Seven skills you need to excel in a career in Tax

A tax career is varied, challenging and not nearly as mathematical as you might think. It can suit graduates from all kinds of disciplines. So are you the type of person employers are looking for? Read on to see how you can get the skills you need for your job in Tax.

Money makes the world go around. What skills do you need to keep it turning?

1. Communication

When you work in Tax, you need to explain complex regulations in a way non-specialists can understand. Clear written and verbal communication is an absolute must.

Gathering examples:

• Telephone jobs, such as calling alumni for donations or volunteering for a peer support line, develop your verbal communication skills and grow your confidence
• Join a debating society, a student council or even an improv group
• Join a student magazine or take responsibility for a society website. Successfully advertising an event online is a great example of your written skills

During the application process:

• Don’t rush your application questions. Make sure your answers are clear and well-structured. The same goes for your CV. Use the STAR method – Situation, Task, Activity, Result
• In your interview speak clearly and confidently, and connect with your interviewer through body language and eye contact

See Bright Network's advice for face-to-face interviews. 

2. Numeracy

You don’t need to be a maths genius - plenty of humanities students get into Tax. But you do need to be comfortable with numbers.

Gathering examples:

• Luckily you use numeracy all the time in daily life. For students the big one is budgeting food, rent and bills - especially if these are split with other housemates
• You can also volunteer as a treasurer of a club or society

During the application process:

• Don’t be afraid to use prosaic examples on your CV or at interview. If you can explain your successful budgeting techniques, that’s plenty
• If you’re faced with a numerical question, take a deep breath and think through how to approach it before you dive in

3. Time management

To be successful, you’ll need to priorities tasks, meet deadlines and take personal responsibility for a professional workload.

Gathering examples:

• During your degree you need to juggle several different pieces of work or revision for several modules. Think about the techniques you use to manage your time successfully in these situations
• You also need to manage your time to fit in other responsibilities such as chairing a student society or working part time

During the application process:

• Get your application in well before the deadline
• Be on time for your interview
• Tackle in-tray exercises methodically. Practice in advance – you can find tests online

4. Commercial awareness

Organisations want their employees to be honestly enthusiastic about their jobs. Commercial awareness shows you’re interested in your industry and you'll be able to keep up with changes as you work. Sign up to Bright Network's weekly commercial awareness update to stay in the loop. 

Gathering examples:

• Read. Get your hands on any relevant journals and compile a list of expert bloggers
• Look out for trends. You should be able to discuss industry news and explain why it interests you
• Act on what you discover. If you hear something talked about, research it further. If you can, organise a debate or seminar or invite a guest speaker

During the application process:

• Research the company before you apply. What’s unusual about it? What attracts you? What are the different paths for graduates?
• By the interview stage you should have an excellent grasp of the company; key competitors, recent successes, reasons for any stock movements and so on
• Don’t ask your interviewer any questions where the answers are available online or in company reports

5. Problem-solving skills

In Tax, you often need to get creative. For example, if you want to reduce the tax a client pays there are a huge range of tools you could recommend, such as trusts and tax-free investments. It’s up to you to find a clever solution.

Gathering examples:

• You solve problems all the time in your everyday life. Think about times when you’ve hit a snag – maybe a funding shortfall for a trip, a member of a project group who called in sick at the last minute or two colleagues at your part-time job who wouldn’t stop arguing. What did you do to fix it?
• The more you try to do, the more problems you’ll run across! Get involved in anything where you have to take on responsibility. Problem-solving examples are guaranteed

During the application process:

• There aren’t any special tips for this one. You’ll be given tasks and problems to solve. You’ll be watched as you work. Think carefully, take your time, and be creative

6. Attention to detail

In tax law, the regulations say exactly what they mean – and you need to interpret them exactly that way. That means paying attention to every word. 

Gathering examples:

• Science students have it easy here – experimental techniques and computer programming require attention to detail and give evidence of your success
• Take on tasks such as proofreading for the college paper or keeping records for a student society

During the application process:

• Proofread your application thoroughly – weed out every tiny spelling or punctuation error
• When your interviewer asks you a question, make sure you’re clear on what you need to do. If you’re not, ask for more detail

7. Organisation

You’ll be facing large, complex tasks during your career in Tax. You need to be able to break them down into sections you can tackle methodically.

Gathering examples:

• Everyday examples of organisation often involve technology. Think about the apps you use to keep yourself organised. How did you select them, and what do they allow you to do?
• Take on managerial responsibilities at a job, such as setting up shift rotas or allocating tasks
• Get involved in organising an event for a student society

During the application process:

• Don’t be afraid to think aloud. When you’re asked to solve a problem at interview, explain your thought process. Even if your answer isn’t perfect, your interviewer can see your methodical approach.