Many companies are now using assessment centres as a tool in their recruitment process.  They are a series of extended selection procedures which offers companies a chance to observe the way candidates operate and interact with each other and so gain more information on the candidates' abilities, with respect to key job demands, than they might otherwise by conventional interview.

Each assessment centre usually lasts one or two days and candidates are placed in various scenarios where they are required to perform a range of tasks using the same skills and qualities as they would need in a real-life work situation.  Although this may sound like a daunting prospect and a lot more hard work then a normal interview, you should see such assessment centres in a positive light.  The fact that there are a number of different assessors involved in the process means that the responses and decisions made are unbiased and fair.  In addition, the activities will have been specifically designed to have a close relevance to features of the job and several assessment techniques will be used to measure the different attributes required.

To read a full guide on how to prepare and how to make the most of an assessment centre click here.