Siyang Duan 7629629 Assessment Centers To be honest, the concept of 'assessment center' was quite alien to me at the beginning

of this Msc programme. Back in China, I have some job applying experiences, sending CVs, engaging interviews, and doing examinations, however, I had never come across this concept of 'assessment center'.

After attending the CIPD session about assessment center, I realised that this is increasingly being used as an integrated recruitment method which underpinning selective hiring in organisations. From the session, I learned what an assessment center is consisting of, and what are the advantages and disadvantages when we use different methods of assessments. Most importantly, I have obtained some essential techniques for setting up assessments for candidates as a HR manager, and how to deal with the assessments as a candidate myself.

Honestly speaking, we do not have this concept of assessment center widely used in China. However, some essences of it still exist in job hunting fields of China. Take my personal experience for example, before I decided to commit myself in further academic study, I once applied for several jobs. One of them was a job in a state owned bank. Basically, the whole applying process was consisted of 3 stages. In the first stage, I took an examination about some fundamental knowledge of accounting and finance, and some management skill as well. The test was an easy one, but we were told that the actual marks would not be the selecting criteria, we were going to be selected by positions, and only the top 30% could enter the next phase. Luckily, I got a pass. Then, after one week, I was informed that the next assessment will be a face to face interview, and they especially stressed that all the applicants should wear formal dresses. Honestly, I was quite nervous about the coming interview, because I heard from my friends who had already possessed such experience, interview conducted by bank offices could be really intense. However, to my surprise the interview was actually not very formal. I was asked some routine questions, such as

my working experience, my ambitions, and my health situation. However, later when they find out that I had been studied abroad for several years during my high school period, they started to show great interests in this part of my personal experience, and the following interview appeared to less formal. At the end, the interview was pleasant, and I was directly told that I passed the interview, and would receive further notice later for the training period. However, during the waiting period, I decided to come to the UK to further my academic record.

During the study in Manchester, to enrich my experience, later in this year, I attended a mock assessment centre co-organized by the Career Office of the University and a company. At first, we were briefed about some background information about the company and what kind of talent they were looking for. Then, we took a psychometric test, containing numeracy and verbal reasoning sections with strict time limits. After the test, people were put into groups, and we were assigned with numbers of tasks. In doing the tasks, I realised that the assessment of teamworking is not only about the results, but more importantly; it is about how you coordinate with others and how you establish your trust in group. However, somehow I feel that these qualities are exactly what I am lack of. I certainly should spend more efforts on developing these skills.

After attending the CIPD session and the mock programme, I think I have acquired substantial helps and I am better prepared for my future career. Now, I feel more confident if facing assessment centers.