Preparing for Your Interview
First impressions are important, and interviews will often be your initial point of contact with potential clients. Agencies will also frequently interview prospective contractors rigorously. How, then, to make sure you get off on the right foot? Here are some pointers to maximise your interview potential: Do your homework. Make sure you understand fully how the client business operates and how your services fit into it. A lot of information can be gleaned from websites in terms of the company’s overall business focus, areas of operation and future strategy, so look beyond the corporate self-promotion and try to identify key information.
Give careful advance thought to what you why you would be interested in working for a certain company or sector, what makes your business unique, and think about some concrete ideas you could offer which would contribute to the client’s business.
Preparation. Make notes, if necessary. If you’re giving a presentation, think three words: preparation, preparation, preparation. Your understanding of your own business proposals must be crystal clear for you to communicate this persuasively to the client. Make sure presentations are well-structured and communicate all key ideas without going into unnecessary levels of detail. A time for stand-up comedy this is not, but there’s nothing wrong with showing you have a sense of humour while presenting your points.
Show some teeth. A genuine smile, a bright tone and a confident handshake will all contribute to a good first impression. Similarly: inappropriate dress (too casual/ too elaborate/ too revealing) or poor personal hygiene is an absolute no-no. You have the skills, so don’t let your appearance let you down.
Sell yourself. It may sound obvious, but it’s easy to slip into negative comment about past projects or (heaven forbid) client relationships. Always strive to give an upbeat interpretation of your experiences, and don’t be afraid to let your interviewer know how you added value in a particular situation. Radiate enthusiasm for your work (rather than arrogance) and this will reflect in the interviewer’s perception of you.
Demonstrate skills. Think about the kind of abilities that the interviewer is likely to be looking for. As a contractor, they will want to see that you can work under your own steam and take entire responsibility for a project, but also adapt to a particular working culture and identify business needs rapidly. As a relative outsider coming in to their company, they also need to feel that they can trust you. To that end, avoid making outlandish claims on your CV or cover letter that you will stumble over if asked about at interview.
Handle doubts. Don’t let questions about your aptitude for the task, qualifications or any ‘grey areas’ on your CV throw you off course. The interviewer is giving you an opportunity to account for any apparent shortcomings, so use it: remain calm and express a positive perspective without sounding defensive.
Equally, it is not unheard of for interviewers to play ‘devil’s advocate’ by posing challenging questions, adopting extreme viewpoints or appearing critical. This can be a way for them to gauge your assertiveness, depth of knowledge or commitment to your work. Don’t take the bait: stand your ground and have confidence in your own views. Uhhhh… If you’re genuinely floored by an interview question, don’t be afraid to ask for a moment to think about your answer. Repeating their question rhetorically (‘what do I think I can offer your firm?’) can also buy you a few seconds. If the question is a factual one and you simply don’t know the answer, however, say so. It is infinitely better to admit a gap in your knowledge than to come back with an inventive but idiotic response.
As long as you are well prepared and willing to be assertive, there is no need to find pre-contract interviews daunting. Be confident in your experience and what you have to offer, and good luck!
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