Keep to the gold standard
How
to apply for and use our online system
Applications for the programme are made through our online recruitment system.
Preparing you computer
You need to make a few modifications to your computer before you start. If you do not do this it could affect the application form and particularly the tests.
- If you have pop-up blocking software, please disable it for the duration of the test.
- If you have a Google bar, you will also need to disable pop-up blockers by clicking on 'options' and un-checking the box marked.
- Security settings set to 'high' may also affect the test. Check your settings by going to 'Tools>Internet Options>Security>Default settings' and set a medium to low setting.
- If you are not sure which version your browser runs, check the 'about' option from the 'Help' menu on your browser.
Setting up a personal email address
You also need to have a personal email address, as all of our communication with you will be by email. We strongly recommend that you use your own personal email address as we will send emails with private information about your results. Candidates applying, who already work for HMRC, should not use their internal email address nor should they apply using an HMRC PC (the security settings won’t allow the online tests to load and this will cause problems with your application timescale).
If you don’t already have a personal email address there are several internet website which offer free online email facilities and will give details on how set it up (for example Hotmail, Yahoo and Google mail).
I don’t have Internet access
If you do not have Internet access at home, it is available at libraries, community centres and Internet Cafés. Please ensure that any system you use meets these requirements:
| Platform | Browser | Version |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 95 and above | Internet Explorer | 5.0 or greater |
| Microsoft 95 and above | Netscape | 6.2x or greater |
| Microsoft 95 and above | Firefox | 1.0 or greater |
| Microsoft 95 and above | Opera | 5.0 or greater |
| Macintosh | Internet Explorer | 5.0 or greater |
| Macintosh | Safari | 1.0 or greater |
The application form and situational sift
The first stage in your application will be completing our application form and situational sift.
The application form asks for personal information such as National Insurance number, contact details. We also require 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.
The final part of the application form is a situational sift. This presents you with various situations which you may be faced with in the workplace and some outcomes. We then ask you to tell us how you would most likely deal with it through to what would be least like you. There is a pass mark set for this stage and if you do not reach this, we cannot take your application any further. If this is the case, you will be sent an email telling you this. If you have met the pass mark, you will be sent an email inviting you to start the online tests.
Online tests
The next stage in the application process is the online tests. Each test has a pass mark which you must reach. If you do not, your application will be rejected. After completing the tests you will be sent an email to say if you have not met the pass mark or if you are able to move onto the next test.
There are four possible tests:
1) Numerical
2) Verbal
3) Logical Reasoning
4) Work Style Questionnaire
Each of these tests is timed as well as scored. You will be given a few example questions before being asked to start the test. As soon as you launch the test the system will start counting down the time.
We recommend that you try and complete all of the tests as soon as possible. If you leave them to the last minute we may not be able to assist you with any technical problems.
What happens next?
After completing the fourth of the online tests your application will be placed on hold whilst we decide if you are eligible to move onto the next stages. We will issue your results by email.
Problems with the tests
Before you start the tests you should have prepared your computer as per the instruction above in ‘Preparing your computer’. 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 prepare for this.
If however, after preparing your PC you still encounter problems, we have a technical support guide which can help you.
You can find this on the login page. This is where you input your user name and login details. Before logging in, you will notice a column on the left hand side with various links.
By clicking on the FAQ link (as shown below), you can read guidance on various problems you may come across while completing the tests and solutions.
Each section will offer various 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 you will be presented with an enquiry form which you can send to our technical support team.
If you leave completing the tests to the last minute we will be limited in the assistance we can offer you with technical problems. Therefore, we strongly recommend completing them as soon as possible to allow us to provide support if necessary.
Candidate requiring assistance
Please contact our Graduate Team by emailing jobs.hmrc@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 we can offer.
If you feel you require extra time for the online tests, you will have to provide written evidence that this is necessary.
Trying to apply again
If at any stage your application is rejected you cannot re-apply. If you try and submit a second application our system will flag this up to our recruitment team as a duplicate application and you will be automatically barred from progressing with this.
You can however, apply for any new campaigns which may come up in the future.
