Motivation

How Can You Succeed in a Freelance Job Interview?

You will face some challenges if you want to switch to an online environment from the traditional office setup.

You might have worked in a profession that requires a particular set of qualifications.

How Can You Succeed in a Freelance Job Interview?

But now that you want to get into the freelancing world, all the knowledge you have will not be enough.
Does that leave you without options? Not at all.

Luckily, proven strategies exist that can help you get hired.

Once you learn these simple tricks, you will easily navigate the job interviews and land the desired position.

The only question is: How to apply them?

To answer in detail, we’ll go through ten of the most successful job interview behaviors you can adopt in your favor.

1. Focus on What You Can Offer

If you aim high and want a position above your knowledge and experience in life, it is easy to get discouraged and give up.

It comes naturally by assessing the facts and comparing your situation to the job.

What you can do instead is to shift your focus from what you don’t have to what you possess.

Emphasize your best qualities like hard-working, ambition, and attention to detail. All these are very valuable to clients and can make them ignore your lack of experience.

2. Learn the Basics of the New Project

Imagine you apply for a coding job, but your experience level needs to be higher.

To improve your chances, go through some introductory courses or read about the topic to get an idea of the skill.

Set a reasonable goal – to cover the basic terms of a job and get an idea of what the work responsibilities are. Any job can be summarized in a few pages.

Learn these pages to get the main idea of what the exact tasks will be like.

How to do this?

Research the position in authoritative websites like Wikipedia, big companies offering such jobs, Google search it, etc. You will be surprised how quickly you can find a lot of information and improve your skills.

3. Offer a Deal

You found an irresistible offer. You want it so badly that you are ready to bargain.

The person offering you the job might also be inclined to negotiate.

The question is: What are you prepared to give?

Look at this phrasing:

I’m willing to spend extra three hours per week for the first month to read and learn about how best to perform the job. That will be unpaid time, that will help me get on track and product better results for the company.

By exchanging your time for knowledge of company processes and tasks, you declare the job is valuable. Clients are looking for people eager to explore and contribute to the team.

That’s precisely what you are trying to achieve.

Present yourself in the light of someone who is focused on getting better.

4. Treat the Client Like Equal

The company you are applying to is your ally in life, not a master.

You are part of the bigger picture in the organization, but you also contribute equally to anyone else.

In that sense, you should convince the client to give you a chance and hire you.

Instead, collaborate and discuss how you can fit in a respectful, friendly, and confident manner.

5. Show Them a Situation You Dealt with Well

Everyone encounters difficult situations in life.

Think about a case when you had to solve a difficult task, and you made it brilliantly.

If you are a fighter, make it known during the conversation. Emphasize your ability to deal with complex scenarios.

Go even further than that.

Tell a story by describing a particular real-life situation that turned into a success for you. Make the client imagine how you can apply your gained experience to the everyday tasks you will perform.

6. Demonstrate Knowledge of the Company

If you are invited to an interview with a particular company, that interview begins at your home.

You can start by reading about their mission, find their slogan, and learn about the company culture and values.

If you share similar values with your future employer, make that fact known by saying something along the lines of:

I believe in equality and I am firmly against discrimination. I find diversity in the workplace inspiring.

Matching yours with the company’s values will strengthen the belief that you are a great fit.

7. Make a Promise

Promising to provide an excellent service lifts you as a valuable option to the employer. Be careful what you promise, though, and make it achievable. Consider the following two examples to see the difference:

I can assure you that in one month I can be as good as anyone else working in your company.

versus

I will become the best employee in your company in three days.

The second option sounds like you are overestimating yourself and your abilities, and it goes more into the wishful thinking area.

Give a reasonable period: a month or two, to learn how a company’s processes work before you can fulfill the promise.

8. Express Confidence

By the phrase “confidence in work,” you should understand acting as if any issue that comes your way is solvable.

And if it’s not – you will still give your best.

Job interviewers watch out for signs of insecurity as this can transfer in your work and prevent you from performing at your maximum.

Show them you are worth your price and they will gain by having you on board.

9. Be Your Authentic Self

Pretending you possess certain qualities when you don’t is a double-edged sword.

First, the client can figure out that you are faking. If you mess up with your answers, it will be embarrassing to be caught lying.

Your best bet is to state all information about you as is.

You can still use positivity and present your shortcomings from their bright side. However, it is vital to remain authentic as much as possible.

10. Practice Learned Phrases

Question 1:

Why did you leave your previous job?

Answer 1:

I moved to another city, and my previous employer didn’t offer the option to work from home.

or

I had to leave the country for another job opportunity.

Be honest and straightforward about the exact reason you had.

Question 2:

What salary do you expect to receive?

Answer 2:

(Your expected salary) dollars is my minimum. This is a reasonable salary for an entry-level web developer with little experience, considering the current economic conditions.

Conclusion

Job interviews are the beginning of most new jobs.

If you are aiming to have a labor contract and work from home, you should start by getting ready for your interviews.

The first couple of times you talk with potential employers will be the hardest, and then, every next one will become easier. It’s the determination you have to find your deserved position that will push you forward and help you in your job hunt.

Confidence, patience, and knowing your self-worth are the qualities you need to build on to be successful in finding a great job.

Check these and upgrade your skills regularly to get your life going in the direction you want.

Freelancing has been my passion for many years and currently - a dream come true. Since 2015 I have worked on more than 40 projects with different companies, and this gave me the opportunity to experience the world of online jobs to a great extent and build my knowledge in this area.

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