Potential Clients May Screen Your Profile

A survey by CareerBuilder.co.uk today revealed that employers and clients are increasingly screening potential candidates’ profiles on social networking sites before deciding whether or not to hire them. The survey of more than 450 clients found that 53% used social networking sites to research job candidates, while 12% plan to do so.
Around 43% of clients [...]

Deadline for Self Assessment Tax Return Looms

This is just a reminder to all contractors who have completed a Self Assessment tax return for 2008/09 to file it online before the end of January.
The deadline for paper returns fell may months ago in October, so if you haven’t already, you must submit your tax return online and by 31st January, 2010.
HM Revenue and Customs [...]

Would You Like More Flexible Working?

Contractors have always commented that one of the reasons why they chose to become a contractor was the flexibility it provides as well as the financial benefits.
It has been widely publicised today, that many fathers believe flexible working can damage careers. This is coupled with the fact though that 40% of felt they spent too [...]

The Transition From Permanent to Contract

Once you have made the decision to move from being a permanent employee and become a contractor, there are a number of steps you can take to help ease the transition. It is first of all imperative you update your Curriculum Vitae ensuring it is clear and concise and most of all up-to-date. Your CV [...]

Make Way For The Entrepreneurial Brit

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) recently conducted some research into small businesses. The research surveyed 2000 adults from across the UK about a variety of issues around small businesses. The results found that almost two-thirds of Britons would like to be their own boss. People believe that small businesses have an important role [...]

VAT will return to 17.5% on January 1st.

HM Revenue and Customs has confirmed that the rate of VAT for most firms will revert to 17.5% on January 1 2010, despite pleas for a postponement. HMRC said that all businesses, including contractors with limited companies, who apply the standard rate, will be affected by the move from the date.
From the first week of [...]

A New Era Of Networking

A recent article in the New York Times suggested that 2009 is shaping up to be the ‘golden era of networking’. Once thought of as an urgent preoccupation for the unemployed, today it is an absolute necessity, even for those employed. LinkedIn.com is an online tool which can help take your network to a new [...]

BP Revoke Contractor Pay Cut Plan

Oil Giant BP announced yesterday that it has withdrawn its proposal to cut the pay rates of some contractors in an effort to reduce costs, following opposition from workers. Oil giant BP had considered axing automatic payments for contractors’ overtime and night-shift duties.
The Unite union had threatened possible industrial or legal action over the plans [...]

Tweet To Find Your Next Contract

It has been reported that 300 million people around the world are using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and MySpace and even more use message boards, forums and blogs.
But how can a contractor use social networking to their advantage?
Recruitment companies and businesses are increasingly using social media to advertise both contract and permanent roles but a contractor [...]