UK Recruitment Glossary
Assessment Centre
In recruiter context
Common at graduate scheme stage and for management/leadership roles. A typical UK assessment centre runs 4-7 hours and includes: group exercise (you're observed working with strangers on a problem), individual case study, presentation, structured interview, sometimes a psychometric test. Each exercise is scored against the company's competency framework. The mistake candidates make is treating it like a series of separate interviews — it's not. Assessors compare candidates side-by-side at the end of the day. Standing out positively in the group exercise (without dominating it) and asking thoughtful questions in the case study are the two highest-leverage moves.
Related terms
Income Protection (PHI)
Permanent Health Insurance — pays a percentage of your salary if illness or injury prevents you work…
Notice Period
The time you must work after resigning before your employment officially ends.
Redundancy
Dismissal because the role itself no longer exists — not because of your performance.
Cold Application
Applying to a job without any prior contact, referral, or recruiter conversation.