The following sides have been taken from a presentation on
Assessment Centres
by the Suncorp Graduate Recruitment Team
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HR
Leadership, Culture & Talent
Types of Assessment Centre
What types of Assessment would you expect at an Assessment Centre?
Psychometric Assessment
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Numerical Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
Comprehension
Diagrammatic or abstract reasoning
Analytical thinking
Personality tests or profiles
Work-based Activities and Simulation Exercises
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Case Studies
In-tray Exercises
Group Discussions
Group Exercises
Presentations
Role Plays
Proposal
Problem Solving Projects
Social Events
Interviews
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One on one
Panel
Behavioural or Competency based
2
HR
Leadership, Culture & Talent
Qualities and Competencies
What employers are looking for
In general companies are looking for the following qualities:
Cognitive /Intellectual
Strategic thinking, analysis and judgement, planning and organising
Interpersonal
Managing others, assertiveness, oral and verbal communication
Adaptability
Versatility, resilience, creativity, dealing with ambiguity
Results Orientation
Energy and initiative, achievement motivation
Social
Persuasive, confidence, multicultural sensitivity, values and integrity
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HR
Leadership, Culture & Talent
Benefits of Assessment Centres
Employer
Graduate
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Provide a comprehensive overview of an
individual’s strengths and weaknesses;
Are standardised, every candidate has the
same opportunity to demonstrate their skills;
Are more objective then interviews alone,
which may be biased by the interviewers’
interpretations;
Allows applicants to demonstrate many
abilities in a variety of different situations;
Can be tailored to suit the position and the
type of skills required;
Provide information to place successful
candidate in the appropriate section of the
organisation.
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An opportunity to share your working style
and strengths;
Success does not hinge on two interviews;
If you are successful in securing the position
the candidate can be more confident that it
will suit you and that the employer feels you
have potential to advance;
A fair and more equitable hiring practice;
Attendance at an assessment centre gives
you an opportunity to assess the
organisation and whether you’d like to work
for it;
You have gained valuable experience for
next time
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HR
Leadership, Culture & Talent
Prepare for an Assessment Centre
What you need to do
Before:
• Dress Professionally
• Organise your travel so you arrive on time
• Research the organisation and job before attending
• Find out how long you will be at the assessment centre
Group Exercise:
• Listen and read all instructions carefully and ask questions when you need to.
• When working in teams be a courteous and professional team player.
• Don’t dominate the group leadership or be a wallflower.
• Remember your communication skills are being assessed , so be articulate, don’t use any slang and
speak up when you need to.
• Once the exercise begins define the task.
• If possible organise a mini project plan that will help keep the group focussed.
• Be aware that you are being assessed on your contribution against the selection criteria.
• The solution may be less important than the group process and your participation in it in order to derive
the answer.
Presentations:
• Consider your audience and the content of your presentation.
• Keep to the point and be convincing.
• Remember you are being assessed on both your verbal communication skills. i.e. voice, pauses and
non-verbal communication skills i.e. body language, eye contact.
5
HR
Leadership, Culture & Talent
Behaviour
Unskilled Behavioural Indicator
Skilled Behavioural Indicator
Communication &
Interpersonal
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Uses Jargon
Turned up late
Language was unclear and/or not articulate
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Did not use jargon or happy to explain it
Arrived on time
Used clear, articulate communication style
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Does not provide input into team-based
and/or larger group discussion
Does not volunteer own ideas, plans or
knowledge
Interrupts or ignores others contributions
Demonstrates behaviour contrary to the
Suncorp Groups Values
Does not proactively encourage or lend
support to others’ suggestions
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Provides contributions to both team-based and
larger group discussions to achieve the task at
hand
Shares own ideas, plans and knowledge with
others
Listens effectively to others
Demonstrates alignment and personal
commitment to Suncorp’s Groups Values
Supports and encourages others to participate in
team-based and larger group discussions
Behaviours
Option 1
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Team Work
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Innovation
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Does the candidate take responsibility for
resolving the issue at hand
Overlooks related issues
Does not ask questions or does not listen
to others to build own understanding
Makes decisions which are not in the long
term benefit of the business
Focuses on most obvious or available
answers
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Identifies or recommends ideas that progress
the task at hand
Links related issues together
Asks questions to build a better
understanding
Considered the impact of different actions or
decisions on the business
Supports creative and innovative solutions
which maximise quality outcomes
6
HR
Leadership, Culture & Talent
Thank you
Q&A
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HR
Leadership, Culture & Talent