What is an assessment centre? Recruitment assessment centres
You may be invited to an assessment centre when you’re applying for a job. Some organisations use assessment centres instead of traditional interviews to identify the best person or people to recruit. In this set of pages we give you an idea of what to expect if you're invited to an assessment centre.
Assessment centres are typically used by medium to large organisations. The Association of Graduate Recruiters found that 92% of its members used assessment centres. An assessment centre can last for as little as half a day, but for some roles and for certain employers, a two day assessment is normal and may require you to stay in a hotel overnight to attend. If you’re invited to an assessment centre, you’ll be sent all the relevant information.
Typically you’ll be invited to attend the assessment centre with a number of other candidates. It may feel daunting, but sometimes an assessment centre can give you a better opportunity to demonstrate a variety of strengths and abilities.
Assessment centres can also mean that the hiring process is less drawn out. Further interviews aren’t generally needed as the decision on who to employ is often made on the day.
The exact format of an assessment centre will vary from company to company. So it's worth doing some research, not just into the company that you're going to visit, but also into the format of an assessment centre. And what you will find is that helps you to prepare, it helps you to be more confident.
Gary Argent - UK Graduate Recruitment Manager, CGI.
Disability support at assessment centres
Employers are required to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 if you have declared a disability. The arrangements can range from making sure the venue is accessible and appropriate facilities are available to giving extra time to complete tests. Have a look at our article on psychometric and online tests or watch our webinar 'Assessment centres: Asking for reasonable adjustments'. Also, read our article about how to explain a disability when applying for jobs.
