As a freelancer, you’re likely to go to far more job interviews and potential client meetings than full-time folks. You’ve probably already got the basics down – a professional-but-not-intimidating handshake, flawless punctuality and your go-to suave suit. But here’s how to make sure you really stand out from the crowd when it counts.
Do your research
As a freelancer, research isn’t just a case of knowing what the company does: it’s due diligence. Check their financial figures on the company website and look at online jobs boards and communities to make sure they don’t have a history of short-changing freelancers.
You already know prospective employers will scan your social media, so why not return the favour? Check their Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn account and blogs. Do they play ping-pong in breakout areas or crunch numbers over coffee? Every detail will help you to show you’re a good cultural fit. A sound knowledge of their competitors is also useful: if anyone’s doing the job better than them, you should know who, how and why.
Tailor your portfolio
No two jobs are ever the same, and your CV and portfolio should be adapted to reflect what each potential employer is looking for. After all, they’re not hiring you for the long-term – they just need to know you can do a specific job.
Make their decision easy by showing off the work that reflects your skills and competencies for the task at hand, and cutting the irrelevant roles that are only there to name-drop or fill your career narrative. It’s not story time – it’s business time. (Aw, yeah.)
Ask the right questions
Almost every interview tips article will tell you to ask questions. They’re wrong. Asking questions for the sake of it makes you sound like you haven’t done your research. If your questions don’t expand on what you already know or help your understanding of the work you’ll be doing, don’t ask them. A professional, ‘Not at this time, but can I email you if I think of anything?’ is a good placeholder.
Listen to their answers
Listening is one of the key tips from How To Win Friends and Influence People – not because it’s how you gather information, but because it shows the client that you care. You’re not there simply to talk their ear off about your many talents; you want to earn their trust. Demonstrating that you’re willing to listen will increase their confidence in you tenfold. (We don’t know if it’s actually tenfold, but it’s a lot.)
Offer solutions
Once you have a clear picture of what they’re looking for, be bold. Making positive suggestions about how they can achieve their goals is less risky than being timid or passive. After all, they’re looking for someone who can get started quickly and take initiative, i.e. you.
Avoid the bull
Of all the interview tips we can offer you, perhaps this is the most important. If your mind goes blank under pressure, don’t try and bluff your way out of it. It’s much better that you pause and ask for a moment to think, or to hear the question again, than freeze completely or start rambling.
Your interviewer will understand that you’re under pressure and may even be testing how you respond to difficult questions. Pausing to think is much better than panicking and going off on a tangent about your dog’s last birthday to a damningly silent panel.
Lastly, if all else fails, just remember: you’re still the boss. That’s the beauty of being a freelancer.
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