Flexibility First: Progress your career with contracting

London is no longer a city where people work full-time for a number of decades until they’re tired of their careers then retire. Contract roles are growing in popularity, and for good reason too. Feeding our hunger for great flexibility and new experiences, contract work is giving people’s careers a new lease of life. And the opportunity to make new connections, along with a higher source of income, is now becoming too good to resist. 

 

This “gig economy” is not only introducing variety, it’s also reviving many career passions. And with demand for contractors across London’s digital space increasing, we can confirm that now is an ideal time to start exploring the world of contract work. 

 

So, if you’re new to the game, or a seasoned freelancer who needs to be reminded of why you chose this career path, here’s how we know it can work for you: 

 

Contracting is more than a change of scenery. It’s a chance to gain valuable first-hand insights into a business’ operations while staying at the forefront of industry change. The knowledge gained from contract work can quickly equip you with the skills needed to become an expert within your respective field. And many will argue that expert status can only be earnt by upskilling yourself through exposure to different projects and business environments. 

 

If you’re new to contract work, we suggest you start with optimising your LinkedIn profile. Ensure you consistently update your profile after each of your latest contracts. If your profile is managed properly, you can dramatically boost your profile’s visibility. By doing this, you’re making it easier for employers and recruiters to find you and match you to a suitable role. Here’s a simple yet effective video that was published on LinkedIn which shows you how you can do this. 

 

Forget about having to bend backwards for your manager to get that next pay rise, a week off or promotion – you’re in control now. As an independent worker, you now have the freedom to choose where you want to work, for how long, and where. This is one of the many reasons why contractors enjoy this type of employment. And given that you aren’t tied into a permanent agreement, it’s much easier to change your schedule should the need arise.  

 

Using a recruitment agency for contract roles, works in your favour. Recruiters can manage the working relationship with the client on your behalf to ensure you are entitled to what you deserve. And if you’re scared of running out of work, recruiters can help manage this, too.  A good recruiter that is well connected to the contract market, has full visibility of all opportunities that are live and in the pipeline.  Additionally, they can help manage your work schedule, to guarantee a seamless transition into a new role or project, once your current assignment comes to an end. 

 

There is of course, an opportunity to earn more. Contractors are given wider access to competitive rates of pay and increased earning potential because employers often need experienced workers at short notice. For instance, for SEO management roles, a typical day rate can start from upwards of £200 depending on the seniority and level of experience required.

 

For those of you who are looking to get set up in a contract role, but unsure of the legalities involved, here’s a simple guide to get you set up within 24 hours: 

 

• Umbrella Company – The quickest and easiest way which first time Contractors often use is working under an umbrella company scheme.  This is because the it’s far more convenient for the contractor and carries less risk. When you join an umbrella company, you are lawfully considered as an ’employee’ of the scheme. This therefore means that the client pays the umbrella company when you have submitted a weekly or monthly invoice, and you will receive a 'salary' after deductions for tax, National Insurance, expenses, the umbrella fee, and any other pre-agreed costs.

 

• Ltd Co. PAYE – Setting up a limited company may seem daunting as there are quite a few steps to take, including registering your Limited Company with Companies House, consider your VAT position and register your PAYE and professional indemnity insurance. While you do this, we suggest you get yourself familiar with IR35. However, an experienced recruiter can advise and guide you through quickly and easily. 

 

When it comes to pay, let the recruiter do all the negotiation work for you. Experienced consultants are well versed with this practice, and know how to lock down the highest wage package for their candidates. Also, they have the resource to assist you with processing your overtime rates and contract requirements. 

 

But how about chasing payments? Once again, this can be handled by your recruiter.

Here at Pivotal London, we use an award-winning timesheet system that runs seamlessly across devices, to effortlessly track the status of every timesheet. Intelligent notifications tell you everything you need to know, when you need to know. You get paid on time, every time. So, to answer the question, recruiters will do all the client chasing and offer support from start to finish. That's it. No fuss, no headaches, just reliable and swift payment.

 

So, if you’re ready to make the move, or looking for a new role, Pivotal is here to support you. 

 

Our Contract and Freelance division specialises in Digital Marketing and Media opportunities with leading agencies and brands. 

 

View all of our available contract roles here.