Reply to: 2 interviews and still waiting

[BrilloPad]

I went for 2 interviews last week and both went really well. I answered all the technical questions correctly and the client at one of the interviews even said to the agency that I did really well.

I am currently waiting for them to get back to me as it's been nearly 2 weeks.

I am now going through one of the interviews in my head and thinking the technical questions were really easy. They were basic Cisco stuff.

Has any one had a really easy interview and then had to wait for answer for longer then 2 weeks.

You might suddenly get offered both at the same time.

But keep looking just in case.

[psychocandy]

Yes, isn't it amazing how many people seemingly advertise roles, then go off on holiday for a month? I find banks are the worst at getting you to interview/test/jump through hoops, only to leave you hanging for weeks/months on end before eventually getting back to you when and if they ever get their heads out of their arses (by which time you're invariably already working for somebody else). They must recruit some really terrific people from the bottom of the barrel that way.

Yep. Then they come back, make the decision at 10am on a Firday and then get pissed off cos contractor cant start following monday. And then tell agent its urgent!

[captainham]

To the OP, when landing a gig, I've found i'm generally told on the same day or very soon after so I'd just forget it, move on and if it comes to anything then thats just a bonus.

WDS.

I was told recently that a client really really liked my profile. Still carried on looking elsewhere of course but this sounded promising. After considerable chasing and a week later, I had officially written this one off.

Another 3 weeks pass and out of the blue an interview materialises out of nowhere with this company, followed by a contract offer about 2 hours later.

Best to assume the worst, but also bear in mind that clients, especially the larger ones, can be a bit hopeless sometimes so you never know what might happen.

[Durbs]

Had another interview with an on line car selling magazine but within 10 minutes of the interview, I'd figured out the skillset required wasnt mine so suggested we cut short the interview. Gave agent a bollicking for not knowing exactly what the client was looking for who to be fair, hadn't a clue themselves.

Had this myself once at a nightmare interview with a large bank. Turns out the role was solely to do with a particular 3rd party banking package that I'd never heard of and didn't have a clue what it was or did. Had as much to do with .NET as an embroidery contract would have. They started with a big list of questions on using this package so it was evident within seconds that the agent had dropped a b&llock. For that reason I always ask for a phone interview first.

To the OP, when landing a gig, I've found i'm generally told on the same day or very soon after so I'd just forget it, move on and if it comes to anything then thats just a bonus.

[stek]

Same here. I had some knob-job wanting details of my qualifications from O'level onward. Told 'em to f-off. No problems, just come to <northern city> for t'interview. Told 'em to f-off, phone first. Not an issue.

Phone interview revealed a micro-managing "we'll tell you what colour pants to wear" test management team.

Mind you, like Bolshie, I have the experience to be confident enough when it comes to this stuff.

The worst one I had was in a permie role, we in Leeds, manager in Glasgow, doesn't believe in Micromanagement, went though our Exchange Calendars for conf calls we where invited on, silently joined said conf calls, and messaged 'you don't need to be on this call....'

[stek]

I'm on one now where the agent (who is on-site for some oddball reason) likes 'her' contractors to wear a suit, in a totally non-customer facing role where the general dress code is Primark Jeans and a football top. No way.

Can't wait for this one to kick off, cos role is tulip anyway....

[bless 'em all]

Agreed. I've got ISTQB \ ISEB qualifications in addition to 15 years experience. If some joker thinks Im going to do some tulipty little 'test' that boosts their ego, they have another thing coming.

I never do more than one face to face interview either. Its one face to face or a short telephone interview then F-2-F depending on distance.

Same here. I had some knob-job wanting details of my qualifications from O'level onward. Told 'em to f-off. No problems, just come to <northern city> for t'interview. Told 'em to f-off, phone first. Not an issue.

Phone interview revealed a micro-managing "we'll tell you what colour pants to wear" test management team.

Mind you, like Bolshie, I have the experience to be confident enough when it comes to this stuff.

[Gentile]

Then simply don't let them treat you - and your business - that way.

Tests? Nope. Never. If my 27 years of I.T. experience isn't convincing enough, then let's stop wasting each others time. I'm not a school-leaver.
Interview? Let's do a telephone interview first, to make sure we are on the same page and you are serious.

The above simple two steps have saved me an enormous amount of wasted time with banks over the years.

I assure you, I don't. My means of avoiding having my time wasted with banking contracts is even simpler than yours: when I hear the word "bank", I move my head from side to side and move onto the next gig.

[BolshieBastard]

Then simply don't let them treat you - and your business - that way.

Tests? Nope. Never. If my 27 years of I.T. experience isn't convincing enough, then let's stop wasting each others time. I'm not a school-leaver.
Interview? Let's do a telephone interview first, to make sure we are on the same page and you are serious.

The above simple two steps have saved me an enormous amount of wasted time with banks over the years.

Agreed. I've got ISTQB \ ISEB qualifications in addition to 15 years experience. If some joker thinks Im going to do some tulipty little 'test' that boosts their ego, they have another thing coming.

I never do more than one face to face interview either. Its one face to face or a short telephone interview then F-2-F depending on distance.

[BolshieBastard]

In last week of July, I had three interviews and was offered all three jobs at over £300 a day (north west) within 24 hours. Jibbed them all off for one reason or another (one agent got me so pissed off I told them to stick it, second, client was inflexible about start and finish time, third was very close to a major north west football ground and didnt fancy on street parking all day with the new Z4).

Had another interview with an on line car selling magazine but within 10 minutes of the interview, I'd figured out the skillset required wasnt mine so suggested we cut short the interview. Gave agent a bollicking for not knowing exactly what the client was looking for who to be fair, hadn't a clue themselves.

First week in August got asked if I'd attend a local interview within a few hours. Said yes, had the interview on the Friday and was told I'd got it on the following Monday.

In short, if you havent heard within 3 or 4 days, move on and keep looking. Yes, sometimes clients drag their feet but experience shows you havent been successful

[nomadd]

I find banks are the worst at getting you to interview/test/jump through hoops, only to leave you hanging for weeks/months on end before eventually getting back to you when and if they ever get their heads out of their arses (by which time you're invariably already working for somebody else).

Then simply don't let them treat you - and your business - that way.

Tests? Nope. Never. If my 27 years of I.T. experience isn't convincing enough, then let's stop wasting each others time. I'm not a school-leaver.
Interview? Let's do a telephone interview first, to make sure we are on the same page and you are serious.

The above simple two steps have saved me an enormous amount of wasted time with banks over the years.

[northernladuk]

Think of yourself as a business selling your services (which really you are). Would you sit around waiting for one customer on the off chance he might throw some business your way? Would you buggery, you would be after the next customer that might want your services and the next etc until you boom!

[Gentile]

I was working on a contract where they were getting a new guy in but paperwork had to be approved by someone on holiday for 2 weeks I told the permie PM to call the guy and keep him updated so we didn't lose him.

Point is if the client uses contractors regularly and can't be bothered to keep you in the loop then there is no role.

Yes, isn't it amazing how many people seemingly advertise roles, then go off on holiday for a month? I find banks are the worst at getting you to interview/test/jump through hoops, only to leave you hanging for weeks/months on end before eventually getting back to you when and if they ever get their heads out of their arses (by which time you're invariably already working for somebody else). They must recruit some really terrific people from the bottom of the barrel that way.

[SeekingIT]

The Contract

Do yourself a favour and mark my words - Keep looking, until you have signed contract in your mitts, (and even with this, can be sagas) you have Nada....

This goes double when you've been told gig is yours...

[SueEllen]

I was working on a contract where they were getting a new guy in but paperwork had to be approved by someone on holiday for 2 weeks I told the permie PM to call the guy and keep him updated so we didn't lose him.

Point is if the client uses contractors regularly and can't be bothered to keep you in the loop then there is no role.