Lots of Interviews for a contract?

[Lance]

I recently effed an interview big style, was comical!

The agent met me, said I'd ace it, they're looking for laid back folks (like me) he reckoned I was a perfect hit.

Well, to be honest, I wasn't really interested, just agreed for a bit of practice, it was round the corner and a free coffee...

So I overdid the laid back bit a bit too much, and joked I'm so laid back I fall asleep at my desk sometimes.

Was a stange panel, two older blokes I was having great craic with, and two serious barstewards that looked German or Dutch, ie balding with glasses, about 26 yo....

Went back to curentclient - agent phoned me with feedback claiming they'd said I fall asleep in the office......

Miserable gets!

Ha.

Reminds me of an interview I did once.
For a consultancy who’d ducked up the delivery for their client. I knew nothing about the context and the interview was with the client as well.

They described the situation and I went on about how I’m the man they need when timescales are screwed, everything’s wrong and it needs rescuing. I said it needed a pragmatic approach that wasn’t too bogged down with process and procedure.
Failed to get the gig as they (client) thought I’d bypass all their precious processes.

It should have been 2 interviews so the consultancy could brief me on the sitrep rather than leaving me to guess what they were after.

[stek]

I recently effed an interview big style, was comical!

The agent met me, said I'd ace it, they're looking for laid back folks (like me) he reckoned I was a perfect hit.

Well, to be honest, I wasn't really interested, just agreed for a bit of practice, it was round the corner and a free coffee...

So I overdid the laid back bit a bit too much, and joked I'm so laid back I fall asleep at my desk sometimes.

Was a stange panel, two older blokes I was having great craic with, and two serious barstewards that looked German or Dutch, ie balding with glasses, about 26 yo....

Went back to curentclient - agent phoned me with feedback claiming they'd said I fall asleep in the office......

Miserable gets!

[BlasterBates]

For most companies one interview is sufficient but I did have 3 interviews with one bank, I fell at the last hurdle.

[pauldee]

Surely you can tell if someone's competent after one face to face? And if it turns out they've blagged it then just dump them after a week or so.

This assumes the hiring person is technically minded, I suppose things are going to be different if the hirer is non-techy. Only been in that situation once.

[PerfectStorm]

3 in the form of one telephone and two in person, yes

[Hobosapien]

Never more than one if face to face.

Two if first was telephone then they wanted face to face, some do some don't.

Three and they're obviously so disorganised they can't all make the interview they were all invited to first time.

Only had a permie position try a three-er. Decided after round two that nah back to contracting is the right choice. I wasn't going for CEO position or anything that critical they get right. I'm not a performing seal.

[vwdan]

Not three, no, but I don't think I'd take a chat over the phone too badly. I think a lot of companies massively overthink contract recruitment and sometimes you just have to jump the hoop. I wouldn't go in person three times though - as above, most of my interviews were 20 minute phone chats.

[uk contractor]

Now this is quite common especially if longer than a few weeks they all want to tick every box to say more than 2 managers think you are a team fit usually otherwise it rebounds on their precious HR appraisal! (which is also linked to their personal bonus payout). 1 inv bank in London I know well will not hire any contractor unless at least 2 senior managers have interviewed the candidate on different days & both agree on them being suitable (this is before they even reach the vetting & background check stages).


Goldman Sachs used to be several interviews as well for certain contract roles.


DKB was similar & once told me back in the late 1990s you want to work here you have to come to have drinks (your buying obviously) to see team fit in a non working scenario! They used to pay very well back in those days 50% salary & 50% bonus every year so that was a lot back then.

[unixman]

Can't remember ever having 3. Most often it is one or two interviews, both over the phone. A minority of clients want the second interview to be face to face.

[pauldee]

If they're going to drag it out that long, chances are something will have come along in the mean time.

[northernladuk]

Me kind of. Interviewed with a small consultancy supplying a global project to a large multinational. Some senior bod on the project wanted to meet me and the business wanted the same. Had nothing else to do so was happy to oblige. I've had a few where one was with the actual hirer and then a meet with the business customer. I wouldn't have called either of those situations 3 and 2 interviews to be fair though. One interview and two meets to check you fit.

[cntor]

If it's a 20 min phone call it's no big deal and it sounds like a tick box exercise to appease the senior exec.

You might be right. It's been a frustrating process with this company

[Manic]

If it's a 20 min phone call it's no big deal and it sounds like a tick box exercise to appease the senior exec.

[Eirikur]

Never had more than 2, most are 20 minute phone call followed by offer

[cntor]

Has anyone ever had 3 interviews for a 6 month temp position?

I usually just have one or two, but for this one I've have had 2 in person and was offered the contract, but one member of snr management would like to speak to me on the phone, before confirming my offer.