How to get that job, 4th Edition



Chapter 12

How to succeed in assessment centres

Assessment centres were first pioneered in the UK by the armed forces and are now used by a number of organisations to select people for jobs. They are very often called ‘development centres’ when used for internal selection purposes, or to identify fast-trackers and people with potential for promotion. For most candidates it’s a once-in-a lifetime opportunity. Depending on the job, procedures can last from half a day to three days or more.

In the early part of my career I (successfully!) attended a couple of assessment centres as a candidate, and since my move into HR management I have run dozens of assessment centres. So I hope the following ‘inside ...