The Careers Service Careers Day Assessment Centres What

The Careers Service. Careers Day Assessment Centres • What to expect • Why employers use them • Chance to practise • Top tips

The Careers Service. What to expect • 1 or 2 full days Exercises / tests: • Training centre or company HQ • Aptitude tests • Information sessions: • Social / informal events: • Practical task • E-tray • Group task & role pl • Staff /senior managers • Presentation • Recent graduates • Interview

The Careers Service. Why? • Chance to see you in variety of situations • Assess skills and abilities – potential • • WRITE about them on application form TALK about them at interview TESTED through psychometric tests DEMONSTRATE them at assessment centre • Fair & accurate selection • measured against criteria - not each other

The Careers Service. What might employers look for? • Communication skills - oral, written • Interpersonal skills - teamwork, leadership • Self management skills - time management, selfconfidence, working under pressure, pro-active approach • Problem solving – analytical thinking, creativity

The Careers Service. Assessment Centre Task Chance to practise: Group discussion - Lost in Peril! 10 minutes 11/4/2020 http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=M 2 dh. D 9 z. R 6 hk

The Careers Service. Group discussion – Lost! How would you rate your contribution? • What did you do that helped (or hindered) the group complete its task? • Did other group members impress you by their contribution? What did they do? • What would you do next time to improve your performance?

The Careers Service. Group Task – top tips! Alumni / group feedback: • Follow the instructions • Contribute • Not about ‘who speaks most’ • Be aware of group dynamics • Listen, clarify, ask questions, involve others • Concentrate on the process – not just the task • Challenge ideas politely; if challenged don’t be defensive

The Careers Service. Success at Assessment Centres • Alumni tips? • Create a good first impression • Be professional – appearance, behaviour & language • Be nice to everyone. . . • But not too sociable if it involves a late night/alcohol! • Don’t forget your alarm clock if staying over • Exhibit skills & attributes they seek at all times • Each task is a new opportunity - move on! • Pace yourself – need stamina • Be yourself, try to stay calm & focussed!

The Careers Service. Preparation • Find out the format for the day • Be clear about what skills or competencies they seek • Consider how you can demonstrate these on the day • Brush up on company and sector knowledge • Reflect on 1 st interview - how can you show you’ll ‘fitin’? • Practice tests, exercises & interview technique - use resources available via the Careers Service • What do you want to ask them?

The Careers Service. What next? Investigate: • Careers Service website: • www. shef. ac. uk/careers/students/gettingajob/assessment. html • Handouts/downloads/videos • Booklets, ‘Assessment Centres’ DVDs and online talks at www. shef. ac. uk/careers/students/gettingajob/assessment. html • Practice psychometric tests • http: //www. shef. ac. uk/careers/students/gettingajob • Prospects website • www. prospects. ac. uk/interview_tests. htm

The Careers Service. What’s on - Careers Service • Talks- ‘Interviews’; ‘Psychometric tests used in selection’ • Assessment centre workshop • Skills for Success activities • Also: employer presentations, fairs and one-to-ones • See website for details of what’s on: www. shef. ac. uk/careers/students/events

The Careers Service. Your questions

The Careers Service. Finding opportunities • My. Vacancies – Careers Service website • www. prospects. ac. uk • www. targetjobs. co. uk • www. gradcracker. com • www. ratemyplacement. co. uk • www. studentladder. co. uk • www. step. org. uk/ (with SMEs) • www. iaeste. org/ (international summer opps)

The Careers Service. Finding/creating opportunities. . . Overseas

The Careers Service. Finding opportunities • Proactive job search • Find names of companies • Identify name of key contact • Write with tailored CV and cover letter • Follow up with a call - Ask for ADVICE • See Creative Job Search pages of Careers Service website

The Careers Service. Finding opportunities • www. applegate. co. uk • www. ipem. ac. uk • www. jobs. nhs. uk • www. abpi. org. uk - pharmaceutical industries • Med Tech Innovation – supplier showcase • Remap for voluntary work opportunities • Medical Engineering Resource Unit volunteering and vacation internship opportunities • Limb Loss Information Centre (for a list of prosthetics manufacturers)

The Careers Service. Finding opportunities Aerospace/defence directories • www. applegate. co. uk • www. careersinaerospace. com • www. adsgroup. co. uk • www. raes. org. uk

The Careers Service. Tips on managing your time • Automate your job search – set up alerts • Apply early – less competition! • Prepare now – before the pressure really mounts! • Keep a folder/record of each company’s requirements • Keep a ‘Word’ document of your answers to typical questions (can adapt then copy and paste into the application? ) • Economies of scale. Apply to several – offset the preparation time • Keep this ready for interview preparation 11/4/2020

The Careers Service. Top Tips for International students • See the International Students careers guide • See the advice on Students Union web pages • Be aware of the Tier 2 sponsors companies • Apply early • Apply in the appropriate way according to country • see Going Global pages of Careers Service website • Know what special qualities you bring to the company/role and present these persuasively • Eg language skills or cultural understanding • Language skills • Make the most of the English Language Teaching Centre

The Careers Service. Summary ü Inspired to apply? ü Applications ü Interviews ü Assessment centres ü Answered your questions ü Introduced you to how the Careers Service can help you ü Lots of support and advice available

The Careers Service. To get further help. . . • Careers Service • 388 Glossop Road (Mon to Fri) • Open 9 am - 5 pm Mon to Fri (11 am – 5 pm Tues) • Faculty based (IPO office) • Thursday –Mappin Building book for Careers Appointment • Placements Drop in • Tuesdays – Careers Service 12. 00 pm-2. 00 pm • Thursdays Mappin IPO Orange Room 12. 30 – 1. 30

The Careers Service. Thanks to: v. Alumni / graduates v. Katharine v. Mikil v. Ketul v To you v Evaluation forms 11/4/2020 © The University of Sheffield Careers Service