Assessment centres are increasingly being used as method to select candidates for vacancies. The advantage of these assessments from the company's perspective is that it enables them to gather more objective information that could be gathered from the interview alone.

Depending on the position that is being applied for, assessment exercises may vary. Normally incorporated into any assessment may be a mixture of the following: interviews, group exercises, presentations and psychometric tests.

When attending an assessment centre, it is important to:

• relax, as this is the way in which you will perform best, and it will enable assessors to assess you and your personality more accurately; 
• not panic if you feel you performed badly in one of the assessments. The organisation will be looking at your performance from the overall day - however do be aware that there may be certain assessments for which you have to score a minimum in order to be considered for the position; 
• turn up on time, and to be dressed and groomed neatly.