Glossary
This is an ever expanding page – please bear with us while it grows.
A
Agency
A creative business, such as a design, advertising or marketing company.
Agent
A business involved in recruitment, which is the sourcing of individuals to fill jobs or positions. A good way for freelancers to find work at agencies. See Recruitment.
B
Book
An alternative word for a Portfolio – an organised presentation of an individual’s creative work samples.
C
CV (Curriculum Vitae)
A brief description of education, qualifications and experience. See Resumé.
D
Day rate
A fixed price paid or charged for a day of work.
E
F
Freelancer
A person who works for different companies at different times rather than being permanently employed by one company. See Wikipedia’s definition here.
Flexible
The ability to be able to change and adapt to different circumstances and situations. A good trait for any freelancer.
G
Generalist
A freelancer with good skills in all areas of their discipline.
H
I
Invoice
The bill. A document listing services provided and the sum due for them.
J
Jobsite
A website dedicated to listing job ads.
K
L
Limited Company
A type of business used by a lot of freelancers in the UK. Owners are only legally responsible for debts to the extent of the amount of capital they invested.
M
N
O
Online presence
The availability of information about an individual or business on the internet, which they control.
Overtime
Time worked beyond the scheduled hours or the normal office working hours. Often Charged at a different rate, such as time and a half.
P
Portfolio
An organised presentation of an individual’s work samples. Also known as a Book.
Proactive
To create or control things by making things happen rather than responding once they have happened. An essential trait for any freelancer.
Premises
The house or office occupied by a business, where it’s staff are expected to work.
Paperwork
Administrative work associated with running a business, such as invoicing and record keeping for tax purposes. Unfortunately, this is constant part of freelancing.
PAYE
Stands for Pay As You Earn. This is a typical way of paying a salary to an employee. The amount you receive already has your income tax deducted by the employer.
Q
R
Recruitment
The business of sourcing individuals to fill jobs or positions. See Agent.
Resumé
A brief description of education, qualifications and experience. See Curriculum Vitae.
Rate
An agreed or set price charged for work. Often freelancers will have set rates for hours and days or work.
Resources
Useful items for other freelancers – we have many on this website.
Registration
The process of getting your details on to the books of a recruitment agent.
S
Specialist
A freelancer highly skilled in a specific area of their discipline.
Sole Trader
A business set up in the UK used by freelancers which is not separate from the individual who owns it. The owner is responsible for all and unlimited debts.
T
Timesheet
A record of hours (or parts of) worked. A good idea even if you’re not asked to complete one.
Tax
Compulsory contributions to the state revenue, based on income and business profits. An important part of freelancing as it requires much more involvement than for full time work.
U
Umbrella Company
A type of company in the UK who acts as an employer for freelancers and contracts their time to agencies. The benefit is not having the tax and administrative responsibilities of your own company.
V
W
Word of mouth
The passing of information from person to person – a way of finding work through networking.
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