UK Recruitment Glossary
Contractor
In recruiter context
Different beast from an employee. No paid holiday, no sick pay, no notice protection, but typically 30-60% higher day rate to compensate. UK contractors operate either through their own limited company (outside IR35) or through an umbrella company (inside IR35). Day rate maths is rough: take the rate, multiply by 220 working days, subtract umbrella fees and tax. A £500/day inside-IR35 contract through an umbrella nets roughly the same take-home as a £75-80k permanent salary. The freedom is real; so is the lack of safety net.
Related terms
Panel Interview
3-5 interviewers questioning a single candidate simultaneously — common at senior or competitive UK …
CV (Curriculum Vitae)
The UK and most of Europe call it a CV; the US mostly calls it a resume.
PILON
Pay In Lieu Of Notice — the employer pays you for the notice period instead of having you work it.
Employee Referral
A current employee recommends you for a role, often putting your CV at the top of the pile.