Before the day...

Revisit your application form to enable you to see how you answered those initial questions.

Think about what skills and attributes the selector is looking for (go back to the job description or other material that the employer sent you or look at their brochure or website). They will be selecting on these criteria so look for opportunities during the assessment centre to display these.

If you are asked to prepare any material (e.g. for a presentation) before the event, make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to do this and practise so you are confident about what you are saying.

If psychometric tests are involved, look at some practice papers or questions so you have some familiarity with them. Come into the Careers Service and see if you can book in for a practice session.

Brush up on your company knowledge.

Read up on assessment centres and what might be involved.

And on the day...

Arrive in good time.

Be polite to everyone - the assessment has started from the minute you meet the first employer representative.

Join in, even at meal times. If you find small talk difficult ask other candidates about their courses and where they are studying.

Take time to think when presented with new material for group and individual exercises.

Assessors could be watching you constantly - so don't over-indulge, become flippant or over-confident.

Don't be tempted to launch straight in but make sure you understand the facts placed before you and the requirements of the task.

You do not have to perform superlatively in all activities. Selectors know that candidates will be better in some areas than others so do not dwell on what you see as failures and concentrate on doing well in the next task.

Remember that you are not in competition with the other candidates so treat them as allies rather than rivals. If you all perform well, you might all meet the criteria of the assessors. You have done well to get to an assessment centre and the chances of your being offered a job are relatively high by this stage.

Try to stay calm and focused throughout the assessment centre. Treat others with respect and sensitivity but don't be afraid to speak up for yourself.

After the assessment centre make notes on your experience for future reference.

Ask for feedback whether or not you were successful - you need to know how you could improve your performance.

>>Further assessment centre resources