Assessment Day

The second day was the assessment day. I went there 30 mins earlier. We were given a name tag with our number on it. We were about 70 people.
We were divided into 4 groups. I was the third. The first 2 groups went inside a room to start their tests. The other 2 had to wait for them outside for an hour (to test our patience). Then we went inside.

Each group sat in a circle and each 2 in each circle were given a card with an item on it, and the task was to think outside the box, to give her an uncommon way to use the item (each one will give one way of usage). Meanwhile, when the 2 persons were discussing how to use the item, the recruiter was sitting in a corner and inviting each one to do a small interview with them, and to do the reach test (we should reach 212 cm).

Our card was a pair of goggles. So my partner said he could use it as a spoon, and I said i could use it as a jewelry box to put my rings and earrings in it. Of course each one had to stand up and talk to the whole group while the recruiter is taking notes (on your posture, your smile, whether you’re shy or not, how creative you are, your english…)
Then we went outside and waited for the paper that says congratulations you’ve passed to the next step, or unfortunately…
Each number is handed a paper so she wouldn’t scream out the results and some people would be embarrassed.

So I made it to the next step which is the english test. Most of us did (except those who didn’t reach basically). The test was super easy; we were given an hour for it, I finished in 25 mins.

There’s a LOT of waiting on the assessment day so patience is a number one requirement for this job. Then after most people passed the English test,  it was time for THE group discussion, the hardest part of the whole day (as they told us before). Because usualy more than half of the people don’t make it through that.

We were like 60 left for the group discussion. So each group went inside to start the group discussion, and the other 3 would just wait (for a loooong time).

Finally when it was our turn, we went inside and sat in a circle, we were 13 persons. Then we were given a case where each one of us is the owner of a cruising company and we had the last cruise for the season and we were the only company. 8 people have reserved rooms for this cruise and an error occured so now we only have 2 rooms available. We were given a paper of who the 8 people were (honeymooners, an old lady whose son brought her the ticket for her birthday, a regular customer, a politician…) and we had to pick which 2 should we choose.
Meanwhile the recruiter was walking around us taking notes of how each one’s behavior is. Basically don’t be a leader (don’t keep talking and don’t ever interrupt anyone, just say what you gotta say and keep smiling to people), and don’t be shy either. There was a guy who was a bit shy so I looked at his name tag and said “So Dani what do you think?” . It’s good if you encourage others to talk and be comfortable around you. But don’t push it.

After we chose the 2 customers, she plays the role of a customer we didn’t pick. She goes randomly through the group and starts putting each one under a lot of stress to see how you handle it and how well you can find solutions.
She played the role of the old lady. This is an example of how the role playing goes:

Recruiter: I’m here for my room key.
Applicant: We appologize but there’s been an error so ur room isn’t available anymore, but we can give u 2 free tickets for the next cruise next season.

R: I’m 80 I don’t know if i’ll still be alive by then.

A: we can give you a free plane ticket to the place u want

R: I can’t, I’m afraid of flying.

So basically she keeps blocking every solution you try to give her so she can see how long can you keep it together (she kept putting us under pressure for like 7 mins on each person). She kept playing the role of the old lady so I felt like every solution I had in mind has been said, I’ve got nothing left and I started getting so nervous. Then she approached me and said “I’m the student who just graduated, can i have my room key?” I had mixed feelings, i was happy because she changed the old lady but i was nervous because i didn’t have the time to think of anything for the student, I didn’t know she was going to change. So:

Me: Congratulations are in order  I’m afraid there’s been an error and the cruise is overbooked, but there’s an amazing club near we can book you there for free so you  can enjoy your graduation night.

R: What? But all my friends are on the cruise do you want me to celebrate alone?

M: I’m sorry but are you willing to share a room with one of your colleagues?
R: Oh and will i pay full price? (in a mean tone)

M: No it’ll be for free because it’s our mistake

R: And what about my colleague who i’m sharing the room with?

M: He also will not pay anything.

R: Ok I’ll think about it.

I felt so relieved when she moved to another person and I knew the stress is over. After we finished of course we waited for the small papers. Mine said congratulations yay  only 20 of the 60 made it.

The people who made it had to sit in a room and had to fill papers (languages, tattoos, work experience) and had to bring photos and papers for the final interview (either the next day, the next or the next). The assessment day was from 9 am to 7:30 so yep it was a huge deal to finally leave.

My FI was the day after the assessment day and I already have prepared all my photos and papers a few days earlier.