The assessment centre was much longer than I expected. It started before 9 and went after 4pm and included four interviews in total: two simulation-based interviews, one group interview and one individual interview.
Before attending, I had no idea there would be so many interviews in one day. It was definitely exhausting by the end. Some of the interview formats were completely new to me and unlike anything I'd experienced before. I remember spending the first ten minutes of my preparation time just trying to understand what we were actually expected to do, which made it quite stressful.
One thing I did appreciate was that the schedule was well organised. Although you only receive the interview timetable on the day, everything ran on time and it was always clear where you needed to be next. The interviewers also regularly checked in with candidates before and after each interview, asking how we were feeling and whether we were getting tired. That level of care was better than what I've experienced at many other assessment centres.
The biggest downside for me was the travel reimbursement. Candidates were told that travel expenses would be reimbursed, but my assessment centre was in April and it's now July, and I still haven't received the payment. I've followed up three times, and each time I was told it would be processed "in the next few weeks", but nothing has happened since. Having to repeatedly chase it up has been frustrating, and at this point I've almost given up expecting the reimbursement.
Immediately after the assessment centre, I actually felt quite positive about the experience. However, my overall impression has become less favourable over time. But having to remember to follow up the reimbursement thing, it unfortunately left me with a much less positive impression of the recruitment process overall.