Assessment Centres can comprise psychometric tests, presentations, role-play and group exercises. These exercises can be spread over an entire day where your interaction with other group members at the assessment centre will be observed.

Assessment Centres can be the next hurdle after a successful interview and are becoming increasingly common in the recruitment of staff. So, how to succeed at assessment centres?

Here are a few tips and some great advice to help you prepare properly to ensure you stand out from the crowd at the assessment centre.

	Re-read your original application form or CV.
	Remind yourself of the key competencies and attributes this employer is seeking.
	Keep informed of current issues relevant to the job or organisation by reading appropriate newspapers and periodicals.
	Ensure you are fully aware of the assessment format, exercises, timings etc - ask if necessary. Additionally, ensure you know where you are going on the day and if required, what times public transport operate to ensure you arrive in plenty of time.
	Practice makes perfect, even a little practice can make a marked impact on your performance. Ask willing friends to help you prepare for the assessment centre by acting out different situations, perhaps handling a difficult colleague or angry client to prepare for role-play exercises. You can improve quite markedly by practising at home. You are unlikely to have a lot of time on the day itself to prepare so any practice can help.
	Practise aptitude tests, this can be done beforehand online at www.shl.com
	IThe assessment centre is part of the interview process so dress appropriately, arrive on time and do some homework on the company and its competitors - background research always impresses.

	First impressions last! Bear in mind that you are being assessed from the minute you arrive until the minute you leave the assessment centre, so make a good impression by making conversation with other people in the group before the assessment even begins. This shows confidence and team ability and will also help you to relax. Smartly presented candidates always stand out and a firm handshake and good eye contact are important.
	Ask questions and join in!
	Show your enthusiasm.
	Assume you are being assessed at all times.
	Listen carefully to instructions and ask if you are not clear about what you have to do.
	When it comes to group exercises, it is quality not quantity that is important. In group situations the candidates who stand out are often the best listeners. They canvass others opinions and move the discussion forward rather than trying to dominate it.
	Extroverts should be careful not to dominate or talk people down. There's no need to shout or talk over people to get noticed; the ratio of assessors to candidates will ensure the observation will be acute.
	Assessors often look for evidence that a candidate can recruit other people to their point of view. Sometimes you may have to give other people recognition for contributing to your idea in order to get them on board. This is quite impressive to see in a group exercise. People fall into two basic personality types: 'thinkers' who respond to logical argument and 'feelers' who prefer solutions that make people feel good. Identifying whether someone is a thinker or a feeler can help you adapt arguments to secure support for your position. A feeler who can use logic to win round a thinker will really impress the assessors.
	Active participation is essential: the assessors can't judge what they can't see. You must contribute and show the ability to thrive in a competitive workplace environment." Express your ideas clearly and briefly. Be flexible in your thinking: it shows good judgement to abandon your idea in favour of better suggestions.
	If somebody is being difficult in your group, stay calm and avoid confrontation. If they are monopolising the exercise, interrupt politely and put their idea to the vote so that you then recruit as many people as possible into the discussion.
	Make sure you are aware of the time constraints in any exercise and produce what was asked for in that time.
	IDon't panic if you feel you have made a mess of an exercise - it is your overall performance they are interested in. Nobody is perfect.

	Be professional The assessors will be looking for evidence of how you would behave in the workplace, so act professionally at all times. Don't sulk if people aren't listening to you, don't talk over people and don't openly criticise other candidates during a break. Be reasonable, polite and generally behave as you would in the workplace.
	Stay positive Don't give up because you perform badly in one exercise: the day will be structured providing ample opportunity to contribute. If you don't manage to get a word in edgeways in the group sessions then you are sure to have a chance to demonstrate your skills in other individual exercises.
	Ask questions Remember, it's not just about whether the company wants you, but whether you want the company!

What happens after the assessment centre?
For most candidates, an assessment centre represents the final round of selection activity, although some employers might invite you back for another interview or round of interviews. It is normal for an organisation to let you know when they expect to have made a decision and how you will be notified but don't be afraid to ask if this has not been made clear.
Good Luck