3 tips for employers conducting an interview with a freelancer
Following on from our 3 tips for preparing for an interview, we’ve come up with some further tips to interviewing freelancers, to help you find the best freelancer for your brief:
Set the scene
If the interview is face to face, offer the freelancer a drink and consider doing a tour of the office. This may help the freelancer make their decision about working with you, as they can get a real feel for the company.
Make sure the interview has a structure and you outline this from the start, to keep everyone on track. This gives the freelancer an idea of when they can ask their own questions.
However, if the interview does go off track, don’t panic. An interview is all about getting to know the freelancer, so as long as the conversation is flowing, go with the flow. Just ensure you bring the conversation back if you go off topic.
| Aspect | Employee | Independent Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Control and supervision | Direct control over how, when, and where to work | Freedom to set their own schedules and methods |
| Payment | Regular wages; taxes withheld by employer | Paid per project; responsible for their own taxes |
| Benefits | Health insurance, retirment plans, paid leave | Must arrange their own benefits |
| Termination | Often requires notice and may include severance | Can usually be terminated at any time without benefits |
| Tools and equipment | Provided by the employer | Typically use their own tools |
At the end of the day it's just a conversation, so enjoy it!
However, if the interview does go off track, don’t panic. An interview is all about getting to know the freelancer, so as long as the conversation is flowing, go with the flow. Just ensure you bring the conversation back if you go off topic.
By hiring a freelancer you have the added benefit of reaping their experience, so ensure you appreciate what they bring to the project.
Top tip: Be up front and clear about expectations with regards to the project, including, deliverables, timelines and overall performance, so the freelancer understands how they will be judged.
Have a conversation
Ask open ended questions that encourage conversation. “Tell me about…” can be an excellent question to start, as it gives the freelancer an opportunity to expand and detail their experience. It’s important not to ask closed questions that the freelancer can only answer with a yes or a no, as you won’t learn anything about them.
Most importantly, let the freelancer answer the questions fully and don’t interrupt them, to give them the chance to articulate their answer. Once they have finished you will have the opportunity to ask more follow up questions or further clarification.
Ask one question at one time, as the freelancer will be unsure which one to answer first and may miss important information.
Top tip: Describe a potential problem that could arise and ask how the freelancer would handle it. It will help you understand how suitable they are, as you’ll be able to assess their response and how they would handle difficult situations.
It is important to find out what experience they have and how they have handled situations. Understanding past performance can help you see how they will fit within the organisation.
Remember, this is a two way conversation, as the freelancer is also evaluating whether your company is the right one for them. Be thoughtful in how you answer their questions and be thorough. Be in the room, engaged and listen to what they are saying. There is nothing worse than talking to someone that is disengaged and distracted. Something as simple as closing your laptop, if it’s in the room, can help.
Top Tip: Try and enjoy yourself, this will help not only yourself feel relaxed but the freelancer themselves. At the end of the day it's just a conversation, so enjoy it.
Finally, ensure there are no long pauses or gaps in the conversation. Make sure you take the lead.
Follow Up
Ensure you follow up, regardless of the outcome, whether that is by phone or email. Every interaction, whether it is with a prospect, an existing customer or a freelancer, is an interaction with your brand. If they have a bad experience they are more likely to talk about that negatively than a good experience. Ensure you give them the best possible experience. Even if it's just a few words to say they weren’t successful. It is much better that they hear from you, than hearing nothing at all.
Remember ...
At the end of the day it's just a conversation, so enjoy it!
As part of the YunoJuno service, you have access to the Talent Team. Consisting of industry recruiters, not only can they help you find the perfect freelancer, they can help with the end to end process of writing and posting your brief - for no extra cost.
Join today, and see how the Talent Team can help
