Weird Interview...

[istvan]

Thanks guys for sharing your experienses. The more I think about it the more I wonder. While walking out I overheard him saying to another guy "you can have the meeting room, it was cut short". But then, how come he said before the interview that they changed the spec and there is no role. Ok, maybe the room was booked for more than an hour prior to changing the spec the morning before the interview. I know, knowing that there is no role, I lost my enthusiasm and probably did poorly. Anyway, I just need to sleep on it and move on ...

[monkfish]

Perhaps its the week for it...

I had a weird interview this week for a gig I would have liked but never got.

Interviewed by 2 other contractors, and came out of there feeling, well, not as if I'd been interviewed for a technical freelance/contract position but, well, as a "permie".

A bit touchy-feely to be honest. Was asked about experience but not directly about the kind of teamwork I had been part of. All a bit wooly.

According to pimp was turned down because I wouldn't fit their team! Experience chalked.

[GB9]

Perhaps its the week for it...

I had a weird interview this week for a gig I would have liked but never got.

Interviewed by 2 other contractors, and came out of there feeling, well, not as if I'd been interviewed for a technical freelance/contract position but, well, as a "permie".

A bit touchy-feely to be honest. Was asked about experience but not directly about the kind of teamwork I had been part of. All a bit wooly.

According to pimp was turned down because I wouldn't fit their team! Experience chalked.

I didn't interview you this week did I?

I interviewed a few people and chose 2. The main reason for turning down the rest of them was that they knew sod all about the subject. Although one person did manage to compound that by having totally the wrong personality for the office.......

[nomadd]

Anyone had such an experience? I know roles can change, even in the last minute, but maybe some of you have a deeper insight and can share your thoughts.

Had plenty like this over the years. Even had a few where I'd got the role and it changed the moment I'd turned up to do the job.

It's for these reasons that I now always insist on detailed telephone interviews first, and make it clear that I don't do long permie-style interviews or 'techincal tests.' I despise having my time wasted.

[GB9]

Perhaps its the week for it...

I had a weird interview this week for a gig I would have liked but never got.

Interviewed by 2 other contractors, and came out of there feeling, well, not as if I'd been interviewed for a technical freelance/contract position but, well, as a "permie".

A bit touchy-feely to be honest. Was asked about experience but not directly about the kind of teamwork I had been part of. All a bit wooly.

According to pimp was turned down because I wouldn't fit their team! Experience chalked.

Actually, from an interviewer perspective I am interested as to why you felt you had been interviewed for a 'perm'role rather than a freelance role. What distinguishes one from the other for you?

[SarahL2012]

Actually, from an interviewer perspective I am interested as to why you felt you had been interviewed for a 'perm'role rather than a freelance role. What distinguishes one from the other for you?

People experienced in bringing contractors on board tend to stick to the specifics of what they want you to deliver. I've had 2 telephone 'interviews' where the client just quizzed me on the experience that related to the work they wanted & didn't really care about anything else. I much prefer that because you can disappear for an hour to do the call so you're not losing a day's work.

I've also had a a few where HR turn up to jointly interview and that's when you know its going to be a lot more 'permie'. We then have to talk about strengths, weaknesses, how I manage difficult people, where I want to be in 5 years time etc etc.......

[GB9]

People experienced in bringing contractors on board tend to stick to the specifics of what they want you to deliver. I've had 2 telephone 'interviews' where the client just quizzed me on the experience that related to the work they wanted & didn't really care about anything else. I much prefer that because you can disappear for an hour to do the call so you're not losing a day's work.

I've also had a a few where HR turn up to jointly interview and that's when you know its going to be a lot more 'permie'. We then have to talk about strengths, weaknesses, how I manage difficult people, where I want to be in 5 years time etc etc.......

Agree with most of this. When I interview I have a specific notion of what I am after and the work I expect to be delivered. If what the interviewee tells me aligns with this then they get the role and I leave them to it.

However, you do also need to take into account things such as cultural fit and communication skills. In my book that has nothing to do with the permie side of life such as career progression or strengths etc, but more around whether or not that will act and be accepted as part of the overall team.

[psychocandy]

20 mins telephone interview and then you find out next day whether you get the gig or not = good start to a contract.

2 interviews, crap aptitude test, waiting a week for decision = never ends well. Usually waste of time.

[MyUserName]

My favorite interview lasted about 15 mins. The guy told me that he did not see the point of long interviews and only wanted to establish whether I was lying on my cv and he would determine this by asking various technical questions. 15 mins later he said that he was happy, I had the gig and I could go so he could sort out the paper work.

[GB9]

My favorite interview lasted about 15 mins. The guy told me that he did not see the point of long interviews and only wanted to establish whether I was lying on my cv and he would determine this by asking various technical questions. 15 mins later he said that he was happy, I had the gig and I could go so he could sort out the paper work.

Agree with that. Nothing worse than dragging an interview out for an hour because that's what is expected. Out of all the people I interviewed last week I knew within 10 minutes who was getting an offer and who wasn't.