Interview style

[LardOrSteel]

Hello All,

First post here and have made the decision to go contracting. Having a look at past posts regarding interviews, I get the impression that the interview process is less rigorous than for a permy position.

Is this generally the case for contract interviews? Is the whole process much shorter than the endless long interviews I have tended to have for permy positions - where even the directors dog has to like you before they'll employ you?

Thank you.

[cojak]

Hello All,

First post here and have made the decision to go contracting. Having a look at past posts regarding interviews, I get the impression that the interview process is less rigorous than for a permy position.

Is this generally the case for contract interviews? Is the whole process much shorter than the endless long interviews I have tended to have for permy positions - where even the directors dog has to like you before they'll employ you?

Thank you.

Yes it's quick to start you, because it's quick to get rid of you.

I've seen some contractors not last the first week.

[TykeMerc]

Tends to be shorter as if nothing else they can just get rid immediately if you turn out to be useless or horrible.
Not forgetting that contractors are commonly brought in to fill urgent gaps in skills or manpower so they don't have time to burn.
That's ignoring the fact that HR, training etc are all involved in permy appointments, there's quite a few reasons why the contractor process can be a good deal shorter.

[BolshieBastard]

Hello All,

First post here and have made the decision to go contracting. Having a look at past posts regarding interviews, I get the impression that the interview process is less rigorous than for a permy position.

Is this generally the case for contract interviews? Is the whole process much shorter than the endless long interviews I have tended to have for permy positions - where even the directors dog has to like you before they'll employ you?

Thank you.

Until you get your first contract, you may find contract interviews just as testing as a permie one since clients will want to be sure you can hack it as you have no contracting hstory.

Once you've got a few contracts under your belt, you may find things get a little easier. But, be aware some clients will still grill you. Ive had 10 minute 'Hello again' interviews to a full 3+ hour assessment for a security cleared role.

[SueEllen]

Interviews vary.

Unfortunately some clients don't realise if they don't interview you quickly and insist on having 3 rounds of interviews for a contract, you may simply not turn up as you have a contract some where else.

[northernladuk]

Gotta be careful here. They may be less rigorous because they are not looking for a long term investment for the company. For permie they gave to check the person is good team fit and find what his potential for the future is. They don't need this element for contracting so the interview will be shorter and more direct. Thing is they want someone to do the job they have so the interview will be pretty direct and sometimes you'll get quite a grilling on detailed questions about the role and your past experience so you really have to think hard. I've walked out of more contract interviews think that was tough than I have permie ones.

Don't for one minute thing contracting interviews are easier. I'd say they are not.

[Elliegirl]

Don't for one minute thing contracting interviews are easier. I'd say they are not.

The toughest interview I've had to date was for a contract. I came out feeling traumatised. Another time I had an interview lined up which was supposed to be 2.5 hours long; the only reason it didn't go ahead was because I accepted another role. Overall, my perm interviews have been pieces of cake compared to the contracts. This is probably because a certain level of expertise is expected from you. You are not there to 'learn on the job'.

[raphal]

It all depends on the role, rate, client etc. For e.g. if you are applying for a role in an investment bank the expectations could be higher as compared to roles in other sectors.

If I am moving from permie to contracting, I would first focus on getting my cv shortlisted for interviews as there will be competition from many other experienced contractors in the market.

[ceebeepps]

Getting my first contract was challenging, merely just to get a lot of agents to shortlist my CV because I had previously been permanent. I'm still a relative novice but I do find the interviews very different, but in a good way (for me). Skill knowledge; I find that I am grilled more thoroughly on than perm interviews, but the whole process is usually a much shorter lifecycle, and the whole approach is one I prefer.

[LardOrSteel]

Thanks for the replies. My main concern is getting an interview in the first place. Given the amount of fakery that is posted on the job sites it seems difficult to know who to contact first. It would be nice to get a few "practice" interviews under my belt first so I can get warmed up for it.