Florence P.
About me
| Florence P. | |
| Politics, Economics and Philosophy | |
| Politics, Philosophy & Economics | |
| Undergraduate | |
| James | |
| 2008 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Civil Servant | |
| HMRC | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Government and civil service | |
| Large business (250+ employees) | |
| 2012 |
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A day in the life of a Civil Servant in the United Kingdom
I was appointed to HMRC through the Civil Service Fast Stream in 2012. It wouldn't have been my first choice by a long stretch but I soon found out there were a whole host of opportunities within the department I'd never have dreamed of.
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
HMRC is the UK's tax, payments and customs authority.
What do you do?
I support good governance in HMRC's customer compliance group - it's a bit of corporate support and secretariat work, a bit of briefing and dealing with parliamentary queries and a bit of organisational design, looking at the structure of the business.
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
I was appointed to HMRC through the Civil Service Fast Stream in 2012. It wouldn't have been my first choice by a long stretch but I soon found out there were a whole host of opportunities within the department I'd never have dreamed of, particularly working in fraud investigation and international cooperation.
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
I had always wanted to work in the public sector but I don't think working for the tax man or in enforcement had crossed my mind.
Describe your most memorable day at work
Signing a memorandum of understanding and mutual assistance with the Georgian Revenue Service, in Tbilisi.
Are there any challenges associated with your job?
I work in a big organisation and it can be difficult to see how it all fits together sometimes, or to keep up with the latest changes in other parts of the business. You have to find a balance between knowing what is important and what can wait for another day.
What’s your work environment and culture like?
I think the civil service is great to work for and HMRC has tried hard to invest in new technologies and offices. There's a real passion in everyone I've met to deliver the best service they can, to fund the UK's vital public services by helping people get their taxes right and making it difficult to get them wrong.
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
I was a proud member of York Surf Club, which taught me to enjoy life, even when it's snowing on you in the North Sea...
I worked on Derwent bar and in facilities during term time and the summer which I think helped build a good work ethic, and gave me useful skills for when I travelled after university.
After leaving university, I volunteered with the Samaritans which I found hugely rewarding and would recommend to anyone interested in learning how to really listen to people and be there for them - it has been invaluable for my career.
What would you like to do next with your career?
It's probably time I looked outside of HMRC but I'll wait for the right opportunity to do something that I find interesting and of value.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
Apply for everything and be open minded - there are so many jobs out there that you'll never even have thought of and that you'll stumble into and love. Try different things to see what suits you and don't assume you can't do it without trying.
What topics from students are you happy to answer questions on?
Happy to answer any questions.
Next steps...
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