HMRC AO pre-employment checks

Original post by cookie_crumble

Hi there,

Just desperately trying to find out if anybody out there has received a FORMAL offer? I applied for the AO job with HMRC in September 2015 and went for my interview in October. In December I received a provisional offer but that's been it until now. I haven't heard back from them in regards to a formal offer. I've received my DBS and I know my personal referees have been contacted. They also asked me to fill a health declaration form. It's been almost 2 months now since I received that provisional offer. I was told that if successful we would be taking up duty from Feb 2016. My chosen location was Birmingham.

I am in the exact same position, in Birmingham as well so you are not alone! (Offered provisional on the 4th December, have filled in the health declaration form and my personal referees have also been contacted. Still no formal offer either). Its so frustrating! I assume they will offer formal offers to everyone at the same time (as with provisional offers) but it really is taking ages. Hopefully we hear something soon but it's good to know I am not the only one!

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 2

OP

Original post by MrEko1

I am in the exact same position, in Birmingham as well so you are not alone! (Offered provisional on the 4th December, have filled in the health declaration form and my personal referees have also been contacted. Still no formal offer either). Its so frustrating! I assume they will offer formal offers to everyone at the same time (as with provisional offers) but it really is taking ages. Hopefully we hear something soon but it's good to know I am not the only one!

It's so good to know I'm not the only one. I am so frustrated, I don't think I can wait any longer. I don't understand why it's taking them ages. I really need this job and I hate how they've left us hanging. Maybe they're sorting it out all out in order of location, if not merit order. I've been carrying my phone every where with me these past few days in case I get a call, I don't want to risk missing one. This recruitment process is making me paranoid. Seriously hoping we get some news by the end of the week. We haven't even been told that our pre employment checks have been completed.

Reply 3

It really is a shambles! I know what you mean, its torture waiting around but at least it seems were all in the same boat (little consolation but its something i guess). Here is hoping we will hear something regarding a start date soon, Feb seems a little unlikely now but I am still holding out a little hope. All we can do is continue playing the waiting game (since no way to contact them...) and try and keep the spirits up i guess

Reply 4

OP

Original post by MrEko1

It really is a shambles! I know what you mean, its torture waiting around but at least it seems were all in the same boat (little consolation but its something i guess). Here is hoping we will hear something regarding a start date soon, Feb seems a little unlikely now but I am still holding out a little hope. All we can do is continue playing the waiting game (since no way to contact them...) and try and keep the spirits up i guess

Hey, I got my offer and will be starting end of February. Got the call about half hour ago. I didn't get an email at all telling me my checks have been completed though, like some people did. If you haven't been contacted yet, you soon will be. Keep your phone glued to your hands! Hang in there :biggrin:

Reply 5

Original post by cookie_crumble

Hey, I got my offer and will be starting end of February. Got the call about half hour ago. I didn't get an email at all telling me my checks have been completed though, like some people did. If you haven't been contacted yet, you soon will be. Keep your phone glued to your hands! Hang in there :biggrin:

Yay! Congratulations, its about time! (Treat yourself to something to celebrate!). Still heard nothing but fingers crossed there is some communication over the next few days then.

Out of interest did they just say start date and time (and everything will be sorted/information given on first day) or did they go through more in depth?

Congratulations again!

Reply 6

OP

Original post by MrEko1

Yay! Congratulations, its about time! (Treat yourself to something to celebrate!). Still heard nothing but fingers crossed there is some communication over the next few days then.

Out of interest did they just say start date and time (and everything will be sorted/information given on first day) or did they go through more in depth?

Congratulations again!

I got a call from a woman just to check whether the start date is suitable for me. Then I got an email, about two hours ago, giving more info. But I'm really confused. The job is starting to sound like a call centre role from what it says on the email. I'm starting to worry a little bit, I'll be so angry if they've misled us into thinking it's an administration job. I also thought the job would be flexible hours as it stated on the job advert?? But on my email it's saying my job hours are 9-5. I'm disappointed because I really wanted the flexibility and it's unfair of them to state one thing but not actually apply it. Hopefully that'll only apply for the training period.

Let me know what it says on your email once you get it. Goodluck :smile:

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 7

Original post by cookie_crumble

I got a call from a woman just to check whether the start date is suitable for me. Then I got an email, about two hours ago, giving more info. But I'm really confused. The job is starting to sound like a call centre role from what it says on the email. I'm starting to worry a little bit, I'll be so angry if they've misled us into thinking it's an administration job. I also thought the job would be flexible hours as it stated on the job advert?? But on my email it's saying my job hours are 9-5. I'm disappointed because I really wanted the flexibility and it's unfair of them to state one thing but not actually apply it. Hopefully that'll only apply for the training period.

Let me know what it says on your email once you get it. Goodluck :smile:

I start on the 29th! Such a relief to finally have a formal offer! No details on the email (Just start date, what to bring and details of probation period) but I am just so relived to finally be at the end of the process.

Says 9-5 as well but im sure there is flexi time available after training period but I am sure we will find out all the details once we start (which is not soon!!!) :smile:

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 8

MrBuck

6

Without seeing the job advert it's hard to tell if it' was missleading leading. However administrative officer (AO) is a job grade, not a specific role. Answering calls from the public definitely falls into this grade.

What's common from my experience for grades such as AO departments will recruit a certain number say 5 for roles accross the Department in one job advert, this means that you will appply for any job that's available at that grade and not necessarily for a specific job.

A call centre may have specific opening hours such as 9-5 where it wouldn't suit the business need to have people doing flexible hours from 7-3 for example as there is no work between 7-9.I'd give your contact within the Department a call to discuss your concerns especially if the job was advertised as flexible hours.

Reply 9

OP

Original post by MrEko1

I start on the 29th! Such a relief to finally have a formal offer! No details on the email (Just start date, what to bring and details of probation period) but I am just so relived to finally be at the end of the process.

Says 9-5 as well but im sure there is flexi time available after training period but I am sure we will find out all the details once we start (which is not soon!!!) :smile:

Yay, congrats! It really is a relief reaching the end of that frustratingly long process :biggrin:

Original post by MrBuck

Without seeing the job advert it's hard to tell if it' was missleading leading. However administrative officer (AO) is a job grade, not a specific role. Answering calls from the public definitely falls into this grade.

What's common from my experience for grades such as AO departments will recruit a certain number say 5 for roles accross the Department in one job advert, this means that you will appply for any job that's available at that grade and not necessarily for a specific job.

A call centre may have specific opening hours such as 9-5 where it wouldn't suit the business need to have people doing flexible hours from 7-3 for example as there is no work between 7-9.I'd give your contact within the Department a call to discuss your concerns especially if the job was advertised as flexible hours.

Thanks for this, I don't know why I assumed it was a specific role. :colondollar:

I'm not really bothered anymore about the hours, flexi would have been convenient but as long as the job is ok and the people are friendly, that's all that matters for me now. :smile:

Reply 10

ScabbyQueen

Hey cookie_crumble, I replied to you on my other thread.

Congrats on finally getting a start date!

Can I ask if you got a call from occupational health & what sort of questions I can expect? How long after the call did you get a start date? The next available appointment for me isn't until 4th March, so I know I won't be started until after that :frown:

Reply 11

OP