Q&A with Stephanie, former Client Advisor

Stephanie began her Civil Service career in January 2018 when she joined Social Security Scotland as a Client Advisor. She was able to try other roles and gain promotion and now works with the Parliamentary, Briefing and Correspondence Team.

What made you decide to join the Civil Service?

I always wanted to be part of an organisation which made a difference to people’s lives. As soon as I learned about the Civil Service, I realised this was the perfect opportunity to work at the heart of providing a vast range of services that support people across the country.

What was your first job in the Civil Service?

I joined Social Security Scotland as a Client Advisor in January 2018. I worked on Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment – it was a brand new payment, so lots of people didn’t know about it at the time. It was great to speak to clients and hear how they’d spend the extra money to prepare for their new babies – and knowing I had played a part in that made me proud of the work that we do.

How has your career progressed?

After some time as a Client Advisor, I moved into a Business Support role and from there I moved into Project Management, gained a qualification, and built a stronger understanding of how we continually improve our services for clients. More recently, I moved into Social Security Scotland’s Parliamentary, Briefing and Correspondence Team, where I support the organisation’s engagement with MSPs and MPs.

What are the best things about your job?

One of the best things is working in an area I’m genuinely interested in. I enjoy understanding how our services operate, seeing the impact they have, and playing a part in making sure our work is communicated clearly to decision makers. Knowing that what we do ultimately helps people across Scotland is rewarding.

What does a typical day look like?

A typical day for me involves preparing briefings, supporting responses to Parliamentary Questions, and working with a wide range of colleagues across the organisation and wider Scottish Government. Every day is different and I never know what will be on my to-do list when I first clock in each morning!

What ambitions do you have for the future?

It’s been great to work in different parts of Social Security Scotland in the roles I’ve held so far. I want to continue building my skills and take on opportunities that help me grow and I’m excited to keep developing my career within the organisation.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to join the Civil Service?

Be confident in yourself and take time to learn how the application process works and how you can make the best of it to show your experience. My own career began with becoming a Client Advisor, and that opportunity opened doors I never expected. There are many different roles within the Civil Service, and once you’re in, you can build your skills, move into new areas, and shape a career that really works for you.