The 10 Rules of Contracting
Transcript of The 10 Rules of Contracting
10 RULES OF CONTRACTINGJAY HEAL Lead User Experience Design Consultant (CONTRACT)
a person or firm that undertakes a contract to provide materials or labour to perform a service or do a job.
Contractor.
YOU DON’T TALK ABOUT CONTRACTING CLUB
RULE NUMBER ONE
I’M NOT SURE CONTRACTORS ARE ALLOWED THE FREE COFFEE - YOU’LL HAVE TO ASK YOUR LINE MANAGER
Head of UX (perm) - line manager
RULE 1: YOU DON’T TALK ABOUT CONTRACTING CLUB
DO CONTRACTORS SPEND XMAS IN MONACO?
Technical Architect (perm)
RULE 1: YOU DON’T TALK ABOUT CONTRACTING CLUB
WHEN YOU WALKED IN I THOUGHT ‘GREAT, ANOTHER LAZY ASS CONTRACTOR’ - BUT ACTUALLY YOU TURNED OUT ALRIGHT.
UX Designer (perm)
RULE 1: YOU DON’T TALK ABOUT CONTRACTING CLUB
RULE 1: YOU DON’T TALK ABOUT CONTRACTING CLUB
CONTRACTORFREELANCER
Gets paid for a deliverable Gets paid for their time
Can work from any location at any time to get the job done
Most commonly works from client’s office
Registered self employed (Sole Trader, Partner, Ltd)
Registered self employed as Limited Company only
Work is self-sourced (word of mouth, advertising,
online communities, etc)
Work usually sourced via recruiters and direct in-house contacts
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
RULE NUMBER TWO
MOTIVATION✓Security
✓Career progression
✓The people
✓Perks (e.g. free coffee)
✓Learning new skills at work
RULE 2: DO YOUR HOME WORK
Bought a house, got married & had 3 children
Really don't want to turn out like my boss
The people
The coffee ain’t that great
Groundhog Day
TALK TO A CONTRACTOR
REMEMBER: YOU ARE THE PRODUCT
RULE NUMBER THREE
PRODUCT YOU✓ What experiences do you have (skills, sectors, etc)
✓ What makes you stand out
✓ How much could you expect as a day rate
✓ Where are my skills most in demand
RULE 3: REMEMBER YOU ARE THE PRODUCT
UX Contracting map
£300 - £600 per day
More for specialist industries
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE & TOOLS
RULE NUMBER FOUR
✓Get a good accountant - one that understands contracting
✓Find a mortgage broker - one that deals with contractors
✓Invest in bookkeeping software - http://fre.ag/44c6xl0m
✓Legitimate software & hardware
✓Business insurance (Indemnity)
RULE 4: SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE & TOOLS
A-TEAM
GET NOTICED
RULE NUMBER FIVE
✓CV - keep it short but meaningful
✓LinkedIn - list out when you are available
✓Portfolio - show the processes not just the output
✓Online presence - UX Jobs, YunoJuno, etc
✓Meet-ups
RULE 5: GET NOTICED
VISIBILITY
USING RECRUITERS TO YOUR BENEFIT
RULE NUMBER SIX
✓The most common pipe line to work
✓Negotiate the best day rate for you
✓Will chase interview feedback on your behalf
✓Pay invoices directly on time (weekly, fortnightly & monthly)
RULE 6: USE RECRUITERS TO YOUR BENEFIT
RECRUITERS
๏You are just a number, only interested while you are an option
๏Charge employer a percentage of your day rate (£50-£100)
๏You will hear from them constantly
๏BECAREFUL: they will put their candidates in for the jobs your applying for & leaving
RULE 6: USE RECRUITERS TO YOUR BENEFIT
RECRUITERS
DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY
MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION
RULE NUMBER SEVEN
STAYING RELEVANT & KEEP WORKING
RULE NUMBER EIGHT
SHORT-TERMISM๏Take the highest paying work
๏No long term strategy
๏Always recycling existing experience
RULE 8: STAYING RELEVANT & KEEP WORKING
RULE 8: STAYING RELEVANT & KEEP WORKING
DAY RATE ADDED VALUE
DON’T FORGET THE TAX MAN
RULE NUMBER NINE
‣ Quarterly VAT returns - 14.5% for Flat Rate Scheme
‣ Yearly Corporation tax - 20% on profits
‣ Self Assessment / personal tax - Every April
‣ Accountant’s fees
RULE 9: DON’T FORGET THE TAX MAN
TAX
BE HAPPYRULE NUMBER TEN
THANK YOUJAY HEAL CONTRACTOR
www.jayheal.co.uk
@jaymichaelheal