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Customer Services
Customer Compliance

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Top Insider Advice

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.

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Career path

Tax Compliance Caseworker

Hmrc

From 06/2024 to 03/2025

Customer Service Consultant - Customs and International Trade Helpline

Hmrc

From 11/2020 to 06/2024

Company

What do you like about your job and the company?

I'm motivated by doing the best I can for my customer, although I have now moved from Customer Service Group to Compliance Group, I am still dedicated to serving the people and working hard to deliver the best possible service to them. I am excited to now work in Campaigns and Projects to be able to help customers in many different ways.

Greatest achievements

Although not directly related to my work here at HMRC, something I'm particularly proud of was that in March 2020 I set up an organisation in my community to help us get through the Coronavirus Pandemic. We won the bid as an organisation from the City Council to be the only group in our town to be able to run the services needed to get us through from organising volunteers to do shopping for residents who were isolating to providing food parcels to those who needed them and running a team of telephone befrienders to call those who were isolating on their own and needed someone to talk to. I will always be proud that I created this scheme that helped my community to safely get through.

Other insiders

Sarah

Communications business partner

Top Insider Advice

I've had a huge variety of roles in HMRC, and I've enjoyed all of them. I've found it's not always necessary to chase promotion. A sideways move to another area can expand your horizons and build your skills and this is recognised when you're ready to take the next step. I've always tried to maintain job satisfaction above all else. I've done a couple of jobs I've really hated, so I moved on and found something else. I've found if I'm happy in my job, I perform better and this is noticed. Also, don't be afraid to ask for opportunities or for what you want. I've always believed 'if you don't ask, you don't get' – the worst that could happen is someone says no and you're no worse off.

Pete

Situational Awareness Officer

Top Insider Advice

Once established the keep your options open. The department and Civil Service are vast, work is varied and options are unlimited. Look for opportunities to expand your knowledge, experience and contacts.

Alan

Customer Compliance Manager

Top Insider Advice

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.

Discussions with Chris .