Insider profil
Top Insider Advice
In order to learn, improve and progress this can sometimes inevitably mean rejection somewhere along the way. Instead of letting this dampen your spirit, see it as a learning curve. Build the knowledge or skills you need, then try again. Whether your ambition is to progress right to the top, or be recognised as the best in your role, everyone has different goals and you are your best advocate.
Career path
Marketing and Social Media Manager
HMRC
Started 09/2014 to PresentCompany
What do you like about your job and the company?
My team work across HMRC recruitment. We have our bulk campaigns in customer service and customer compliance but we can be asked to support any recruitment campaign in any area of HMRC. This means no two days are really the same. We have an offering of how we can support campaigns with products and promotion on job boards and social channels. We are always looking at what else we can do, how we can improve and adapt to changing needs and environments. We engage with many different audiences, choosing the best way to communicate with these to explain what it's like to work at HMRC.
Sue
Operational Lead
Top Insider Advice
I have been very lucky in that I have almost always been given a role (or applied for one) that I have enjoyed in HMRC (or earlier departments). If you show that you are keen to learn and willing to listen, then you will find that opportunities will present themselves to you and you will progress in your career. When I was told that I would have to undertake taxes training in 2005, I was horrified. Having been trained in National Insurance and done various management roles, I thought that tax would be just too hard for me and that I wouldn't pass the exams. However, I committed wholeheartedly to the training programme. I studied hard and passed all the exams first time - even though my daughter was still a baby so I was constantly exhausted as well as having to travel to London once a week for 18 months for my tutorials!
Daniel S
Head of UBS - Data & Reporting Operations
Top Insider Advice
I never thought I would get onto the TSP. I had to push myself out of my comfort zone to attend the assessment centres, take part in all of the activities. I continue to do so with my day job - I don't like presenting, but I do lots of it. It builds confidence and resilience. Rationalise what's the worse that could happen by trying something new, or taking on a new challenge. For me, with the assessment centre, if I didn't get accepted - so be it. I got good experience of interviewing. Met new and interesting people, and got free food from attending the assessment centre (back when they were in person). Once I told myself these things, I pushed myself out my comfort zone to attend the day. I had worked hard to get the invite, so although I wasn't confident in going and being myself, that's what I had to do and it worked out well. Take the set backs as opportunities to reflect, develop and learn from. Keep pushing through set backs and pushing yourself out of your normal comfort zone to be able to achieve the goals you set for yourself.
Alan
Customer Compliance Manager
Top Insider Advice
It is important to keep trying. Not everybody will make it first time, I did not when applying for Tax Professional Training, but I was put on a reserve list and called up later. Many do not make it first time but they do make it second time round. The process for recruitment can be long, but do not get disheartened, this is to give everybody the best chance of being accepted. If you can, get feedback and consider it for future applications. Feedback will often point our your weak area that can easily be improved with a bit of practice. If you do get on a training programme, be aware that though tough, they want you to succeed and will do everything they can to support you in achieving the end goal. Do say if you need extra support, they cannot provide it unless you tell them you need it. I am dyslexic and they took this into account for exams providing computer rather than writing and also extra time for reading.