Advice for Students
To ensure you’re confident and equipped to start freelance work and to help you avoid some potential pitfalls, we’ve put together some useful tips:
General
- Prepare your CV! You don’t want to let a well-paid project or mind-boggling work experience pass you by simply because your CV was not in order.
Dealing with Employers
- Once you have applied for a job, make sure that you check your email regularly so that you can respond promptly to enquiries from employers.
- When carrying out freelance or project based work, ensure you keep a record of all communications, as these can help to resolve misunderstandings.
- Advise the employer of your availability. You are a student and therefore cannot be expected to work around the clock. So be upfront.
- Ensure that you get all the agreed terms and specifications in writing.
- If you feel uncomfortable with any parts of the agreement, make sure that you outline your concerns as soon as possible.
- Communication, communication, and yes communication. Ensure that you communicate regularly with the employer and inform them promptly of any changes to your circumstances.
- If you find yourself in a disagreement that you’re having difficulty resolving then please visit our Disputes page for further advice.
Agreeing a Fee
This applies to paid work where an employer is seeking a quote:
- Carry out research of the professional costs and then provide a quote that takes into account your experience and skill level.
- It’s no secret that many employers seek the help of students not only for their intellect, but also for economical reasons. So don’t sell yourself short, but be realistic.
Income Tax
Unfortunately not even student-hood is tax proof. However, it’s not as bad as it seems, as not all of your income will be taxed and it may well be that you won’t have to part with a single penny.
- The minimum that you must be earning to pay income tax (i.e. the income threshold) during this tax year is £6,475 (6th April 2009 until 5th April 2010). If you are only working part-time it is likely that you won’t have to pay income tax at all.
- For National Insurance Contributions (NICs) the threshold is weekly i.e. if you earn over £97 per week then you will pay NICs.
- If you’re working for an employer during term-time, your employer will ensure that your tax payments are deducted from your pay via the PAYE system.
- The rules are slightly different for holiday work and you may not have to pay tax if you do not earn over the threshold. Instead ask your employer for a P38(s) form.
- A handful of students are often self-employed. If this applies to you then ensure that you register with the Inland Revenue within 3 months of becoming self-employed, regardless of your income.
- For further information on tax visit the DirectGov website at www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm.
Work Experience
- Government legislation in respect of the National Minimum Wage means that UK employers can no longer offer unpaid work experience, unless they are oofering it as part of a course placement. There are exemptions (e.g.bvolunteers). This topic was covered in more detail under the employer’s FAQs and we strongly recommend that you read the text here.
- If you feel that your tasks, responsibilities, hours and the length of the work experience are excessive or equivalent to being a full-time employee then we strongly recommend that you discuss your concerns with your employer. Work experience should be mutually beneficial - you are not there to be taken advantage of.
Safety
The world is full of unsavoury characters and the Internet is no different. We take your safety very seriously and we do our utmost to protect our readers and subscribers. However, we also strongly encourage you to remain alert. To help you stay safe we have compiled some tips:
Online safety
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Scams are a popular way of getting your personal information. Typical scams are fake login pages and forged emails that ask for your password, credit card number, or other sensitive information. Ignore anything you see that strikes you as questionable or suspicious
Meetings
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For all face-to-face meetings please BE CAREFUL!
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If you do decide to meet someone through FreelanceStudents then ensure you meet in a public place and during the day time only. It is highly advisable that on your first meeting you take somebody along with you as an extra pre-caution.
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If you do not take a friend with you then tell somebody where you are going, what you are doing, and when you are expected back.
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Dress appropriately - whilst we would all like to wear what we want, sometimes our choice of clothing can create the wrong impression.
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If you feel uncomfortable during a meeting then we suggest that you politely excuse yourself and leave. Do not feel that you are obliged to stay. Don’t forget to take your mobile phone with you!
General
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Carry out background research. When you’re ready to take things a step further, start with a telephone call and either block your number or use a public phone.
