Reply to: Are first-stage telephone interviews becoming more common?

[arrumac]

Every contract I'm applying for lately is offering a first-stage telephone interview first. This seems like a new thing to me because for all of my previous six years' contracting it's always been just one face-to-face interview.

I can understand it when there's some travel involved to the client, but these are gigs five miles away.

Anyone else finding this?

Definately a yes, I was permie with a large American Bank for over 15 years man and boy. I would always do a first round of 5 or 6 phone interviews (that is if i got that many decent CV's) and then do probably 3 face to face. Wasn't fair for some re travelling as I was based in the Bournemouth.

As it happens just gonna be starting a 6 month contract back in there after a year abroad.

[Eirikur]

I had the agent ring me the night before the interview for my previous contract. They tried to give me advice and what to say to ensure I bagged the gig. Had to stop them! "With all due respect, I don't need this - i've done pretty well in the past, I know exactly what I need to say, thanks very much!"

Sometimes the pimp will call you afterwards and asks "what questions did they ask?"
Unless you don't want the gig, never give this information away, as they will pass it on to the next candidate

[SueEllen]

Stupid to you Sue, but I've still had some interesting answers.

Oh shame it's the professional forums otherwise you could list them.

[SueEllen]

Sometimes the client wants to know what your journey is like. Watch out for this one, especially when they ask you if you want a drink and drop this subject in as small talk. I know I used to do it when I interviewed contractors..

That's a stupid question.

The standard advice giving to permies is to say "It was really easy to get here" and contractors aren't likely to say anything different as virtually all contractors have been permies at sometime.

[TykeMerc]

It's far from rare in my experience, the gig I'm currently on I had one. Admittedly I requested it as I didn't fancy doing the round 460 mile trip drive to near Bath in the event that it was a non starter for either me or the client.

I don't do "interviews" with Agencies beyond the usual contact calls and initial discussions.

[Zero Liability]

Yes, they all love to waste your time for a quick chat. I think it's a means of generating leads for them but like you said, it can backfire.

[MattZani]

So far I've always agreed to face to face interviews (and no telephone) if the job was in the area, phone interview otherwise.

Once a girl from a recruitment agency wanted me to go from Edinburgh to London JUST for a quick chat and to talk about a couple of opportunities...
She made the "mistake" of telling me positions and companies involved so I just applied directly

I think the more experienced you get and the more "entitled" you are to ask for phone/skype interviews only..

[Cenobite]

If it's any reassurance, that's due to the quality of the recording you generally get on phones. But there's a difference between how you perceive your voice, how other people do and how most recording devices capture it.

Thing is I sound quite a bit like Grant Mitchell in real life too. I've not got a voice for radio, lets put it like that!

[Zero Liability]

I think with me I've got a bit of a bad telephone voice: I sound like Grant Mitchell apparently.

If it's any reassurance, that's due to the quality of the recording you generally get on phones. But there's a difference between how you perceive your voice, how other people do and how most recording devices capture it.

[trivelles]

I have conducted plenty of first stage telephone interviews and find it very useful for both me and the candidates. It helps me to examine the candidate by his communication and other skills. It takes only 5 to 10 minutes hardly other than i spend 30 to 40 minutes to realize him in a meeting face to face. Also it does not irritate the the candidate and bring anxiety to him.

[CheeseSlice]

Just curious... is that because your contracts are quite local to you?

In my case I only ever seem to see gigs advertised that are at least an hour's drive away.

Not noticed any trend on the distance. I go for gigs up to 1 hour drive, or in London which takes longer. People just expect you to be able to turn up in London I find without any regard for the distance you need to travel.

I'm not a developer and my interviews are not usually very technical. I also get my contracts from the unadvertised market. I do get the odd phone interview though, but I think this just depends on the time constraints or preference of the interviewer.

[kingcook]

I've had a pimp ask me some "typical interview questions" in order to ensure I'd be able to answer them well in the actual interview, but that was the day before a real interview with a real client, and I politely told him to grow up and sod off anyway. This...this just seems weird.

I had the agent ring me the night before the interview for my previous contract. They tried to give me advice and what to say to ensure I bagged the gig. Had to stop them! "With all due respect, I don't need this - i've done pretty well in the past, I know exactly what I need to say, thanks very much!"

[Brian Potter]

The only problem with phone interviews is that, if you're a bit insecure or anxious, your voice will give you away.

Then such a person should remain in permie land.

[Cenobite]

The only problem with phone interviews is that, if you're a bit insecure or anxious, your voice will give you away. In a 1-2-1 interview you can reuse your tried and tested bulls hitting skills.

I think with me I've got a bit of a bad telephone voice: I sound like Grant Mitchell apparently.

[Ticktock]

if you're a bit insecure or anxious, your voice will give you away.

AYSYCOTBAC?
As a professional in your chosen field, bringing skills to your potential clients that they cannot source elsewhere, why would you be insecure or anxious?

On a serious note, if you are just naturally a slightly uncomfortable person, then this will come across over the phone or face to face - the only thing that may redeem someone face to face would be my stunning goods looks, impeccable dress sense and pine-fresh scent from the airspray in the bogs.