Interview style

[DannyF1966]

Given the amount of fakery that is posted on the job sites it seems difficult to know who to contact first.

Apply for anything and everything you feel you're suitable for. I've had calls from agencies following up after I've applied for something online and been told that the client isn't offering a position yet but just wants to see what sort of calibre people are out there. But they're not all fakes, I applied for one that I was pretty sure was just a CV gathering exercise but since it was an agency that didn't have my CV yet I sent it off anyway. Turned out to be a real job, and I start tomorrow

As far as interview technique goes, I've only done a handful but they tend to be more casual chats than formal "sit in front of the panel" type interviews. If you know your stuff and it shows when you're interviewed then they'll take a chance on you, knowing full well that if you're not up to standard they can get rid of you pretty easily and get someone else in.

[TheFaQQer]

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

It depends on what you find easy to answer

Contracting interviews I've had that have been tricky included lots of technical stuff that I had to verbally write the SQL I would use.

Last permie interview I was asked "when did you last get angry, why, and what did you do about it?" which you're unlikely to get asked as a contractor.

[woohoo]

I've had two perm interviews, both long and involved HR. Personality tests etc.

Contractor interviews tend to be quite short in my opinion but you do get quizzed and I've been asked to do paper tests twice. Some contractors don't mind doing a test others will walk out. Out of two paper tests only one was relevant the other a HR exercise.

I also started a contract and on the first day was asked to solve a problem using specific technologies. If I had done badly not sure if the contract would have been terminated or they where trying to gauge my experience.

[MaryPoppins]

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.

As the others say, it depends on the client, and it obviously depends on the type of role you're going for. It also heavily depends on whoever is interviewing you - not many people are any good at interviewing, in my experience.

Be confident - or act confident, and be prepared for anything. I've had some hilarious interviews.

[psychocandy]

Have had all sorts.... Couple of examples.

1) 5 min chat about the job. 30 min chat about rugby. Got that one.

2) Bob panel interview. 5-6 Bobs trying their best to ask the 'cleverest' question. Totallly pointless. Didnt get that one.

3) Tech phone interview. No general questions just 1-40 tech questions and that was it. Didnt get that one (probably cos 10 of the questions I never claimed to have knowledge of on my CV anyway).

4) Phone and face to face. Nice fella - role all lined up. Then FD wanted to see me. Nearly told them to do one but it was local. Turned up and guy was rude as hell and ripped into me, my knowledge, my CV etc. Picked up on one or two things I didnt have experience of and said - so why should I waste this much money on someone who doesnt know what I want?
Didnt get this one in the end either. But it as on jobserve for months afterwards - wonder why that was :-)

[ceebeepps]

4) Phone and face to face. Nice fella - role all lined up. Then FD wanted to see me. Nearly told them to do one but it was local. Turned up and guy was rude as hell and ripped into me, my knowledge, my CV etc. Picked up on one or two things I didnt have experience of and said - so why should I waste this much money on someone who doesnt know what I want?
Didnt get this one in the end either. But it as on jobserve for months afterwards - wonder why that was :-)

yes I wonder!

[TheFaQQer]

4) Phone and face to face. Nice fella - role all lined up. Then FD wanted to see me. Nearly told them to do one but it was local. Turned up and guy was rude as hell and ripped into me, my knowledge, my CV etc. Picked up on one or two things I didnt have experience of and said - so why should I waste this much money on someone who doesnt know what I want?
Didnt get this one in the end either. But it as on jobserve for months afterwards - wonder why that was :-)

Sounds like they had a lucky escape.

[dty]

Last permie interview I was asked "when did you last get angry, why, and what did you do about it?" which you're unlikely to get asked as a contractor.

Are "when some dickhead asked me a stupid question" and "called the agent and withdrew" valid answers?

[psychocandy]

Sounds like they had a lucky escape.

Jeez. How many times? Im all for a bit of banter and piss taking but at least try a new approach and make it a little bit entertaining

[uk contractor]

OP what is your skillset reason I ask is that unless its niche your going to be competing against highly skilled contractors who have the skillset & the contracting experience. If you have a generic skillset forget it you will leave the perm role & warm the bench until looking for another perm role

Who would you give the job to if your the hiring manager? The perm going contracting or the existing contractor...I think you will find its getting harder for permies to go contracting unless they have a niche skillset there is simply way too many contractors in approx 90-95% of all the IT disciplines right now.

If you want to succeed at contracting in 2015 & think it worth throwing away perm security you need IMO.

1: Very personable/approachable/friendly personality.
2: Lots of confidence.
3: Outgoing personality dealing with colleagues at all levels without getting stressed out or clashing with anyone.
4: Lots of mental stamina as contracting is often way more stressful due to expectations placed on you to perform at a level beyond the existing staff (as well as knowing more than them & being able to apply that knowledge at short notice).

Contracting can be very easy if you have the require character traits but you will nearly always find some team member who will not & does not want to co-operate as your the highly paid (compared to them) contractor know-it-all

If you still think it will suit you then good luck but many permies find the contractors they envy have to perform at a constant level beyond the perm role expectations & earn every penny & then some