Clients and Interview Turnaround

[The_Equalizer]

Greetings from the bench,

I have finally decided it's time to get the cash flowing in the right direction after a little time off. Sadly I have come to the conclusion that my next contract will have to be in the smoke. I decided to target job applications and had two agents contact me about specific roles last week, one with a well known broadcaster and the other an IB. This will be my third contract and I am therefore still a little green. Both said that they were putting my cv forward and I'm pretty sure this is true (well about as sure as you can be with agents). Anyway, I was just wondering on how long it normally takes clients to come back for interviews, be them phone or face-to-face?

The answer is probably, "how long is a piece of string?", but the more experienced on here must have a gut feeling/general idea. I know I should just press on with further applications, but I would be keen on either. I've worked for the 'well known broadcaster' in my first contract and enjoyed the work and would be happy with the rate. The IB is what I would term 'stupid money' and would look good on the cv as well as provide good experience.

Any ideas on the 'average time' for client turnaround for interview slots?

[jmo21]

The answer is probably, "how long is a piece of string?",

Correct.

but the more experienced on here must have a gut feeling/general idea.

See above.

You know the answer.

The client can be hard to pin down, have 20/30/40 CV's to review from multiple agencies, he's off on Friday, in a training course Tuesday/Wednesday, off the following week, needs to get his bosses/dev lead's opinion, but that guy is off on Friday, in a training course Tuesday/Wednesday, off the following week etc etc etc.

[TykeMerc]

I must agree it's a case of how long is a piece of string, however:-

If I've not heard from the agent for a week after the "I'm putting your CV forwards" I tend to think that it's a dead end.
I will usually check call the agency once or twice, if I can't get an instant response or rapid call back then it's more than likely dead.

If the agent isn't keen to update you and voluntarily justify any delays then odds are it's a non starter.

Some clients really do take their time or the role isn't mad urgent, but if that's the case the agent will keep in touch if you're in real contention as they'd prefer to place you rather than have one of their competitors place someone else.

[The_Equalizer]

Thanks folks and it's pretty much what I thought. Contact made Tuesday, CV forward Wednesday and I chased on Friday. I'll check again tomorrow, otherwise I'll write them off. As it happens the agent for the broadcaster contract cold called me and the second was pretty quick to supply me with details. Anyway, guess it's all part of the merry game and you only need one contract as they say.

[SueEllen]

I've had 2 contracts where I ended up working on them 8 months and 3 years after my CV was submitted the first time.

You need to remember if the end-client is large there are often procurement processes which can take a long time to sort out by which time you can easily obtain another contract.

In the 8 month incidence I found the original agency got dropped so the end client never actually got my CV the 1st time round. Even the 2nd time round the end-client took 2 weeks to arrange an interview. Then after they stated they wanted me within an hour of the interview it went quiet. It was only when the agent told the end client that if they didn't sign off their purchase order within 48 hours then I was going elsewhere, the contract came through.

In other words keep looking until you have a contract through and most importantly have started.