Are first-stage telephone interviews becoming more common?

[Cenobite]

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?

[SueEllen]

I've had plenty of first-stage telephone interviews and only telephone interviews for roles.

It's basically a screening process for both you and the client as some agencies put contractors up for roles where they don't have the skills.

It's happened to me twice where the agent has lied about the skills the roles requires and must have altered my CV to get the role.

[petergriffin]

I was recently offered a Skype interview for a gig in London, which hadn't happened for a long time.

It's a good thing when you're offered a telephone or Skype interview beforehand. It means the agent is busy and doesn't want to waste time and is not there just for fishing.

Here in the continent it's quite common even for entry level positions.

[Eirikur]

Almost all of my first stage interviews are phone interviews. I always ask for it as I don't want to waste my time finding out the pimp lied about the role. (or didn't have a clue what the role was about in the first place)
In 2 cases it was the only stage and they gave me a contract without even seeing me

[petergriffin]

In 2 cases it was the only stage and they gave me a contract without even seeing me

Without even meeting the client?

[Eirikur]

Without even meeting the client?

Yep, which was a risk for me as well ofcourse.

[tractor]

..

Without even meeting the client?

It can also be about urgency too.I had two last month and both offered on that basis. I took one and so far it is all working out.

[Cenobite]

It's just that it seems to have become a long, drawn out process, a bit like what I was used to in my permie days. Things used to happen a lot quicker.

[BigRed]

I seem to have either a face-to face or a telephone interview, but not two stage interviews. In fact all my contracts have come from telephone interviews.

[kingcook]

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.