Prudencia O. Tax Professional Manager

Hi Mark,

It depends on what the job advert is asking for. I wouldn’t normally use the same CV unless the roles are very similar. For Civil Service and HMRC roles, it’s usually best to tailor your CV to each role so it clearly matches the skills and experience being assessed.

Always read the job advert carefully. Some roles will ask for:

• A CV only
• A CV plus a personal statement
• Evidence against essential and/or desirable criteria

If a covering letter is requested or allowed, a role‑specific covering letter can be useful to highlight your transferable skills, but only where the advert invites this.

Most importantly, always contact the vacancy holder if you’re unsure. They can confirm what they are looking for and whether submitting a role‑specific covering letter is appropriate. This can really strengthen an application.

In summary: tailor your CV where possible, follow exactly what the job advert asks for, and don’t hesitate to speak to the vacancy holder.

Warm wishes,

Pru 

08 April, 2026 13:13

Thanks Pru - How can I find out who the vacancy holder is?

08 April, 2026 13:53

Prudencia O. Tax Professional Manager

Hi Mark,

Good question. You can usually find the vacancy holder details in the job advert itself. On Civil Service Jobs, this is often listed:

• Near the bottom of the advert, or
• Under a section like “Contact information”, “Further information”, or “Who to contact”

If the vacancy holder isn’t named in the advert, a couple of options:

• Check whether an email contact is provided for queries about the role
• If it’s an internal HMRC role, you can also ask around your network, manager, or recruitment lead, as they often know who’s sponsoring the vacancy

I’d strongly encourage contacting the vacancy holder where possible, it’s absolutely acceptable in the Civil Service and can really help you understand what the role is looking for.

Warm wishes,
Pru

08 April, 2026 13:59

Thanks Pru, I am external, so will do some digging :)

09 April, 2026 08:46