview preparation


Top Tips for International students• See the International Students careers guide

• See the advice on Students Union web pages

• Be aware of the Tier 2 sponsors companies

• Apply early

• Apply in the appropriate way according to country • see Going Global pages of Careers Service website

• Know what special qualities you bring to the company/role and present these persuasively• Eg language skills or cultural understanding

• Language skills• Make the most of the English Language Teaching Centre


SummaryInspired to apply?ApplicationsInterviewsAssessment centresAnswered your questionsIntroduced you to how the Careers

Service can help youLots of support and advice available


To get further help...

• Careers Service• 388 Glossop Road (Mon to Fri)• Open 9am - 5pm Mon to Fri (11am – 5pm Tues)

• Faculty based (IPO office)• Thursday –Mappin Building book for Careers

Appointment

• Placements Drop in • Tuesdays – Careers Service 12.00pm-2.00pm• Thursdays Mappin IPO Orange Room 12.30 – 1.30


19/04/23 © The University of Sheffield Careers Service

Thanks to:Alumni / graduates

KatharineMikilKetul

To you

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