Insider profil
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.
Career path
Assistant Director, Compliance Strategy
HM Revenue & Customs
Started 01/2023 to PresentAssistant Director, Strategic Design and Investment
HM Revenue & Customs
From 07/2020 to 12/2022Head of Trade Policy for Middle East, Afghanistan & Pakistan
Department for International Trade
From 09/2018 to 07/2020Company
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
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
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.
Daniel S
Top Insider Advice
I never thought I would get onto the TSP. I had to push myself out of my comfort zone to attend the assessment centres, take part in all of the activities. I continue to do so with my day job - I don't like presenting, but I do lots of it. It builds confidence and resilience. Rationalise what's the worse that could happen by trying something new, or taking on a new challenge. For me, with the assessment centre, if I didn't get accepted - so be it. I got good experience of interviewing. Met new and interesting people, and got free food from attending the assessment centre (back when they were in person). Once I told myself these things, I pushed myself out my comfort zone to attend the day. I had worked hard to get the invite, so although I wasn't confident in going and being myself, that's what I had to do and it worked out well. Take the set backs as opportunities to reflect, develop and learn from. Keep pushing through set backs and pushing yourself out of your normal comfort zone to be able to achieve the goals you set for yourself.
