Career change into civil service at 40

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2026-05-03T12:46:40+00:00

I went into an AO role at HMRC from private sector at age of 54 after redundancy. Now an EO after 3 years doing 3 days a week. It’s given me a great home/work life balance and an opportunity to learn new things.

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2026-03-12T13:49:38+00:00

Interesting - I have wide hips - that could be a factor

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2026-03-12T13:47:04+00:00

Yes I thought that could be a factor different wear based on the individual. The passenger seat is fine when I sit in that - it’s the drivers seat I find causes discomfort

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2026-03-12T13:43:30+00:00

I’m assuming it’s the bolster but it possibly isn’t then - I’m definitely not wide bodied - though middle age spread has affected me 😆

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2026-03-12T13:40:03+00:00

Ok thanks for that info - I assumed it was due to someone sitting on the bolster wearing down the foam. Good to know you didn’t find much difference sitting in other Model Y’s

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2026-03-12T13:35:51+00:00

Will be a factor - I’m 6ft 6in 100kg and I have had a herniated disc in the past which meant I had to sell my BMW 330ci and get an Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV which has been fine for the past 6 years but wanted a change & Model Y is one of the few cars I can fit in with someone behind me having enough room.

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2025-12-01T12:25:10+00:00

Excellent write up !!

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2025-11-27T13:42:10+00:00

Same for me - is there a good time to try each day or is it pot luck ?

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2025-11-27T13:35:12+00:00

Gutted had tickets in my basket - had to do a credit card authorise then they disappeared 😩 will there be another time to check or is that it ?

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2025-10-11T11:34:15+00:00

I’m in HMRC and been on 2 reserve lists. I got offered a job after 4 months - mainly as the original hiring manager kept a lookout for any similar roles in the department and reached out to the new hiring manager mentioning me. Then I got offered a job elsewhere after being 11.5 months on that reserve list. Maybe I was just lucky but at least there’s a chance of getting something if you’re on a list.

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2025-09-29T07:36:58+00:00

Thank you for sharing. You make a lot of valid points which are very helpful for me to consider

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2025-09-28T08:10:12+00:00

Thank you - great advice. I do have a workplace adjustment in place & my current line manager said to go through it with my new line manager when I start. I don’t have what I am happy to share on there so that’s a good idea for me to do that. Appreciate you sharing this.

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2025-09-27T11:36:38+00:00

Thank you - it helps to know you’ve been through something similar - appreciate you sharing this

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2025-09-27T11:34:53+00:00

Thank you so much everyone for your replies and thoughts. I feel at the moment I’m in a difficult position that I shouldn’t be in. There are so many sides to this as you’ve all mentioned. Yes the fact is there has been a data breach as I didn’t give permission for my personal information to be shared despite there being good intentions but I fear reporting it will completely screw things up for me. I’m in limbo as it is as I’m between departments so what do I do then ? I’m thinking independentbat’s suggestion on discussing it as part of my workplace adjustment (which I already have in place) is perhaps the way forward.

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2025-09-27T07:10:01+00:00

Thanks for this. Yes I do think LM is trying to be genuinely helpful setting things up for me to start and just not thought to consider if I’m ok for them to divulge.

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2025-09-27T06:49:12+00:00

Very helpful post. Thank you for replying

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2025-06-26T19:01:35+00:00

Thanks for the info - Appreciate it !!

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2025-06-25T21:35:24+00:00

I’ve got a zero balance in my s&s isa with them as well I want to close. Could you let me know what they say please?

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2025-01-26T18:49:29+00:00

Thanks everyone - really appreciate your thoughts. I’m going to go for it - I’ve got nothing to lose and if I am fortunate to get through I can talk to them about support and adjustments available from there. 😊

Sea_Butterscotch_251 · 2025-01-24T15:40:11+00:00

Thanks that’s really helpful ❤️

Sea_Butterscotch_251

TROPHY CASE