Insider profil

Picture of Jim

Jim .

Portfolio Lead

Ask me a question
Customer Services
Customer Compliance

Keen to receive questions about

ApplicationsCareer DevelopmentCareer TipsEveryday LifeInterview AdviceOur CultureRoleWork & Life with Us

Top Insider Advice

Find a mentor you are comfortable with. Be prepared to take honest constructive feedback. Create a support network...it's easier than you think.

Read more advice

Career path

Portfolio Lead

HMRC

Started 01/2022 to Present

Retail and Training Manager

HMRC

From 01/1985 to 08/1998

Department Manager

HMRC

From 09/1988 to 06/2015

Company

What do you like about your job and the company?

I love having scope to tackle issues as I see fit and not being micro managed. I love building a network of contacts to support my work as I don't know everything and am relatively new to my position. I love making a difference and providing support and facilitating in a small way to get the funding for essential national services. I love finding ways to do things more efficiently and smarter. I really love my latest job and happy to share how I got here by accident.

Greatest achievements

There is life after redundancy even though at the time it is devastating. It took me 6 years to build a new career and even though I thought I did not want more responsibility again I grew into it with the help and support of some good people along the way. My wife said I wouldn't like my new job however I did. I've learned so much in the digital space however I still have loads to learn and would encourage others to do so too.

Other insiders

Sandra

Tax Investigator

Top Insider Advice

I've been a Civil Servant for 34 years, starting as an AO in what was DHSS, processing benefit claims. This was a real baptism of fire, dealing with desperate people and desperate situations and exposed me to parts of the population that were a long way from my life. I learned good people skills from this and a real focus on how important good customer service is-doing what you say you will and still having to deliver even when things are difficult or unpopular. This gave me a good grounding for moving onto National Insurance in a compliance role for business and individuals. HMRC merged in 1999 with NI and that was the start of my accidental career. I'm proud to have worked my way up from the bottom as I believe it made me who I am. Whilst no against direct entrance programmes, gaining experience within different grades and roles creates a rounded person.

Kris

Estates Strategic Planning & Data Modelling lead

Top Insider Advice

If there is one thing in my 20+ years in the civil service I have figured out it is you will never know if you don't try. Early on in my career I would never volunteer for opportunities, I wouldn't offer up answers or contribute to group meetings or working groups and missed the opportunity to apply for roles I would have loved to try my hand at. This was all through the fear of looking stupid or failing and how other people would view me. Not to say I have never failed as I have, be that in job applications or the approach I have taken to work tasks. The biggest thing I will share here is I have learned so much more from failing than I ever have from getting something right first time. The support from my colleagues during these times was surprising, there are so many great people who work across our government departments which fosters a great environment to be part of. Don't forget if you learn or take something way from an experience how can that be seen as a failure. Don't stop trying.

Paul

Lead Business Manager

Top Insider Advice

Make a difference in whatever you do. The roles in your career may change frequently or be quite stable. You may stick to one profession, end up working in a few or work in one you would never have expected to work in. Your best profession may not yet even exist! But whatever you do - make a positive difference. That difference can be to your customers, the public, the service you provide or the people you work with. It will be different in the roles you do - but make sure you change things for the better.

Discussions with Jim
Is there one thing you wish you'd known before you applied?
in Career Tips·Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Picture of Edward
Picture of Mustafa
8 responses
2085 views
What's your top tip for doing well at interview?
in Career Tips·Tuesday, September 6, 2022
Picture of Pat
Picture of Darrell
6 responses
2452 views
Are the working hours sociable? What is the latest time you may be working until?
in Career Tips·Thursday, June 26, 2025
Picture of Mustafa
Picture of Mary
4 responses
33 views
What does a day look life in Debt Management as AO??
in Career Tips·Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Picture of Abbey
0 responses
14 views
How can I work for HMRC with a CTA qualification?
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Picture of Lubna
Picture of Philip
3 responses
122 views