Do Clients ever hold interviews for roles which don't exist?

**northernladuk** · 23 February 2011, 16:12

Originally posted by PinkPoshRat View Post

Of late I have had some really positive interviews, but none of them have resulted in a contract award. I have even resorted in going for roles which are 'below' my capability, but I am happy and content to do the work for 3 months.

When the agent calls me back to say that I'm successful I get told that there was a 'more suitably qualified' candidate, OR that the client didn't like any of the candidates.

Apart from wondering whether I must be totally rubbish at interviews (which might be the case), I wonder whether clients are holding these interviews for roles which don't exist in a effort to stop agencies from calling them up 'on spec' to tout for any new contracts?

- Another new fad agents are doing is calling me up and asking for me to put together a sales type cv for myself so that the agent can submit me as part of their bid portfolio to a client.... Should I be doing this for them?

You are less likely to get a role below your capability as the client will be worried you are using it as a stop gap and will walk as soon as you get a better role that suits you and pays more. I don't know your speciality but also it doesn't necessarily say that you have the skills to do a role below you just because you are more senior.

I have been interviewed a few times and the role has been canned before anyone started but would doubt they hold interviews for roles that don't exist. Seems to be a waste of time and money but it wouldn't be too surprising if it happens somewhere.

Make sure you aren't confusing an interview with a client about a particular role or an interview with an agent to sound you out. I fell for this one and went halfway down the country to meet an agent at the start of my career and he was just fishing. Never again.

Unless I really have nothing to do I never bother with the CV as part of a portfolio thing either. 1) your cv should match the role they are trying to fill exactly. You can't do this with a generic sales one 2) Who says you won't be incontract when this comes around so would spend the time applying for direct roles rather than trying to make the agent look like he has people on his books.
He is using you to look like he has lots of skilled people on his books. Past that he won't give a monkies about you until a role he can make money on comes up. I have done it in the past but only when I really had nothing else to do and certainly didn't get excited about the prospect of work from it. Up to you if you do or not IMO as it can't do any harm but doubt anything good can come from it either.

**PinkPoshRat** · 23 February 2011, 16:22

Maybe it's just me being rubbish in interviews then.

Another interesting thing I've noticed is that all agencies now say their payment terms are 30 days - even if they operate weekly time-sheet runs. I just can't afford to take up new roles which would involve me travelling to get to the client and waiting over a month for payment - aah it's so annoying!

Agents seem too interested in linking up with me on LinkedIn and getting references from me than anything else PAH!

**amcdonald** · 23 February 2011, 16:30

Originally posted by PinkPoshRat View Post

Agents seem too interested in linking up with me on LinkedIn and getting references from me than anything else PAH!

They want to be your friend on LinkedIn so they can follow who your end client is and then spam them, the same goes for references

**PinkPoshRat** · 23 February 2011, 16:34

yeh I know what they're up to! I've got one agent who wants to be 'my friend' on linkedIn, also wants my references etc etc - same old tulipe each day...

**ChrisPackit** · 24 February 2011, 08:13

Originally posted by PinkPoshRat View Post

I wonder whether clients are holding these interviews for roles which don't exist in a effort to stop agencies from calling them up 'on spec' to tout for any new contracts?

I'm not sure about them holding interviews with no existing role but I've been party to going for an interview before the budget has been approved. Then to find out I would've been the chosen one IF the budget could get approved! What a ******* waste of time for everyone concerned

**SueEllen** · 24 February 2011, 08:21

Originally posted by ChrisPackit View Post

I'm not sure about them holding interviews with no existing role but I've been party to going for an interview before the budget has been approved. Then to find out I would've been the chosen one IF the budget could get approved! What a ******* waste of time for everyone concerned

WHS

**Mephisto** · 24 February 2011, 09:19

Originally posted by ChrisPackit View Post

I'm not sure about them holding interviews with no existing role but I've been party to going for an interview before the budget has been approved. Then to find out I would've been the chosen one IF the budget could get approved! What a ******* waste of time for everyone concerned

^^THIS THIS THIS ^^ or last minute decision NOT to hire temporary resource (NHS) when I had travelled over 100 miles

Maybe my ugly mug turning up for interview meant they quickly had to think up an excuse

**PinkPoshRat** · 24 February 2011, 15:13

Originally posted by Mephisto View Post

^^THIS THIS THIS ^^ or last minute decision NOT to hire temporary resource (NHS) when I had travelled over 100 miles

Maybe my ugly mug turning up for interview meant they quickly had to think up an excuse

Don't tell me this was in Berkshire? This happened to me too!!

**Pogle** · 24 February 2011, 15:33

Originally posted by ChrisPackit View Post

I'm not sure about them holding interviews with no existing role but I've been party to going for an interview before the budget has been approved. Then to find out I would've been the chosen one IF the budget could get approved! What a ******* waste of time for everyone concerned

yep, i had a spate of these in 2009 - hugely annoying

Do Clients ever hold interviews for roles which don't exist?