Reply to: Do Clients ever hold interviews for roles which don't exist?

[teclo]

I went for an interview a couple of years ago, turned out that the company were just looking for some freebie consultancy. In my desire to sound like the perfect person for them I discussed how I would do something in detail and all that, thinking I'd dazzle them.

Not so, turns out they "didn't have the funds" and later discovered them using some of the ideas I had suggested.

Now when I go for an interview and am asked how I would do something. I give them rough high level view and say "but without knowing all the details I can't really say at the moment" Not falling for that one again.

[jmo21]

At my last contract, there were approx 15 contractors in total for varying lengths of time on the same project (I was there 16 months).

They had been trying to hire permies before we started, and while we there (they hired 3 I think).

The whole time, they were constantly advertising and trying to persuade contractors to go permie.

This included one really awkward communicator chat with one of the big bosses which popped up for me one day.

Big boss: Hi Jmo21
me: Hi
BB: we are advertising again, would you like to apply, it'd be a formality just have to include HR.
me: Thanks for your offer but I am going to stick with contracting just now.
BB: ok

He asked another of the guys in the pub when we were all drunk, what would it take you to go permie. He answered £70k - the average in our area for what we do is probably £40k.

[Robinho]

Interesting, so in a way, that qualifies as a role which doesn't exist.

[eek]

I went for an interview about a month ago, maybe longer.

I didn't get the role but they offered me a permanent job, which i turned down.

Anyway, i still see the same advert by the same agent on job serve and CW well over a month later.

Is it feasible that they are just using the advert as an opportunist recruiting method and there's no specific role to fill?

No what it means is that they want a permie but can't find one. Hence they are hoping that a desperate contractor will take them up on the offer.

Don't forget some people and companies don't understand the point of contractors.

[pmeswani]

How ignorant!

Rather than throwing signs around, why not take the opportunity to clarify what you meant, or at least explain what you mean by "Can't Afford". Just remember, "Can't Afford" could be taken for monetary (), or it could be taken for other meanings such as you having a new arrival in your family, or your wife being permanently ill.

Be careful about what you say, otherwise people will start to think that you are nothing but a .

[SueEllen]

I went for an interview about a month ago, maybe longer.

I didn't get the role but they offered me a permanent job, which i turned down.

Anyway, i still see the same advert by the same agent on job serve and CW well over a month later.

Is it feasible that they are just using the advert as an opportunist recruiting method and there's no specific role to fill?

You may want to email the recruitment boards and point out that the agent has "mistakenly" put on a role that isn't live.

[Robinho]

I went for an interview about a month ago, maybe longer.

I didn't get the role but they offered me a permanent job, which i turned down.

Anyway, i still see the same advert by the same agent on job serve and CW well over a month later.

Is it feasible that they are just using the advert as an opportunist recruiting method and there's no specific role to fill?

[The Agents View]

How ignorant!

I think you've just summed yourself up in a single word.

It is ignorant for you to think that the interviewers WANTED to waste their time, and their employers money.

It is ignorant for you to think that this is some kind of targeted attack on you.

It is ignorant of you to have not built a war chest big enough to pay for BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

It is ignorant of you, to start throwing signs around on a board which is designed to help you.

It is ignorant of you to think that you will get yourself a contract without putting the effort in to "kiss a few frogs".

[MaryPoppins]

How ignorant!

Not constructive really, is it. I can't offer much advice really, but good luck PPR.

[PinkPoshRat]

Sounds like a sign you need to look at your finances a bit closer. If you cant even afford that, how will you cope with 6 months on the bench?

How ignorant!

[escapeUK]

I just can't afford to take up new roles which would involve me travelling to get to the client and waiting over a month for payment - aah it's so annoying!

Sounds like a sign you need to look at your finances a bit closer. If you cant even afford that, how will you cope with 6 months on the bench?

[wantacontract]

I've had two in this latest stint on the bench, both times secured the contract then they turned round and said no budget....

waste of my time and petrol money...

[The Agents View]

PCT just north of the Midlands but I heard of it happening a few times around the country in 2008/09.

For mine I had literally just shaken hands with the guy about to interview me when he got 'the call'.

He was very VERY embarrased and couldn't apologise enough though the decision came from way above him...

Unfortuantely, in this situation, you're dammed if you do, dammed if you don't. If you don't interview, you can't get the job - it's like playing the lottery - you can't win if you don't play.

Whilst it might be annoying, if you're not in there previous to budget sign off, then someone else will be, and they will get the gigs which get signed off.....

Yes, it's annoying.... and it's as annoying for agents as it is for you (we don't get paid until you start working)

[Mephisto]

Don't tell me this was in Berkshire? This happened to me too!!

PCT just north of the Midlands but I heard of it happening a few times around the country in 2008/09.

For mine I had literally just shaken hands with the guy about to interview me when he got 'the call'.

He was very VERY embarrased and couldn't apologise enough though the decision came from way above him...

[PinkPoshRat]

I have had 1 for Royal Berkshire Hospital and 2 for Berkshire PCT - I was interviewed for all 3 jobs and none of these 3 were signed off by HR/Procurement or whoever.... Deeply annoying