The Tax Professional Programme is difficult, but that's ok because it prepares you for a leadership position within a world leading tax authority, embrace it. Although, you might often find it hard to juggle learning, casework and Quality Assurance Framework tasks, don't forget to get involved in activities that might switch your focus to other rewarding things, like volunteering, or getting involved in HMRC's Regional Pillars work, or being an ambassador / lead for one of the many networks we have. This will allow you to pause from your day-to-day activities and make you feel like you belong to a community of like minded people, rather than a student or a compliance caseworker.

Career progression requires effort - expressing a wish to advance ones' career is the bare minimum; however, you have to do all the groundwork, the homework and make all the effort that comes with it - make friends, link with people, search for contacts, browse opportunities, keep applying, find a mentor, volunteer for even the most mundane activities - you never know whom you're going to meet. Learn the Civil Service job application process and practice it, tailoring the applications to each role - and foremost: read the job ad thoroughly, this will help you avoid disappointment further down the line.

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.