Centrelink Graduate Assessment Centres - What happens in there?

Published 26 August 2010 by Noleen Pottenger - Centrelink National Graduate Coordinator

So you're in contention for a role and you've been asked to attend an assessment centre.  What does that mean?  What goes on behind those closed doors?   Here is a peek courtesy of Centrelink.

Applicants who are in strong contention for a graduate position will be invited to attend an assessment centre in their capital city.  Assessment Centres take approximately four hours and sessions are scheduled for 8am – 12pm or 1pm to 5pm.  It is strongly recommended that you turn up AT LEAST 15 mins prior to the start to allow yourself time to complete necessary paperwork.  You will be required to provide evidence of your Australian Citizenship and academic results at the assessment centre.  Police Check forms will also need to be completed and you will be asked to bring originals or certified copies  of your transcripts and identification when invited to attend.

Assessment centres involve a range of assessable items and evaluation techniques, which are undertaken by a number of applicants while observed by trained Human Services Portfolio assessors as a part of the recruitment process. The assessors evaluate the applicant’s performance based on pre-determined selection criteria. The assessment centre is facilitated by an external recruitment provider on behalf of the Human Services Portfolio.

There are four stages to the Human Services Portfolio National Graduate Program Assessment Centres. These are each outlined below:

1.    Team exercise

You will be given a scenario with a problem to solve that will necessitate discussion as a team and a solution to the problem will need to be agreed upon. This exercise allows for 5 minutes reading time, 25 minutes for group discussion and planning then 3 minutes for a final presentation to assessors.   Candidates are not assessed on presentation skills.  This is one of the most enjoyable exercises of the day.

2.  Work sample

The work sample exercise is an individual paper based written exercise. You will be given information that will require you to either evaluate scenarios or analyse technical information depending on the stream you have applied for. If you have applied for two streams, you will have two work sample exercises to complete.   You will have 30 minutes to complete each work sample test.

3.  Behavioural interview

The behavioural interview is a face-to-face interview with two of our assessors. There will be six questions that we will ask you and from your answers we will be able to establish whether you have the competencies that the role demands. We will give you the opportunity to think about your answers and if you find one question particularly thought provoking, we will suggest leaving the question and returning to it later on in the interview; if there is time.

How to structure your responses in behavioural interview:

The STAR model is the best way of presenting responses to the questions being asked. For each question consider structuring your responses with following points in mind:

• Situation - Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to complete. This example can be from a previous job, from a volunteer experience, group work at university or any relevant event.
• Task - Describe your role and be sure to keep the focus on you. Even if you are discussing a group project or effort, describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team.  Refer to examples using “I” rather than “we”.
• Action – Be clear and concise about the action you took and how you did it.
• Results – What was the end result of your action – for example: if you are relating this to a group project then what was your grade for the project/assignment, did you get positive feedback from the group/lecturer, etc.

Our assessors will do their best to make you feel comfortable during the interview but it is always helpful to come prepared.  Practising mock-up interviews or reviewing websites such as www.apsc.gov.au/publications07/crackingthecode.htm can also give you some more helpful tips.

4.  The Saville Swift

The Swift Analysis Aptitude test or otherwise known as a cognitive or psychometric test, is a computer based activity. It is designed to measure critical reasoning through verbal, numerical and diagrammatic sub tests.   We strongly recommend that you do practice tests over the internet.  

So there you have it!  An assessment centre outlined so you can know what to expect.  Have any more questions?  Visit our forum to get the answers you need.