Top 10 Interview Tips For Freelancers

You’ve acquired the freelancing skills for your chosen niche with free online courses. You’ve applied to several jobs with no reply. Then one day you open your email and find an invitation for an interview from a client. Where do you start from?

Just like a normal job, some companies that hire freelancers prefer to conduct an online interview before they hire freelancers to ensure that they are dealing with humans and not bots. They also interview to understand if your qualifications and experience match what they are looking for.

Before you go for an interview you have a lot to prepare from the portfolio to the proposal to how you will prove that you are the right fit for the client. It can feel overwhelming.

Worry not. This article will share eight interview tips for freelancers to help them feel prepared and ready to face their potential employers. We will share the dos and don’ts for interview preparation and some of the interview questions you can expect.

8 Best Interview Tips for Freelancers

Let’s look at how you can ace an interview with these eight interview tips for freelancers.

1. Do proper research on the company

One of the best interview tips for freelancers is to research your potential client’s brand and learn more about what they do.

Head over to their website and research their products and services, their mission, values, and how they work. For example, if you are applying for the role of a social media manager, go to their social media channels and take note of their posting schedules, current content, and any gaps or recommendations you may have.

You can also mention their stats in the interview or a recent article on their website.

Most clients will not expect that you know much about their company because it is a freelance position. However, doing that will make you stand out and show that you are interested in the work.

2. Prepare for the interview

Preparation is one of the top interview tips for freelancers. It is easy to spot a freelancer who just jumped into the interview without sufficient preparation.

Take time to write down your key skills, and some of the projects you’ve worked on, and try to answer some of the common interview questions. You have probably sent your resume and samples, go through them so that you are not surprised when a client asks questions about the said experience from your resume.

Here are some of the common questions that clients ask in an interview:

• Can you tell us about yourself?
• What motivates you to be a freelancer?
• Do you have previous work experience?
• Do you have samples of your work?
• Why do you think you are the right fit for this project?
• How many hours per week are you available?
• What is your preferred method of communication?
• How soon can you start?
• Do you have other projects that may affect your ability to complete this one?
• Are you able to meet the project deadline?
• How do you handle feedback and revision requests?
• Do you have any questions about this project?

3. Showcase your expertise

The main reason for the virtual interview is for the client to know if you’re a match for their job. So, as you explain more about yourself and your previous work, focus on how your experience is relevant to the position you are applying for.

You can mention the companies you’ve worked for, and highlight some of the projects you’ve done related to the client’s job.

For example, in the case of a social media manager, explain how you improved the followership and engagement on your previous client’s social media channel. This helps to show how your skill set fits into what they are looking for.

4. Show samples of your work

This is one of the most important interview tips for freelancers. During the job application, you shared links to your work.

Now is the time to highlight the work and explain how you achieved that. You need to show the client some of your previous work and mention the process of completing the task.

Explain the process you took to do the work. Use your relevant samples to explain the impact of your work on the revenue of the business.

For example, as a social media manager, explain how you did the content research, how you created the content strategy, what tools you used to create and monitor the content, and how the content improved the revenue or brand awareness of the business.

5. Show your enthusiasm to work with them

Don’t go to the interview with a sad face full of anxiety. It is important to show enthusiasm and take the interview as a conversation and not an interrogation.

Adopt a neutral face and express how passionate you are about your niche and scope of work. There are already enough freelancers with the same skillset as you so stand out as a passionate freelancer who’s calm and looking out to solve the client’s pain points.

6. Be honest

The easiest way to lose a potential client is lying. Be honest about your experience and skills and avoid exaggerating. It is easy for a seasoned client to tell when you are lying and when you are genuine.

7. Ask relevant questions

An interview is a conversation, so ask the client questions to understand the job description and more about the project.

Asking questions helps you to be clear about the scope of the work and what the client expects from you. When you are on the same page it is easy to complete the work and impress the clients.

Furthermore, asking questions makes the client see that you are interested in the project. But ensure to ask questions they have not answered on the website or social media platforms or during the interview. Some of the questions you can ask include:

• When do you expect this work to be complete?
• What is your budget for this project?
• When can I expect to hear from you?

8. After the interview

Once the interview is complete, send the client a message and appreciate them for considering you for an interview and for their time. This leaves a good impression on the client.

Remember not to panic about how you answered questions because it is a done deal. Instead, write notes about your experience and what you think you should improve on for next time.

Also, don’t sit and wait for the response, instead apply to numerous jobs as you can to increase your chances of landing a freelance job.

Also Read: 7 Ways to Find Remote Jobs Online: Your No Stress Method For Getting Clients

FAQs

• How do you ace a freelance interview?

To ace an interview as a freelancer do proper research on the company you are applying for, prepare your proposal and portfolio, and be ready to showcase your expertise and why the client should hire you.

• What are the 4 P’s in preparing for an interview?

The 4 P’s in preparing for an interview are to prepare, practice, present, and participate. Prepare your portfolio in advance, practice questions and answers that you can expect, present your expertise, and participate in the interview by asking questions and giving the right feedback.

• How do I talk about myself as a freelancer?

The best way to talk about yourself as a freelancer is to give a summary of your relevant education, skills, and experience. You can also share any related previous projects and showcase how you can help the client with their project.

• How do I start freelancing with no skills?

To start freelancing with no skills choose a niche you’re passionate about, get the relevant skills using free online courses, create your portfolio, and apply for work. Apply to as many jobs as possible to increase the chance of getting the right match for you.

Final Thoughts

Remember that getting an interview date means the client has seen your potential to work with them. So instead of panicking and wondering how it will go, prepare, practice, and face the interviewer with enthusiasm and confidence.

Having interview preparation skills is vital for all freelancers and it is an opportunity to convince the client that you are the right fit for the job. It also gives you a chance to ask the right questions before you start the project so that the instructions are clear and it is a project that you’re comfortable doing. Try out these eight interview tips for freelancers and get that job you’ve been waiting for.

Happy earning.

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