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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Abbie Whitlock" data-source="post: 224492" data-attributes="member: 42112">Hey!It makes total sense to feel fear and dread when you have had tough assessment centres before - your brain is trying to protect you from something it remembers as stressful! I felt a similar way before my DTC AC as I had never been the best at assessment centres in the past, and it was easy to spiral into what could go wrong.There are some constructive ways to approach this round to try and put yourself in a healthier mindset for approaching the AC. 1. Focus on the positives you've earnedYou were invited to the AC because you've already impressed them. Application form, tests, video interviews - they have clearly seen potential for you to make it this far. That is not luck - it is proof that you belong in this process and that you are more than capable of receiving an offer!2. Be proud you are at this stageA lot of really strong candidates might not make it this far - and you have managed to multiple times! Even if past ACs didn't go how you hoped, the fact you're trying again shows resilience and growth. 3. Look at where you can improve rather than what went wrongInstead of replaying past negatives (which is easier said than done, I know!), try to break down what specific areas you felt weaker in - maybe interviews, group exercises, or commercial awareness. This makes it feel more manageable to work on them in small, targeted ways, and improvement itself builds confidence.4. Remember what you did well last timeEven in an AC that felt bad, there were definitely still things that went right - perhaps communication, time management, written tasks, etc. Make sure you remember those parts when you reflect on your past experiences, as they are part of your performance too - use it to build your confidence! 5. Remind yourself its a new ACNew people, new exercises, and a brand new opportunity to make a great impression. What happened before is not automatically what will happen again, and you are able to start afresh and give it your all.6. Choose at least one "win" goal that isn't outcome-basedWhat really helped me to manage my expectations and anxiety going into an AC was to give myself a clear goal alongside "doing my best" in all the tasks. For example:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">"I'll contribute clearly in the group exercise"</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">"I'll keep calm breathing before each segment"</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">"I'll back myself when answering questions"</li> </ul>I found this was a great way to maintain control of my performance, and allowed me to find the small wins even if overall it felt like it went 'badly'.Remember that you are not starting again from zero every time - you're starting from everything you've learned. Whilst the past ACs feel like bad memories, I would try to remember that they were practice to make you more resilient and determined for the ones to come.Wishing you the best of luck <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></blockquote>

Verification: Our company is called, "The Corporate ___ Academy". What is the missing word here?

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