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The assessment centre is our chance to find out more about you and whether you have the skills and experience we are looking for, it is also your opportunity to learn more about Imperial Tobacco and whether you would like to work for us. We can also answer any questions you may have.
We recommend you prepare thoroughly, research the position and think about your own skills and experience and how these relate to what we are looking for.
Use your initiative and learn as much about Imperial Tobacco as you can, visit our corporate web site, talk to people, read the press, look at the Tobacco unit next time you visit your local shop - in doing so you will feel much more prepared.
Prepare any questions you think you might want to ask in case these are not covered during your interview.
Make sure you know exactly where you are going and how you are going to get there. You will be sent the full hotel address when we invite you to the interview but it is a good idea to double check you know where you are going and allow time for traffic jams! If you are going to be delayed please ring ahead and let us know.
Ensure you have your driving licence (both parts) ready to take with you on the day itself and a copy of your CV, it is useful to refer to if you get a memory blank during the interview.
Remember it is normal to feel nervous before the day, a shaky voice or clammy hands are not unusual symptoms and therefore we recommend you arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to give yourself time to relax.
Throughout the day we will want to find out more about you, your previous work experience, achievements and relevant skills. You'll be interviewed and here you will be asked a series of competency based questions and will be expected to talk about specific examples, therefore it is worth considering the types of questions you may be asked and having a think about relevant situations you could talk about. You'll also take part in a role-play which will last around 15 minutes, the full details of which will be explained to you on the day.
We won't ask you any trick or 'killer' questions in the interview; we just want to find out whether you are the right person for the job. You should listen carefully to what you are being asked and think before answering. The role play is based around a real aspect of the role and therefore it will reflect what you would do if you were doing the job for real.
Don't forget to ask us questions at the end of the assessment centre if we haven't answered something you want to know, we always allow time at the end of each interview for your questions but we will be available throughout the day to talk about any aspect of what it is like to work for Imperial Tobacco.
Information is correct at 10 March 2008.