Interview questions

[northernladuk]

That's interesting, my clock starts ticking when I am at my desk not when I have parked up. I need to change that.

Do any other driver commuters base their day on this as well ?

All depends on situation. I have always agreed a flexible working time as I like to come in a little later and I also don't watch the clock to the last minute no need to worry about this.

One site had a 10 min walk to the carpark but again this disappeared in to the flexible times I worked. Sometimes it worked in my favour, sometimes it didn't.

[JoJoGabor]

I haven't done this yet, but it could be useful to think of some questions to determine if the role is faint by IR35, not sure how I would word these yet...

[psychocandy]

My clock starts when I walk through the front door of the client. Stops when I leave the same door. If the client is n-floors up in a building, it's their cost to get me from the front door to my desk and back again.

Don't charge from the carpark on the current gig., as it's only 15 yards away. But for clients where the parking has been more than a couple of minutes away, I do charge from the carpark to the front door time (both directions.)

Hmm. Isnt this taking it a bit far?

[psychocandy]

I'd only consider it if the client is so obnoxious that they clearly think of contractors as scum who aren't fit to park in their car park.

Actually, if that's the attitude, then I'd be looking for somewhere else - it doesn't set the tone well.

Depends on the reason. Sometimes the car park is small and not big enough to accommodate everyone - in that case its obvious the permies are going to get first pick.

Used to work for client where the car park was small so that even permies had to have a rota to use it - one week in, next week on the street. In this case, for the contractors it was sort yourself out which is fair enough.

[psychocandy]

I haven't done this yet, but it could be useful to think of some questions to determine if the role is faint by IR35, not sure how I would word these yet...

Wait for the contract. Quite possibly the person interviewing you wont even know what IR35 is.
Chances they just know they need someone, possibly short term, to do a role and wont care about the 'other' arrangements.

[northernladuk]

I haven't done this yet, but it could be useful to think of some questions to determine if the role is faint by IR35, not sure how I would word these yet...

I don't think these are valid questions for the interview. IR35 is a contractual issue so will be addressed when you get the contract reviewed by someone. It is highly likely the people interviewing won't have a clue what IR35 is and you asking questions about working time etc will make you look more like a trouble maker.

Get offered the gig first the accept subject to contract review and sort the IR35 issues out then.

Don't try and look for questions to ask just for the sake of it.

[BolshieBastard]

I never ask 'what are the working hours?' as its too much like permies. Instead I ask how flexible they are regarding start finish times as I like to get in early.

My time is billable from when I walk through their door unless the car park is a trek in which case it starts from when I drive on it. Im an expensive cost to the client so I dont expect to have to walk ******* miles from my car to my desk.

I wont work on sites where they say contractors have to park off site. They may not see it as 'their' problem but it is. If they want me to work on site, they can ******* well provide a parking space for the new Z4 on site.

Other questions I ask are what tools do they use, how long is the project for, likely extensions etc.

I tell the client I dont normally take time off during the first 6 months of a contract too. When they ask why I tell them its because I am extremely focused and aim to exceed project goals. This can be achieve by not having holidays distract me.

Usually gets a few nods of approval, yay!

[nomadd]

Hmm. Isnt this taking it a bit far?

Probably, yes. But then my last few clients have been Banks - so it's not as if they aren't out to screw me in return.

[Rabotnik]

Apparently if you are contracting you should not use permanent employee parking, but you should use the visitor parking instead. IR35 nonsense...

[TheFaQQer]

Apparently if you are contracting you should not use permanent employee parking, but you should use the visitor parking instead. IR35 nonsense...

Fine by me - it's normally nearer to the building anyway