Have any other contractors experienced this before....

[Marks88]

Hi,

I recently was invited to a first stage interview at a large bank. Was told by agency 5 days later that I did well and the client wants to see me for a second stage interview. I had previously asked this agent if there was only one stage and he said yes. Anyway, I still went along to this second stage but when I got there to meet my contact I was told that it wasn't a second stage but a first stage interview for an entirely different role!! He said he did not know why I wasnt told the other role I had originally applied for had been filled by a more experienced contractor but they did not want to lose me and had put me forward for a different role.

I explained that I was told this was second stage for the original role I had applied for...he was apologetic but I was so angry that I had travelled all the way from Wales to London just for this `second stage` interview and had spent time, money and effort to prepare for the interview. The other role was quite different to the one I had originally applied for and I wasnt keen on going ahead with the other role. What annoyed me was that they were dishonest - they should have told me that the role had gone. Underhanded tactics and dishonest behaviour here.

Do you really think that the agent did not know and it was the HR department of the bank? I spoke to my agent and he claimed he knew nothing about this and was told that it was second stage...has this happened to anyone else before and how did you react?

[SlipTheJab]

Hi,

I recently was invited to a first stage interview at a large bank. Was told by agency 5 days later that I did well and the client wants to see me for a second stage interview. I had previously asked this agent if there was only one stage and he said yes. Anyway, I still went along to this second stage but when I got there to meet my contact I was told that it wasn't a second stage but a first stage interview for an entirely different role!! He said he did not know why I wasnt told the other role I had originally applied for had been filled by a more experienced contractor but they did not want to lose me and had put me forward for a different role.

I explained that I was told this was second stage for the original role I had applied for...he was apologetic but I was so angry that I had travelled all the way from Wales to London just for this `second stage` interview and had spent time, money and effort to prepare for the interview. The other role was quite different to the one I had originally applied for and I wasnt keen on going ahead with the other role. What annoyed me was that they were dishonest - they should have told me that the role had gone. Underhanded tactics and dishonest behaviour here.

Do you really think that the agent did not know and it was the HR department of the bank? I spoke to my agent and he claimed he knew nothing about this and was told that it was second stage...has this happened to anyone else before and how did you react?

Read numerous other posts on here and make your mind up, only 2 scenarios present themselves, first agent was incompetent and put 2 and 2 together to come up with 5 or was lying and hoping that once you got there you would just go through with it. I'm afraid these are the shark infested waters that we as contractors must tread, put it down to experience and move on.

[billybiro]

...Was told by agency... client wants to see me for a second stage interview ... was told that it wasn't a second stage but a first stage interview for an entirely different role ... I was so angry ... they were dishonest ...

agency ... dishonest ... agency ... dishonest ... agency ... dishonest ... agency ... dishonest ... agency ... dishonest ... agency ... dishonest ...

Nothing to see here.... Move along..

[jmo21]

He said he did not know why I wasnt told the other role I had originally applied for had been filled by a more experienced contractor but they did not want to lose me and had put me forward for a different role.

Who is the he, someone at client co, and who is the they?

It sounds like you are saying the person you were talking to at client co (the he) but they (the client co) did not want to lose you.

If that is the case, the agent may well not have been told it was for a different role, and someone at client co thought you were a good fit for another role they had, effectively a second stage interview with them, but with the small detail of the different role missing.

Nah, probably the agent!

[NetContractor]

I always ask for a telephone interview before a face to face for a long distance role.

After 14 years I have had a few wasted journeys. Of course you need to weigh up how badly you want a role, vs if you think your experience stands out enough to be able to (somewhat) dictate to the client to speak over the phone before meeting face to face. In my experience, those who agree to an initial phone call, are more professional and better to work with than those who stick to their guns and MUST see you in person first.

Of course that wouldn't help you with thinking this was a second stage interview, although I generally discuss the role and process with the client on first contact. And I try to ask what their process is, hence get a feel if they want a second stage face to face interview.

It isn't fair to say flat out that agents are dishonest; of course (some) are, but a lot are not. The same can be said for contractors....good and bad. Like everyone, they are out to get a profit, and the ones who are fly by nights, and new to the industry, don't think of the long relationship.

[quackhandle]

I read it as pimp has filled one role and has chanced his arm for a bit of double bubble and put OP forward for a role he is 100% not suited for.

Those pimps hey?

qh

[SlipTheJab]

I read it as pimp has filled one role and has chanced his arm for a bit of double bubble and put OP forward for a role he is 100% not suited for.

Those pimps hey?

qh

Would be fine if the OP hasn't shelled out a load more moolah for the 2nd interview!

[Eirikur]

Yes has happened to me and I sent the agency a bill for wasting my time. They never paid ofcourse.

[northernladuk]

Yes has happened to me and I sent the agency a bill for wasting my time. They never paid ofcourse.

It will have given them a good laugh if nothing else.

[SlipTheJab]

Yes has happened to me and I sent the agency a bill for wasting my time. They never paid ofcourse.

Of course, you would have been better off stuffing a tulip in a Jiffy bag and mailing them that