The assessment centre programme

At a typical assessment centre, there may be up to a maximum of six candidates along with a selection team made up of DFID employees. A facilitator will be responsible for running the various activities and making sure the day goes smoothly.

The following tips will help ensure that you perform to the best of your abilities:

• Arrive promptly to give yourself time to settle in.
• Listen carefully to the instructions given before each exercise and make a note of the time allowed.
• Ask the facilitator or assessors if you have any questions either about specific exercises or about the assessment centre as a whole.
• Be yourself. If you’ve got this far, you have already been identified as potentially having the qualifications, competencies, knowledge and skills to do the job.
• Remember that it’s rare for someone to do equally well at every stage of the process. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.

You will be asked to complete a range of different exercises, giving you a number of opportunities to show your strengths. You will be judged on your performance over the whole day. Feedback shows that most participants find the day demanding, but feel it gives them plenty of opportunities to show their capabilities.