TOP TIPS TO HELP KEEP CONTRACTORS IN WORK DURING THE RECESSION

UK Companies are experiencing some of the toughest trading conditions since the 1930s due to the current economic recession. Some industry sectors are still booming despite the difficult market conditions, whilst others are finding it difficult. As more people enter the temporary marketplace, competition is hotting.

In order to help you make it through these tough times and obtain contract work, we have put together some top survival tips:

• Maintain an up-to-date CV. Contract positions are often skills focused so ensure that you include details of your key abilities
• Be flexible about your hourly rate and available date
• Form relationships with 3 / 4 recruitment agencies and key individuals within these
• Network with friends and sign up for networking sites e.g. LinkedIn
• Consider positions that don’t necessarily fit within your usual remit
• Prior to interviews ensure that you research each company identifying the nature of  their business, who their customers and competitors are and any other relevant information
• Make sure you know who your boss is and the names of the key members of staff at client companies when commencing contracts
• Always be punctual (especially given that you are paid by the hour)
• Be proactive, if you have completed all of your tasks ask for more work
  
  And, most importantly:
  
  
• Always remember that you’re there because the company needs you and your skills. It can sometimes happen that permanent employees have preconceived ideas about temps that can be difficult to overcome unless you remain confident in your abilities
  
  

DON'T FORGET TO LET US KNOW YOUR HOURS

It’s easy to forget, when you are running to a busy schedule, to let us know the hours you have been working. We appreciate that working on assignment can be hectic, but it could mean a delay to your payment. Your billing details activate a chain of events that not only raises an invoice for your services to the recruitment company, but it also means that we can’t identify your money as it comes into us from those recruitment companies that are on an automated system with us.

You can leave your hours with us by choosing from the following convenient options:
1. Online at www.fpsumbrella.com and click on Member’s Lounge
2. Email to invoicing@fpsumbrella.com
3. Telephone 08707 669 229
4. Fax 01624 818502

It will only take a minute of your day but makes a big difference to being paid promptly!

EXPENSES

To avoid any unpleasant surprises in the future, we take the necessary steps every time you change assignment to assess your new working circumstances. We do this to ensure that you can offset expenses against tax so that you are being paid correctly and won’t face any unexpected tax bills in the future. It’s a necessary evil but one that offers protection.

CHARTERHOUSE PRIVATE CLIENTS CARD

If you are in the process of switching bank accounts or have just arrived in the UK and haven’t had a chance to open an account then you should take a look at the Charterhouse Private Clients card.

It is a prepaid card so you can enjoy all the benefits of card based transactions without many of the risks.

There are no credit checks, no employment verification and a bank account is not required.

The card works in a similar way to a prepaid mobile phone. Your application will take 48 hours to process and once you have your card simply load it up with funds at your convenience, you can even get your salary paid onto it.

Once funds are on the card you can use it where Maestro® is accepted - so virtually anywhere, for anything. Unlike credit and debit cards, you cannot go overdrawn with a prepaid card. This means no interest charges or overdraft fees.

For more information or to apply for a card please contact us on 06124 810591.

MEMBERS Q&A

Q1.Who do I contact if I have any queries?

A1. Our Membership Services team will be happy to help you with any queries, please call on 08707 669 229 or Email customer.services@fpsumbrella.com

Q2. What are the main benefits of using FPS?

A2. You have one single payroll, 1 tax code, avoiding unnecessary overpayment of tax and a single point of contact if you are working through a number of different agencies.