Should I put my masters degree in Music on my CV?

[Cowboy Bob]

I always thought the substitution clause was basically an IR35 dodging gimmick - and that is most definitely not how I have experienced job interviews etc.

I don't rock the boat during the interview. I make my position clear during the contract negotiation phase either direct to the client, or via the agency if there is one.

And yes, it might be a gimmick in reality, but you've got to make sure that the HR department are on your wavelength, or when Hector asks to speak to them you'll get a shock. Much like that guy up in Scotland (something to do with the oil industry I think) can attest to since that was one of the main reasons he lost his IR35 case if I recall correctly.

[Robwg]

I hope not, as then my substitution clause is worthless... Seriously, every client I've had (bar the first one when I first started out and was naïve) has understood very clearly that they are employing my company and not me personally. This is important as otherwise if you get an IR35 investigation and they contact the client - you know the rest...

I always thought the substitution clause was basically an IR35 dodging gimmick - and that is most definitely not how I have experienced job interviews etc.

[hyperD]

When I was contracting I used to put:

Private Pilot's Licence (PPL/A) Multi IFR UK

purely for conversational reasons. 9 times out of 10 they asked about it as it was unusual and you have to very much talk about it enthusiastically as a hobby, rather than say something crass like "well, I'm loaded so I can afford to do this rich man's sport unlike you pitiful wage slaves that can just about to buy a trabant or fiat 127 and get a hard on".

Now I simply fly my clients to France for a jolly in a Seneca III just to "grease the wheels of business".

[Cowboy Bob]

It may be the company, but it's a personal service company and it's reasonable for the client to want to know the qualifications of the person that'll be providing the services. Most doctor's surgeries have several people that see patients, so effectively you're dealing with a "company", but you still want to know that the individual person you see is qualified as a doctor.

I agree completely. It's just that I emphasise the company over the individual. The qualifications are there in the "CV", they're just presented differently than you would see on an employee CV.

[VectraMan]

It may be the company, but it's a personal service company and it's reasonable for the client to want to know the qualifications of the person that'll be providing the services. Most doctor's surgeries have several people that see patients, so effectively you're dealing with a "company", but you still want to know that the individual person you see is qualified as a doctor.

[ratewhore]

hmm, I'm not convinced that reflects the real world. Not that I'm using an IR35 argument either way but toast is right, it is you they want and it is you they interview. I suspect that no-one on this board presents the history of their company as part of their interview do they?

[Cowboy Bob]

Surely you ARE advertising yourself - the client doesn't care whether you work through a LTD/Umbrella/whatever, it's you as an individual they're interested in.

I hope not, as then my substitution clause is worthless... Seriously, every client I've had (bar the first one when I first started out and was naïve) has understood very clearly that they are employing my company and not me personally. This is important as otherwise if you get an IR35 investigation and they contact the client - you know the rest...

[toast]

No, because you're not advertising yourself, you are advertising your company. Does your company have a music masters?

I do put a little blurb on there that says "Cowboy Bob obtained a masters degree in computer science blah blah blah" but do not highlight the qualifications of the directors in they way that I would on a traditional CV.

Surely you ARE advertising yourself - the client doesn't care whether you work through a LTD/Umbrella/whatever, it's you as an individual they're interested in.

[Flubster]

I've got my Astronomy 'O' lvel on my CV....you never know...

[Cowboy Bob]

..does anyone have irrelevant high level qualifications on their contractor CV!?

No, because you're not advertising yourself, you are advertising your company. Does your company have a music masters?

I do put a little blurb on there that says "Cowboy Bob obtained a masters degree in computer science blah blah blah" but do not highlight the qualifications of the directors in they way that I would on a traditional CV.

[wackadu]

..does anyone have irrelevant high level qualifications on their contractor CV!?