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Independent Contractor Services
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Working as a contractor, freelancer, or consultant
Essential guides to finding and working on projects - including how to deal with agencies, interviews, and finding contract and freelance work.
Latest Contract Work Updates
The importance of networking for career IT contractors
With dozens of applicants applying for many IT contract roles, networking has never been more important for career contractors.
(May 13, 2013)
The 6 simple questions you should have asked your agent
Some important questions you should ask recruitment agencies when applying for contractor roles.
(May 8, 2013)
What to include on an invoice for contract work
What information should limited company contractors include on their invoices?
(May 7, 2013)
5 ways to protect your contracting business assets
Are your freelance business assets properly protected in the event of a loss, or theft? In this article, we explore some of the risks and suggest ideas to reduce your exposure, and minimise the impact if the worst does happen.
(Apr 30, 2013)
How to virtualise your contracting business
How to create a virtual contracting business that can be managed from anywhere in the world with just a laptop and a WiFi connection.
(Apr 2, 2013)
The benefits of having a website for your contracting business
Having a business website has a number of benefits for contractors, and given the low cost of entry, there isn't really an excuse not to have one these days.
(Feb 18, 2013)
How to give your contractor LinkedIn profile a boost
Here are some tips to ensure you maintain a cutting edge LinkedIn profile, and increase you chances of getting re-connected to old colleagues and noticed by prospective clients.
(Feb 11, 2013)
Give your contracting business a professional image
Many contractors would benefit from creating a professional image for themselves and their companies; to help stand out from the crowd, and impress potential clients.
(Jan 25, 2013)
Security clearance guide for IT contractors
What is security clearance, and why is it required for certain Government IT contract roles?
(Jan 24, 2013)
Demand for Interim Change Managers grows as UK moves out of recession
A new discipline attracting many interim managers is 'change management' and it's a role many businesses, especially those in the banking and finance sector are seeking to recruit.
(Nov 21, 2012)
Top 20 contract rate negotiation tips
If you are about to start a new contract, or if you're coming up for renewal, these tips may come in handy to help you maximise your earning potential, while keeping on the right side of your agent and end-client.
(Nov 12, 2012)
Freelancers vote for most useful work apps
Freelancers have voted for the most useful and popular apps and software currently available. The results demonstrate the rapid rise in popularity of cloud apps in recent years.
(Aug 28, 2012)
Contract interim managers - tips for success
Here are 8 key factors for interim management success, provided by Dr Jaap Schaveling.
(Aug 14, 2012)
What recruiters want to see on an IT contractor's CV
Clients and agents need to recruit people who can join a project and get on with the job from day one. Accordingly, contractors' CVs need to be to-the-point and accessible.
(Aug 6, 2012)
Use of LinkedIn by contractors virtually ubiquitous
Almost all contractors now use LinkedIn for networking and contract hunting purposes, and recruiters are increasingly using social network sites to source applicants.
(Jun 26, 2012)
IT Contractors - How to build a good LinkedIn profile
How to build up a strong LinkedIn profile to market yourself as a contractor, and use the power of the social network to find new opportunities.
(May 31, 2012)
Is Twitter a good source of new contract opportunities?
A study into the social media habits of recruiters and job seekers has been released this week. It suggests that Twitter could be the next big thing for job hunters.
(Feb 15, 2012)
How to give your contracting CV a makeover
How to put together an impressive contractor CV, and why you should take time to tailor your CV to each role you apply for.
(Jan 4, 2012)
Can the colour of your clothes give you the edge at an interview?
Everybody knows how important it is to dress smartly when you are meeting a client for the first time or attending an interview, but could the colour of your clothes really give you the edge?
(Nov 28, 2011)
Why upgrading your contract skills is the only option
Why it is important to upgrade your skills when competition for the best IT contracts is tough.
(Nov 24, 2011)
8 legendary recruitment agency tricks to be aware of
Some handy tips for contractors on how to deal with recruitment agents, and how to spot some of the classic tricks of the hiring game.
(Nov 4, 2011)
Bribery Act 2010 - How contractors and recruitment agents are affected
The Bribery Act 2010 will come into force on 1st July 2011. Although reasonable corporate hospitality will be excluded from the regulations, could referral fees paid by service providers to recruitment agents be caught by the new rules?
(Apr 5, 2011)
Smart technology could signal the end for traditional contractor CVs
A leading job board has revealed the main CV mistakes made by IT professionals, and suggests that augmented reality (AR) CVs may help contractors show off their skills more favourably when applying for new roles.
(Mar 3, 2011)
Should I take a permanent role or wait for the contract market to improve?
For many contractors, the very thought of having to take a permanent role again is usually enough encouragement to try extra hard to find work when out of contract. But what do you do when the contract market for your skills has dried up?
(Nov 11, 2010)
5 things to watch out for when starting a new IT contract
A list of typical scenarios you might encounter when starting a new contract - and how best to deal with them. From the project manager on a power trip, to grievances over contractors' usage of the staff canteen.
(Oct 12, 2010)
The benefits of LinkedIn for IT contractors
Why LinkedIn can benefit IT contractors and provide a low-maintenance way of keeping potential sources of contract work warm.
(Sep 16, 2010)
IT contractor recruitment via agencies
We look at how recruitment agencies operate, from dealing with an end client's resource specification, to interviewing candidates and finally hiring IT contractors.
(Jul 26, 2010)
Guide to contractor timesheets and invoicing your agency
We look at how contractor timesheets are recorded, how your recruitment agency is invoiced, and how the payment process works for both limited and umbrella company contractors.
(Jul 1, 2010)
How to negotiate your IT contract rate successfully
Negotiating your contract rate is a vital stage in your life as an IT contractor. In this guide, we look at the main factors which determine your bargaining power at any given time.
(Jun 29, 2010)
Recruitment agency terms and conditions - common problems
We look at the complex subject of agency terms and conditions, with the help of employment status expert Kate Cottrell.
(Apr 30, 2010)
