Assessment Centres in Retail: how to shine
With two thirds of large businesses using assessment centres when recruiting new employees, you need to know something about the way they operate if you are to do well.
Assessment Centres are used by employers because it is considered the most effective means of providing a balanced selection process. Michael Page Retail has wide experience of what employers are seeking and works closely with candidates to prepare them fully for the experience, which need not be as stressful as many people fear.
Highly productive
Candidates keen to progress are almost certain to visit an assessment centre at some stage in their career - and with the right help and preparation they can get the best from the day.
Michael Page Retail Managing Director Peter Gerrard says that assessment days are hard work but can be highly productive.
"An assessment will usually be a full day affair - lasting about six hours," he explains. "Candidates tend to be in groups of between eight and twelve, with four to six assessors involved."
"There will be individual exercises, group exercises, written tests and presentations - all very specific to the candidates' chosen field."
"The aim is to draw out the particular competencies of each candidate. For example, if a candidate has been a manager of fashion retailer, they may not be suited to managing a branch of an electrical superstore. The skills required might not be the right fit."
Employers take assessment route
Supermarket giant Tesco are among the growing number of businesses that have formulated their own specific assessment. Michael Page consultants work with candidates and use their knowledge of the employer to offer the best preparation possible.
"Some people do become very nervous, so we'll bring candidates in a couple of days beforehand and give them advice specific to the assessment," says Gerrard.
"We'll answer any questions they might have and try to give them an idea of what to expect and so on - we just encourage our candidates to be calm and behave as they would normally."
"As with anything, if a candidate is well prepared they will be able to relax and enjoy the day - these assessments can have a more light-hearted side."
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