They are usually used as a filtering tool at different stages of the application process. For instance, employers can send you links to psychometric tests to take online after submitting your application online or at a later stage during an assessment centre alongside an interview. It is essential to know that you could be tested again at another stage to validate the outcomes of previous tests.

Psychometric tests are a level playing field since they do not concentrate on experience and qualifications compared to other stages of the recruitment process. Graduate employers value psychometric tests since they are a better approach to assessing various applicants’ strengths and potential irrespective of their background. There are various types and formats of psychometric tests that different employers use to assess ability, aptitude and personality.

Ability tests are one example of psychometric tests that measure general or specific skills, capability and expertise. Ability tests include numerical reasoning tests, verbal reasoning tests, diagrammatic reasoning tests, logical reasoning tests, deductive reasoning tests and inductive reasoning tests.

To prepare for ability tests, it is essential to practice GSCE maths questions for numerical tests, think about meanings for the verbal tests as well as practising spotting patterns for the inductive and deductive tests. Graduate employers can also include tests to evaluate applicants’ problem-solving skills and the capability to correctly detect errors or mistakes i.e., standard spelling and grammar assessments.

On the other hand, aptitude tests assess applicants’ ability to learn and acquire new skills that are required to successfully fulfil the position they applied for. Graduate schemes revolving around subjects such as finance could discover that numerical and verbal reasoning tests are centred on the sort of information you would be exposed to in your day-to-day job. For a graduate job in Information Technology, students could be invited to complete a programming aptitude test which can be formatted in a diagrammatic, abstract or inductive reasoning test.

Often, ability and aptitude tests are performed under timed conditions. Though some are not time-constrained. Some are intended to be challenging to finish in the given time therefore students may not always be expected to finish them. Always make sure to thoroughly verify this with the information provided regarding the tests. Generally, the tests involve multiple-choice questions and true or false answers. Responses to multiple-choice questions could be extremely close to the correct answer to test whether applicants’ are paying attention and reading the questions correctly.

Some tests apply the adaptive questioning style where the difficulty of the questions increases dependent on what applicants got the prior question correct. It is advised to not rush and work as precisely as possible since some graduate employers use negative marking where you lose marks for incorrect responses. Some tests can be done on paper but are normally done online which more likely to be the case for the entire application process since the Covid-19 rules and regulations.

The results assess your ability levels compared to a typical expectation for a certain demographic group e.g., the public, previous successful applicants or academic level. This group is selected by the graduate employer or test provider. You may be able to find out what test provide an employer uses which can assist you in finding similar practice online.

Critical thinking tests, situational judgement tests and job simulation tests evaluate the applicants’ innate answers to provided circumstances. These are normal situations that successful applicants would possibly encounter. Situational judgement tests and critical thinking tests are likely to be structured in a multiple-choice style whilst job simulation tests are likely to be formatted in a video. Some graduate employers put fun and appealing game tests on their websites to allow graduates to see if they would be a great match for the company.

Psychometric tests can be an alarming sign if an applicant is not properly fit to work for a specific company than previously imagined. The test results can also assist the recruiting team to determine which department the applicant is best suited. Applicants should ensure that they understand the scenarios well and avoid guessing. Since these tests measure suitability rather than ability, applicants that are not successful at this stage have essentially avoided a job or employer that would not be suitable.

Personality tests assess applicants’ usual behaviour when presented with various situations along with their ideal approach to doing things. They assess whether you would be a good fit for the position and company culture since employers consider individuals with specific characteristics for certain jobs. For instance, a sales graduate role may look for an extremely forward, sociable and persuasive individual. Applicants’ responses may be matched with a sample of successful or previous graduate recruiters or managers. Since personality questionnaires assess consistency, applicants must not guess what they believe the employer would like to see.

Like any other type of test, practice makes perfect! Students can enhance their performance by understanding what to expect as well as preparation and practising. With preparation and practice, students can tackle psychometric tests with confidence. Taking psychometric practise tests to familiarise yourself with the style of basic tests can lead to a significant change to improve your performance and self-confidence by improving speed and accuracy. Be sure to utilize any support on offer including careers service, workshops and mentors in case you are struggling with practice test results.

Free online practice tests accessed on Pearson TalentLens, AssessmentDay, Peoplemaps, Saville Assessment etc. Applicants can also practice tests and questionnaires from Mark Parkinson the author of How to Master Psychometric Tests.

Applicants should inform recruiters before of any disabilities before the actual test so that reasonable adjustments can be arranged if possible. It is advised to complete the tests somewhere with a suitable device and reliable internet connection in a quiet environment with a limited interruption for the length of the test.

Ensure you have everything you need before starting the test e.g., a calculator is permitted, pen and paper nearby. Some psychometric tests provide practice examples before the actual test, so make sure to use these to give you a feel of the real test. The test usually shows a countdown timer on the page so ensure to keep an eye on the time for timed questions and use any remaining time to check your responses. Carefully read any given instructions and feel free to contact recruiters if you have any questions or technological difficulties.

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Work experience opportunities can range from a yearlong placement as part of a sandwich degree, summer internship or shadowing an employer for a couple of weeks or days. Internships and placements are offered in numerous sectors and industries i.e., business, law engineering, hospitality etc. In which, vacancies can be found on employers careers websites, search engines, social media, job portals or by networking.

The opportunity may or may not be paid depending on the contract. Many placement and internship opportunities are advertised during autumn therefore it is important to begin searching for vacancies early. However, if you decide to do an internship or placement later, you still have a decent possibility of getting one because some employers will advertise vacancies up till the end of September.

Experience!…Experience!…Experience!…

Getting some work experience can improve a student’s chances of obtaining a degree with a higher grade. Research indicates that students who did a placement or internship were more likely to get a higher grade in their degree. As we all know degree classification is vital in the increasingly competitive graduate job market. Work experience allows students to work on daily activities and acquire more specialized skills and knowledge that will be expected of them as a graduate.

Undertaking some work experience before graduating can help you to obtain a better insight into a career and to determine what you might want to do because it allows you to visualize a glimpse of yourself at work in that specific career, industry or sector. A placement or internship can validate career ambitions or help you realise a career specialism that you believed was best for you is possibly not. Work experience can ultimately help students gain direction for their future career.

Work experience also allows students to use the knowledge acquires at university in practical situations without the support of an employer and an organisation. Some students go on to base their dissertation or final year assessment around a project they were apart of during an internship or placement. Work experience can also help students gain additional understanding and knowledge that can be applied to their studies. A placement or internship can help you get a graduate job early because many organisations use these opportunities as a recruitment tool.

Organisations could be more likely to hire graduates they have worked with before compared to the ones they have only encountered in an interview situation. Some organisations might even offer to keep students on as part-time employees until the completion of their degree. This can help students to master the art of balancing work with other commitments. Completing a placement or internship can be a great chance to network and connect with individuals who can benefit you in the future with career plans. A year in industry can also be a great opportunity to experience living in a different part of the country or even the world!

Some universities offer the option to complete a year abroad placement that can give students the chance to experience a different culture which can be a beneficial life experience that can broaden view and opinions. Typically, students can apply for grants to cover the travel expenses necessary for the year abroad. Having a degree is valuable but so is securing some experience alongside can set you apart from a sea of graduates so looking into the option is an important thing to consider.

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A marketer essentially understands individuals and what makes them act in certain ways to recognise what businesses need and what consumers want. The development of social media, devices and interactive websites has helped many understand and educate themselves about marketing. The industry is rapidly evolving where the rules of today may not entirely apply tomorrow.

Marketing specialist roles are popular in areas like content marketing, email marketing, mobile marketing, pay-per-click (PPC), search engine optimisation (SEO), social media, copywriting, database management, campaigns metrics, analysis, PR, blogging, market research, web design and development. On average, a marketing assistant with at Level 3 will earn around £24,000, a marketing executive at level 4 will earn around £26,500 and a marketing manager will earn around £42,000.

Entering the industry as an aspiring marketing professional can seem formidable but identifying an actual prospective in marketing is not restricted to one path. From those who want to gain a qualification or go to university to those who want to earn while they learn, the options are available- the choice is completely up to you. There are numerous routes one can take to embark on a marketing career including university, professional marketing qualifications, apprenticeships, experience, direct application and volunteering.

One common path into marketing these days is gaining some experience by building industry-related skills. Chasing a career in marketing requires several creative and analytical skills i.e., social media, SEO, Google Analytics, video production, Photoshop, web design, Graphic design etc. Whilst developing industry-related skills, it is important to improve your knowledge and understanding of the industry by keeping up with current trends and technology. By using free or low-cost tools or software, ambitious marketers can also gain work experience by creating something like a blog, website, social media. Attending events and exhibitions can also be beneficial to learn and network with industry professionals.

With university, you can start your career with a professional marketing degree and industry experience if the option is a placement offered as part of your degree. Several subjects can be beneficial in a marketing career e.g., Business, Art, Design, Mathematics, Languages, Humanities, Computer studies and IT to teach you valuable skills like communication, writing, numeracy etc. The apprenticeship route allows you to earn while you learn to gain real experience alongside earning an industry-recognised qualification. A professional marketing qualification also allows you to earn while you learn to apply practical skills right away and gain qualifications equal to an undergraduate degree.

When it comes to finding a job, there a various option for the different routes. It is advised to have a creative CV and portfolio to showcase your previous work. Many marketing jobs are not advertised widely but are usually circulated on social media, online job platforms, or trade organisations websites e.g., the CIM. So, your professional online profiles must be regularly updated. It is important to note that social media must be handled with extreme professionalism because many employers search their applicants’ profiles on social media platforms.

Typically, large organisations have marketing roles and graduate programmes that you can apply online via their website. The latest marketing apprenticeships can be accessed online on websites such as government websites, online job portals, social media etc. Networking is also essential during your job search to build connections who can let you know about opportunities and mentor you. The possibilities of a marketing career are endless in a digitalised and globalised world.

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Wealth management is a consultative process of an investment advisory service that combines additional financial services to tackle the needs of a wealthy individual. It is regarded as the “most advanced form of investment advisor services” by some financial experts and Top Investment Advisors can as Vanguard can require astronomic minimum investment amounts such as $5,000,000 to qualify for their services.

During this process, a wealth management advisor gathers information regarding the client’s financial situation, needs, goals and risk comfort level to design a customized plan using suitable financial services and products. A wealth management advisor refers to a high-level financial expert i.e., financial consultants or financial advisers who handle the wealth an affluent client for one set fee.

Wealth advisers could work for large firms usually linked to the finance industry or small businesses on a particular wealth management team or with an assigned client. Some of the biggest firms offering wealth management services include Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Citi, UBS, Credit Suisse etc.

To create the optimum plan that benefits the client, advisors might have to collaborate with outside financial experts along with the client’s agents e.g., attorneys or accountants to meet specific needs i.e., accounting & tax services, legal plans, estate plans, retirement plans, banking services and charitable activities.

Once the initial plan is created, the wealth manager contacts the client frequently to revise goals and rebalance the financial portfolio to consider if further services are required. Although it is normal for a client to meet with a wealth advisor to tackle specific needs, the wealth advisor’s paramount goal is to understand the client and figure out whatever is valuable or important and why so that the advisor can provide the suitable professionals, products and services. Wealth management is generally suitable for affluent people with a wide range of different needs. Instead of attempting to incorporate fragments of advice and several products from different specialists, wealthy individuals benefit from a holistic approach where one advisor manages everything required to handle their money to prepare for their own and their loved ones’ existing needs as well as future ones.

The coronavirus pandemic is taking various industries into unfamiliar territory. One of the burning questions for this industry is in what manner does the wealth management industry survive and thrive in this new environment of COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 rules and restrictions? With the assistance of technology, wealth managers have been able to continue doing their job whilst observing COVID-19 rules including social distancing, unlike other industries. Nonetheless, the markets have been negatively affected e.g., the advisory sector in the UK faces a decline in the incomes it earns from payments based on the size of the clients’ assets along with the FTSE 100 at one point 35% down on its January highs.

The wealth management industry is encountering one of its biggest worries in a globalised world because it is certainly no longer “business as usual” when there is an unexpected necessity to close borders and call for global citizens to stay home. There are a variety of challenges that are rising in the Wealth Management industry due to COVID-19. These include crisis management & response, workforce, operations & supply chain, finance & liquidity, strategy & brand, tax, trade and regulatory. A worldwide pandemic may not have been considered in previous continuity strategies for business so these proposals must be evaluated and improved frequently to consider new-found factors.

Wealth management firms are required to stay up to date with the changing COVID-19 guidelines within the country or market and the effect that they will have on the industry and businesses. Logically, investors are nervous in unpredictable marketplaces and wealth management firms can improve their brands to ensure they are in a better place for when the situation stabilizes by using communication and positive client experience for the duration of periods of insecurity.

Even though various matters need to be dealt with, the wealth management industry, markets, economies, workforce and clients will continue to exist. Like all unforeseen events, the world and wealth management industry will take this pandemic as a learning experience and eventually grow to be stronger for it.

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