How to… Find an IT Contract

A high impact CV

An Information Technology CV should be 2 – 3 pages max and must tell the agent what they want to know within the first 10 seconds, if not it will be lost in 50 other applications. Make sure that you read through the Agent’s advert carefully and tailor your CV so that it highlights all of the benefits you have brought to a business in relation to the advert. If it is a technical role highlight key skills at the top of the first page. An IT CV should:

• Inform the Agent of prior clients worked with e.g. BP, Vodafone, BNP Paribas etc
• Focus on benefits brought to clients rather than just explain what you have done i.e. developed a database that saved the company £2m in the first year alone
• Be no longer than 3 pages, an agent simply will not read anymore

Going the extra mile

If you have built a good relationship with a Recruitment Consultant over the phone why not drop round to the office and take them out for lunch one day? Although this is not always possible if you go the extra mile you will stand out from the crowd meaning you will no longer just be a name and number on a CV. However, if you take this approach do try not to come across as desperate, otherwise you could find it difficult to negotiate rates.

Chasing down contracts

Once a CV has been submitted to an agent you must chase, chase, chase. Recruitment Agent’s are busy people and many will not get back to you however pretty much all of them will be aware that you have made the effort to chase. People who actively follow up on applications stand a much better chance of securing assignments than those who simply submit a CV and wait to be contacted.

Broadening your horizons

Why restrict yourself to the UK market when so many opportunities exist just a short hop over the English Channel?! During the downturn a number of companies relocated from the UK to headquarters in other areas of Europe (such as Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland). Now that many companies have gained confidence and are proceeding with projects once more many opportunities have emerged across the EU.

If you are a UK Contractor with a British Passport you will need to consider the tax implications of working in other areas of Europe. If you operate a Contractor Limited Company the company will be considered tax resident wherever company management and control are physically present, therefore if you undertake a project in France the chances are that you and your company will be liable for French tax, at rates significantly higher than the UK.

If you are a on a temporary work visa in the UK (e.g. Tier 1 Visa) you will not be able to work in other areas of Europe either on the visa or on a Schengen Visa, therefore a solution is required.

At Commonwealth Contractors we can assist highly skilled professionals undertake pan European Assignments

More Information

For more information on working in the UK as a highly skilled IT professional call Commonwealth Contractors now on 0330 390 9021 or Submit your Details and we will get back to you. Commonwealth Contractors partners with International IT Consultancies prepared to sponsor workers on Tier 2 Visas (formerly UK Work Permits) where required and OISC Registered Immigration Consultancies who specialise in looking after individuals on Tier 1 Visas (formerly the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme).