Modern companies can’t function without their information technology. It is essential to have frequent IT assessments in place to ensure the infrastructure is secure, efficient, and able to meet compliance requirements for things like backup retention.
An IT assessment can help businesses better understand how their IT systems work together and provide a clear path to aligning those systems with business goals. A good IT assessment now will include:
1. Know what to expect
Often assessment centres are jam-packed days and it’s important to remain calm, positive and professional throughout. It’s also worth remembering that you are being assessed against a set of criteria and not against the other candidates. Try to avoid being overly competitive or aggressive during group exercises and focus on demonstrating your strengths.
It’s also a good idea to find out ahead of time what competencies the employer is looking for, whether it’s on their website or in the original job description. This will help you prepare for the exercises and understand what the assessors are assessing you on. This will make it easier to know when you’re doing well and when you’re not. Choose an IT Services company with experience in a wide range of industries and that will understand your business needs.
2. Prepare in advance
Everyone understands the importance of securing a business’ network. But putting in place a secure network is far from easy. In addition to keeping up with daily urgencies, a business must also navigate complex legacy systems that can be difficult to troubleshoot and secure.
To help combat this, DiamondIT will perform a full network assessment that gives our team a clear picture of your current infrastructure. This will give us a basis to work from and make recommendations on how you can improve your network.
We’ll provide a roadmap that takes your network from vulnerable to solidly protected, with a clear plan for future technology upgrades that align with your business goals. This helps you get C-suite support for needed improvements. We can even show you analytical data that will demonstrate the value of these investments.
3. Have a positive attitude
Positive attitudes are a sign of resilience and resourcefulness, qualities that employers value. Having a positive attitude means seeing the best in situations and working through any difficulties with optimism.
You don’t need to challenge or compete with other candidates during an assessment centre, but be aware that selectors are looking for evidence of teamwork and communication. Being competitive can harm your overall assessment score.
Throughout the day, focus on your strengths, and be open to change if you’re asked to work with people you don’t normally get on with or do tasks that don’t fit your style. Try to maintain a regular sleep pattern in the lead-up to the assessment centre and exercise regularly to improve your wellbeing, which will help you feel more alert and focused.
4. Be prepared to be flexible
A big part of being a successful IT professional is being flexible. It means being adaptable to new circumstances, juggling different projects and learning as you go. Being flexible also means recognizing your own areas that require development and making plans to improve those skills.
In the lead up to your assessment day, get into a regular sleep routine and exercise regularly. This will help you feel energised and able to concentrate during your assessment. Ensure you read any information or instructions carefully before your assessment and ask questions if you aren’t sure what is expected of you. This will prevent you from getting caught off guard and making a silly mistake under pressure. It will also demonstrate that you are a proactive worker.
5. Be yourself
While your performance is obviously of interest, assessors also want to see how you interact with and support other candidates. This may be in group exercises (including debating a topic, working together on a presentation or solving a case study) or a one-to-one interview.
Be courteous to all candidates – you never know who they are or what they’ve been through. It’s important to be positive and avoid negativity, especially if a particular exercise or question doesn’t go well for you.
Try to relax and be yourself – assessors love to see personality shine through. A good, positive and personable attitude will help you to stand out from the crowd and be remembered for the right reasons. It will also show that you’re a great fit for the company.
