Blogs

The IR35 reforms are to be delayed by one year. After months of preparation from hiring managers, contractors and agencies, the Government has announced that IR35 will now not be extended to the public sector until April 2021. The decision was announced in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, by Chief Treasury Secretary Steve Barclay, in a bid to protect the economy from the a...

​Please be reassured that during this unsettling time, DATS is committed to continuing to partner with our clients, candidates and contractors as usual. Our business is open and we’re taking every precautionary measure to ensure the health and well being of our clients, staff and suppliers. We’ve undertaken a full review of our business continuity plan and will continue to r...

With IR35 private sector changes just a matter of weeks away now, you may be wondering what you can do if contractors (PSC) you currently use fall inside of the legislation. Well, there are a number of options that end hirers using contractors can choose. Here’s just some of them:​Option 1: Transfer your contractors to PAYE/umbrellaMost recruitment agencies will offer a PAYE...

There's no denying that finding great engineering talent is a challenge. So how do you find the best candidates, and go about getting them to join your company?Find out more from our top tips in this free downloadable ebook. ​​​

​Apprenticeships have long been prevalent in the engineering industry but have grown in popularity in all areas in recent years – maybe owing to the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in 2017. According to UCAS, there are now approximately 1500 different job role apprenticeships available in England, making them an excellent first step onto lots of different career ladd...

​The changes to IR35 legislation come into effect in just a number of weeks now. Do you feel like you’re not yet prepared? Don’t worry – there’s still time to get ready. And even better, we’re here to help!You’ll know by now that the responsibility for deciding whether contractors you use sit inside or outside of IR35 will now fall to you (the end hirer). That means that by ...

​If you’re a contractor, you may wonder if there’s a need to engage a middleman. Why use an agency when you’re capable of searching for a new role yourself, right? Well, in fact, there are a number of reasons why that’s not always the best option. While agencies can sometimes get a bad rap, there are a lot of advantages to using them. Many of our contractors have been with D...

​Not many hiring managers can boast a 100% success rate. Almost all of us can admit to having recruited promising individuals that further down the line have not met expectations, whether that be in terms of performance, personality, motivation or loyalty.No matter how well-practiced you are at recruiting new temporary or permanent team members, it remains a difficult task. ...

​The end of one decade marks a period of reflection, but it also provides a reason to look ahead. British engineering has undergone considerable change in the last 10 years. From the decline in oil and gas production to the arrival of BIM, CAD and 3D printing, technological and political developments have continued to gather pace.As recruiters, we’ve seen the effects first-h...

​After working for many years in UK Engineering, we know a thing or two about what makes a great hiring experience – on both sides of the recruitment drive. It’s not just down to the candidates to impress you and employers also need to think carefully about showcasing your brand at the interview stage, as well as understanding them inside-out.There’s a lot to consider… what ...

​Interviews are always tough – it’s hard to know how to make the right impression. Unfortunately, there is no magic formula for success, and getting advice on the subject can only get you so far – ultimately it is up to you to give it your best on the day. On the otherhand, there are definitely things that you should NOT do in an interview, and avoiding these things could re...

​Our Process Engineering team has amassed a huge store of insight, experience and market analysis during their time at DATS. The team specialises in Chemical and Process Engineering; here are some of their thoughts on what the industry holds for clients and candidates…When we talk about Chemical and Process Engineering professionals, we actually mean the experts who design, ...

​As you job search, you’ll notice that candidates are often asked to also send in a covering letter with their CV. You may consider this unnecessary or a waste of time, but this letter can be just as important as the CV itself.The main purpose is to get your CV read and secondly to get you an interview! Try to imagine the letter as your own personal one page advert. Keep i...

​Using our market insight and consultant's industry expertise, we've put together a comprehensive 2019 salary survey. Gain valuable insight into design engineering industry salaries. From process, civil/structural or EC&I engineering, to project managers and procurement...download your free copy below.​​​​​​

​Let’s face it, with today’s fast pace of living, finding the time for something like volunteering isn’t easy. Yet statistics show that applicants who can demonstrate evidence of having volunteered are more likely to be successful when it comes to landing a job or accelerating their career.There’s a whole host of reasons why employers find volunteering experience so attracti...

​One of our most recent features explored 3D printing and the benefits it’s bringing to the ever-changing world of manufacturing. It reduces both time and cost in the production and assembly of parts, refining processes and increasing efficiency.But even before we get to the production (or printing) stage, design plays an equally vital role in the effectiveness of your proce...

​You only get one chance to make a good impression, so they say and during an interview, it’s imperative to get it right. To maximise your chances of success in securing the roles you really want, it’s a good idea to brush up on your interview skills beforehand. This is an opportunity for the company to find out about you and your suitability for the role. However, it’s als...

​With changes in IR35 legislation due to come into effect next April, a range of questions are understandably being posed. Both clients and contractors are eager to know how IR35 will directly impact them. Below, we’ve included some of the most frequently asked questions, along with our answers. What is IR35?IR35 is a tax law. It first came into force across the UK in April ...

They’re two of the oldest engineering practices, but Civil and Structural design and engineering is in a brave new world. Northwest employers need these skills more than ever. Here, DATS specialist Tony Hynes unpicks some industry trends…In September, I’ll have been with DATS for four years. It’s been an absolute joy – recruitment has always fascinated me. I love the target-...

​With any potential employer you’ll want to create a great first impression. And as your CV is the first thing that’s likely to land on a hiring manager’s desk, you’ll want it to stand out. Here are our top CV tips for landing your ideal engineering job.1. Keep it simple, short and relevantAim for two pages. Many employers are busy and simply won’t have time to trawl through...