The Big Four (The Assessment Centre) Page 1

The Assessment Centre

Further assessment may take place in an assessment centre where candidates from different

universities or organizations can meet others for group exercises and panel exercises.

Typical assessment centre activities

Group Exercise

Group Discussion

o Case analysis

o Presentation

Individual Interview

Manager/Panel Interview

Group exercise

In a typical group exercise, candidates are first assigned to groups of 5 or 6. They may then

select a group leader to help facilitate group transactions. A task will then be assigned to

each group in which group members will have to work together to solve a problem and/or

make a presentation. Behaviours of members and performance of groups will be observed

and evaluated.

• Typical format

6 students in group.

Language can be in English, Cantonese, or Putonghua.

Preparation time 7 mins. Presentation time 3 mins.

Group leaders are invited to draw three cards randomly. Each card contains a word or

phrase. Group members are asked to compose a story together using the words from

the cards and present it in any format, e.g. Drama.

Candidates may use any materials available in the room to help with the presentation.

• Group exercise themes

Group exercise theme can be extremely diverse. Here are some examples from past exercises:

Alaska • Winter • Ghost Oil • Disneyland • Rainy Day. You can make some up yourself for

practice.

The Big 4

PwC • Deloitte • KPMG • Ernst & Young

- Recruitment Process 6 -

The Big Four (The Assessment Centre) Page 2

• Advice for group exercise

Be CREATIVE yet LOGICAL―think out of the box.

AVOID wacky or nonsense ideas.

PARTICIPATE actively in the group.

Make use of ANY RESOURCES available in the room.

Assessors observe INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOURS rather than the content of the final

story.

Group discussion

In a typical group discussion, participants are assigned into groups of 5-6. They will be given

information of various types, a related discussion topic, and a presentation topic.

Participants are expected to analyze the information or case, discuss on the topic, and

prepare for the presentation. Assessment will be based on communication patterns and

behaviours of the participants.

• Typical format

Language: English or Cantonese.

30-45 mins.

Students are presented with a different information folder.

Each folder contains different materials.

Materials can be in the format of text, graphs, tables, charts, floor plan, maps.

Students are expected to share information for discussion.

Followed by a presentation (English).

• Discussion topic & presentation

After the group has familiarized itself with the information given, they are usually either

asked to discuss on a topic such as “How to improve the efficiency of a multi-national

company that produces crackers?” And then the group may be asked make a presentation on

a topic such as “Based on the discussion, present the solutions to the Board of Directors.”

• Advice for group discussion

General

Bring a PEN and a WATCH.

Analyze issues EMBEDDED in the case study—usually what is important for the

company, for the clients, for the employees, or for the public.

Analyze the issue from MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES –don’t jump quickly into a

YES or NO conclusion.

QUICK assimilation of facts and data—treat them methodically.

The Big Four (The Assessment Centre) Page 3

Present arguments basing on FACTS & FIGURES rather than superficial and wishy-

washy observations.

Discussion Performance

LEAD the discussion.

Motivate OTHER MEMBERS to participate.

LISTEN carefully then contribute.

DO NOT dominate by putting down others.

Consider ALTERNATIVE solutions.

Make RECOMMENDATIONS.

Make decision by DISCUSSION and EXPERTISE, not by voting or power.

Finish ON TIME.

Presentation

PLAN and STRUTURE the content.

Make and maintain good EYE CONTACT.

Speak CLEARLY and AUDIBLY.

Use GOOD ENGLISH--content, structure, use of words, grammar and spelling are

important.

Use AV equipment with SKILL.

Handle stress –appear SELF-CONFIDENT under stress.

Finish ON TIME.

INVITE questions and THANK the audience.

Manager/Panel Interview

These types interviews allows employer to assess the applicants by more than one staff with

different specialties and work experiences. Applicants’ competencies are likely to be assessed

from different work perspectives. It can be a challenge, as one may have to deal with very

diverse concerns of the company. It is also good because one is being evaluated by more than

one individual and from different perspectives. Interviewers are usually managers with 5+

years of work experience.

• Interview Formats

One-to-one

Two-to-one

Three-to-one

20-30 minutes