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I have an interview with one of these for 3 hours this week. I've never done one before and have no idea what you do in them. Any tips gratefully received. I'm applying for the legal team of a multinational company.

some useful info here

I attende one that included inteerview, role play and written tests

luckily it didn't include typing lol

Thanks. Info I've received is it may include a case study discussion, a scenario exercise and/or an interview.

I guess I just have to try and swallow the job spec and hope for the best.

And perhaps a group exercise? Key if this happens, is to make yourself heard, without taking over the group to aggressively (unless you need to be able to do this in your job!) without talking across others, or directing people, although again, how to behave depends on what role it is, this kind of exercise will demonstrate your position in a group, are you a leader, do you have good listening skills, are you good at negotiator, do you have good mediation skills that kind of thing, so make sure you assert whatever the features are of the job you are applying for.

Depending on the job, maybe a presentation, you might be give half hour to prepare for it, then deliver it. simple really, need a beginning (what I am going to be presenting) the middle (this is my material) and a conclusion (this is what I did, and is summed up in xyz). any questions.

Maybe a written exam, or computer skills test? What type of role is it? admin? legal professional?

this is scenarios exercise it is not so much about getting the task done 'correctly' but more how you work to get there. If it is a team exercise.

Thanks Pavlov. It's a legal professional role.

2nd the swollow the job spec. adice. Also take a look at the company ethos ( on their website) and try to display those attributes.

Try this website www.adzuna.co.uk//. They have so many part-time work ads and also their blog is brilliant for tips and stories. www.adzuna.co.uk/blog/ Highly recommended I found it really really useful.

I think the majority of assessment centres are competency based, which means that the interviews are largely based around experiences you have had. Think beforehand of achievements etc., and how they could be adapted to show you dealt with something in a desirable way, ie. 'Give an example of a time you've had to make a decision under pressure'.

They look for the STAR response -
Situation - I was involved in a presentation for a large project that my company was hoping to win.
Task - We needed to present to the client's board, and show them we were the right people for the job.
Action - One of my colleagues was hospitalised, so we had to decide who was going to take her role. The two of us remaining decided to take half of her part of the presentation each, I dealt with the IT aspects which are my strength and my colleague responded regarding the on-going customer support issues.
Result - We won the project, and the client was happy with how we adapted to the changed situation.

Disclaimer!!! This is probably a crap example, but you get the gist!

Familiarise yourself with the company's values.

Good luck.