I applied for HMRC Tax Professional's graduate programme and so far I am on stage 2 of the application process. This stage requires passing a Situational Judgement Test (SJT) which I am not too familiar with. I have written this kind of test before with mixed results, but now, I need more info on how to get over the test once without guess work. If you are also at this stage of the recruitment, kindly join so that we can rub minds together and share materials that would aid our passing the recruitment because I was told there are only 200 slots available; and hence, 200 applicants to select from the thousands that applied.
Please, if you have previously applied for this test or have access to materials that can be used kindly share.

APPLY NOW! 2017 HMRC Graduate
Recruitment Programme (Tax
Professional) In UK
By Esther Agbonavbare  
Posted on October 27, 2016
RELATED ITEMS: HMRC
HMRC are looking for graduates who will have a 2.2 degree
before September 2017 to join our Tax Specialist Programme.
The application process for this programme will close at
midnight on 14 November 2016.
Successful applicants will start work on 7 September 2017.
The work that HMRC does is vital for the UK economy. We need
people with the potential to become part of the highly trained
cadre of tax professionals who tackle the most challenging
aspects of tax work in HMRC . The Tax Specialist Programme
exists to identify and develop these people.
TAX PROFESSIONAL ROLE
Tax is a complex business offering a varied and stimulating
range of career pathways and opportunities to specialise – for
example, in international and corporation tax, investigation,
fraud, tax policy or as a manager, technical specialist or
consultant. Eventually you will find your own niche, but along
the way you will learn how to resolve tax disputes, lead teams,
deal with senior business figures and allied professionals (eg
lawyers and accountants) and how to tackle complex tax work.
The Tax Specialist Programme is particularly suitable for people
who are enthusiastic about:
dealing with people
tackling complex issues
using their intellect and solving problems
investigating and finding out how businesses function
analysing and interpreting information
persuasive communication: influencing, negotiating
and challenging
Roles are as diverse as HMRC ’s work – you could find yourself:
making ‘site’ visits and interviewing directors, their
lawyers and accountants
negotiating settlements and resolving tax disputes
representing HMRC at Appeal Tribunals
investigating fraud
working as a consultant, offering specialist advice to
teams across the business
leading your own teams of tax professionals
considering and agreeing the application of tax statute
and case law
taking responsibility for managing the relationship
between HMRC and key businesses and their advisers
The programme is designed to give you a broad insight into the
range of the tax work HMRC undertakes. It’s the perfect
foundation for a wide-ranging career, and offers the opportunity
to find your way as you develop. HMRC will encourage and
support you in exploring and developing your own particular
skills and knowledge.
WHAT IS HMRC LOOKING FOR?
For Tax Specialist Programme you must have a 2:2 degree at
application stage or the expectation of a 2:2 degree before
September 2017.
We’re looking for people who demonstrate enthusiasm, and are
independent thinkers who can confidently express their
views and make decisions
strong analytical thinkers and problem solvers who can
work out what needs to be done and take pride in
doing it to completion
committed, with determination and resilience, to
complete an intensive 3-year training programme
team players who can also exercise their initiative
adaptable to shifts in business focus and the needs of
HMRC ’s customers, so people they deal with have no
doubt about their integrity and professionalism,
because everything HMRC does must be above
suspicion and comply with the Civil Service Code .
All civil servants are appointed on merit through fair and open
competition. The selection process will consider your attitude,
capability, talent and willingness to learn. If appointed you will
be and are expected to carry out your role with dedication and a
commitment to the Civil Service and its core values: integrity,
honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
TRAINING
This is an intensive 3-year programme designed to equip you
with both technical (tax) knowledge and the professional skills
you will need to apply that knowledge when dealing with your
customers.
Stage 1 provides you with a broad foundation of knowledge and
skills across different areas of tax.
Stage 2 deepens your tax knowledge and also builds your
broader professional skills and other competences that HMRC
needs from its future tax professional leaders. During this time,
you will be working towards gaining an externally accredited
qualification.
Throughout, you will be working with and learning from an
experienced team, and your responsibility will increase in line
with your knowledge and confidence. Before you know it, you’ll
be carrying out interviews and site visits, and perhaps even
leading a team.
Your programme will include:
practical work experience in teams, on live
assignments
self-study modules
tutor-led sessions at one of our training centres
ongoing exams and practical work assessments
designed to build up your knowledge of tax law and
practice
regular reviews and appraisals
The programme has a modular structure, each one commonly
lasting around 2 or 3 months. You will have to demonstrate your
application of acquired knowledge and skills in the workplace
and there is often a formal exam at the completion of a module.
Your manager will also monitor and assess your performance
throughout.
On successful completion of the programme, you will be
promoted to a Grade 7 post as a senior tax professional. You
might take on a technical/investigative role, a customer
relationship manager role or be involved in formulating tax
policy. Wherever you find yourself, you will be equipped with the
knowledge and skills essential to deal with anything from
international issues or large companies to fraud, policy
development or managing cases.
LOCATIONS
2016 Tax Specialist Programme locations will be as follows:
Belfast
Birmingham
Bristol
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Leeds
Liverpool
London (Greater)
London (Central)
Manchester
Newcastle
Nottingham
ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION PROCESS
ELIGIBILITY
For Tax Specialist Programme you must have a 2:2 degree at
application stage or the expectation of a 2:2 degree at
September 2017.
There are different eligibility criteria for applicants already
working in HMRC or the Civil Service. Details are on the
application form.
NATIONALITY AND IMMIGRATION
The HMRC Tax Specialist Programme is open to applicants who
are:
European Economic Area (EEA) nationals, including
British citizens
Commonwealth citizens
Swiss nationals
In some circumstances, Turkish nationals
To be able to apply for HMRC ’s Tax Specialist Pogramme you
must have the UK government’s permission, in the form of a
visa, to live and work in the UK for the entire duration of the
programme (3 years). If you do not have the UK government’s
permission, your application will be rejected.
HMRC is not able to sponsor applications for UK government
visas associated with these jobs.
Read more information on the Civil Service nationality rules.
SELECTION PROCESS
You will need to complete an application form, and the selection
process has three stages.
APPLICATION FORM
The application form asks for personal information such as
National Insurance number and contact details. HMRC also
requires a full employment history for the past three years
(including dates) as well as referee contact details. You don’t
need to complete the application all at once as you are able to
save any information you have entered and log in at a later
stage to complete it. However, we recommend completing them
as soon as possible so that we can provide IT support if
necessary.
STAGE 1
Once you have completed your application form you will be
invited to complete a Civil Service Initial Sift Test and if
successful you will be invited to take a verbal and numerical
reasoning test.
STAGE 2
You may be asked to take an online analytical skills test and a
situational Judgement Test Specific details about these tests
and any other online test will be given to you nearer the time.
Stage 2 will open in December and full details will be made
available via email.
STAGE 3
A 1-day assessment from midday to midday from 6 February to
3 March 2017 at one of the following venues:
Warwick Conference Centre, Coventry
Lawress Hall, Lincoln
Full information will be given nearer the time.
Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of
appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and
appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service
Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance
with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you
should in the first instance contact HMRC by post or by email:
Tax Academy Recruitment
Fitzroy House
Castle Meadow Road
Nottingham
NG2 1BQ
Email: taxacademyrecruitment@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can
contact the Civil Service Commission , which regulates all Civil
Service recruitment.
REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS
HMRC has an exemption under the Rehabilitation of Offenders
Act 1974 (Exceptions order 1975). Applicants who are
successful in reaching the interview stage of the recruitment
process will be asked to declare details of any criminal
convictions, including spent convictions and cautions, to allow
basic security checks to be completed.
Declaring a criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you
from being successful in your application for this particular
programme, but it may exclude you from applying for other
posts within the department.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications for the programme are made through the Civil
Service Jobs site.
PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS
All of HMRC ’s communication with you will be by email. HMRC
strongly recommends that you use your own personal email
address as HMRC will send emails with private information
about your results.
IF YOU EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE TESTS
Pop-up blockers and security settings can prevent the tests
from loading, moving to the next page, submitting or freezing. It
is therefore essential that you adjust your computer settings to
allow the test to run properly.
HMRC has a technical support guide which can help you. You
can find this on the log-in page. This is where you input your
user name and log in details.
Before logging in, you will notice a column on the left-hand side
with various links. By clicking on the FAQ link, you can read
guidance on problems you may come across while completing
the tests and solutions to these problems.
Each section offers tips on how to solve the problem and will
ask you if this helps. If you work your way through each of the
possible solutions and you still have problems, there is an
enquiry form which you can send to HMRC ’s technical support
team.
If you encounter problems at the last minute, HMRC won’t have
time to offer much technical assistance. Therefore, we
recommend you complete the application as soon as possible.
Do not wait to apply the day before the deadline, as we will not
be able to help.
CANDIDATES REQUIRING ASSISTANCE
Please contact Civil Service Resourcing’s recruitment team by
emailing csr.jobs@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk if you have a disability or
condition which may mean that you need help with the
application form or online tests. The team will be able to discuss
your needs and explain what help they can offer. If you feel you
require extra time for the online tests, you will have to provide
written evidence that this is necessary. The sooner you contact
us the sooner we can help.
GUARANTEED INTERVIEW SCHEME
To meet its commitment as a disability symbol user, HMRC
operates a guaranteed interview scheme ( GIS ). We do not hold
interviews, so under our scheme a candidate will be guaranteed
progression to stage 2 of the process if they meet the minimum
required standard on the numerical and reasoning verbal test,
while meeting the minimum criteria for the job.
Please also remember to tick the GIS and/or Help Required
boxes on your application form pending whether you are
applying under the GIS and/or seeking additional support.
REPEAT APPLICATIONS
If at any stage your application is rejected, you cannot re-apply.
If you try and submit a second application, HMRC ’s system will
flag this up to their recruitment team as a duplicate application
and you will be automatically barred from progressing with this.
You may also not be able to apply for any new campaigns for a
while.
OTHER TAX PROFESSIONAL POSTS IN HMRC
Where candidates perform well in the application process, but
fall short of the required standard for the Band T posts, we may
offer opportunities at Higher Officer or Officer depending on
their scores in earlier stages of the selection process. These
roles will usually involve training as a tax professional, or in a
related area of compliance work, which will be made clear in any
offer.
PAY AND BENEFITS
Training pay scales at June 2014
Area Pay Minimum Pay Maximum
National £27,045 * £39,946
London £29,256 * £43,192
*Trainees joining from outside the Civil Service start on the
minimum.
If you are successful and complete the programme you will be
promoted to a Grade 7 post. This is an important role in HMRC .
The current pay scale for a Grade 7 in HMRC begins at £48,389
pro-rata (National), £54,461 pro-rata (London).
For more information, kindly click HERE.