Are first-stage telephone interviews becoming more common?

[CheeseSlice]

nope not for me

[kingcook]

nope not for me

Just curious... is that because your contracts are quite local to you?

In my case I only ever seem to see gigs advertised that are at least an hour's drive away.

[Zero Liability]

I had a telephone interview with the end client for my current gig, but a second stage interview (which was basically a rubber stamping process) with the agency, who dutifully informed me my day rate is "a lot of money" (relative to contracting roles in general, no, it isn't, it's at the lower end, even in terms of the roles they source) when they asked how much I'd expect for any other roles they can source.

Also had an agency send me an email stating "after the successful interview you had with our director", which of course never transpired. But perhaps they are trying to massage their client's beliefs.

Generally recruiters seem to prefer them nowadays, and I don't mind, it cuts down on travel time for me. I also like the Skype interviews.

[riffpie]

Every contract I'm applying for lately is offering a first-stage telephone interview first. This seems like a new thing to me because for all of my previous six years' contracting it's always been just one face-to-face interview.

I can understand it when there's some travel involved to the client, but these are gigs five miles away.

Anyone else finding this?

Yep, all the time. I quite like it, on the whole. Just prior to this gig, for example, I had a lengthy phone interview where the guy just fired obscure Java questions at me for an hour. When he got to the point of asking me to actually recite a snippet of code over the phone, it turned out to have only been a waste of an hour of my life, rather than a waste of half a day of travelling, bothering to dress slightly smarter *and* an hour of my life. They still wanted me in for a face-to-face despite me flat-out telling him I thought his interviewing style was an utter farce. I politely declined, of course.

[riffpie]

a second stage interview...with the agency

Wut? What possible purpose would that serve? Once the client has said "we think this guy is the guy for the job" are the agent then going to say "Actually, no, we interviewed him and despite neither knowing much about your business, or about any of the tech you'd be asking him to use, we think he's not right for you"? Sounds entirely like they're looking for reasons to drop your rate. I've had a pimp ask me some "typical interview questions" in order to ensure I'd be able to answer them well in the actual interview, but that was the day before a real interview with a real client, and I politely told him to grow up and sod off anyway. This...this just seems weird.

[Zero Liability]

Tbh, it was just so the agency could tell their client they met with me in person, after the interview with the client.

[psychocandy]

I insist on a phone interview at first - I don't want to travel half way across the country for a face-to-face without having a clue what it's all about!

Current gig I only had a phone interview. The first time I met the client in the flesh was the 1st day of the contract, already signed and sealed.

If client hasn't got the time even for a quick 5 to 10 minute chat, they probably aren't worth it IMO.

WHS. One phone interview - yes or no is what I like.

[petergriffin]

The only problem with phone interviews is that, if you're a bit insecure or anxious, your voice will give you away. In a 1-2-1 interview you can reuse your tried and tested bulls hitting skills.

[Ticktock]

if you're a bit insecure or anxious, your voice will give you away.

AYSYCOTBAC?
As a professional in your chosen field, bringing skills to your potential clients that they cannot source elsewhere, why would you be insecure or anxious?

On a serious note, if you are just naturally a slightly uncomfortable person, then this will come across over the phone or face to face - the only thing that may redeem someone face to face would be my stunning goods looks, impeccable dress sense and pine-fresh scent from the airspray in the bogs.

[Cenobite]

The only problem with phone interviews is that, if you're a bit insecure or anxious, your voice will give you away. In a 1-2-1 interview you can reuse your tried and tested bulls hitting skills.

I think with me I've got a bit of a bad telephone voice: I sound like Grant Mitchell apparently.