In this article we look at the ins and outs of assessment centres including what they are and a breakdown of the process including interviews, aptitude tests, written exercises and more, followed by some resources to help you prepare.
What are assessment centres?
Assessment centres are the final stage in some firm’s selection processes and provide candidates with the opportunity to perform a range of tasks. They can help you reveal your strengths as well as your weaknesses. For example, candidates who are weak in one area of the selection process may reveal their strengths in others.
Assessment centre activities can include:
- Interviews
- Aptitude tests
- Personality inventories or questionnaires (psychometric tests)
- Written exercises
- Case studies
- “In-tray” exercises/”E-tray“ exercises
- Giving presentations
- Group discussion or activities
- Social and informal events/office tour/lunch
Interview(s)
This is likely to be a ‘second-stage’ interview and may be more in-depth than, for example, a telephone interview. There could be a panel interview or more than a single ‘one-to-one’ interviews or both. They may probe any weaker areas that may have emerged at a first interview and/or after the other exercises you have completed during the assessment centre.
Aptitude tests
These are timed tests, taken online, designed to measure your intellectual abilities, such as verbal and numerical reasoning. The Watson - Glaser Test is an example of an aptitude test used by some firms to measure critical thinking skills. They are meant to be challenging and your results can be compared with norms based on results of other graduates in the kind of work you are aiming for. Most tests are designed so that very few candidates are able to answer all questions. The results are looked at in combination with your performance with other activities at the assessment centres.
Personality inventories or questionnaires
Personality questionnaires are different to most other assessment exercises because they aren’t ‘pass/fail’ tests. Even so, don’t rest on your laurels – you will still need to be positive, professional, and diligent. These tests are often used to see if you would be a good fit for the firm’s culture. My best tip for these types of questions is to be authentic in all your responses as questionnaires may have software designed to deal with candidates who try to ‘second-guess’ what the firm is looking for.
Written exercises
These are usually done as an individual activity. For example, you might be given various documents about a company’s situation or a legal issue. It is always important to read the instructions carefully and plan how you will use your time to maximum effect.
Case studies
In these exercises, you are given a set of papers relating to a particular legal situation and asked to make recommendations. The subject matter is likely to be legal in nature but not necessarily as you are being tested on your ability to analyse information, to think clearly and logically, to exercise your judgment and to express yourself clearly and succinctly on paper. As above, an awareness of time constraints is important.
In-tray/E-tray exercises
These are usually simulation exercises which aim to replicate the type of work or situation that a future trainee may encounter. These exercises are a very useful way to gauge how a candidate manages their time and skills of prioritising a range of messages such as e-mails, reports and correspondence or a written list of business tasks. Upon the completion of the exercise, you will usually be asked to provide reasons for which items require urgent action or which may be delegated or delayed.
Giving presentations
You may be asked to bring a prepared presentation to the assessment centre, but it is more usual for you to prepare it on the day. The subject matter is not necessarily important – the firm merely wants to know that you can structure and communicate effectively. Bear in mind training you should already have had at university or in the workplace, e.g., how to organise an effective talk (with introduction, main section, and summary), maintaining effective body language and using notes if necessary. It is very important to always be aware of timings.
Group discussion or activities
Most assessment centres involve a substantial element of group work. The group activity could take a number of different formats such as a discussion or role play activity. Whatever the format the selectors are looking for your ability to interact with other people. It is important to make a contribution to the group activity or discussion and to remember that good team working is not only about getting your ideas taken forward, but also about listening to, and using, the ideas of others. As with the above point about presentations, it is vital to keep an eye on the timings for the activity.
Social and informal events
These could include an office tour and lunch. They are usually presented as an opportunity for you to find out more about the organisation and to ask questions in a more casual setting. These events may appear informal, but it is important to remember that you are being assessed at all times, so be motivated, ask questions and seek to understand the firm and develop relationships with those around you.
Examples of criteria
There are so many professional and human skills that you will be tested on throughout the assessment centre experience. Examples of the skills and traits that selectors are likely to be judging you on at the assessment centre:
- teamworking
- communication
- leadership
- time management
- listening
- motivation and enthusiasm
- data analysis
- decision-making
- influencing
- creativity
- integrity
- initiative
- commercial awareness
Preparing for assessment centres
As with any stage of the recruitment process, preparation is key.
As well as doing your research on the firm before you go, we recommend exploring the following to help your preparation:
- The Commercial Law Academy online courses.
- The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) courses.
- The “Commercial Law Assessment Centre Guide” by Mindfull Learning.
- The BeComAware courses.
In addition, Assessment Day provides a very comprehensive overview to help you navigate assessment centres.
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