HMRC Graduate Tax Specialist Programme 2016

At warwick or Lincoln?

How did people do with their initial sift trst for the tax professional an op delivery higher officer caseworker role. Im a little disappointed as didn't do as well with that sift test as i did with the grad scheme. Definitely think it was harder though, with the scenarios being less black and white and more grey. Anyone else find this?

I found it a lot easier myself! I got almost 60% better percentile in this one than the grad scheme one. Weird.

Are they numerical like the grad ones or purely situational ?

Guys, how are you feeling??

I feel sooo nervous. I am mostly nervous about the group discussion because out of all the activities that is the one I have least control over. You never know how others will behave and everyone will be trying hard to do the same thing. I'm mostly worried I won't get a word in, or I'll freeze and not say enough to be adequately scored by the assessorAlso, the role play is long! 55 minutes is some time. I'll probably have nothing more to say after the first 5 minutes lol. From what others have said on previous threads the centre is draining, challenging, but enjoyable. We'll see about that.

I am feeling really nervous, I always felt that I would shine more at assessment centres than in say an interview situation as I don't like taking about myself however I went to an assessment centre two weeks ago for the fast stream and I felt I performed really poorly. I usually love group discussions and participate willingly however in that situation I just didn't take in enough of the information from the brief to confidently get my point across, as a result I didn't speak much and when I did I went red and appeared nervous! The people in my group were amazing aswell it honestly felt like they'd had days to learn all the information and they were all very charismatic, I couldn't really keep up with the discussion and as a result people kept trying to include me thinking I was shy, I usually replied 'errrm come back to me', now that I think about it I should have just admitted I hadn't took enough in and asked for a minute to look over my notes before saying my point maybe? Anyways I'm hoping I'll do better tomorrow, I really didn't sleep well the night before and the group discussion was at 8.30am so don't think that helped, that's probably the best bit of advice I could give anyone... get a good night's sleep and have a good breakfast! Is anyone here attending the assessment centre tomorrow in Lincoln?

I completely understand what you mean! I get nervous in new situations and I feel like it affects my brain activity, especially during the first few minutes. So like you, I think it will take me longer to absorb all the information from my brief. I'll just have to get my brain working and try to be as calm as possible. But thank you for the tips! I will try and get a good night's rest and thankfully the assessment centre starts in the afternoon. At least you have had some experience of an assessment centre and have got a feel for it. We will get more than one chance to exhibit each competency. We have to give an oral briefing to a "manager" and we have the role play activity too, so there is plenty of opportunity to display good oral communication and good decision making, etc. My assessment centre isn't tomorrow, but best of luck and I hope you do really well!

Hey, do you know if whether by the time we start the investigstion role, and then we are offered a higher grade for a different role for HMRC, are we allowed to transfer? Because I read we may have to keep to the same role for 3 years due to the training invested?

Does anyone know where we can download the forms required at the assessment centre?

Just an update for everyone, completed the assessment centre today! Just to put those who are waiting at ease I found the whole experience really enjoyable, I'm the type of person who gets really nervous in pressured situations but all the staff make you feel at ease and the exercises are well thought out. The other candidates I met on the day were all really nice as well and we had a good laugh! Not sure I'll have performed at a high enough standard but if not I will definately be applying again next year! :-)

Posted from TSR Mobile

Just an update for everyone, completed the assessment centre today! Just to put those who are waiting at ease I found the whole experience really enjoyable, I'm the type of person who gets really nervous in pressured situations but all the staff make you feel at ease and the exercises are well thought out. The other candidates I met on the day were all really nice as well and we had a good laugh! Not sure I'll have performed at a high enough standard but if not I will definately be applying again next year! :-)

Posted from TSR Mobile

Just an update for everyone, completed the assessment centre today! Just to put those who are waiting at ease I found the whole experience really enjoyable, I'm the type of person who gets really nervous in pressured situations but all the staff make you feel at ease and the exercises are well thought out. The other candidates I met on the day were all really nice as well and we had a good laugh! Not sure I'll have performed at a high enough standard but if not I will definately be applying again next year! :-)

Posted from TSR Mobile