Get to Know The Accounts Team
Mike Scott
How old are you?
46 (feel younger)
What department do you work in at Igloo?
I currently split my time between the Back Office/Accounts functions and the managing the Vehicle Compound teams.
How long have you worked for Igloo?
I joined as Company Accountant in April 2012
Highlight of your Igloo career to date:
There’s lots I’m proud of; setting up a Payroll Bureau from scratch, implementing new software with my colleague Kieran, successfully running the Coronavirus Job Retention scheme, being part of the team that made the Fastrack 100 two years running. However, I think the greatest pleasure comes from having seen staff in my team develop their skills, knowing that I’ve been part of their progress.
What are your interests outside of work?
Football – I help to coach my son’s youth team, watching Kettering Town FC, cricket, listening to music, gardening and spending time with my family.
What type of music are you into?
Lots of genres – 60’s, Motown, Northern Soul, Alternative, Indie, New Wave, Mod, Punk, Ska…..
What was your dream job when you were a child?
Chartered Accountant. I thought they drove Mercs and spent Friday afternoons playing golf.
If you were stranded on an island what are the three essential items that you would take?
The missus and my two kids.
Favourite food:
Italian
In the movie of my life, I’d be played by….. Jason Statham
Kieran Flood
How old are you?
30
What department do you work in at Igloo?
Accounts
How long have you worked for Igloo?
Since March 2014.
Highlight of your Igloo career to date:
I am delighted with my development over the six years with the company. From preparing my first set of accounts to receiving my ACCA membership certificate, I have always been provided with ample opportunities to grow and develop.
What are your interests outside of work?
Veganism, Politics, American Football and failing at fantasy football each year.
What type of music are you into?
My most played artists are Pixies, Smiths and Arctic Monkeys.
What was your dream job when you were a child?
Accountant.
If you were stranded on an island what are the three essential items that you would take?
My house. My dog. My passport.
Favourite food:
Zizzi’s vegan Rustica Jackfruit Italian Hot pizza FTW. (now available at Sainsbury’s for £4.50)
In the movie of my life, I’d be played by Joaquin Phoenix.
Note: the photo with the elephant is at an elephant sanctuary, for elephants who have been previously exploited. Do not ride elephants!
Get to Know The Compliance Team
James Mawby
How old are you?
35
What department do you work in at Igloo?
Business Support Team
How long have you worked for Igloo?
7 and half years
Highlight of your Igloo career to date:
There have been a few things…. being part of the team that setup a workforce of around 100 workers from scratch for a client in Kent.
I was also responsible for overseeing a successful audit by Government officials as well as several audits by our clients during 2019.
What are your interests outside of work?
Spending time with my kids, football and socialising with friends and family.
What type of music are you into?
Indie, a lot of love for Oasis and Liam Gallagher
What was your dream job when you were a child?
Sports Journalist
If you were stranded on an island what are the three essential items that you would take?
A football
A box of Beer
A BBQ
Favourite food:
Chicken & Ribs
In the movie of my life, I’d be played by….. Ricky Gervais
Jess Lissaman
How old are you?
21
What department do you work in at Igloo?
I work in the Compliance and Business Support department at our Head Office in Hinckley.
How long have you worked for Igloo?
I started working for Igloo March 2019, so just over a year and a half.
Highlight of your Igloo career to date:
My highlight would be that I started working for Igloo having no admin or compliance experience before and now I’m overseeing the Compliance department.
What are your interests outside of work?
Outside of work I enjoy health and fitness, so I’ll occasionally take part in wolf runs. I have recently passed my level 2 fitness instructor qualification and I’m now working towards my level 3 personal trainer qualification. I also enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends.
What type of music are you into?
I don’t listen to a specific genre and will happily listen to anything.
What was your dream job when you were a child?
As a child my dream job was to be a dancer and/or dance teacher. I ended up coaching cheerleading for 8 years and studying dance full time.
If you were stranded on an island what are the three essential items that you would take?
- My dog
- Water
- A boat (to get off the island)
Favourite food:
I can’t just pick one!… It will have to be steak, pasta or fajitas.
In the movie of my life, I’d be played by….. Scarlett Johansson
Uma Bista
How old are you?
36
What department do you work in at Igloo?
Head office – Compliance.
How long have you worked for Igloo?
1.5 years.
Highlight of your Igloo career to date:
Working in both compliance and payroll.
What are your interests outside of work?
Spending time with my daughter.
What type of music are you into?
Any type depending on mood
What was your dream job when you were a child?
To be successful whatever I do.
If you were stranded on an island what are the three essential items that you would take?
Phone , spicy noodles, water
Favourite food:
Prefer vegetable/seafood – spicy
In the movie of my life, I’d be played by…..
I don’t know yet.
Cher
How old are you?
40
What department do you work in at Igloo?
Compliance
How long have you worked for Igloo?
12 Years
Highlight of your Igloo career to date:
Lasting 12 years at the same job!
What are you interests outside of work?
Socialising with friends, shopping, and supporting my children with their endless activities of football, swimming, dancing, and skateboarding!
What type of music are you into?
Indie, deep house, dance, reggae
What was your dream job when you were a child?
Midwife
If you were stranded on an island what are the three essential items that you would take?
A good book, sun cream, and Gin!
Favourite food:
Indian
In the movie of my life, I’d be played by….. Jodie Comer
Truck Driver Essentials
Truck Driver Essentials
An experienced truck driver has probably mastered the driver essentials however, if you are new to truck driving then keep reading!
As a truck driver you cannot guarantee that you will be driving the same truck daily therefore, you’ll need a suitable portable bag to keep all your essentials in a safe place. You’ll want to choose the right size bag for the length of the shift that you are doing. Depending on how long you are out on the road for will mean that you might need to downsize your essentials bag.
Below is a list bags that we believe to be in an affordable price range and suitable for your essentials bag.
What are some essentials that you might need?
- Satnav – Ensure that it’s an HGV satnav as drivers can be fined if they are using a car sat nav
- Spare hi vis
- First aid kit
- Gloves
- Water
- Pencil and/or pen
- Paper
- Depending on the length of your shift you might want a spare change of clothes
- Driving licence, Digi Tacho, CPC and any qualification for the job
- Spare digital tacho paper
- Spare pare of glasses if needed for driving
- Safety boots
- Exemption certificate if applied (some people have these for not wearing a seatbelt for medical reasons)
FAQs
Q. Are you recruiting now?
A. Yes, the business is constantly growing therefore new job opportunities are always becoming available.
Q. What qualities do you look for in a candidate?
A. We look for candidates who are enthusiastic, driven and hard working.
Q. How do I apply?
A. To apply for your desired role you’ll need to call into our head office to discuss the position further (if you have applied trough one of our job sites then we will contact you). Our consultants will then go through the interview process with you. Once the interview has been completed, you’ll be sent a link to the application pack. As well as being sent the application pack you’ll be asked to provide all the relevant identification documents.
Q. Can I apply on my phone or does this need to be completed on a computer?
A. The application process can be completed on your phone as well as on the computer.
Q. How can I be sure my application has been received?
A. When you have completed the application pack it will say that it has been signed and sent off. Our compliance team will then work through all the application packs. Once we have received yours our consultants will be in touch with you regarding the next step.
Q. Can I work for your agency whilst furloughed by my current employer?
A. The government coronavirus job retention scheme allows for furloughed workers to seek work elsewhere whilst being paid by their primary employer.
Q. What’s the difference between PAYE and LTD?
A. PAYE (Pay As You Earn) means that your employer will deduct tax and national insurance contributions from your wages before paying your wages.
LTD (limited company) is its own legal entity. The director of the LTD company will need to keep up with any tax filing and administrative tasks. You can register as a LTD company through Companies House.
Q. Why do I need to prove that I work in the UK?
A. You must prove your right to work in the UK to ensure that employers, like Igloo, are complying with UK law when employing people within the UK. Failing to ensure that our employees can prove their right to work in the UK can carry severe penalties such as fines and imprisonment.
Q. What driving licences do we need?
A. If you are applying for any position in which you will move a car on site or drive off site then we require you to send in a front and back copy of your driving licence. We will then ask you to prove a DVLA check. If you apply for a job as a class 1 driver, we will ask you to provide front and back copies of your driving licence, driver card and driver qualification card.
Q. Why do I have to complete a DVLA check?
A. Before you go on site you must complete a pre-employment DVLA check to ensure that you comply with all requirements before we offer you any work. A DVLA check will also then be completed every three months so that we can keep our system updated. To complete a DVLA check you need to follow the below link and create a share code. This share code will then be sent over to your consultant and they will complete a DVLA check from there. If there are any problems with your licence or if the consultants have any questions regarding what codes might be showing, then the we will be in contact with you.
Q. How many points can I have on my driving licence?
A. Due to insurance purposes for most of our positions, the maximum amount of points that you can have on your licence is 6 for minor offences. However, this is not always the case so please do no be put off applying!
We’re on social media!
We’re on social media!
Follow us on our social media to see what jobs we have available, the latest news, some tips and tricks and behind the scenes of Igloo.
You can find us on:
How to: Improve your CV
If you’re looking around for a new job the first thing to do is to spruce up your CV.
What is a CV?
A CV, also known as a curriculum vitae, is an overview of your education, achievements, work history and qualifications. This is the first thing that recruiters will see therefore, it needs to make a good impression. A poorly written CV could mean that you won’t even be considered for an interview.
What should you include in your CV?
There is no structure to a CV and every CV will be different however, there is some key information that should be included.
- Contact details (ensure you have double checked these and that they are correct)
- A personal statement (include a brief summary about yourself and what you are looking for)
- Previous work experience (include a description of your job role)
- Education
- Qualifications
- References (occasionally available upon request)
Follow our top tips to make your CV stand out from the crowd.
- Make your CV easy to read
Don’t make your CV too long, a standard CV should be between 2-3 pages long. Use headings to separate your work history from your qualifications. Make them stand out by making them bold and underlined. Also, ensure that the font is readable, clear and professional. This will make the CV appear professional and reader-friendly for the recruiter.
- Break up texts, don’t do big paragraphs
Ensure you don’t have big paragraphs. Big blocks of text will make the important information hard to locate. Recruiters have a big pile of CVs to go through daily so a CV with big paragraphs that is not easy to read is most likely to go in the no pile. Keep the text brief however, informative.
- Add contact details and double check they are correct!
There have been many occasions where our consultants have read a CV and thought the candidate would be perfect for the job role however, their contact details were incorrect on the CV meaning that we are unable to interview them. Ensure that your details are correct so that you don’t miss out on any job opportunities.
- Check spelling and grammar
Ensure that you proofread your CV. Imagine spending all that time trying to perfect your CV to then send it off with a typo and other inaccuracies.
- Tailor your CV to the job role you are applying for
Tailoring your CV to the job role means that you can include and highlight the relevant qualifications, skillset and achievements for the job role. You can also then go into more detail on the previous job roles that are similar to the one you are applying for.
What not to include
- Don’t include personal information (nationality, gender and marital status) – Recruiters are not allowed to make a decision based upon this information. Therefore, this does not need including in your CV. Some companies may have certain requirements depending on the contracts (for example, age) however, this will most likely be on the job advert or the recruiter will ask you.
- Personal hobbies - Some companies will tell you that you should include hobbies however, others tell you to stay away from this. Most people will include the same hobbies (travelling, reading and socialising) however, this will not add any value to your CV. If you’re hobbies relate to the job role or show your potential of taking on challenges that is a bonus. If you’re hobbies include anything that will make you stand out from the crowd (such as charity work) the include it!
How to: Prepare for an Interview
Whether you are new to job hunting or you’ve been in the game for a while ‘winging it’ should never be an option.
Before the interview
Firstly, you need to make sure you have researched into the company. You need to ensure that you understand the job and how your working background would make a great fit for the position they are recruiting for. From doing this you’ll not only get the knowledge but also the confidence. This means no unexpected surprises during the interview process.
A few key things to cover when researching into the company:
- Research into your job role
- Find the address if the interview is in person
- Think about the questions the interviewer might ask and the answers to them
- Prepare some questions for the end of the interview
Looking into the job role will give you a full understanding of what the role entails. You’ll also know exactly what the employer is looking for in a candidate. A lack of research will also show that you are not interested.
The day before the interview
- If the interview is face to face, ensure you know where you are going
- Gather all important documentation (ID, up to date CV, relevant certificates, examples of work and relevant qualifications)
- Review the research you previously completed on the company
- Prepare some questions to ask at the end of the interview
- Choose a suitable outfit for the interview
- Get a good night’s sleep
By sorting out all the above in advance you will be more prepared and less stressed on the day of the interview.
The day of the interview
Make sure you don’t panic and stay calm. This will help you talk coherently.
If your interview is face to face, ensure that you plan on arriving 15 minutes before your scheduled interview time. If you are going to be late for any reason contact the interviewer as early as possible.
If the interview is over the phone, ensure that you are ready for the interview at the agreed time. Be sure to have your CV with you so that when you are asked about your job history you can easily read off that without forgetting about any little details. Make sure your phone is fully charged so it will not run out of battery during the phone call.
EU Settlement Application First-hand Account
Here at Igloo we have had a member of our own team successfully go through the process of the EU settlement scheme. We recently completed a Q&A with them regarding the process of applying to the EU settlement scheme.
Q: Did you complete the application online?
A: I completed the process on my mobile phone using an app called, EU Exit: ID Document Check. This allows you to complete the application online and upload your documents to support your application. I believe if you don’t do it this way you have to send your documents off or attend a face to face meeting.
Q: Did you complete this application in your native language or English?
A: I completed it in English. I did notice that the guide to the application process is available in 26 languages.
Q: Was this a complicated and confusing process?
A: No, it was quite straight forward. Everything is explained on the GOV website (What you need to complete in the application).
Q: Is there an application fee?
A: No, it’s free to apply.
Q: What identification documents needs to be sent off for this application?
A: If you are completing the application on your phone you won’t be required to send any documents however, they ask you to scan the chip in your passport. You have only 5 attempts to scan the chip in your passport with your mobile phone otherwise you will have to send other documents.
Q: Does the application need to be completed all at once or could you take a break and come back to it?
A: You can take a break from completing the application pack and come back to it at a later date or time.
Q: Roughly how long did it take you to fill out the application?
A: The application took me 30 minutes to complete.
Q: How long did it take to receive your status from the moment of filling in your application?
A: From completing the application to receiving my settlement status it took about 1 month.
Q: What happened after you applied?
A: I have received an email with the letter attached informing me about my status. The email that you will receive is not proof of your status. You will not usually get a physical document however, you can view your status or prove your status to someone online.
To read more about the EU Settlement Scheme please CLICK HERE.
EU Settlement Scheme
If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen you can apply for the EU Settlement Scheme for you and your family to continue living in the UK after 30th June 2021. You will either get a settled or pre-settled status if the application is successful.
If you have received a settled status this will usually mean that you have been living in the UK before 31st December 2020 and you have lived in the UK for 5 years with a small number of exceptions (also known as ‘continuous residence’). If you have received a settled status, then you may live in the UK for as long as you like. You can spend up to 5 continuous years outside of the UK without losing your status (Swiss citizens can spend up to 4 years outside of the UK without losing their status). With this you will also be able to apply for a British citizenship.
A pre-settled status usually means that you have started living in the UK before 31st December 2020 however, you do not have 5 years of continuous residence. Once you have reached your 5 years of continuous residence in the UK then you can apply for the settled status before your pre-settled status expires. You can stay in the UK for a further 5 years from the date that you receive your pre-settled status. With a pre-settled status, you can spend 2 years in a row outside of the UK without losing your status.
Complete applications usually take 5 days to process however, this can take up to a month. The processing time will begin once they have received all the relevant documentation. Your application will take longer if they need to request more information from you, you submit a paper application or if you have a criminal record.
What you will need to apply:
- Proof of identity (valid passport or identity card)
- A photo of your face
- Proof of your residence in the UK (unless you have a valid permanent residence document)
If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen you can use a valid passport, biometric residence card or biometric residence permit
How can you prove your identity for the EU settlement scheme?
- You can us the iPhone and Android app ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’
- Book an appointment to scan the documents in person
- Enter the document details online and send your identity documents by post
How will they use your personal information to grant you a settlement scheme?
- Criminal and security checks
- National Insurance number to check with the Department for Work and Pensions and the HMRC
- Sharing the evidence with other organisations to protect against fraud
One of our Igloo team members successfully went through the EU Settlement Scheme process. We asked them a few questions that may help you during your application process. Read Now
Deadline to apply: 30th June 2021
Fees to apply: Free
APPLY NOW: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/applying-for-settled-status
IR35 Reform
IR35 Reform
SOME GOOD NEWS….. IR35 reforms – Deferred until 2021
The government has postponed the IR35 reforms due to come in to force in April 2020 for twelve months in light of a Covid-19 fallout and the undue pressure on the UK’s economy.
All contractors operating via their own Ltd. Company or P.S.C will be able to continue this practice for a further 12 months.
Good news in light of the unprecedented environment we find ourselves in today.