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Top Insider Advice
There are a huge number of roles within HMRC and the wider Civil Service. There will be some that really suit your skills. Where there is a gap, the training and development opportunities available will give you every chance to fill that gap and find that role where you can excel. You will find management want you to improve and will encourage your development, whether within your current role or to achieve the abilities to change to somewhere else you can be better. Self-belief used properly can be your strongest skill.
Career path
Risk Analyst
HMRC
Started 09/2021 to PresentNational Minimum Wage Officer
HMRC
From 04/2019 to 09/2021Data Gatherer
HMRC
From 12/2018 to 04/2019Company
What do you like about your job and the company?
In my area we have built very strong relationships between the roles involved in working projects. This can be from Project Co-Ordinator's, data gatherers, analysts and the end customer. Where we see issues it is easy to raise this and have a part in solutions. Everyone gives a feeling of being approachable and always manage to find time to explain processes or offer assistance, at all grades. The management structure reflects what I see everyday on the floorplate, we all strive for the same thing and work together for the best results. Management treat their staff fantastically and the support available for everyday problems up to domestic emergencies is exceptional. I never worked in an area with so much respect for people.
Greatest achievements
Having a part-time role as a learning facilitator I was selected, along with 2 colleagues, to induct new entrants to HMRC over a 2 month period. This was a new process for the area and also involved utilising space in an office never used by the department previously. Whilst preparing presentations and learning packages, the office was still being kitted out and didn’t even have enough computers for the staff coming in. Plus managers were still being recruited. It was certainly not just an induction session. We and to be learning facilitators, managers, Heath and Safety risk assessors, career advisors and even negotiators with other departments, outwith HMRC. I pretty much led the process, thanks to some well-timed holidays by initial colleagues meaning less experienced assistance was required. This help cement my reputation as someone to get the job done in the best way possible and gained me a lot of respect in different areas. It was also very satisfying to see some of the more capable entrants climbing the career ladder in a short time, acting on some of my advice.
Edward
Complaints Manager-Officer
Top Insider Advice
Always remain positive. Take the plunge once in a while and believe in yourself. Learn what you can from others. If there are any opportunities outside of your comfort zone, rise to the challenge and volunteer. You will surprise yourself, who will release the abilities that you didn’t think you had. Remain positive and focused on your goal. Consider the bigger picture, how does my role fit in within the wider goals of the business and how can you make it a great place to work. In a customer led role like mine, you can really make a difference to people’s lives. You see the negative impacts our mistakes can make and how you can work to ensure that they are not repeated, whilst improving the customer journey and the reputation of the business. You will gain positive feedback and people will look up to you.
Marta .
Top Insider Advice
Keep your mind and eyes open as there are are so many opportunities
Philip
Civil Investigator
Top Insider Advice
I wouldn't describe the first half of my Civil Service job history as a career, more a means to an end. Until I joined HMRC I had no idea what I wanted from a job and what motivated me, and I expected that to continue for years to come. It was only when I started my first tax compliance role that I quickly learned that I found the job very interesting and that I was good at it; the perfect combination. Without realising it I had developed a lot of the skills and attributes which you need in this type of role from some of my previous jobs; a keen eye for detail, instinctively examining the little things which don't seem quite right, and most importantly, being very, very nosy! What I did learn from my earlier Civil Service career was that if I wanted to reach the more senior grades that nobody was going to carry me on their shoulders to get me there and I needed to seek out my own opportunities to develop my skills and experience. I knew the limitations of my earlier roles in terms of developing my skills and realised I needed to work a variety of roles to gain that wide ranging experience. I moved initially from a wholly admin role to a decision making role and the skills I learned there still stand me in good stead today. I then moved to a junior manager role to gain some valuable leadership experience and improve my confidence. Therefore, my biggest advice would be if you've got a role or career in mind don't be afraid to move around into different roles and different departments. You will be exposed to different types of work and gain wider experience and along the way you may find that perfect combination of interesting work and being good at it too. Once you've found something like that, you know where your career likely lies. Also, ask for career help from those who've been around the block. Seek out a mentor or resources such as this to guide you on your career path and advise you if you feel you need that help.