Insider profil

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Mustafa .

Assistant Director, Compliance Strategy

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Customer Compliance

Top Insider Advice

If we only did what was comfortable, we would never make any progressions. Challenge is part of growth but if you are your first obstacle, then you will never even try. No matter how ludicrous, never say no to yourself once you remove that impediment then you can start working out what you need to do, if you have the experience or skills, then getting down to complete the application or if you don't have the skills then what can you do to either acquire them or demonstrate you can pick that skill up quickly in the new role. Finally, make sure you read the application and provide them with the information they need to make it easy to appoint you or invite you for interview. The number of applications I see without any reference to the role they are applying for is really disappointing, so make sure what your application says is appropriate.

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Career path

Assistant Director, Strategic Design and Investment

HMRC

From 07/2020 to 12/2022

Head of Trade Policy for Middle East, Afghanistan & Pakistan

HMRC

From 09/2018 to 07/2020

Tax Consultant

HMRC

From 03/2017 to 09/2018

Company

What do you like about your job and the company?

By the time an issue crosses my desk, I am in the lucky position of being somewhat freer to come up with innovate and outlandish ideas because it would have crossed the desk of several people before and either they don't know the answer, or because there is no simple or easy solution. Therefore, because I am confronted only by the hardest questions I have to look beyond the immediate issue and work out the root cause of it all and figure out whether a systemic wide alteration is either appropriate or even feasible. Then I go about it speaking to as many experts as possible to work out a strategy to enable all the decision makers across the department to make a series of choices that when added together help address the big issue I'm asked to solve.

Greatest achievements

I don't measure my achievements by milestones but by consistently delivering for taxpayers, my colleagues, my Minister and my seniors. In the areas where I work, there are never any easy answers so being consistent and continually iterating to find the better answer to the problem and being flexible to adapt when new information arises. The fact that my colleagues seek my involvement, my seniors delegate issues for me to resolve and my team enjoy showing up everyday gives me pride in what I do and is the indicators that I'm doing a good job

Other insiders

Janine

Assistant Officer

Top Insider Advice

Having a positive attitude and having the ability to complete a task is rewarding and you feel that you have made a difference.

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

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

Discussions with Mustafa
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
2102 views
What support for personal development / training is provided?
in Career progression·Wednesday, June 15, 2022
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6 responses
1995 views
Are the working hours sociable? What is the latest time you may be working until?
in Career Tips·Thursday, June 26, 2025
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4 responses
36 views