Reply to: How do you fit in interviews?

[GillsMan]

so did you get the job then?

Still waiting to hear (their HR is on holiday this week so I'll find out tomorrow). Agent did call me about another role which sounds very promising too, so I'm glad I attended the agency interview tbh.

[Going Strong]

I can see how it appears like that but it was actually an attempt to be self-deprecating (pissing time/money down the drain attending an interview I probably won't succeed in).

Anyway, on the pimp interview thing: I actually thought it was quite a useful exercise. He told me a lot about the role, the company, the people, and he went through my CV and picked bits out he thought the company would particularly be interested in. He said that his client insists that he has taken the time to meet candidates before sending them over, which seems fairly reasonable to me. It was just down the road from my work and he paid for the coffee. So a perfectly fine way to spend my lunchbreak IMO.

so did you get the job then?

[GillsMan]

Well actually mate......


It seemed like you were whinging about time "lost" for client interviews......

I can see how it appears like that but it was actually an attempt to be self-deprecating (pissing time/money down the drain attending an interview I probably won't succeed in).

Anyway, on the pimp interview thing: I actually thought it was quite a useful exercise. He told me a lot about the role, the company, the people, and he went through my CV and picked bits out he thought the company would particularly be interested in. He said that his client insists that he has taken the time to meet candidates before sending them over, which seems fairly reasonable to me. It was just down the road from my work and he paid for the coffee. So a perfectly fine way to spend my lunchbreak IMO.

[SueEllen]

Yes but I wasn't asking about whether or not I should attend a client interview was I? I was wondering if it was at all common that you can schedule out of hours interviews?

No harm in asking but it still doesn't get over the problem that the interview may be an hour away from where your present client site is. So even if the interview is scheduled for 8.30am you won't get to your client site in time.

Or alternatively you could have an interview at lunchtime but then there is no guarantee that it won't run over to last a few hours.

[Drewster]

As already said an agency interview is a complete waste of time, don't bother. As for client interviews, do you want the job? Is a 6 month contract worth a half day? Think about it.

Yes but I wasn't asking about whether or not I should attend a client interview was I? I was wondering if it was at all common that you can schedule out of hours interviews?

Well actually mate......

........ Other stuff about Pimp.........
What happens when/if the client wants an interview though? My current client doesn't have a work from home policy and if I take a day or even half a day off, that's a lot of money I'm pissing down the drain.

So what do you guys do when you're in a contract and it comes to interview time. Any tips?

It seemed like you were whinging about time "lost" for client interviews......

[GillsMan]

As already said an agency interview is a complete waste of time, don't bother. As for client interviews, do you want the job? Is a 6 month contract worth a half day? Think about it.

Yes but I wasn't asking about whether or not I should attend a client interview was I? I was wondering if it was at all common that you can schedule out of hours interviews?

[EricCartman]

As already said an agency interview is a complete waste of time, don't bother. As for client interviews, do you want the job? Is a 6 month contract worth a half day? Think about it.

[The Agents View]

I also check the agents profile on linkedin to evaluate how long he has been with the agency and where he has gained his marketing experience.

Although naturally - agencies do employ women these days......

[Brussels Slumdog]

Visit Agents while not working

What I have done is visit as many agents in my area face to face while being on the bench. Also many
agents visit an area where I currently work so I have obtained a few beers from touring agents on large expense accounts.

You have to evaluate the volumn of contracts the agency advertises in your specialised area. Would you like to establish a long term relationship with this agency or is this agency a new kid on the block or just has this one off contract offer which you may not get.

I also check the agents profile on linkedin to evaluate how long he has been with the agency and where he has gained his marketing experience.

[dynamicsaxcontractor]

You are running your own business? You make the interview fit in to your day! When I have an interview for a new contract 2 hours away, I extend the day - the ordinary 8 hours + 5 hours for the travel and interview. Interview at 11 AM, Work 6 to 9, 2 to 7 = 8 hours working day. If the interview is more than 2 hours away you need to be clever and try to have it a morning or an evening, or even better at the weekend.

[The Agents View]

Agency interview:- They should be coming to you if they want to meet you - end of. I'd never expect a candidate to come to me - especially if they're working (benched contractors are a bit different - they tend to like the time away from DIY/fun prevention officer). I disagree about the fishing - but that's just me I guess - I'm far too bothered about making sure everything fits (ie person turns up suited and booted, not in combats and jumper - yes, really I've seen it happen). It also gives me a chance to tweak any areas I think are weak (simple things like hand shake, voice projection, etc to ensure the first impression is the one the end client remembers). Perhaps if you were less sceptical, you'd have agents prepping you in the way you should expect - I have notes which go back 5 years on interview styles, likely questions, etc etc on all of my major clients - this information IMO gives my candidates the edge.

As previously stated though - if you want back to back contracts, you need to invest the time in meeting end clients - this is a business cost I'm afraid - like anything - a business needs a sales function, and that will take human resource - if you're the only person who works for your business, then I'm afraid you have to do it.

Ask yourself - would YOU employ a contractor on the basis of just a telephone call?? No, me neither......

[kaiser78]

As per other posts bit of a waste of time if you are justing meeting the agency. If you are keen to though, what about arranging early / first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon, disguised as a doctors appt to your clientco ?

[nomadd]

Don't bother going to see the agency unless it is round the corner and they are buying lunch. This is a pointless, usually thinly disguised fishing exercise.

+1

[GillsMan]

Interesting views all.

Right, so the agent is coming to meet me near my place of work so I don't need to take time off as I can fit it into my lunch break.

He asked me to bring examples of the sort of work I've produced in the past (e-learning modules, reference guides I've written, things like that) so I must admit, it does seem like this is a pre-vetting exercise. He did mention that his client insists they've met all candidates, but I'm sure they all say that. But this doesn't seem like a fishing exercise to me if he's asking me to provide examples of things I've done which is relevant to the role. Am I right or naiive? (Could well be the latter).

Yup, I think you're right about the client interview, I'll have to take the hit. Shame, I was hoping you'd all say something about most clients being happy to interview after office hours or something.

[swamp]

I would never take time off for an agency interview. I probably wouldn't even go if I was on the bench.