I have got an interview on the 18th Dec for a TRAINEE ASSESSOR/ADVISOR post with the council, I understand that it will be a panel interview with questions about job specs and person specs but then there is a written test at end of interview.... PANIC!.... Does ANYONE know what this (written test) will probably consist of? and also what should I study before hand?
How should I approach this interview?
I have my SVQ level 2 & SVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care and have been offered the chance to become an work based assessor starting in January but would PREFER to do this with the Training and Development Team as a step up for my career.

I would appreciate ANY comments on this....

Hi Annie

Which council is it?

I'm not sure what sort of test this would be. I suppose it could be the standard numeracy and literacy tests.

For the interview you want to push the supporting and mentoring role of the assessor. How you are keen to pass on your knowledge and experience to others.

They will probably ask you how you would deal with a struggling candidate.

Hope this helps.

Dave

Thankyou Dave,

I already work for the council (HIGHLAND) and I've moved post Twice in 15 years but i've NEVER had a numeracy/literacy test. Both posts in Social Work.

I'll start studying my Legislation and codes of practice notes BIG style 'cos I think that they may just ask a good few questions on that too.

erm.... How EXACTLY would I deal with a struggling candidate????

If it were me I think that I would have liked my assessor to motivate me by giving me lots of praise for my past work and maybe point me in the right direction of WHERE i was struggling ie. maybe looking up areas of national standards/codes of practice etc, also maybe WORDING her/his RP a little differently???/ What do you think?

Thanks again

ANNI

Hi Anni

I don't have a clue about the test, I only mentioned the numeracy and literacy as they are the ones which NVQ candidates have to take if their qualification is government funded and they haven't current got English and Maths GCSE grade a - c (I think).

As you already work in the council, is there someone you know who can give you a hint about the test? For my last interview, I was asked to deliver a micro-teach for new NVQ candidates.

As for the struggling candidate, make sure you have a good rapport, highlight the positives in the evidence they have provided and show then how they could have gained even more from it. Make sure your visits are frequent enough, I visit every two weeks as this keeps the momentum and motivation going. Ask about work and home, is he/she getting enough time to produce he work? Are you asking for too much to be completed? Does the candidate understand what the standards are asking for?

I usually find a struggling candidate is one that hasn't yet understood the process and how the standards are laid out and what they are asking for. Quality time invested in getting the message across will pay dividends. NEVER tell a candidate that their evidence is insufficient without saying EXACTLY how it needs to be altered/edited.

I ramble on.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Your "ramblings" are well received!! Thanks once again.

Have just been tod by my current line manager that she gave me GLOWING references saying that I meet ALL attributes to job specifications so ...hopefully... I can follow it through at the interview. I will keep you posted.

I DO know someone (my OWN assessor) in post already but I don't think that I shall ask her what the test is about as it may be seen as "canvassing." I think that I'll just take my chances and push the need for support and mentoring as you mentioned earlier.

Thanks again though.... btw...LOVE this site! Wish I knew about it when I was doing my SVQ level 2 & 3. Will pass it on to my fellow work mates for when they take theirs.

ANNI