But whether you get that client or not depends on your interview skills. And the craziest thing? Every day you prepare but nothing prepares you for how things may turn out during the interview. Talk about what you ordered vs what you got.
Generally, interviews provide an opportunity for clients to get to know you better and for you to ask questions about the role and make sure it's the right fit for you. Besides, the whole goal of freelancing is to be able to choose who you work with.
In this article, we will share some interview tips to help you navigate your next interview with confidence and professionalism.
Pre-Interview Preparation
Here are some handy tips to keep in mind before your interview day.
1. Research the company/clients
One of the most important steps you can take before an interview is to research the company or client you are potentially working for. Understand what the company does, its products or services are, and what its mission and values are.
Identify the company culture especially if the project requires frequent communication and collaboration. Look for any information on how they operate, including their team structure, management style, and working hours.
Familiarize yourself with the company’s current projects and how the role helps the company achieve the project goal. Get to know their competitors and how they differ in the market.
For example, a graphics designer can look at the company’s social media channels and other marketing materials and prepare recommendations based on their research.
If you’re in a situation where you don’t know the company you’re interviewing for, make sure to send a message to the recruiter for more information about the company.
By researching the company beforehand, you can understand their business and the type of work they do. More importantly, it demonstrates your interest in their organization and your commitment to being a part of the team.
2. Understand the job requirements
Get to know what the company is searching for and if you are a right fit for the company. To begin, review the job description provided by the client or company.
This will give you a clear idea of the role's responsibilities and requirements, including any specific skills, experience, or qualifications required for the position.
Next, know the project timeline to allow you to plan your schedule and ensure that you can deliver the work within the agreed-upon timeframe.
Ask the client for specific dates and deadlines and ensure that you can meet them. It’s important to be realistic about how much time you will need to complete each task to avoid overpromising and under-delivering.
3. Prepare questions for the interviewer
Ideally, before you attend any interview, prepare a doc with everything you know about the company and the questions you intend to ask the interviewer.
And before you ask, yes, you must ask questions to your interviewer. Or how else would you know if the company is a good fit for you too?
During a job hunt, you are often more concerned with getting the job because you cannot afford to be broke. So you neglect the part where you have to do research and know if the company will be a good place for you. The implication of this is that you sometimes end up in a place that’s terrible for your career.
So, just as you prepare to answer all the questions you’ll be asked, prepare some questions for the interviewer as well. Common questions include;
- What is it like working at XYZ?
- What does success in the role mean to you?
- What’s the communication nature of this role?
During the Interview
Don’t forget these tips during your interview.
1. Make a strong first impression
The first thing you want to do during an interview is to make a strong first impression and show your recruiters you are a match as soon as possible.
Ideally, your interviewers will want to know your work experience. This doesn’t mean they need a narration of every work you ever did to get paid. Focus on sharing the parts of your work experience relevant to the role you’re applying for. This helps the recruiter know how your past experiences help you be a good fit for the role.
Other factors to help you make a strong first impression are to ensure you have a reliable internet connection and ensure your devices are working perfectly.
Then look into the camera when answering questions. This will help you maintain eye contact with the interviewer and appear engaged.
Finally, speak clearly and confidently when answering the interviewer's questions. Avoid using filler words such as "um" and "ah". Take a moment to compose your thoughts before responding to the question.
2. Showcase your expertise
The whole point of having an interview is for you to showcase your expertise and for the recruiter to know if that’s what they need on the team.
So, before any interview make a list of relevant experiences and all your skills, both hard and soft, and the projects you’ve worked on. Be prepared to talk about your most successful projects, how you handled failure on the job, and lots more.
When an interviewer asks a question, take a few seconds to understand what they really mean and answer intentionally, focusing on all the strong points that help you show that you are highly skilled.
For example, if asked, “ Can you tell me more about yourself?” Begin by introducing yourself, your years of experience with your skill, and how your skill helps to achieve overall business goals. This is not the place to talk about your hobbies and favorite foods except when asked.
And if asked about your previous projects, walk them through your process before getting to the end result. That is, things you had to do, tools you used, how you overcame a challenge, and the strategies you used to get the final result. It’s in your process that the recruiter decides if you’re a good fit for the team or not.
3. Discuss your rates and availability
“What’s your rate?” is a common interview question for freelancers. Since you are an independent contractor, recruiters want to know your price structure and if their budget covers the cost.
Additionally, they’ll want to know what your pricing is for hourly work and recurring projects. The good thing about freelancing is that you choose your rates for different jobs based on the scope of the work and what you think is fair for you and the client.
During the interview process, prepare to discuss your rates and availability. You may want to wait till you get a good understanding of the job before sending a quote. But many clients would like to know the price range.
While it's important to be honest about your rates and availability, it's also important to be flexible. Consider negotiating your rates and availability to meet the employer's needs. Ultimately, be confident in your abilities and the value you can offer. Don't be afraid to ask for what you're worth.
Post-Interview
Keep this in mind after the interview to help you stay on top of the mind of the recruiter.
Thank the interviewer for their time
Show your appreciation for the interviewer's time by thanking them for taking the time to meet with you.
Then, use this opportunity to recap some of the key points that came up during the interview. This can help to reinforce your interest in the position and demonstrate your attentiveness.
If the interviewer has not already outlined what the next steps in the process will be, take this opportunity to ask what the next steps are and when you can expect to hear back.
Then, after the interview, follow up with a thank-you note or email to reiterate your gratitude and enthusiasm for the position. Overall, this is a small but important gesture that can help you stand out as a courteous and professional candidate.
Find Your Next Client on Expaat
Interviews are a unique opportunity to showcase your skills and secure new projects. However, you only succeed if you prepare properly. Use the tips listed in this article to prepare for your next interview, we know you’ll ace it!
And if you need to easily find more clients, platforms like Expaat make it easy to find clients to work with across the world.
Ready to begin? Kickstart your freelancing career and work with top clients today by signing up on Expaat. Best of luck!
