Are first-stage telephone interviews becoming more common?

[SueEllen]

Stupid to you Sue, but I've still had some interesting answers.

Oh shame it's the professional forums otherwise you could list them.

[Eirikur]

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!"

Sometimes the pimp will call you afterwards and asks "what questions did they ask?"
Unless you don't want the gig, never give this information away, as they will pass it on to the next candidate

[arrumac]

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?

Definately a yes, I was permie with a large American Bank for over 15 years man and boy. I would always do a first round of 5 or 6 phone interviews (that is if i got that many decent CV's) and then do probably 3 face to face. Wasn't fair for some re travelling as I was based in the Bournemouth.

As it happens just gonna be starting a 6 month contract back in there after a year abroad.