by Gary Swart, oDesk
When workers decide to seek freelance opportunities, especially for remote work, they're often familiar with the first steps -- finding the jobs and putting together a resume and cover letter might not be all that much different than the process of seeking a full-time office position.
For a full-time job, you generally clinch the deal on the face-to-face interview. But freelance service providers, be they software developers, customer service reps or freelance writers, might often be a couple thousand miles from the potential client, so the interview is likely to take place over the phone. The basics still apply -- be prompt, polite, professional and prepared -- but here are 10 strategies particular to the dial-in interview:
1. Be flexible. Time zones and communications preferences can be tricky; be willing to adapt to a reasonable time and the method -- email, Skype, IM -- that the potential client prefers.
2. Given that, try to time your interview to when you are at your best. Do not interview at the end of your day, when you'll be tired. Better to wake up early for an interview than to stay up late.
3. If you are working on other freelance jobs, make sure to stop at least an hour before your interview. You want time to wind down, get a fresh start, review any relevant materials, and make sure you're giving your best.
4. Make sure you won't be disturbed -- especially if you're on the phone and at home, don't let background noise or interruptions make you seem unprofessional.
5. Bring notes: Have at hand examples of past work that are relevant to this job, and have pertinent links and reference contacts at hand.
6. Double-check your portfolio. You've probably already sent work samples, but if there's anything relevant to this particular opportunity that you'd like the buyer to see, have the link or file at hand.
7. Ask the buyer about his experience with long-distance freelancers. What bugs him about remote providers, and what has he valued about them in the past? Discuss how your strengths can make you the kind of worker he's looking for.
8. Are you willing to do a paid sample project, maybe an hour or two of paid work? Suggest a "test job" as a way to win the client's confidence and prove yourself.
9. If you finish the interview promising to provide additional information or a link to an extra portfolio piece, do so promptly and include a thank-you note.
10. Even if there's nothing more to "deliver," follow up on your interview with a short and friendly thank-you note. You may also add a line or two (but no more) to strengthen a point in your interview.
The long-distance interview can be a slightly awkward experience for a worker used to in-person encounters, but with a little extra preparation and a willingness to go the extra yard, you can be as effective from across the continent as you'd be from across the room.
Gary Swart is CEO of oDesk, the marketplace for online workteams. oDesk's unique approach guarantees that an hour paid is an hour worked while also guaranteeing that an hour worked is an hour paid.
When workers decide to seek freelance opportunities, especially for remote work, they're often familiar with the first steps -- finding the jobs and putting together a resume and cover letter might not be all that much different than the process of seeking a full-time office position.
For a full-time job, you generally clinch the deal on the face-to-face interview. But freelance service providers, be they software developers, customer service reps or freelance writers, might often be a couple thousand miles from the potential client, so the interview is likely to take place over the phone. The basics still apply -- be prompt, polite, professional and prepared -- but here are 10 strategies particular to the dial-in interview:
1. Be flexible. Time zones and communications preferences can be tricky; be willing to adapt to a reasonable time and the method -- email, Skype, IM -- that the potential client prefers.
2. Given that, try to time your interview to when you are at your best. Do not interview at the end of your day, when you'll be tired. Better to wake up early for an interview than to stay up late.
3. If you are working on other freelance jobs, make sure to stop at least an hour before your interview. You want time to wind down, get a fresh start, review any relevant materials, and make sure you're giving your best.
4. Make sure you won't be disturbed -- especially if you're on the phone and at home, don't let background noise or interruptions make you seem unprofessional.
5. Bring notes: Have at hand examples of past work that are relevant to this job, and have pertinent links and reference contacts at hand.
6. Double-check your portfolio. You've probably already sent work samples, but if there's anything relevant to this particular opportunity that you'd like the buyer to see, have the link or file at hand.
7. Ask the buyer about his experience with long-distance freelancers. What bugs him about remote providers, and what has he valued about them in the past? Discuss how your strengths can make you the kind of worker he's looking for.
8. Are you willing to do a paid sample project, maybe an hour or two of paid work? Suggest a "test job" as a way to win the client's confidence and prove yourself.
9. If you finish the interview promising to provide additional information or a link to an extra portfolio piece, do so promptly and include a thank-you note.
10. Even if there's nothing more to "deliver," follow up on your interview with a short and friendly thank-you note. You may also add a line or two (but no more) to strengthen a point in your interview.
The long-distance interview can be a slightly awkward experience for a worker used to in-person encounters, but with a little extra preparation and a willingness to go the extra yard, you can be as effective from across the continent as you'd be from across the room.
Gary Swart is CEO of oDesk, the marketplace for online workteams. oDesk's unique approach guarantees that an hour paid is an hour worked while also guaranteeing that an hour worked is an hour paid.
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