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Kris .

Estates Strategic Planning & Data Modelling lead

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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.
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Career path

Estates Strategic Planning & Data Modelling lead

HM Revenue & Customs

Started 09/2020 to Present

Senior Digital Analyst

HM Revenue & Customs

From 02/2015 to 09/2020

Business Analyst

Department for Work & Pensions

From 02/2007 to 02/2015

Company

What do you like about your job and the company?

In my role no 2 days are ever the same, as someone who loves working in ambiguity and not knowing what the day is going to bring I relish the challenges my current position demands. My team at times are like a hub, we engage with colleagues across the department such as Design, Implementation, Projects, Finance, Property and Lines of Business to name a few. The engagement we have and insight/data we gather and develop to shape our planning assumptions, products and recommendations provide significant challenge but a great sense of achievement at the same time. The work we do feeds in to various boards and groups helping to inform key decisions made on the future of HMRC's workplace and workforce strategies, something that is a constantly changing landscape.

Other insiders

Bal .

Social Media Support Officer

Top Insider Advice

Look for opportunities to build your skills, develop your talents and reach your potential. Sounds very wordy but learning is a lifelong journey and we never know everything I have found that trying something different has kept me happier at work and given me a sense of self satisfaction. It doesn't have to be work related it can include learning any new skill from sewing to pottery. At the moment I am currently spending 30 minutes a week completing learning around marketing and social media which is providing me with skills to better understand my role and that roles around me.

Viola .

Top Insider Advice

Identify your long term career aspirations, set specific goals and achievable goals to guide your progression Take advantage of training programmes, workshops, and seminars to enhance your skills and knowledge Take on new challenges - volunteer for projects or tasks outside your daily responsibilities Smile - build relationships with peers, leaders, mentors Prioritise your well-being, maintain a healthy work life balance, always set boundaries

Prudencia O

Top Insider Advice

1. Don’t be afraid to ask for support. No one succeeds alone. Join support networks, find a coach, mentor or sponsor. Get as much help as you can! 2. Step outside your comfort zone and take on new challenges, even if they are a bit scary! Growth doesn’t happen in familiar spaces. Take on challenges that stretch you, that make you uncomfortable and ultimately lead to new skills and greater confidence. 3. Make things happen – look for sideways moves to develop your skills, not just promotions. Think about development programmes. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you, seek them out, take the initiative and be ready to step up when the moment comes. If you don’t make it happen, nobody will! 4. Resilience is essential. There’ll be lots of disappointments on your journey and times when you wonder whether it’s worth it. I can tell you without a doubt, it is. Keep trying, keep pushing. Remember, every obstacle is an opportunity to rise. Each setback is a chance to grow stronger and to learn something new, and every step you take brings you closer to the top of the ladder. 5. When you succeed in life or in your career, celebrate but also acknowledge that you didn’t do it alone. Nobody does! Above all, don’t pull the ladder up after you! Reach out and help others climb.
Discussions with Kris
What support is available for career changers?
in Career progression·Thursday, November 3, 2022
1 response
52 views
What's the most rewarding project you've worked on?
in Career Tips·Tuesday, February 28, 2023
1 response
19 views
What do you think is unique about working here?
in Career Tips·Tuesday, March 7, 2023
1 response
19 views