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.
| Old rule (2021 Independent Contractor Rule) | New Rule (Effective March 11, 2024) | |
|---|---|---|
| Basis of classification | Relied on a simpler, more straightforward approach that may not fully capture the complexity of modern work relationships. | Restores a multifactor "economic reality" test that considers a wider range of factors to determine employment status. |
| Legal consistency | Criticised for deviating from established legal precedent and potentially leading to more misclassifications. | Aims to align closely with longstanding legal precedent, offering more clarity and consistency in classification decisions. |
| Impact on workers | Concerns were raised that it might make it easier to classify workers as independent contractors, potentially denying them employment benefits. | Seeks to reduce the risk of misclassification, ensuring workers who should be classified as employees receive the benefits and protections that they're entitled to receive. |
| Guidance for employers | Provide a simpler framework for employers to classify workers, which could lead to broader interpretations and confusion. | Offers detailed guidance through the economic reality test, aiming to provide a clearer path for proper classification and reduce misclassifications. |
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.
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