Questions to ask for contract position ? ?

[Drewster]

I'm still pretty annoyed about all those irrelevant questions as I stood in the snow though

"They" thought the questions worthwhile...

"They" considered you answered the questions "well"...
You got the gig... by my reckoning they were relevant...... and more important worthwhile!

Well done!

[NickFitz]

..the technical bit just turned into an exercise in how much I had happpened to commit to memory from textbooks and could recite back parrot fashion to the programmer.

Hate them for that reason as well, they nearly always turn out to be tech quiz, with someone on other end reading from list of questions

WTS. A few weeks back I had to do one of these things standing in the snow outside ClientCo's office as a bitter wind blew across the adjacent local cricket pitch. They kept it up for over half an hour

One of the questions was about what "transaction" meant in the context of an RDBMS. My reply (which was just explaining the terms abbreviated as ACID) was described as "textbook" (in an approving way). Other questions related to aspects of Java programming, and some more generally about OOP.

This led to them getting me in for a face-to-face interview, which had to be first thing Monday morning as I had to be in Yorkshire by early afternoon. At this interview, it transpired that I wouldn't actually be required to do much, if any, database stuff, and no Java programming would be involved

Still, they were sufficiently impressed that they changed their plans, rejected the other possible candidates both from the agency that sent me there and the other two or three agencies involved, and agreed to wait five weeks until my current gig was over. So when I finish up here at the end of the week, I walk straight into there next Monday

I'm still pretty annoyed about all those irrelevant questions as I stood in the snow though

[swamp]

Telephone interviews are OK, but they can be a pain unless you're on the bench and have time to do them. I've had to do half hour conference calls on my mobile sat in a quiet corridor at a client's site with a notebook on the floor. No way I was prepared to take time off for an initial telephone interview.

[Not So Wise]

Hate conf calls, but they are are necessary evil. Had a bizarre 3-way call last week with a hiring manager working from home and one of his programmers who was offshore. Hopeless, couldn't hear a thing either of them were saying as we were all on speakerphones, and the technical bit just turned into an exercise in how much I had happpened to commit to memory from textbooks and could recite back parrot fashion to the programmer. I did not get the "follow up" call from the agency.

Hate them for that reason as well, they nearly always turn out to be tech quiz, with someone on other end reading from list of questions to which he might or might not understand the answers (plus always sucked at tech quiz's)

Where when had a face to face never been asked a "quiz" of any sort

While i can understand the need for them in some circumstances (areas with lots of chancers where you are interviewing people without lots of work history) in general i equate them to giving your plumber a pop quiz on plumbing before you let him install your new bathroom

[moorfield]

Now to the questions:
1. Conf call because it's faster. Might lead to an interview or direct to contract offer. Can vary (ps client unlikely to tell you result there and then, they will tell agency who will tell you)

Hate conf calls, but they are are necessary evil. Had a bizarre 3-way call last week with a hiring manager working from home and one of his programmers who was offshore. Hopeless, couldn't hear a thing either of them were saying as we were all on speakerphones, and the technical bit just turned into an exercise in how much I had happpened to commit to memory from textbooks and could recite back parrot fashion to the programmer. I did not get the "follow up" call from the agency.

[PaulCD]

Have done the Oxford commute the other way round (Oxford-->London) and it's very busy but you should be OK going the other way. If the contract is in the city centre I'd think about getting the train or the bus though.

WHS ^^

I thought that the Oxford - London rail link is a pretty good one. Is there such a thing in the UK?

[zara_backdog]

Birmingham - Oxford not too bad ( done Birmingham to Banbury) - depends where the gig is after you get off the Motorway.

[pmeswani]

I'm impressed with all the helpfull comments!

Well done CUK - not a single sarky "bugger off newbie" type post

As it's you... Hey newbie... bugger off!!

[Pogle]

I'm impressed with all the helpfull comments!

Well done CUK - not a single sarky "bugger off newbie" type post

[Not So Wise]

but I don't pay any agency fees).

You never do, client pays agency, it's called their "margin". Any agency that asks you for money = scam

Now to the questions:
1. Conf call because it's faster. Might lead to an interview or direct to contract offer. Can vary (ps client unlikely to tell you result there and then, they will tell agency who will tell you)

2. Presume you have some info on the contract? If so, compile list of normal questions you would have if it was any new project put your way, as if you were already working there. Money/Contract T&C and such you discuss with agency not client (you only discuss money with client if there is no agency)

3. Not a clue, managed to avoid commuting for 10 plus years

I'm not really concerned with the tax implications or the way I'm invoicing the client

Always be concerned about the above

Is there an FAQ covering everything I've asked ? I couldn't see one ?

Look at the box at top right hand corner of this page, one titled CUK Navigation

[Zippy]

Have done the Oxford commute the other way round (Oxford-->London) and it's very busy but you should be OK going the other way. If the contract is in the city centre I'd think about getting the train or the bus though.

[Bluebird]

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum (well have been lurking for a while) and would appreciate any advice you can give me re: a new contract.

I have been contracting for the past 18 months, my current contract was arranged through a friend, and another friend's temp agency are invoicing the client on my behalf (they also deduct all income tax/ni at source but I don't pay any agency fees).


I've just heard about another contract opportunity in Oxford and the client has requested a conference call asap ? so my questions are...

1). Why has the client requested a con call ? is this normal practice, is this likely to just be an initial telephone interview before progressing to a face to face ?

2). Is there anything I should really be asking during this first call specifically related to contract rather than perm roles (I've had quite extensive experience interviewing for perm roles over the years), but really don't know where to start when setting up a contract.

3). Does anyone have any experience the commute by car into/out of Oxford every day from the M40 (southbound) ?


I do think that I may have missed a few tricks with the current contract (daily rate vs hourly rate, 'overtime' payments, travel expenses).


I'm not really concerned with the tax implications or the way I'm invoicing the client but tips on anything else I would be expected to ask would be welcome

Is there an FAQ covering everything I've asked ? I couldn't see one ?


On a positive note my brother-in-law holds a very senior position within probably the UKs largest 'office workers' staffing agency and says he's definitely seen a very positive upturn in the number of positions coming in over the past 4-5 weeks.

Many thanks in advance everyone

John

1. Yes - telephone interviews save time.
2. Just use your experience to ask about the role, project ect - don't DON't ask about money.
3. Probably, but not me.

Everything else should be on a sticky - see difference between umbrella and LTD - make up your mind which way you want to go and go for it.

[omega]

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum (well have been lurking for a while) and would appreciate any advice you can give me re: a new contract.

I have been contracting for the past 18 months, my current contract was arranged through a friend, and another friend's temp agency are invoicing the client on my behalf (they also deduct all income tax/ni at source but I don't pay any agency fees).


I've just heard about another contract opportunity in Oxford and the client has requested a conference call asap ? so my questions are...

1). Why has the client requested a con call ? is this normal practice, is this likely to just be an initial telephone interview before progressing to a face to face ?

2). Is there anything I should really be asking during this first call specifically related to contract rather than perm roles (I've had quite extensive experience interviewing for perm roles over the years), but really don't know where to start when setting up a contract.

3). Does anyone have any experience the commute by car into/out of Oxford every day from the M40 (southbound) ?


I do think that I may have missed a few tricks with the current contract (daily rate vs hourly rate, 'overtime' payments, travel expenses).


I'm not really concerned with the tax implications or the way I'm invoicing the client but tips on anything else I would be expected to ask would be welcome

Is there an FAQ covering everything I've asked ? I couldn't see one ?


On a positive note my brother-in-law holds a very senior position within probably the UKs largest 'office workers' staffing agency and says he's definitely seen a very positive upturn in the number of positions coming in over the past 4-5 weeks.

Many thanks in advance everyone

John