3. Work Conditions

Starting salary differs according to the level at which you enter. Band 2, the lowest band, has a national pay range of £10,887 - £13,392, rising to £11,812 - £14,592 in London. The highest job band is Band 12 with a national pay range of £47,821 - £57,136, rising to £50,175 - £59,949 in London.

Operational: Shift work is a requirement. Shifts can be 8.5, 10.5, or 12 hours depending on the discipline. In freight, shifts are 12 hours, seven to seven. There is a yearly contract of hours to fill. Holidays depend on how long you have worked in Customs and which band you are in, e.g. at band 5 you get 30 days holiday. You are required to be within 40 minutes travelling time from where you work. There is occasional travel within a working day, absence from home at night and overseas work or travel. As an anti-smuggling officer you will work at a port or an airport. Self-employment/freelance work is not possible or is unlikely, but career breaks and part-time work are possible. This is a policing job. The work can be dirty, hazardous and stressful.

Administrative: Work in this area of Customs is office based. Everyone has their own PC and e-mail. Working hours are roughly nine to five, but are based on a flexi-time system. Everyone must be in the office for the core working hours between 10am and 3pm. There are typically no opportunities for self-employment. Some people are employed on a consultancy basis, mostly in the IT area, as well as some short-term clerical staff. Again, career breaks and part-time work are possible. It is possible to apply for jobs in other areas of the country if you wish.

4. Entry Requirements

Although this area of work is open to all graduates, the following degree subjects may improve your chances: 1) modern European languages; 2) modern non-European languages. This area of work is also open to all Diplomats, but the following HND* subjects may improve your chances: 1) accounting/finance; 2) business with languages; 3) legal studies.

Operations: Freight Anti-smuggling Officer. Basic entry requirements are two A-levels or the equivalent. A degree is not essential, graduate entrants are actually in the minority. Personal characteristics are more important: you must be practical, flexible in your approach and able to demonstrate well-developed people and team-working skills.

Administration: Support Services Adviser. Again, basic entry requirements are two A-levels or the equivalent. Although a degree is not essential and entry without a degree or HND is still common, with the increasing numbers of students today graduate entrants are high (of the responses to a recent advertisement for a band 4 job 60 per cent were graduates). For specialist posts, such as accountants, economists, and solicitors, relevant qualifications are required.

Entry competition is fierce; in today's volatile job market the job security is particularly desirable. The Civil Service* has no formal age limit for executive officer posts but as the normal retirement age is 60, older candidates could have difficulty unless they have exceptional experience. There are increasing numbers of women working in operations and the ratio in administration is roughly 50:50.