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Jim .

Portfolio Lead

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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.

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Career path

Portfolio Lead

HMRC

Started 01/2022 to Present

Retail and Training Manager

Various Retail Organisations

From 01/1985 to 08/1998

Department Manager

Asda

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

Zoe

Senior Project Manager - Locations Programme

Top Insider Advice

No matter what job I've done over the years there has always been people impacted by it. Whether I was sorting out a customers Tax, National Insurance record, developing new IT systems, or delivering new policies or even opening new buildings its people that have been affected at the end of it. Its easy to forget when wrapped up in the day to day activities of your job, that I have made life better for a huge amount of people over the years but in tiny bite size chunks

Louise

Benefit lead

Top Insider Advice

I think we can all feel a sense of imposter syndrome, and that inner voice saying you are not capable. You are ! I think we all need to recognise that work can be challenging and not always as straightforward as you want it to be, which is where the doubt can set it. Its all about building that resilience for me, don't give up. If you want something just keep working towards it, even if that means taking it slowly.

Zoe

Secretariat

Top Insider Advice

One thing I've found since being in HMRC is that there is a real motivation for the workforce to reflect the diverse society that we serve. The success profiles often used in recruitment can seem daunting, but actually they allow everyone no matter what kind of previous experience we have, to demonstrate those transferable skills, or behaviours, which can be drawn upon, with the right training, to be successful in a brand new role. So don't let anything make you think you don't have what HMRC need or want, whether that be challenging personal circumstances, health difficulties, or lack of prior experience, the Civil Service is here to support everyone in our society, and so it should be made up of a diverse workforce that can accurately represent everyone.

Discussions with Jim
Is there one thing you wish you'd known before you applied?
in Career Tips·Tuesday, August 16, 2022
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8 responses
2214 views
What's your top tip for doing well at interview?
in Career Tips·Tuesday, September 6, 2022
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8 responses
2679 views
How soon after the interview did you know you were successful?
in Application process·Sunday, June 8, 2025
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5 responses
168 views
What does a day look life in Debt Management as AO??
in Career Tips·Tuesday, February 25, 2025
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2 responses
33 views