We have put together a few pointers to help you make the best impression you can. If you are right for Xchanging we do not want to miss out!
At the Assessment Centre
- Be on time and dress the part!
The day consists of written exercises, one-to-one exercises and group exercises.
- Be actively engaged at all times and be yourself - not who you think the assessors are looking for
- In the group exercise, make sure you contribute
- It is a two-way process, so be proactive and ask the assessors questions too
- Think carefully. The better you consider your argument in your mind the better it will sound when you're ready to speak
- Try and think ahead. If you can predict the other group's responses before they can then you'll be a step ahead of the competition
- Be persuasive. Ensure that you come across as passionate and professional at all times
In the Interview
Give a firm handshake and smile: it indicates confidence and a relaxed manner. Maintain eye contact, and don't be too rigid. Everything makes an impression, especially your body language.
Our interviews are competency based. This means during the interview you will be asked for examples of things you have done in the past or situations you have been in. Examples could come from vacation or part-time work, university clubs and societies, voluntary work, study at school or university, holidays and travel or personal and family experiences.
It is useful when preparing for interviews to use the STAR framework to prepare your answers:
- Describe the Situation in which you found yourself
- Describe the Task you set out to achieve
- Describe the specific Action you took
- Describe the Result of your action
Before the interview:
- Read the graduate website and/or job description
- Note the skills and competencies required
- Note down any examples you can think of when you have put these competencies into practice
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer
Giving the Presentation
- Make sure you write out an outline of your presentation and put plenty of notes in the sidebars of your notes. You may need to refer to your outline throughout your presentation so its best if you have your notes and other information ready at a quick glance. You can also put this information on index cards so that it looks neater.
- If you are presenting charts and/or graphs, try to present them in color and make sure the information is large enough for your audience to see clearly.
- If you wait until the night before to put together a project or draw a graph, it will look sloppy and unprepared and during your rush you may inadvertently leave out information that is important to your presentation.
- Be sure to go through the presentation at home or in front of your friends or family. They can help you spot any flaws or mistakes that you may have. This will also give you practice so that when you do give your final presentation, you are comfortable with the material you are presenting.
- Have a strong introduction and conclusion. It's very important to start and finish your presentations well
- Speak Clearly: Be sure to enunciate your words and speak clearly. Do not mumble.
- Eye contact: Look directly at your audience. Try to memorise everything you will say so that you avoid looking down at your notes.
The Written Assessment
- Carefully read the question. Take the time to understand what is being asked of you. Break it down into sub-questions so you can address all the issues
- Thought process. Clearly state why and how you came to your conclusions. Structure your answer in a clear and logical manner
- Finances. You may be asked to work with numbers, so practice the basics
- Spelling and grammar. Read through your response and make sure everything is correct
Receiving an Offer
If you have received an offer of employment, congratulations! Take some time to think about the offer and begin the decision-making process. Keep the following things in mind:
- Return calls promptly.
- Clarify any questions about the job that you may have.
- Accept or decline offers promptly.
- Inform all recruiters of your final decision and be prepared to discuss the decision factors.
- Provide useful feedback to recruiters.
- If you decline an offer, be positive about your experience and maintain good relations with the firm.
Good luck!
