A guide to in-tray exercises & e-tray exercises

As part of the recruitment process, some firms require candidates to complete an in-tray exercise or its digital equivalent, an e-tray exercise (sometimes called an email simulation test).

While each in-tray or e-tray exercise will be unique to the business, our general tips will help you know what to expect – and increase your chances of success.

In this guide, we’ll run through:

• What’s an in-tray exercise?
• What’s an e-tray exercise?
• How to approach an in-tray or e-tray exercise

An in-tray exercise is a type of job simulation. Recruiters assign candidates an in-tray exercise to assess how they’d cope with real-life work.

During a typical in-tray exercise, an assessor will give you the outline of a fictional work-based scenario. They’ll then give you updates in any form that would happen at work (ie. meeting requests, emails or an in-person message). The test is to see how you respond to interruptions and adapt to the latest information.

The exact format of an in-tray exercise will depend on the sector and role. The task will relate to the job you’re applying for.

You’ll typically come across in-tray exercises at assessment centres. Occasionally, you’ll do one earlier in the recruitment process. Some employers include digital in-tray exercises as part of online applications.

Put simply, e-tray exercises are in-tray exercises that are online. With an e-tray exercise, you’ll either carry out the exercise on a device in an assessment centre or do it remotely.

E-tray exercises are typically based within a programme that looks like an email inbox. Emails that simulate the types of messages you’d receive in the job will flow into the inbox over a set time. The point of the exercise is for employers to see how well the candidates respond to emails under time pressure.

The content of emails will relate to various tasks. You might be asked how much a particular client owes or who you should forward a message to. Sometimes, you’ll have to solve specific problems. For instance, you might have to delegate a task and explain how you’d prioritise the issues raised in the emails. As the tests will be unique for each job, you need to be prepared for anything. So, expect the unexpected.

It's not all guesswork though. You’ll receive information that will help you deal with the emails. Sometimes, the info will be in the form of documents within folders and subfolders (so you’ll have to sift through it to find what’s relevant).

Some simulation tests are in a multiple-choice format, requiring candidates to choose the most applicable answer (and sometimes the least applicable).

Employers want to see evidence of your organisational skills, time management, ability to work under pressure, commercial awareness and computer proficiency. So, show them what you’ve got. If you’ve got the skills, they’ll shine through in the exercise. Just don’t let any silly slip-ups stop you from making it to the next stage.

As part of the exercises, employers are also assessing your attention to detail. Make sure you read and follow any instructions throughout the tests carefully. They’re testing the accuracy of how you interpret information in a short period, not just your speed. There’s no use being quick if you’re skimming and making mistakes.

If you’re given reading time, go over all the available documents before the main exercise starts. You’ll then know which ones to go back to when answering a question. As long as you’ll have access to the documents throughout the task, there’s no need to take too many notes. Just quickly jot down any pointers that’ll help you remember what’s in a document if it isn’t obvious from its file name.

While employers do want to see if you’re capable of making quick decisions, they’re also assessing your ability to prioritise. That means it’s usually OK if you don’t respond to every email. If there’s something that doesn’t need a speedy reply, skip it, and focus on the more urgent requests. You don’t need to reach ‘inbox zero’ to pass an e-tray exercise.

Although every exercise is unique, you can get a feel for them by practising example in-tray exercises. Look out for in-tray exercise samples online and give them a go.

In-tray exercises are a job simulation task that employers use in assessment centres and online applications. When they take place online, they’re also called e-tray exercises.

The point of the exercises is for employers to see how you’d cope with a real-life work scenario. They’re also looking for evidence of your existing skills. So, put on your work hat, act as if it’s already your real job and do your best. You can do it!

Adapted from an article originally by Jake Schogger, City Career Series