Are first-stage telephone interviews becoming more common?

[Brian Potter]

The only problem with phone interviews is that, if you're a bit insecure or anxious, your voice will give you away.

Then such a person should remain in permie land.

[kingcook]

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.

I had the agent ring me the night before the interview for my previous contract. They tried to give me advice and what to say to ensure I bagged the gig. Had to stop them! "With all due respect, I don't need this - i've done pretty well in the past, I know exactly what I need to say, thanks very much!"

[CheeseSlice]

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.

Not noticed any trend on the distance. I go for gigs up to 1 hour drive, or in London which takes longer. People just expect you to be able to turn up in London I find without any regard for the distance you need to travel.

I'm not a developer and my interviews are not usually very technical. I also get my contracts from the unadvertised market. I do get the odd phone interview though, but I think this just depends on the time constraints or preference of the interviewer.

[trivelles]

I have conducted plenty of first stage telephone interviews and find it very useful for both me and the candidates. It helps me to examine the candidate by his communication and other skills. It takes only 5 to 10 minutes hardly other than i spend 30 to 40 minutes to realize him in a meeting face to face. Also it does not irritate the the candidate and bring anxiety to him.

[Zero Liability]

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

If it's any reassurance, that's due to the quality of the recording you generally get on phones. But there's a difference between how you perceive your voice, how other people do and how most recording devices capture it.

[Cenobite]

If it's any reassurance, that's due to the quality of the recording you generally get on phones. But there's a difference between how you perceive your voice, how other people do and how most recording devices capture it.

Thing is I sound quite a bit like Grant Mitchell in real life too. I've not got a voice for radio, lets put it like that!

[MattZani]

So far I've always agreed to face to face interviews (and no telephone) if the job was in the area, phone interview otherwise.

Once a girl from a recruitment agency wanted me to go from Edinburgh to London JUST for a quick chat and to talk about a couple of opportunities...
She made the "mistake" of telling me positions and companies involved so I just applied directly

I think the more experienced you get and the more "entitled" you are to ask for phone/skype interviews only..

[Zero Liability]

Yes, they all love to waste your time for a quick chat. I think it's a means of generating leads for them but like you said, it can backfire.

[TykeMerc]

It's far from rare in my experience, the gig I'm currently on I had one. Admittedly I requested it as I didn't fancy doing the round 460 mile trip drive to near Bath in the event that it was a non starter for either me or the client.

I don't do "interviews" with Agencies beyond the usual contact calls and initial discussions.

[SueEllen]

Sometimes the client wants to know what your journey is like. Watch out for this one, especially when they ask you if you want a drink and drop this subject in as small talk. I know I used to do it when I interviewed contractors..

That's a stupid question.

The standard advice giving to permies is to say "It was really easy to get here" and contractors aren't likely to say anything different as virtually all contractors have been permies at sometime.