Insider profil
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Top Insider Advice
A job can sound great from the headline, but read the description properly and think carefully if this is a good first job on a ladder of progression or could it be the next one on your way onwards and upwards? Ask yourself what are your strengths? What am I good at? What needs working on? Where do I want to go and how am I going to get there? If you aren't actually too sure where the path may lead, don't overly worry yourself, picking up skills and knowledge in any job is always a good thing. The trick is to know what you have and what you need next. You may have good experience in one area of work, but you need some experience in another to move forward, so sometime a sideways move can work too! I did a sideways temporary move in to VAT import policy as I wanted to understand how it fitted with my litigation work and how policy was developed. I did this for 7 months and it gave me insight in to how things like ministerial submissions were drafted and how communication with stakeholders was so important in this. I used this experience to further my knowledge and it helped me do a better job application for my current role as it demonstrated I was willing to stretch and develop myself. Keep trying and learn from any feedback you are given- it can be very useful ! Good luck!
Career path
Tax Technical Advisor
HMRC
From 08/2021 to 09/2024Team Leader
HMRC
From 08/1984 to 08/1990Admin Officer
HMRC
From 01/1992 to 08/1994Company
What do you like about your job and the company?
My main role is to respond accurately to questions that colleagues from other departments within HMRC may have in interpreting legislation and guidance. They may have come across a situation that is unique and are struggling to find an answer on how to deal with it in the correct way. The guidance that is available, together with the legislation and caselaw just may explain their situation and so they raise an enquiry with my team. Should the subject matter be something I lead on, for example securities for tax, then I will check to see if we have had a similar question before which will enable me to answer quickly. If this is not the case, then I will go through the various guidance, notes and legislation to prepare an accurate response. This part of my job I really enjoy as some of the legislation can be complex and difficult to read. I have a time limit in which to prepare a response to ensure things don't drag on or get forgotten about in a busy environment, so planning work around enquiries is crucial. By providing accurate responses, it supports and develops colleagues knowledge base so hopefully avoiding repeat questions on the same topic, which is also an important role of my department.
Greatest achievements
This sticks out as it involved sending a group of criminals to prison for over 100 years and the effort I put in with my team was huge. I have had some good litigation results and even though you can lose sometimes, I stayed positive and learnt from it. The work I have the greatest sense of personal achievement for is definitely being a swimming coach for a group of athletes who have overcome massive physical and emotional challenges following an organ transplant. The pride of watching someone overcome so many things in their lives to reach the pinnacle of their sport is huge. Helping and supporting them to believe in themselves has been one of my greatest achievements. All the years of coaching swimming at all levels has left me with a desire to teach and pass on knowledge, and I try to do this in my job in HMRC.
Terry
Business Support Team Manager
Top Insider Advice
It can be a very daunting experience starting work for a new employer, no matter what your age or experience. On my first day in the office (having never worked in an office before) I dressed in full suit and tie, only to find my colleagues were in smart casual dress. This was 33 years ago and now a simple question could be asked on a platform such as this. Then there are the ways things can sometimes be explained incorrectly, it's not anyone's fault. Generally no one is specifically trained in dealing with the diverse nature that working/office life can bring. Rest assured HMRC is a great place to work and One of HMRC's Values is that we are innovative, We are committed to continuous improvement and to developing ourselves. Another is that we are professional, We partner with others and collaborate within and across teams to achieve great results.
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.
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.
