My one piece of advice is “Be-Honest” If you require any reasonable adjustments or assistance, “be honest” in your job application. “Be honest” in your training. If you don’t understand something, then speak up. If you need something to be explained again, “be honest” and say you didn’t understand. “Be Honest” with your aspirations, aims, goals for your career, there are many opportunities which may be applicable for you. “Be Honest” with yourself and keep your work/life balance right for you. My experience - I have been honest about my dyslexia. I have received additional help and support throughout my entire HMRC experience. I learnt an enormous amount about myself during "Coping strategy sessions" which allowed me to be more honest with myself and my manager. Finally, don’t be scared to question things.

Something that has helped me to move up in my career at HMRC is taking on new tasks from working on additional projects for the HO's in Customs to training new starters to the business. I actually wrote and delivered a training package for new starters when I was AO in Customs, I felt this not only increased my skillset but it also helped me to make sure that anyone starting in the same role as me learnt the job from the perspective of an AO. I have also taken on projects where I have led a group of people, for example, clearing an email inbox where we had a large number of emails. I delegated colleagues to cover particular time slots, making sure that the emails that had been waiting the longest for a response were dealt with first.

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.