The purpose of the
in-tray exercise is to see how well you are able to deal with
a ‘typical days’ in-tray for the role which you have applied.
Assessors want to see how well your decisions match those of a
‘good manager or executive’ in their organisation. So with well
researched knowledge, sound preparation and practice you should
find one of the answers provided that most closely matches your
own response.
It is vital that you remember the exercise is designed to show the
Assessors at your
Assessment Centre how well you perform the key tasks which
they have identified as essential for the role. You must be able
to show your ability:
To gain an understanding of a
situation, or issue, raised in the exercise.
Make decisions based on the
information provided, without making any presumptions.
How quickly you can make
decisions, even if you have incomplete information.
Your ability to evaluate
information and respond to a question.
How well you handle management
issues.
Time management skills
To set appropriate priorities
which endorse the organisational values.
Delegation and monitoring of
tasks.
When performing an
in-tray exercise you must prepare you mindset so that you are
thinking as if you were a member of the organisation already. The
best way you can achieve this is by maximising your score during
this exercise. The best way to do this is to complete the
majority, if not all, of the tasks set you. To do this you must
develop your skill in quickly and accurately evaluating
information provided and in your ability to form a comprehensive
overview of a multi-situational environment.
As you practice in-tray exercises you will improve your reading
and evaluations skills so that you are able to quickly assess and
draw out key points from the in-tray items. You will learn to
identify the key strategic and management issues (often hidden
within text or administrative details) that enable you to select
the best answer to give you maximum marks for the question. A
vital part of your preparation must be well research information
on the organisation you wish to join so that you have a clear
understanding of their ethos, management style and mission. Armed
with this knowledge you can then ensure that your behaviours and
answers reflect this and show you to be the best candidate for the
position.
If your
in-tray exercise includes a ‘Justification’ aspect you
will have the opportunity to point across your own view point and
your reasoning for it. But remember to only use the information
you have been provided with do not draw your own conclusions and
do not be afraid to say you’d want further information before you
made a final decision. During the justification you must present a
well reasoned and argued point of view to support your answer; in
this way you will maximise your final score.
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