Contracting Q&A

Beware of Vampires. __(Posted: 26 weeks ago)

Please read this as I think it may be of benefit to all contractors.
My name is John Danson, I am a contractor.
I have been in this game for about 12 years.
One thing that gets my goat is finding out how much the agents are actually on.
An insider at my last place said 45 a day of my fee was disappearing into the pockets of the agency.
My latest agent really muffed up by sending me both sets of contracts.
There was 45 for me and they were getting 55 a day until I explained that
even for a doormat like me it was too much. I negotiated 30 with little hassle.
Still theft. Even an estate agent only gets 4. And thats theft too.
If anyone would like to send me their CV I am doing something for free so that we can all benefit
from the internet, hardly a new idea. Which begs the question - why is no-one using it?
Its a contractor direct to market idea, and the marketing is free.
And its time has come. Your locations, your rate range and skills go into a 3 minute profile,
you say when you are available, your name gets included on a news letter and it is sent off to a
cleverly organised list of IT managers. The interest from 14 of my old line managers has been very high.
They hate agents even more than we do. The site is brand new, (last Tuesday) and
contains a few profiles (currently 27, hidden).
When I get to 50 a monthly newsletter will be sent out.
If someone contacts you directly for an interview then its cost you nothing.
I hope to run advertising around it at some point.
But for now I feel like I am getting my own back on these robbers.
Why in the age of the internet we are still going through a sales agent is beyond me.
Email me through the forum and I will reply more or less straight away.
Solidarity brothers. Or more coin. Either way take care. John www.kpiworld.info

Contracting market in the UK & abroad __(Posted: 37 weeks ago)

The contracting market in the UK is very well established with a vast wealth of resource in skilled IT and Project Management fields. Most of these resources will be available for contract work in different locations to where they live. ACME Contracts will help all candidates access these roles, giving them more opportunity to find the perfect contract role.

Contracting abroad has its own unique plus and negatives, there may be a benefit of reduced or for a short period 100 Quack tax relief. In the contracting industry this has obvious benefits, so candidates are advised to keep on open mind to roles in different locations. It is down to individual preference as to whether these roles suit you or not. A full list of contracting opportunies abroad are provided in our database, please search through.

Contracting opportunities are abundent in the UK and abroad, there are over 500 agencies dealing in contracting in the UK alone. registering with each and everyone would be a difficult task each time you became available for contract work. We will list role relevant to your skills set, you simply need to review them, and submit your CV to the role(s) you feel most suitable for.

Technique __(Posted: 37 weeks ago)

Contracting agencies are friendly, people-driven companies who are interested in matching your CV to their clients job spec's. They are there to support you, and help you as much as they are for the end client. Use them to your advantage, as they will be charging you for it later.

Contacting agencies/prospective companies,

If possible send your CV to the agency/company before calling them, give them enough time to review your CV and then they will be able to chat to you about the job in connection with your CV. Be prepared to answer any questions about your CV and your last few roles. Don't be put off if some agencies are direct, sharp or busy - they are working hard to get all contractors placed in to suitable roles.

Tips for your CV __(Posted: 37 weeks ago)

List your skills and competencies clearly at the beginning of your CV.

Use plain english, be open and honest and provide relevant information up to a maximum of 3 pages (if you're very senior 5 pages max). Any more pages than this and it will put prospective employers off, they simply won't read it. Try to refrain from using too much formatting; allow content to come through, provide CV in Microsoft Word format.

Unless you are confident that your CV accurately details your skillset according to the role you are applying for, use a professional CV consultancy service. If it gets you the job it will be money well spent!

Your CV should be relevant to the position that you are applying for!

Use an industry standard CV format.

James __(Posted: 46 weeks ago)

Agencies often call me to 'tailor' my CV to their Job description. How much should I tailor it? and is it then worth keeping 2 or perhaps more different cv's up to date? Does anyone else do this?

HMRC __(Posted: 46 weeks ago)

A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.

Professional Indemnity insurance __(Posted: 46 weeks ago)

Professional Indemnity insurance protects you against your legal liability for losses suffered by your customers as a result of your negligent advice. It is legally required in certain professions, such as law, accountancy and financial services. It is common in other areas, such as management and computer consultancy, publishing, engineering design and marketing. Do a search on Google for competitive quotes.

Contracting overseas? __(Posted: 46 weeks ago)

Thinking of contracting abroad? Some information can be found here, Contracting abroad. Good information, apart from the 45% to 65% agency markup!

Company Bank Account Delay __(Posted: 46 weeks ago)

This point keeps coming up. Have a look at using personal deposit account for company money

Presumably, you are asking if the company can trade through a separate bank account in a private name.

Yes - there is no legal requirement for a company to have a bank account in its own name.
Yes - assuming that there is a positive balance in the account, it would be a loan to a director, subject to the s.419 and BIK tax charges.

BUT why would a bank (particularly one that is being awkward about opening an account in the company's name) allow a cheque payable to ABC Limited to be paid into an account in the name of Joe Bloggs? If the cheques continue to be made out to Joe Bloggs, then Joe Bloggs is continuing as a sole trader.
Source: Further information...

Associations and Publications __(Posted: 46 weeks ago)

Programme/Project Managers
Association for Project Management
Project Management Institute - Good online newsletter (worth reading).

Windows Security Practices
Microsoft TechCentre

Virtualisation
VMWare News Releases

ACME Contracts __(Posted: 46 weeks ago)

Please note: there is also seperate Contracting FAQ/advice available once signed in as a contractor.