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