BITE's blog UK Contract Jobs and Career Transition

Day off today but delighted that 3 people who have worked hard with us have UK contracts www.biteconsulting.co.uk

TIPS TO FIND A CONTRACT JOB http://keith1.typepad.com/blog/

5 tips to find your first IT contract

1. Get your CV right Many contractors CV's aren't ever read. Why? Because CV's are scanned electronically and therefore need to be optimised for database searches (used by many agencies) and for employment decision makers. Your CV needs to show what skills you have and why you're the best person for the job. Remember that the structure of UK CV's may be different from what you're used to. BITE advisors work with you to tidy up your CV and to present your skills in the best possible way. All CV's are tailored to individuals, you don't just put your name on a template! Most importantly keep it simple, 2 -3 pages only. 2. Send your CV to the right people You might have a perfect CV and a unique skills set, but unless it reaches key employment decision makers you're unlikely to find a contract. In the UK there are 1000's of Agencies specialising in all sectors. You need to work hard to address your CV to the relevant industrial decision makers, by researching over the phone and internet. At BITE Consulting we have close ties with many agencies and work together with them helping them fill their vacancies. BITE will also distribute your polished CV to our network and place them on a free sourcing website. www.getitstaff.co.uk 3. Evaluate your skills and find your rate Rates for contractors are generally higher then rates for the equivalent permanent jobs. There are several reasons for this, for example the contractor loses benefits of sick pay and don't get holiday pay but they have the flexibility to work with different companies and as experience grows so does pay! In short contractors have less security but more scope. At the same time the employer is not tied into a long term employment relationship because contracts end at some point. They have the option of renewing it only if they want. So how do you know what your worth? That's tricky, factors such as your experience and current market trends all affect the rate you should be on. Ultimately your market rate is determined by supply and demand, varying week by week. A BITE careers advisor will help you asses your skills against market rates and advise you on what you can charge and help you negotiate your contracts. Its not just for the first contract either, the BITE advisors will always be around to help you discuss your rates, providing you with valuable information about market trends and how to continue advancing your contracting career. 4. Start applying for jobs Ok so now you have a polished CV and it's reached a recruiter or agent, you know what you should be getting paid. How do you get picked from the countless other applicants? You need to stand out from the crowd in amongst the fog of CV's and applicants. There's not just one thing, but a series of important steps that you must take to be at the top of the list. What are the steps? That's a trade secret. You'll have to join BITE to get that answer! Because contracting is not like permanent employment there's an art and rhythm to all steps, from writing a CV to interviews and negotiating contracts. With BITE's years of experience in the IT sector you can progress your career and earnings significantly 5. At the interview Dress smart and be there on time. That's a given but what about all the other little things? How are you going to secure the job? BITE's interview and training plan to success will provide you with as much or as little training as you need. Don't forget that as a contractor you will often have telephone interviews before one that's face-to-face. It can be tricky but give yourself the best chance to win contracts by taking advantage of BITEs services. Above all prepare carefully for any interview and give yourself time. As a permanent employee you may only have a few interviews, but as a contractor you will work in many different companies and thus will attend many more interviews. BITE can assist you before your interviews and you can have follow up discussions with our expert careers advisors. Soon you will have the interview training that will give you a leading edge over other contractors! What next? BITE also provide other services, such as contract administration services, umbrella companies and visa support. These take care of other matters in the contracting world: being paid on time, having insurance, networking training. Remember that if you do wish to join the BITE and our happy band of contractors, you won't have to pay any fees until you actually find a contract. To discuss fees, services and terms send in your CV for an initial interview. Join BITE – Submit CV BITE Job Search Services

Hot and humid in London but enjoyed training Carmel on Social networking for contracting in UK www.biteconsulting.co.uk

Ten reasons why people don't gain a job / contract- controversial?

1.A poor CV- You need a Killer CV that really does perform.It has to define your personal brand stating who you are,the skills and experience you have the industry / sectors you have worked in and what you want.It needs to have the key words and long-tail words appropriate to your brand.

2.People are lazy or at best de-motivated- You need to search full time for a job or contract.In fact most people tell us when they gain a job that they don't work as hard as when they where searching and networking.You need to apply yourself to your job search at least 40 hours a week and it's not an excuse to relax and enjoy the sunshine!

3.Over pricing-Most people ask for too much initially and then when their desperate pitch for too little.Either price can lead to failure.Know your real market value!

4.Arrogance and ignorance- Poor liaison with the agencies and a lack of understanding of their needs.In the UK 80% of work goes through an agency so you need to respect them and understand what it is they need from you.

5.Poor preparation or interest in the client- Very few people do their homework, would you take seriously a candidate that has not even looked at the company web site or tried to understand the requirements for a role?

6.No marketing effort- your CV needs pitching to the right agencies and the right companies very few people identify their targets and pitch at them.

7.No networking effort- Social networking is now invaluable to help you gain a job.At the very least you should have a LinkIn account, a face book page,Twitter account and Goggle Buzz account with a means to track employment blogs and publish your own availability! Your network at second degree level should exceed 15,000 relevant people.

8.Poor interview technique-Usually caused by poor preparation and any lack of interview training.You have two minutes to make a first impression and first impressions count!

9.Poor communication skills- Quite simply poor application and interview English.If it's not good enough then learn it, practise it and make it good enough!

10.Lack of flexibility and restricted availability- People state you need to have a job to get a job, this is rubbish, you need to have the right attitude.If you have a job you won't gain a contract you need to be available today and also, don't state you only want to work in London or 35 hours a week! Do show enthusiasm for the role too without it you won't get it!

Keith Boatman

Director BITE Consulting

http://www.biteconsulting.co.uk

Keith Boatman "IT CONTRACTING LONDON , IT CONTRACTS , CONTRACTING LONDON , CONTRACTING UK , CAREER COACHING FOR CONTRACTORS , BANKING AND FINANCE CONTRACTS ,CONTRACT JOBS ,CONTRACTOR CAREER ADVICE ,PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORS , HIDDEN JOB MARKET ,UNADVERTISE

Keith Boatman "IT CONTRACTING LONDON , IT CONTRACTS , CONTRACTING LONDON , CONTRACTING UK , CAREER COACHING FOR CONTRACTORS , BANKING AND FINANCE CONTRACTS ,CONTRACT JOBS ,CONTRACTOR CAREER ADVICE ,PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORS , HIDDEN JOB MARKET ,UNADVERTISED JOB MARKET" - Business Networking on Ecademy.

Designed automated system for contractors to update status throughout their network including facebook company/service pageshttp://www.biteconsulting.co.uk

A contractor marketing social network plan with free training will clearly gain you a job use it! planhttp://www.recruiter.co.uk/1005845.article?cmpid=REC04&cmptype=newsletter www.biteconsulting.co.uk

UK Firms are now finding it hard to find talented people it's official come and work in London. http://www.recruiter.co.uk/1005885.article?cmpid=REC04&cmptype=newsletter If you arrive in London now and have a flexible approach and a positive outlook you wil find work quickly!

Good training for several interviews contractors feel very confident and ready http://www.biteconsulting.co.uk

IT Contracting guide - infact simply contracting

A Guide to IT contracting Is infact what many people need but very importantly they need the motivation to deliver against that guide.I've enclosed a simple guide below but will in the future produce a complete guide to IT Contracting in the UK and a guide to contracting in London for various professional contractors and interim managers.

Very simply you need a red hot "killer CV" that positions you through your personal brand with your key words in place.You then need to market that CV effectively, be immediately available with no delay for interviews and be totally flexible in your outlook for contract jobs.

A brief guide to contracting in the UK Market - BITE Consulting Group Ltd. “The career coaching company for contractors and consultants”

Most people reading this will be first time contractors and we recognise experienced contractors may have their own experiences and views. The contract market consists of 30-40% of all advertised vacancies, 80% of all contracts go through an agency or employment business and of the 11,000 agencies in the UK the majority concentrate on permanent work. So to be successful as a contractor or interim manager you need 2 years or more commercial experience in your “identified field”, and to get in contact with the right decision makers in your field.

To do this you need to adopt the right approach:

1. CV: To gain a job as a limited company contractor you need an ‘easy to read’ CV that is targeted at Contract or Interim work. It needs have a summary page which establishes your “personal brand” (who you are and what added value you offer) and include 2-3 pages of employment history majoring on the most relevant job not necessarily your first or last job. It also needs to define who you are and include keywords for S.E.O. and agency database search optimisation. Completing the CV template correctly will provide you with an effective FREE interim/contract CV and FREE marketing on www.getacontractor.co.uk.

Some candidates may need consultancy advice on establishing their profile and positioning their personal brand. This is a chargeable service (generally around £500 for face to face consultation and advice in our offices, over one or two days).

2. Contractor Marketing:To gain work and to continually stay in work, avoiding down time, you need to invest in your ‘personal brand marketing’. Google and Facebook have revolutionised the strategy for marketing. This can now be achieved independently by investing time in Social Networking on sites such as LinkedIn, Google Buzz, Twitter and Facebook and bookmarking any web sites where you have placed your CV. To be successful in the UK your CV needs to reach far and wide, hitting many of the 11,000 UK agencies. Additionally, you need to access the “hidden job market”, get seen and have the agencies chase after you as an ideal candidate in your niche market. www.getacontractor.co.uk will provide you with FREE MARKETING and S.E.O. leverage, through BITE Consulting, that you can bookmark and link in to your social networking.

BITE Consulting can also help you achieve this through its comprehensive contractor mentoring and coaching scheme, which is chargeable. More information can be found at www.biteconsulting.co.uk.

3. Limited Umbrella Company:To work as a limited company contractor you need a limited company as a corporate vehicle. This is best provided as a simple PAYE Umbrella that allows you to claim travel expenses and subsistence for work, receipted and at HMRC recommended BENCHMARK Sums. See BITE’s JBT Umbrella:  www.jbt-umbrella.co.uk 

For new arrivals from Australia, Canada, India, U.S.A. and New Zealand, the Relocation Umbrella option, such as BITE Contractors, is probably the best option, allowing you to claim flights, accommodation, food and travel costs, provided that this is your first UK job since arriving in the UK. See BITE’s relocation umbrella: www.biteconsulting.co.uk/limitedcompanyinfo/relocation_umbrella.htm

The value to you of the relocation umbrella can be up to £8000 per year for two years and you only pay for the service in the weeks that you are working. Be aware that many agencies will try to push you towards their own preferred umbrella due to incentives that they receive and that you don’t have to accept theirs.

Established and longer term contractors (especially after 2 years when you have used up your relocation benefits) may choose to run their own limited company with a qualified accountant, known as a Personal Service Company (PSC). There will be fixed costs to set up a PSC and you will also need to pay a suitable qualified accountant each month or year.

4. Contract Management Support: Once you gain a contract job you need to obtain a professional contract with a professional schedule or terms of engagement. This will detail the terms of business that you will be agreeing. This will normally be provided by the agency you are contracting through, or BITE if you are using BITE’S Contract Administration Services (chargeable, but provided as part of our umbrella service).

You will need to provide your limited umbrella company’s registered company name, registered company address, registered company number and VAT number. Without these the agency or client cannot provide you with a legal contract.

Once obtained, you will need to read the contract carefully checking the pay rate, overtime rate, notice period, contract liability, insurance requirements, health and safety responsibilities and confidentiality clauses.

Generally you can do this yourself but you will also need to ensure you have £1million professional indemnity insurance amongst other insurances specified in the contract.

As part of our contractor “one stop umbrella shop”, BITE will provide professional indemnity insurance and will also credit check the client, credit control the client, provide bad debt wage insurance (ensuring you get your money) and check your contract for “nasties” or “surprises” as part of our Contract Administration Service – all within the chargeable service.

I hope this is of help to you. There is a good deal of information out there to read on contracting in the UK and our site www.biteconsulting.co.uk can help you and point you at independent sources for verification, or an additional view.

Keith Boatman

Managing Director BITE

Thought i'd state BITE Consulting's services as so many have asked what we offer contractors in London and the UK. http://www.biteconsulting.co.uk

Contractor Consultancy for Expat’s seeking Contract work in the UK
Established in April 1998 with over 30 years professional contracting experience.
Our Objective is: To ensure Contractors get “the Right Contract at the Right Rate quickly!”
Through providing:
1. Career Coaching for Contractors- “mentoring to network a job in the hidden job market”
2. CV Quality Service-“providing a killer CV and establishing your personal brand”
3. Marketing and Advertising service- “connection you with hundreds of key employment decision makers”
Breaking into the UK contract market can be difficult for new arrivals when told they don’t have UK experience or that they are over qualified/under qualified. Your BITE Career coach will give you a central London office base and 3 days mentoring support each week till you gain that ultimate contract. Our “Olympic ten point plan” gives you access to the hidden job market and our “Clever contracts” With a 98.5% current success rate, halving the time to gain a contract and a “no job no fee guarantee”, you’d be a fool not to consider it!
4. One Stop Contractor Umbrella Shop-“adding value through a personalised service”
To contract you need the right limited company vehicle and services to be able to be attractive to agents, concentrate on your job without administration worries, and the most tax efficient solution for your personal circumstances and earnings level. At BITE we help you choose and then subsidise the best solution for you from a range of associates and providers.
• PAYE umbrella services-a range of fully compliant employment options
• Specialist overseas umbrella with flights, 2years rent, food and travel all claimable
• UK Contract Market/status and rates-understanding your worth in the market
• Interview and networking support-improving all round success
• Contractor Administration and credit control services- ensuring your money is paid promptly
• Bad debt wage & Professional indemnity insurance-Guaranteeing your money & legal safety
• Legal safety net- cushioned against the many legal pitfalls
• Visa and work status-full visa support and verification to work in the UK
• I.D. Verification Referencing and qualifications service
• London office base- complete office and email facilities provided in a relaxed environment

Mentoring Contractors to get: “The Right Contract at the Right Rate quickly!”
Assisting Agencies to: “Resource Quality Contractors fast!”

Back at work today and so pleased with the interest from abroad BITE is getting,people believe they can contract in the UK http://www.biteconsulting.co.uk

So pleased with training and mentoring modules now available to contractors from CV to personal brand,effective marketing video'd interview training with careful interview planning http://www.biteconsulting.co.uk

What's your favorite drink at Starbucks? Describe it. If you don't like Starbuck's what do you drink instead?

So pleased with training and mentoring modules now available to contractors from CV to personal brand,effective marketing video'd interview training with careful interview planning http://www.biteconsulting.co.uk

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Checking the blog connection with Twitter to facebook and onward- #fb

Restaurants, movie theaters, on the subway, in a locker room - what places is it ok and not ok to answer a cell phone?

Checking the blog connection with Twitter to facebook and onward- #fb

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Social Networking for Contractors

Working hard to create a massive short cut to marketing your services throughout social and professional networks that our contractors can use-www.biteconsulting.co.uk #fb

Arranging dummy interviews for 3 candidates ready for actual contract interviews later in the week http://www.biteconsulting.co.uk

CONTRACTING FOR GOLD -Is proving interesting www.biteconsulting.co.uk

The whole way you look for a job in the UK is changing and providing real interest.The hidden job market is leading the way with the urgency to fill key positions quickly and candidates are realising the need to use Social networking to access the market. Job boards are not dead but only covering up to 20% of vacancies and candidates are still reporting it difficult to gain a job/ contract through social networking.The answer lies in a comprehensive personal social  networking plan.see the new box on: http://www.getaUKjob.com

Great day several new consultants join BITE and several gain interviews within a week!

Contracting for Gold is becoming very popular! See the frre guide and register for it www.biteconsulting.co.uk

How many apps do you have on your mobile phone? Which apps do you use the most?

See http://www.getaukjob.com for our new candidate Social networking Marketing plan & access the news box.

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Contract success via a Candidate Social networking Marketing plan

Wishing to access the hidden contract market with the current potential of reaching an additional 52% of contracts? You can best achieve this with a social networking plan.See http://www.getaukjob.com  see the news section on the right hand side of the sight or click the news and views button.

It really is a no brainer once you take a look. You can leverage your position through social networking as a candidate contractor or a interim manager a thousand fold plus by using a social networking plan and locking it into an existing S.E.O. strategy such as BITE's to ensure you are seen.Infact anyone running a small business can publicise themselvies and there business very effectively with such a simple plan!

Do you want an iPad? What would you use it for the most? If you don’t want one, why not?

Didn't blog yesterday busy reading CV's & interviewing,do see our new candidate marketing social network plan http://www.getaukjob.com see news section.

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Delighted for one of our Support contractors 40% rate increase today by changing contract with our help-life changing! http://www.biteconsulting.co.uk