Reply to: best way of putting consultancy gigs on your CV

[manubbo]

Yeah, found 2 very long threads and I went through it

I decided I'll go for TLC35. I still like the PCG idea and will think about it (PCG is more than the tax cover... I like the idea of having an office available if I need it, 4 days a month), but for now I'll go with TLC35 when it comes about tax.

Thanks NLUK, even if you thought at the beginning I didn't have any insurance and my contract reviewed

I've just got my PCG+ membership. It overlaps a bit with TLC35 but I read only good about PCG and the compensations/guide/free office stuff look really appealing to me.

[manubbo]

Have a quick search on here about TLC35 and PCG+ membership. I believe there is some overlap and you can't claim on both. I think other people discussed the differences. Have to admit I got both. For a few hundred quid I can live with the fact I might not have needed both but up to you.

Yeah, found 2 very long threads and I went through it

I decided I'll go for TLC35. I still like the PCG idea and will think about it (PCG is more than the tax cover... I like the idea of having an office available if I need it, 4 days a month), but for now I'll go with TLC35 when it comes about tax.

Thanks NLUK, even if you thought at the beginning I didn't have any insurance and my contract reviewed

[northernladuk]

Have a quick search on here about TLC35 and PCG+ membership. I believe there is some overlap and you can't claim on both. I think other people discussed the differences. Have to admit I got both. For a few hundred quid I can live with the fact I might not have needed both but up to you.

[manubbo]

If you started working and sent an invoice to the consultancy it doesn't matter if you didn't sign it. Your actions show that you accepted the terms of the contract.

In future get your contract reviewed before you step foot on the end-client's premises. Contract reviews and amendments can be done very quickly if you talk nicely to the reviewer.

Ok - another huge misunderstanding... maybe I wasn't clear enough

Timeline:
1 - Received contract
2 - Had it IR35 reviewed
3 - IR35 review passed
4 - Signed contract
5 - Get PI starting from day 1 of contract (contract explicitly also requires PI)
6 - Contract start, and I went to client premises

I think I followed every step I had to. I'll get TLC35 as an extra cover, but I was waiting to have my first invoice paid. In the meanwhile I registered a domain for my LTD, have my LTD email address, talking to a friend to get a logo and creating a website (good opportunity to learn Bootstrap), and possibly (when I'll have a bit more time, I'm sorting everything you need to sort as a beginner with my SJD accountant) start a couple of side projects (good opportunity to learn iOS for example) under my company name.

[northernladuk]

Ok, don't think that every newbie posting here is not so informed...

I've got PI from QDOS, yes, and I had my contract fully IR35 reviewed, and my contract has been marked IR35 PASS. I didn't sign it before I had it reviewed. I will still take TLC35 (the full cover with refund) as I want to be super safe, but of course I had my contract checked. Come on. Is the first thing you read when you start reading contracting newbies guides and/or forum posts...

Nice one.. Hang around a couple of days, you will see that they don't

Edit : Like this one just today...

http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...35-review.html

[SueEllen]

Ok, don't think that every newbie posting here is not so informed...

I've got PI from QDOS, yes, and I had my contract fully IR35 reviewed, and my contract has been marked IR35 PASS. I didn't sign it before I had it reviewed. I will still take TLC35 (the full cover with refund) as I want to be super safe, but of course I had my contract checked. Come on. Is the first thing you read when you start reading contracting newbies guides and/or forum posts...

If you started working and sent an invoice to the consultancy it doesn't matter if you didn't sign it. Your actions show that you accepted the terms of the contract.

In future get your contract reviewed before you step foot on the end-client's premises. Contract reviews and amendments can be done very quickly if you talk nicely to the reviewer.

[manubbo]

Well if you got QDOS PI/PL (you do have PI/PL????) at the same time you would have 3 free IR35 contract reviews as well which you could have used (you did get your contract IR35 checked??????) . I don't know what their rules on retrospective cover are but surely if your contract is clearly inside they won't touch it whenever you bought it. Dunno, anyway, it's done now.

Ok, don't think that every newbie posting here is not so informed...

I've got PI from QDOS, yes, and I had my contract fully IR35 reviewed, and my contract has been marked IR35 PASS. I didn't sign it before I had it reviewed. I will still take TLC35 (the full cover with refund) as I want to be super safe, but of course I had my contract checked. Come on. Is the first thing you read when you start reading contracting newbies guides and/or forum posts...

[northernladuk]

Good point. Thanks.

P.S. I'm going to get my insurance this weekend, now that I've sorted how to put money in my company account. Gig (my 1st as a contractor) started 2 weeks ago, so I thought that I could wait some days before buying this.

Well if you got QDOS PI/PL (you do have PI/PL????) at the same time you would have 3 free IR35 contract reviews as well which you could have used (you did get your contract IR35 checked??????) . I don't know what their rules on retrospective cover are but surely if your contract is clearly inside they won't touch it whenever you bought it. Dunno, anyway, it's done now.

[manubbo]

IMO you demonstrating your ability to deliver and that was ultimately to the end client and would think in many cases they will be known whereas the consultancy may not so a big end client will add more kudos. Cv is to show delivered skills not to document your contractual situation or pay process if that makes sense.

I guess if the converse is true if the consultancy is well known and could help your cause then use that option. In my situation it is a micro consultancy so no use to me.

Good point. Thanks.

P.S. I'm going to get my insurance this weekend, now that I've sorted how to put money in my company account. Gig (my 1st as a contractor) started 2 weeks ago, so I thought that I could wait some days before buying this.

[northernladuk]

Fair enough. Just don't take your situation for granted. Qdos can't defend the indefensible. anyway..... back to the original question..

IMO you demonstrating your ability to deliver and that was ultimately to the end client and would think in many cases they will be known whereas the consultancy may not so a big end client will add more kudos. Cv is to show delivered skills not to document your contractual situation or pay process if that makes sense.

I guess if the converse is true if the consultancy is well known and could help your cause then use that option. In my situation it is a micro consultancy so no use to me.

[darmstadt]

The majority of my contracts are through consultancies and although I don't put the names of companies where I have worked on my CV I will put the name of the consultancy if they're well known and respected (so basically there are no names!!!) What I do put is just the industry and the consultancy name. At an interview I'll talk about the companies where I worked.

[manubbo]

But the main driver is your working practices and how the client sees you. Being in an enduring role with the expectation that you will do the next contract and offered as part of their standard offering could make you a disguised permie regardless of what the contract says. If the client turns up to an investigation and says 'Ah yes he is a key part of our standard solution' you are screwed.

We have contractors here that have worked on different clients for the consultancy and their attitude very quickly changes to expect the consultancy place them with next client.

I don't think IR35 insurance or PCG is another thing. In your situation it is absolutely essential and am a bit surprised you don't have them already... but anyway...

Another thing related to the CV question. QDOS insurance is backdated and I was waiting advice from my accountant on how to put money in my company account before setting a new payment out (as by now I've still got no payment, and first invoice will only cover expenditures).

Thanks for your suggestions.

[northernladuk]

I thought about this - although my contract is absolutely clear (and I know this can happen) that it's for a single project - and if the projects ends earlier than expected contract can be terminated without any notice. If I take another contract via them for another project, it's a completely different thing. Contract also covers other IR35 aspects (substitution, I can undertake other jobs, I'm using my personal laptop, had to take insurance, I'm financially liable for failures) - and IR35 review has been passed (though I know working practices >>> contract, but for now they are OK).

I was also considering PCG membership and / or Tax Insurance from QDOS, but that's another thing

But the main driver is your working practices and how the client sees you. Being in an enduring role with the expectation that you will do the next contract and offered as part of their standard offering could make you a disguised permie regardless of what the contract says. If the client turns up to an investigation and says 'Ah yes he is a key part of our standard solution' you are screwed.

We have contractors here that have worked on different clients for the consultancy and their attitude very quickly changes to expect the consultancy place them with next client.

I don't think IR35 insurance or PCG is another thing. In your situation it is absolutely essential and am a bit surprised you don't have them already... but anyway...

[MyUserName]

I was also considering PCG membership and / or Tax Insurance from QDOS, but that's another thing

You don't already have these? Are you mad?

[TheFaQQer]

I'm running a gig with a (fairly) well-known consultancy company, which needs my services for one of their clients.

From a CV writing perspective, what do you think it's the best way to write it down? I'd like to have both the consultancy company name and the client. I was thinking something like:

"from xxx to yyy - Consultancy Company

Projects:
from xxx to zzz (this is in case I get other gigs via them): Client 1"

Anything that may lead this to be seen badly by recruiters/agents? I can't think of anything, but I'm not experienced enough in contracting world...

"XXX to YYY - Client via Consultancy"?

My first permie job was with a consultancy, so my CV says:

XXX to YYYY - Consultancy
One liner about role there and time spent. Key projects include:
aaa to bbb - Client
ccc to ddd - Client

----

At the moment, though, you only have one project with the consultancy, so I wouldn't bother having a consultancy section and then a company section within that. I would just put both names in the headline.