I am attending a 'selection event' at a university next week, and on the agenda I have my interview followed by an in-tray exercise. Does anybody know what this means and might consist of?
Thanks
2006-09-27 22:21:41 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
You are put in a team or as an individual into "real job scenarios", this is to test and observe how you would handle different on the job decision making, etc.
2006-09-27 22:29:05 · answer #1 · answered by Desi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is an in-tray exercise?
It refers to an exercise simulating the work of professionals/executives/officers in handling the correspondences, memos and documents that come into their "in-tray" every day.
What is the purpose of the in-tray exercise?
To assess the candidate's effectiveness in handling paperwork problems. The candidate's handling of the tasks is rated on various aspects of effectiveness, including logical and critical thinking, organizing and decision making skills.
How is the in-tray exercise conducted?
The candidates are usually given some time to study background details of the organization before tackling the problems and taking appropriate action within the time allowed.
In many cases, candidates are asked to verbally present on how he would prioritize his tasks, what his action plan would be, and to discuss any problems identified, e.g. lack of relevant document or information for making decisions.
Example of scenario:
You are the Human Resources Manager who have just joined the company recently. You are supposed to act for the Managing Director (who was away but has just resumed duty today) and the Finance Manager (who is sick today) during their absence. You have to handle twenty pieces of paperwork in your tray for yourself, the Managing Director and the Finance Manager.
What are the tips in taking the in-tray exercise?
The golden rule is to judge your time carefully.
Make a quick review of what you have to read through and what you are being required to do.
Do not just start at the beginning and put your head down without trying to assess what is of greater or lesser importance.
2006-09-27 22:24:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If there is anyone at KPMG that has the time to answer this question, then miracles happen. I'd say 999 out of 1000 KPMG employees work like dogs 80-100 hours a week slaving away for rude partners who all think they're the sh.i.t. In fact, everyone I've ever met that works at a big international accounting firm such as KPMG thinks they are the s.hi.t, but at the same time is miserable beyond recognition. I hate KPMG, Deloitte, EY & PWC.
2016-03-26 21:02:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Example of an In-tray exercise
The scenario is that your boss is taken ill and you have to sort the papers on his/her desk with the aid of a diary and organisation chart. You will be asked to review letters, memos, reports, meeting minutes and messages, suggesting the action that should be taken and the order of priority. You may also be asked to take further action such as reply to a letter or summarise a report.
2006-09-27 22:24:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You will be given a pile of stuff to deal with, and will be monitored for how you cope with this. Sort the urgent, important and other stuff, and do them in that order. While you are doing this, the phone might also ring, and someone might interrupt you for your attention. You have to prioritise all these things.
Clue: ask the person in front of you to wait, deal with the phone call first, then the person in front of you, then go back to the documents - urgent first, then important, then the rest.
2006-09-27 22:32:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi, i had a workshop yesterday which included an in tray it involves you having a fictitious schedule for the day and when you arrive at work you have a number of unexpected events which you have to do.you then have to reschedule the day, but it is not possible to include everything so you have explain what you left out and why.
good luck
2006-09-27 23:04:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will give you a list of things that come up on a regular basis - arranging a meeting, typing a letter, contacting the people one of the managers is meeting and letting them know that he/she will be late, photocopying.
You have to go down the list and priortise them.
2006-09-27 23:54:13 · answer #7 · answered by k 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will be looking to see how well you can take a stack of paper, sort through it, and prioritise the critical stuff, the important stuff, and the stuff that can wait. All this without panicking.
2006-09-27 22:59:03 · answer #8 · answered by Munster 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I typed your query into YAHOO's search engine came up with several results.
Why not try it for yourself?
2006-09-27 22:31:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋