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An in-basket exercise is often used as part of the selection process. It can also be used for team building or as part of a management development course.
We have two fully functional in-basket packages, with comprehensive instructions and answers. One is designed for candidates who are looking to practice for a job interview, and one for employers who want to use an in-basket exercise as part of the selection process.
Please select the version you require:
Employers who have purchased the Sales101 In-Basket include: BP, Imperial, Baya, McKinsey, B.A.T., Novelis, Health Canada, Sitel Australia, together with many hundreds of individual candidates
During the exercise, you will be given the contents of a typical manager's in-basket. The in-basket will contain items like company memos, telephone and fax messages, e-mails, reports and correspondence. You will also have access to some other standard information like an organization chart and a calendar. The scenario is set up so that the in-basket and associated information are the only information you can access. You cannot ask for help, the internet is not available and no one can be contact by phone. In other words, you are on your own and have to make a series of complex decisions based just on the information you have - which sometimes will be incomplete – just like in real life.
During the exercise you will go through the contents of the in-basket and make decisions on each item that needs addressing. The point of this exercise is to see how well you can handle several complex tasks in a very short period of time.
After the exercise, participants may be asked how they arrived at their decisions. This will give an insight in to your management style, your ability to handle and process data and your capacity to work under pressure.
Where does the In Tray fit into the recruitment / development process?
It is rare for an appointment to be made without an interview. This could be a
one to one meeting, a panel or a group session. The purpose is to review your
background gain insight into your experience, test your capability for the job
and assess the “chemistry” between you and your new boss.
The In Tray exercise is usually a separate part of the process. You are asked to work alone to a strict time deadline although there may be the opportunity for group discussion of the results afterwards. The In Tray is an absolute test of management competencies and there are usually right and wrong answers to the various issues.
Aims
The point of doing an in-basket is for the employer to gauge how well suited you
are to a managerial role in a real-world working situation.
Skills tested may
include:
The In-Basket is a chance for a candidate to demonstrate qualities and skills that
could not be shown during the interview stage.
Possible contents of an in-basket:
Examples of management activities that you may simulate during the In Tray exercise
Abilities recruiters look for
Key things employers look for from you during an in-basket include your ability
to:
Some tips:
We have two fully functional in-basket exercises. The first is designed for candidates who are looking to practice for a job interview, and the second is for employers who want to use an in-basket exercise as part of the selection process.
Please select the version you require:
