Readers Requests

Two of this blog's readers have asked for more information on the fast stream assessment centre. So here is some more information on the day.

The assessment is split in to two parts - the e-tray exercise and the all day assessment centre.

The e-tray exercise does exactly what it says on the tin. You are given a set time to answer a pre-set number of e-mails. At the start of the exercise the candidate is given 5 minutes to read the instructions and scenario. Once this time is up you begin the timed part. This is split in to two sections and a break is normally given between the two.

The first part sees you having to respond to e-mails. You are unlikely at this stage to have to write anything. Rather you are given four options to choose from . Once you have clicked on your preferred option and moved on to the next e-mail you can't go back and change it. Candidates need to pay close attention as some of the e-mails have attachments and these will be relevant to deciding on how to respond.

It is important to pace oneself to allow enough time to cover all the e-mails in detail, but also quickly. It is easy to see that what is being tested here, amongst other things, is the ability to quickly sift information, come to sound decisions, and see linkages.

The second part of the exercise will see you having to produce some written material. For this you will need to quickly decide which information from the first part is relevant and then demonstrate your ability to use it well. Possible written material that might be requested: Q&A for a ministerial press conference, briefing for your boss prior to a meeting with an NGO or a letter to be sent to the Chairman of X setting out reasons as to why they were not chosen as preferred partner. Only use the material given, but if linkages to events/issues such as the delays in building the new Wembley Stadium or the awarding of the London Olympics are relevant don't be afraid to make them.

You will find out about a fortnight after sitting the e-tray if you were successful. There won't be feedback if you passed, simply confirmation of the timetable for the next stage.

So you have made it to the assessment centre. This will be a long day so the first thing to say is get a good nights sleep and don't go out on the lash the night before, have breakfast, and if you have to stay in a hotel near the assessment centre so that you don't have a long commute first thing.

On arrival all candidates are given their own timetable. Study carefully, and work out when you will need to eat and use the bathroom.

All candidates will start with the situation test. This will give you a scenario in which you are leading a team and something has gone, or is about to go wrong. You will be expected to say what you would do to make sure the event happens successfully. The second part might ask you to imagine that the event happened six months ago and you now need to suggest ideas to build team morale.

The Policy Exercise: does exactly what you think it does. You will be given a large amount of data and a scenario. Read the scenario carefully and watch the clock as you go through the material. You will need to write a policy recommendation paper. Easiest format to use is the one they given you in the scenario - ie the Minister wants to know about the environmental, employment and resource implications of your recommendation. Set out your preferred option up front and then cover everything as background coming to your recommendation again at the end. You will need to balance all options against each other and show why you have discounted the positives of discarded options.

The Group Discussion: In some ways this is the toughest exercise as you are dependent on others being competitive but not too competitive. Each person has a role and you are part of a team that has to come to a consensus on something. There is prep time to get to know the key points for your role. Each person will have two preferred options and something they are against. The assessors are looking for the ability to negotiate, compromise, make alliances, etc. The person who keeps an eye on time and gently steers the discussion without assuming the chair - you aren't allowed to nominate a chair - will gain extra marks. The exercise is spiced up from time to time with the assessor interrupting 10 minutes from the end to say the Minister needs talking points on your recommendation in an hour and you have 10 minutes to send them up to private office. Don't panic - just do it and before you know the 45/50 minutes will be over.

The interview: You should think about this from as soon as you know you have got through to the assessment centre. You will need to develop two good answers against each competency assessed, and to make sure that you can talk happily about them for 3/4 minutes. The assessors are trained, and they want you to do well. If you are shy and retiring you have to leave this at the door as they can only grade you on what you tell them. Don't be afraid of talking about some thing that didn't work out as planned. Tell them why it didn't, what you learnt, and how you moved on. Talking about Learning is the hardest competency to cover, and this is an easy way to do so.

The presentation: You are seated for this, and can't use flip charts etc. Like the other tests there is preparation time. You will be given a scenario and several options. Using them you will need to work up a presentation of not more than 10 minutes. Try to talk for 8minutes max. The assessor will then ask lots of questions to get you to develop the idea further. Be inventive and out of the box. If you can show an awareness of diversity issues here, as well as in the policy exercise, it will be well received.

Finally: enjoy the day. It will be one of the toughest things you have done, but ignore people who appear supremely confident or unsure. Focus on what you have to do, and if you think you did badly in one test forget about it and move on. You are assessed on your overall performance, and whilst a bad grade might scupper your chances you can't dwell on it.

Pass or fail the feedback you are given is awesome and of great use.

Main thing is to understand what the day involves before hand, and to talk to as many people as possible who have been through it or are assessors. Some departments run internal mini-assessment centres as part of their selection process - if you are lucky enough to have this you will have a good idea as to what the real thing is like. If you are coming to this from university then the main thing to keep in mind is that a policy paper is not an essay, and do make sure you understand what they are marking against.