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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.
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.
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!
Janine
Assistant Officer
Top Insider Advice
Having a positive attitude and having the ability to complete a task is rewarding and you feel that you have made a difference.