The world of hiring is shifting and quickly. As organisations compete for talent in a landscape transformed by technology and AI it’s becoming harder to rely on the traditional CV and interview formula. Candidates can refine their answers endlessly, polish their profiles, and present a version of themselves that may or may not reflect how they perform in real situations.

It’s no surprise then that more employers are exploring assessment methods that focus on behaviour, judgement and real-time thinking rather than rehearsed responses. One approach attracting attention is the use of fantasy-style, immersive simulations assessments that place candidates inside a dynamic, story-driven environment where their decisions genuinely shape outcomes.

But how does this compare with something many of our clients will already be familiar with: e-tray exercises and should businesses be thinking about this shift?

From Interviews to Immersive Scenarios

Imagine an interview process that doesn’t start with the usual “Talk me through a time when…” but instead places the candidate at the centre of an unfolding scenario. They might be asked to solve a time-critical puzzle, analyse a changing environment, or make decisions with incomplete information.

These simulations are designed to reveal how someone approaches:

• Complex problems
• Rapid decision-making
• Prioritisation
• Creative thinking
• Pressure and uncertainty
• Strategic choices

Rather than describing how they behave, candidates demonstrate it. That distinction is becoming increasingly important in a world where AI makes polished answers easier than ever to produce.

How Does This Compare to E-Tray Exercises?

At Corvus People we’ve used e-tray exercises for years because they’re reliable, validated and highly effective. They give hiring managers a window into how candidates work when presented with realistic, job-specific tasks: emails to respond to, documents to review, decisions to prioritise and actually, e-trays and immersive simulations have more in common than you might think. Both place the candidate inside a scenario and see how they behave. Both reduce reliance on interview performance alone and both produce insight that you simply cannot get from a CV. Where they differ is in how far they take the idea:-

Level of Immersion

• E-tray: Practical, structured, and firmly rooted in everyday work.
• Simulations: More like stepping into a narrative — fictional environments, unexpected situations, and evolving challenges.

What They Measure

• E-tray: Time management, written communication, judgement, and information processing.
• Simulations: Adaptability, creativity, strategic thinking, pattern recognition, and comfort operating in the unknown.

Candidate Experience

• E-tray: Familiar and predictable — a realistic “day in the job.”
• Simulations: Engaging, less conventional, sometimes deliberately ambiguous to reveal natural decision-making styles.

Technology & Format

• E-tray: Straightforward digital platforms.
• Simulations: Custom-built environments with interactive or gamified elements.

In essence E-trays show how candidates handle real tasks, Simulations show how they think when the rules aren’t laid out for them. Both have a place, and both help paint a more accurate picture of a candidate’s potential.

Why These Newer Approaches Are Gaining Momentum

• There are several reasons organisations are leaning into this type of assessment:
• They cut through polished answers.
• Watching someone act is far more revealing than listening to a prepared response.
• They create a fairer platform.
• Not everyone is a confident interviewer, but performance speaks for itself.
• They’re difficult to “fake.”
• With dynamic scenarios, candidates can’t rely on memorised examples.
• They make the process more engaging.

Many candidates enjoy the challenge, it feels modern, relevant and less formal but they’re not perfect, like any assessment tool immersive simulations come with considerations:

• Candidates can feel uncertain if they don’t know what’s being measured.
• Not all jobs need this level of complexity.
• Technology must be reliable and accessible for all participants.
• The design needs to be thoughtful to avoid testing irrelevant skills.
• Handled well, though, they can add real depth to a recruitment process.

What This Means for Employers

At Corvus People, we see immersive simulations as a progression, not a replacement. E-tray exercises remain one of the best ways to assess job-ready behaviours in a realistic and practical context. Simulations simply broaden the toolkit — especially for roles where adaptability, strategic judgement, and creative problem-solving are essential.

The future of assessment isn’t about choosing one approach and discarding the others. It’s about creating a balanced, evidence-based mix that showcases the real person behind the CV.

Immersive simulations won’t take over recruitment but they’re going to become increasingly important as organisations look for ways to hire people who can thrive amid change, complexity, and pressure.

At Corvus People, our focus remains the same: helping organisations make confident, informed hiring decisions by using tools that reveal genuine potential, whether through e-tray exercises, immersive simulations, or other tailored assessments we’re committed to ensuring employers find the right fit not just on paper, but in practice.

By Lesley Armstrong Corvus People Office Manager

A couple of years ago I spoke to a friend who had just early retirement while he was in his early 50’s.  His pension pot was full, and he had worked incredibly hard throughout his career at Executive level.  He thought ‘why not’?

I met him a year later and he described his life post work through a simple diagram with 3 circles: work, friends and family.  When the work circle was removed, he hadn’t appreciated that many of his friends and social activities were work related, leaving most of his time for family (who he loves dearly).  He has now un-retired and returned to work.

This is not an isolated case.  Too often people think that if their financial situation is in order, everything else will naturally fall into place.

Retirement is one of life’s biggest transitions. For decades, work shapes our routines, our identity, our relationships, and even our sense of purpose. So, when the moment finally arrives, it is natural to feel excitement mixed with a fair amount of uncertainty. Retirement is not simply the end of a career. It is the beginning of a new chapter. And like any new chapter, it is far more rewarding when you approach it with clarity, support, and intention.

Here are five essential things to consider when transitioning into retirement, along with the people you should speak with as you prepare for this next stage of life.

Financial Readiness Beyond the Numbers

Although retirement planning often starts with money, true financial readiness goes deeper than savings and pensions. It is about understanding how your desired lifestyle matches your income sources and what you will need for the years ahead. Thinking about inflation, unexpected costs, and the rhythm of spending once work stops can offer huge peace of mind.

Before retiring, speak with

• a trusted financial adviser
• a mentor who has already retired
• your partner, so you can make shared decisions

These conversations can help bridge the gap between financial facts and your lived experience.

Your Health and Long-Term Wellbeing

Retirement offers more freedom, but it also shines a light on physical and emotional wellbeing. Planning for long term health means thinking about daily habits, movement, nutrition, and how you will maintain independence as you age. Being proactive now makes a meaningful difference later.

Before retiring, speak with

• your GP or health professional
• your partner or family about future care preferences
• friends who prioritise wellbeing, to learn what has worked for them

Health is easier to protect than repair, and retirement is the perfect time to build better habits

Identity, Purpose, and Meaning

Work gives many people a sense of identity. When that structure disappears, the question Who am I now can feel surprisingly unsettling. Thinking ahead about purpose, passions, and the activities that give you energy can turn retirement into a time of growth rather than drift.

You may also want to consider consulting in your industry, joining a Board (voluntary or paid), becoming a NED, volunteering for a charitable organisation, or starting a micro business/’side hustle’.  An Uber driver I had recently was formerly a senior executive who missed meeting new people, plus it meant he could drive people to his city centre Airbnb’s!

Before retiring, speak with

• a retirement or life coach
• a mentor who has transitioned successfully
• your partner or close friends who understand your values

These conversations help you discover what you want to move towards, not just what you are leaving behind.

Daily Life and Lifestyle Planning

Time becomes abundant in retirement. Without structure, this can feel freeing or challenging. Planning for hobbies, social activities, travel, learning, and personal projects can transform your days from empty time into meaningful time.

Before retiring, speak with

• your partner, especially about shared routines
• friends who are already retired
• community groups or organisations you may want to join

These discussions open the door to new routines and minimise any sense of guilt of ‘I should be doing something’.

Relationships and Social Connections

Many people do not realise how much of their social world is tied to work. Once the workplace disappears, so do many casual everyday relationships. Proactively thinking about how to maintain friendships and build new ones can make a major difference to happiness and wellbeing.

Before retiring, speak with

• your partner about expectations and boundaries
• your family about your hopes for connection
• colleagues you want to stay in touch with
• social groups or clubs you may wish to explore

Strong relationships are one of the most reliable predictors of a fulfilling retirement.

Retirement is not the end of your story. It is the beginning of a new and exciting chapter. With the right conversations, support, and preparation, your transition into retirement can become one of the most rewarding phases of your life.

By Ian Weatherup, Managing Director