You cannot predict exactly how much information you will
be given in each
assessment centre exercise or whether the it will be based on
a ‘real-life’ scenario or a fictitious one. Neither can you be
sure that you will always be given sufficient information to be
certain of making the ‘correct’ decision. Many candidates are
put-off by this unpredictability and perceived lack of realism in
the exercises and perform badly as a result.
These issues can be dealt with by asking yourself the following
questions as you work through each assessment centre exercise.
-
What knowledge does this
enable me to demonstrate to the assessors?
-
What skill does this enable me
to demonstrate to the assessors?
-
What attitude does this enable
me to demonstrate to the assessors?
So far, we have talked in general terms about
KSAs and it can
initially be quite difficult to see how they relate to particular
assessment centre exercises. However, this is such a vital point
that it is worth illustrating with a specific example.
To illustrate how you can demonstrate your KSAs we have listed
some of the questions and considerations that relate to each item.
You must actually demonstrate these either by making notes or in
the case of item 3 by what you actually say.
The brief you are given may be detailed or it may not. This is not
something you need to worry about. What you do need to do is to
make sure that you demonstrate as many KSAs as possible.
In-Tray Exercise Scenario
This
in-tray exercise puts you in the position of a marketing
manager for a fictitious company which produces solar panels for
domestic hot water and heating systems. You are expected to work
through a number of items in your in-tray and deal with them
appropriately.
In-tray Item 1
The first item is an email from an automotive racing team who are
asking if your company would like to explore a sponsorship deal.
Knowledge - Does the company already have a sponsorship deal, if
so, is it exclusive? If not, would it fit in with other sponsors,
the company mission statement and the overall ethos of the
company.
Skill - Use your judgement to decide, is the company’s positioning
in the marketplace consistent with this type of sponsorship. For
example if the main thrust of the marketing efforts were based on
‘green and environmentally friendly’ messages than it would not be
appropriate. However, if the marketing messages stress the
‘high-tech’ nature of the products then it might be a good fit.
Attitude - Even if the request for sponsorship was entirely
inappropriate and you are under a lot of time pressure in this
exercise, your response should still be polite and businesslike.
You are the public face of the company.
In-tray Item 2
This is an email from a journalist with ‘GreenLife’ magazine. It
has an article attached and the journalist is asking if you have
any comments before publication. The magazine describes itself as
being aimed at ‘environmentally aware people who are building or
improving their homes’.
Scanning the article you can see that it is generally positive
about your products, particularly the technical capabilities, but
there are some negative comments about the fact that the products
are made in Indonesia. Specifically the article is critical of the
conditions in the factory and the amount of energy consumed in the
manufacture and transport of the products.
Knowledge - Are the readers of this magazine part of the target
market for the products? Is the magazine influential? This will
influence how much priority you give this item. Does the
organisation have a full time press officer? Is he or she likely
to have a working relationship with the journalist? Has the
company had an environmental audit?
Skill - You can display judgement by prioritising this item as
well as outlining and ranking the options available to you.
Attitude - Your attitude will be apparent from how you deal with
this item. Did you approach it in an analytical way and are your
decision options the result of clear thinking ?
In-tray Item 3
You will also receive a telephone call from an actor who is
playing the part of a subordinate. He is at a trade exhibition
representing the company. He is upset and concerned because a
member of the public has tripped over on the exhibition stand and
broken their wrist.
Knowledge - There is not really any opportunity to demonstrate you
knowledge with this item. It is exclusively an opportunity to
display your skill and attitude.
Skill - You can display your communication skills by dealing with
your subordinate in a such a way as to calm him down and outline
an action plan for dealing with the incident.
Attitude - The challenge is to deal sympathetically but
efficiently with an subordinate who is obviously upset whilst you
yourself are under time pressure.
As you can see, even simple items like these three examples give
you ample opportunity to demonstrate your KSAs. In fact, if you
were to approach them in any other way, they might seem trivial
and pointless.
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