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3 Aug 2007, 14:46
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London
Posts: 3,347
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Group Assessment
Help!
I have applied for a job. I have been not immediatly rejected. I now have to attened an 1 1/2 hour long group assessment. I've never done this sort of thing before and I really want to do well.
Any advice about this sort of thing would be really useful.
__________________
The 20th century has been characterised by three developments of great political importance. The growth of democracy; the growth of corporate power; and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy.
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3 Aug 2007, 15:03
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#2
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Bored
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Nottm ->Shef ->Croydon ->Manc ->Durham ->Sheffield
Posts: 6,506
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Re: Group Assessment
have you ever done a belbin role thing previously?
I know they're not that great but it can give you a kind of idea of what position within a group you are most comfortable in.
Don't feel like you have to shout the loudest to "win". The best candidates are the ones who lets everyone speak without interrupting, then moves the group through decision making stages.
Also, don't sit there and do nothing (obviously).
Take notes, ask people to explain what they mean, remain calm and confident throughout and take the lead if there is no natural leader in the group.
If you can't think of things to say (or don't want to say anything in parts) then scribble stuff down as it'll look like you're working things out. Listen to what everyone is saying and think of the merits.
Remember that it doesn't matter too much whether you get the correct answer at the end - it's how you do it that gets you the job.
What's the group project actually going to be on?
Oh and what type of company is it?
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3 Aug 2007, 15:09
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#3
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so f*cking zen
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Hitting Bottom
Posts: 8,499
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Re: Group Assessment
__________________
On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.
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3 Aug 2007, 15:19
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#4
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so f*cking zen
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Hitting Bottom
Posts: 8,499
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Re: Group Assessment
Yeah well in that case he should have said "I've already researched this and i've found out [such and such]. I just want to know what people's thoughts and experiences in relation to [something specific] are. I mean how do you politely interupt somebody in that kind of situation so you get a chance to have an input?"
Something like than anyways.
__________________
On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.
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3 Aug 2007, 15:33
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#5
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so f*cking zen
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Hitting Bottom
Posts: 8,499
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Re: Group Assessment
If he's looking to you to be the person with something to say then he is well and truly ****ed.
__________________
On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.
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3 Aug 2007, 18:47
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London
Posts: 3,347
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Re: Group Assessment
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay-Z
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who
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Never a truer word rapped. Now, if you've quite finished fagging up my thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ste
have you ever done a belbin role thing previously?
I know they're not that great but it can give you a kind of idea of what position within a group you are most comfortable in.
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I have never even heard of it.
Quote:
Don't feel like you have to shout the loudest to "win". The best candidates are the ones who lets everyone speak without interrupting, then moves the group through decision making stages.
Also, don't sit there and do nothing (obviously).
Take notes, ask people to explain what they mean, remain calm and confident throughout and take the lead if there is no natural leader in the group.
If you can't think of things to say (or don't want to say anything in parts) then scribble stuff down as it'll look like you're working things out. Listen to what everyone is saying and think of the merits.
Remember that it doesn't matter too much whether you get the correct answer at the end - it's how you do it that gets you the job.
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this all seems rather helpful.
Quote:
What's the group project actually going to be on?
Oh and what type of company is it?
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It just says 'group assessment'. It's for a position on thr Graduate Management Programme of the council in the social care and houses services section. It requires 2 years studying for a masters in social housing or something.
I also have to write a 1,500 word essay on the takeover of Registered Social Landlords or something, if that gives you mre of an idea.
__________________
The 20th century has been characterised by three developments of great political importance. The growth of democracy; the growth of corporate power; and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy.
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3 Aug 2007, 20:10
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#7
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Bored
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Nottm ->Shef ->Croydon ->Manc ->Durham ->Sheffield
Posts: 6,506
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Re: Group Assessment
what they'll usually do then is give you a problem to solve "as a group" and see how you interact.
It's actually quite interesting to sit back for the first couple of minutes and watch the people look really nervous and then relieved when someone takes the initiative of the first step.
Don't be pushy but look around to see if anyone looks they're gonna jump in as 'leader' and if not organise the group yourself.
But the best thing to do is make sure everyone takes part and noone is left out. If someone hasn't said anything just say "what do you think?" to them - it looks good because you're bringing in the more shy group members.
I think i'm just repeating myself now...
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6 Aug 2007, 07:33
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#8
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Rawr rawr
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Upside down
Posts: 5,300
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Re: Group Assessment
One thing,
I think trying to kill someone of your group will not get you the job.
__________________
"Yay"
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6 Aug 2007, 07:58
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#9
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Rawr rawr
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Upside down
Posts: 5,300
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Re: Group Assessment
Quote:
Originally Posted by All Systems Go
Help!
I have applied for a job. I have been not immediatly rejected. I now have to attened an 1 1/2 hour long group assessment. I've never done this sort of thing before and I really want to do well.
Any advice about this sort of thing would be really useful.
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What the hell happened to just going there and see what happens? They won't bite your head off, and no one will hold it against you if you don't exactly know how this group assessment thing works. And you're a probably a nice guy ASG, right? So just go there, act your own, be nice, have a chat, agree, disagree with your fellow "victims"... They want to see how you act in a group and group discussions. And I bet you know pretty well how to act in a group, right?
Quote:
[Group exercises] are used by many employers as part of their recruitment process. They are increasingly being recognised as one of the most important selection methods in graduate recruitment.
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I have never been in one, and I've had quite a few job interviews in the past, so it seems a bit of a weird statement to me that it is used by many employers and it's considered the most important selection method.
Sounds like fun though.
__________________
"Yay"
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6 Aug 2007, 08:42
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#10
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Good Son
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Finland
Posts: 3,991
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Re: Group Assessment
Quote:
Originally Posted by Structural Integrity
I have never been in one, and I've had quite a few job interviews in the past, so it seems a bit of a weird statement to me that it is used by many employers and it's considered the most important selection method.
Sounds like fun though.
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I guess they're scarce, but there's a trend to it. The Finnish Defence Forces have adopted a habit of testing all applicants (that is, the war school applicants) with such tests, and I guess it's rather rewarding from the perspective. Dropping in people to unfamiliar situations where they're more or less unprepared gives a good insight to how people really behave, instead of how they've prepped up for the interview. The harder it is to prep yourself up for it, the more "you" it will be, I suppose. This obviously doesn't apply to jobs where you're locked in your own office box eight hours a day and only pop out for lunch.
__________________
"Oh, wretched race of a day, children of chance and misery, why do ye compel me to say to you what it were most expedient for you not to hear? What is best of all is for ever beyond your reach: not to be born, not to be, to be nothing. The second best for you, however, is soon to die". Silenus, tutor to Dionysos, speaking to King Midas.
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6 Aug 2007, 08:42
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#11
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Clerk
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 13,940
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Re: Group Assessment
Quote:
Originally Posted by All Systems Go
I also have to write a 1,500 word essay on the takeover of Registered Social Landlords or something, if that gives you mre of an idea.
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Takeover by whom?
Or do they mean the mergers that have taken place in the sector?
You should read this if you've not done so already as a very brief introduction. This from the CIH also provides a little background info - if you can get the full report, do so.
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6 Aug 2007, 09:02
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 8,476
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Re: Group Assessment
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dante Hicks
Takeover by whom?
Or do they mean the mergers that have taken place in the sector?
You should read this if you've not done so already as a very brief introduction. This from the CIH also provides a little background info - if you can get the full report, do so.
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This is some pretty boring material right here dante.
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6 Aug 2007, 09:12
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#13
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Clerk
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 13,940
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Re: Group Assessment
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nodrog
This is some pretty boring material right here dante.
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Depends what turns you on man.
I personally find the practical application of policy (and thus in turn, political philosophy itself) ultimately quite interesting. The attitudes of the street level bureaucracy and all that.
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6 Aug 2007, 21:42
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London
Posts: 3,347
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Re: Group Assessment
Quote:
Originally Posted by Structural Integrity
What the hell happened to just going there and see what happens?
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Because I don't want to fail miserably, fall victim to rank humilation AND not get the job.
Quote:
They won't bite your head off, and no one will hold it against you if you don't exactly know how this group assessment thing works. And you're a probably a nice guy ASG, right? So just go there, act your own, be nice, have a chat, agree, disagree with your fellow "victims"... They want to see how you act in a group and group discussions. And I bet you know pretty well how to act in a group, right?
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Quote:
Brad Goodman: Troy, this circle is you.
Troy McClure: My god, it's like you've known me my whole life.
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Quote:
I have never been in one, and I've had quite a few job interviews in the past, so it seems a bit of a weird statement to me that it is used by many employers and it's considered the most important selection method.
Sounds like fun though.
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I am not a masochist, so I do not think painful experiances such as job interviews are 'fun'.
__________________
The 20th century has been characterised by three developments of great political importance. The growth of democracy; the growth of corporate power; and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy.
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6 Aug 2007, 22:10
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#15
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Bored
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Nottm ->Shef ->Croydon ->Manc ->Durham ->Sheffield
Posts: 6,506
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Re: Group Assessment
job interviews can be quite enjoyable.
A large part of it is deciding whether you want the job or not as much as it is about them wanting you or not.
The worst that can happen is that you don't get the job. Being nervous etc just makes it more likely that you won't.
Relax, enjoy it and use it as a learning experience as well as a networking opportunity with the other people there.
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7 Aug 2007, 07:12
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#16
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Rawr rawr
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Upside down
Posts: 5,300
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Re: Group Assessment
Quote:
Originally Posted by All Systems Go
Because I don't want to fail miserably, fall victim to rank humilation AND not get the job.
I am not a masochist, so I do not think painful experiances such as job interviews are 'fun'.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ste
job interviews can be quite enjoyable.
A large part of it is deciding whether you want the job or not as much as it is about them wanting you or not.
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See, that's what I mean ASG. You shouldn't perceive a job interview as an event where they nail you to a cross, humiliate you, or where they try to make you look bad. They simply want to see if you would fit in. And you can decide if they are the right company for you. And that is fun, yes.
I vaguely know your history and problems finding a job, and you may not have the luxury to turn any job down, but that is how it normally works.
And about the Brad and Troy quote, I am not claiming that I even remotely know you. But I can not imagine you are not a nice person, are you? Nor that you do not know how to interact with other people.
__________________
"Yay"
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7 Aug 2007, 17:21
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#17
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London
Posts: 3,347
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Re: Group Assessment
I'm feeling slightly more relaxed now, even though I was stupid and forgot to phone them to tell them that I was going (essay has taken all my attention) which wasn't the best start.
In other news, I recieved a letter today from Goldsmiths in London telling me I have been accepted onto their MRes Politics course. \o/
__________________
The 20th century has been characterised by three developments of great political importance. The growth of democracy; the growth of corporate power; and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy.
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7 Aug 2007, 17:53
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#18
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PA Team
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,449
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Re: Group Assessment
I did one at IBM. there were about 5 of us sat in a room and we had to go through lots of bits of paper and decide who was the most suitable person to be employed as the manager of an eastern european company.
One bit of paper had, for example, that they didn't like women, another one had that they had to speak ubekistanish or whatever, another had that they needed a qualification... and we had to work through and decide together. It requires a certain amount of cooperation - they just want to see how you act with others.
Of course, I was pulling off my listening and being helpful act, and they were looking for people with leadership potential
If you have a rough idea of what they might be looking for, then it wouldn't hurt to try and show that you can do that, but being relaxed and just working together is a good idea. Listen to everyone, give suggestions as to what to do if no one else is forthcoming ... etc
' gratz on the MRes though
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r8-10 RaH r10.5-12 MISTU
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