Upwork is one of the largest freelancing platforms in the world, with over 10 million employers and freelancers. You can find everything from graphic designers to app developers to web designers on Upwork. The platform lets you post your services as a freelancer, while also allowing employers to browse through their search results and hire you based on your profile.
If you’re looking for work on Upwork and want some guidance getting hired, this article will walk you through 15 different interview pitfalls that many Upworkers fall into. I’ve included advice on how to avoid each pitfall, so read on! ine
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Research the client and project |
| Highlight your relevant experience |
| Showcase your skills and expertise |
| Prepare thoughtful questions |
| Communicate confidently and professionally |
Be Sure To Read The Job Listing Carefully
Before you can ace your interview, you need to make sure that you’re well-suited for the job. You’ll want to read the job listing carefully and make sure it fits with your experience.
Did you know that Upwork has a feature where clients can list their requirements for freelancers? These requirements include skillsets like HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, PHP, and more.
If a client is looking for someone who knows how to build a WordPress site from scratch using Bootstrap 4 and jQuery UI then chances are they aren’t going to hire you if all of your work has been in Photoshop or Illustrator (even though those are great skills).
On the other hand, if they ask for HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript (for example) then there’s no reason why they shouldn’t hire someone who specializes in those languages because they’ll still be able to complete their project just as well as someone who specializes in WordPress sites built from scratch using Bootstrap 4 and jQuery UI.
Starting out as a freelancer can be daunting, but with the right strategies, you can ace your first freelancing gig and set yourself up for success.
Tailor Your Proposal To The Job Listing
The job description will tell you what the employer needs, so make sure your proposal is relevant. If they say they need someone who can write a blog post or write case studies or research articles, then that’s what you should focus on in your proposal. Don’t send a generic cover letter and just hope for the best they’ll know right away if it’s not tailored to their needs.
Make sure your description isn’t full of fluff and buzzwords (like “expert” and “seasoned”). Instead, provide an explanation of what you’ve done before that demonstrates why you’re qualified for this job, and don’t forget to include any relevant experience from previous jobs!
Make sure it’s clear and easy to read. Stick with short sentences where possible and use simple vocabulary; this makes it easier for clients and potential employers to understand what you’re saying without having to read every word carefully (which could put them off).
It also ensures that anyone else looking at the proposal later will be able to understand it too! If there are any parts which aren’t clear enough then try rewording them until they do make sense; this should help keep readers focused while reading through everything else too!”
Sell Yourself
Talk about your skills, experience, and achievements in the job description.
This is an ideal opportunity to show that you are a perfect fit for this position. You should explain why you’re the best candidate by mentioning relevant examples of your previous work or studies. For example: “I am proficient in Java, C++, and Python coding languages,” or “I have extensive knowledge about marketing strategies in the digital world.”
You can also mention any awards or certificates that prove your value as an employee; for example: “Recently got certification from Google on Digital Marketing Strategies.”
Your Upwork profile is your gateway to attracting clients. Learn how to optimize it and stand out from the crowd with our guide on making an Upwork profile that gets you clients.
Ask Questions About The Project
Asking questions is an important part of the interview process. The more you can learn about the job and company, the better you’ll be able to make an informed decision. Remember, hiring managers want to feel confident that you are interested in their company, so asking thoughtful questions will show them that you care about what they do.
Here are some questions to consider:
- What is the role? How would my responsibilities fit into a typical day?
- Is there anything you wish your current employee did differently?
- What are some examples of projects like this one? Can I see examples of past work done by other employees at this position level?
Display Confidence In Your Ability To Do The Job
When you’re confident in your abilities, it will be obvious to the interviewer.
Although you should remain humble and avoid being cocky, you want to display confidence in your ability to do the job well. It’s important not to overdo this though; don’t try too hard or act like someone else.
When answering questions during an interview (particularly for remote work), speak deliberately and with a purpose don’t ramble on about irrelevant information just because you’re nervous.
Be Honest About Your Experience And Skills
Be honest about your experience, skills, and limitations. Don’t stretch the truth or exaggerate just to sound more impressive. You are more likely to get caught in a lie than you are to impress someone with a fake resume or cover letter that showcases skills and experiences you don’t have.
It can work against you as employers expect applicants who have been out of work for some time due to unemployment or caring for family members and may be less impressed by those who have been working steadily throughout their professional life.
So while it might seem like a good idea at first glance, being dishonest during an interview will only cause unnecessary stress during the process and make your chances of landing this job even smaller than they already were!
Crafting a compelling cover letter is essential for winning projects on Upwork. Discover effective techniques and access sample templates in our article on writing a lead gen cover letter for Upwork.
Don’t Pretend To Be Someone You Are Not
The first thing to remember is that you don’t need to pretend to be someone you are not. The truth is, the client has probably looked into your profile and read about who you are and what your experience is.
So there’s no need for you to pretend that your skills are better or more extensive than they are. If anything, being honest about what kind of work you specialize in will help put them at ease.
Don’t try to oversell yourself just because there might be a job opening up this can lead to more stress later on when the client has hired someone else and realizes they made a mistake by hiring someone who wasn’t qualified enough for the position (and therefore ends up firing them). Instead, focus on presenting yourself as the best version of yourself possible during interviews so that clients can get an idea of what kind of person would fit well within their team!
Be Ready With A Portfolio, Work Samples, Or References
You must bring examples of your work to the interview. To demonstrate your skills and abilities, you’ll want to have at least two pieces of relevant material available. If you’re applying for more than one kind of job, then it would be practical to have multiple portfolios on hand.
For example, if I am applying for an editor position and a writing position, I would bring my editing portfolio and my writing portfolio respectively.
Each portfolio should contain samples of your best work in each category, not just the last piece that was published or completed recently (though those are important too).
Make sure your chosen samples show off some variation in the kinds of things you can do well whether they’re creative pieces like articles or copywriting projects; technical documents like user manuals; or marketing materials such as infographics and social media posts (or all three!).
Use Plain Language And Avoid Jargon
While you’re writing your message, keep in mind that the client will be reading it on their phone or computer screen. If you use a lot of technical terms or acronyms, they may not understand what you’re saying and they’ll likely move on to the next candidate.
If they don’t understand one of the points you make in your cover letter (or message), consider using a definition of this term at the end of your message so they can look up what it means later if needed (and to show them how much research went into preparing for this interview!).
Keep things simple and clear-cut for both parties involved: The client should be able to understand exactly what type of work is being offered; likewise, candidates should know exactly what kind of job/project is being described by Upwork’s freelancer marketplace there’s no need for any confusion here!
Dress Appropriately For The Interview And Make Sure Your Webcam Is On And Working
The first thing to do is make sure you’ve dressed appropriately for the interview. Whether you’re going in person or on-screen, business attire is best: no jeans, sneakers, or T-shirts (even if they are “ironic”).
When it comes to tech, make sure your webcam and audio are working properly. If possible, have someone check out these items before the interview begins so that you don’t run into any technical difficulties during the meeting. Also, check your internet connection ahead of time; nothing can derail an interview faster than a dropped call or freezing video feed!
Positive client reviews can significantly boost your reputation on Upwork. We’ve curated a collection of 27 sample messages you can use to request reviews from your clients.
Make Sure You Know How To Use The Video Conferencing Tool Used By Upwork Clients
When you’re interviewing on Upwork, you must know how to use the video conferencing tool used by your prospective clients. To ensure that your interview goes smoothly and without technical difficulties, take a test run at least 20 minutes before the interview begins.
Make sure that you know how to mute yourself if needed; share your desktop; share a file; or record the entire session (if desired).
Do Some Research Into The Company You’re Interviewing With So That You Can Talk Intelligently About It
It’s important to know who you’re interviewing; not only will this help you prepare and feel more confident, but it will also help the client make a more informed decision about whether or not they want to work with you.
If the company is a startup, then your knowledge of their industry may be limited. In this case, do some research on their website and Google them. Maybe there are articles about them online that can help guide your interview preparation.
If there isn’t much information available online about the company or if they don’t have an active blog, then consider reaching out directly through social media or email to try and find out more details before the meeting date arrives.
You can always ask questions like: “What type of projects have clients worked on?” “Which industries have clients previously worked in?” By doing some preliminary research into what kind of business this potential client operates in (and how similar it is/isn’t), you’ll be able to tailor answers during your interview that reflect relevant knowledge about their industry and culture.
Arrive At The Interview On Time And Prepared
It is important to arrive on time and be prepared for the interview. You will want to make sure that you:
Have everything you need with you this includes a good internet connection and a notepad or pen.
Are ready to record your video and audio turn off any notifications so that they don’t interrupt the interview. It would also be helpful if you could find a quiet place where there is no background noise, like an unused conference room at work or even just staying home instead of going out for lunch (for example).
If possible, try doing some practice interviews beforehand so that it’s not such a big deal when they are happening in real life!
Can turn on notifications from Upwork so that if something interesting happens on our platform during an interview, we can let them know about it immediately without having to wait until afterward.”
Being a full-time freelance writer comes with unique challenges and rewards. Gain insights into the freelance writing lifestyle and its intricacies in our article on working full-time as a freelance writer.
Have Questions Ready That Show You’ve Thought Deeply About The Job At Hand And How To Do It Well
As a freelancer, you want to put your best foot forward and ensure your clients have every reason to hire you. This means having a list of questions at the ready that show you have thought deeply about what needs to be done for the job at hand and how exactly it should be done.
It’s best not to ask anything too personal (like their favorite color or what they had for dinner last night) or anything that could be easily answered with a glance at their job listing (like “What do I need to do?” or “How long will this take?”).
A good rule of thumb is: if they can read it on their profile page or in the job description, don’t ask it!
Project Confidence And A Can-Do Attitude!
This is the most important point of all. When you’re going into an interview, don’t act like a nervous wreck. Act as if you already have the job and are just coming to meet your new colleagues.
Be positive. Use positive language when talking about yourself and your skills, e.g., “I am confident that I can help you achieve X result by Y date because I am experienced in A and B…” rather than “I think…” or “Maybe…maybe not…
It depends on what happens with Z later on…probably not though because there was that incident with Q that might affect my performance negatively…and also there was this thing where R occurred at work which means I won’t be able to make it on time for our meeting if we decide to meet up again next week….so maybe not so good? But maybe it will work out just fine! We’ll see :)”.
If this sounds like too much pressure for your first few interviews on Upwork then take some time off first before applying again (even just 1-2 weeks) once you’ve built up some confidence!!
With some preparation and some practice, you can ace that interview on Upwork!
Before the interview:
Do your research on the company and its culture
Prepare a list of strengths, weaknesses, and accomplishments that relate to your experience in this industry (3-5 is good)
Make sure you have practiced answering questions about yourself such as “What are your strengths?” or “Why do you want to work at our company?”
Further Reading
How to Ace an Upwork Interview: Learn valuable tips and strategies to excel in your Upwork interviews and increase your chances of landing the job.
10 Tips on How to Hire on Upwork: If you’re looking to hire freelancers on Upwork, this article provides ten useful tips to help you navigate the hiring process and find the right talent.
Upwork Interviews: A Comprehensive Guide: Dive into a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about Upwork interviews, including preparation, common questions, and best practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Ace An Interview?
Answer questions as honestly as possible. Never lie or embellish your resume, even if the interviewer asks for examples of how you handled a situation or project. Remember that this is your performance review and later reviews will be based on this one, so keep it professional and honest at all times.
Prepare for common interview questions in advance by using websites like Glassdoor and Indeed.
You can also meet someone from the company by attending networking events held near you by Upwork’s local recruiting team (they usually post these events on social media). Ask them specific questions about their role, what they like about working there, and what they don’t like about working there (if it’s something along those lines). This will help prepare you for potential scenarios during the actual interview!
What Should I Bring To An Interview?
Bring multiple copies of your resume with different dates on each one: Some hiring managers may forget to put their date stamp on top when scanning through resumes make sure yours has one! If not, ask politely if they could add one before going through them again since this would help speed up their process…and yours too!
It’s also good practice just in case another person needs access to see them at some point before or after our meeting together; plus if any colleagues want theirs printed out after seeing how awesome yours looks then no problem either.”
What Is Upwork?
Upwork is a freelancing platform that helps people find and connect with skilled, creative professionals around the world. It’s also home to thousands of jobs in areas like design, programming, marketing, and writing.
You can use Upwork to find work (called “projects”) or post resumes as an employee looking for new opportunities (called “resumes”). The site has millions of users from all over the world and it keeps growing!
How do I find work on Upwork?
When you search for jobs on Upwork using our Quick Search option at the top of each page, you’ll see listings based on your location and other preferences like job category or hourly rate range. To narrow down your results even further: click Filters to choose what type of project you want (full-time vs part-time;
Contract vs freelance), which skills are required by the client and more importantly whether he/she wants someone who speaks Mandarin so they can communicate effectively while working together online during virtual meetings via Skype video call etc.
I am a content writer, and I love what I do! Writing makes me feel like the words are flowing through my fingers, and then onto the keyboard, like magic. My experience as a writer has taught me that writing makes me feel good, as well as helps others to feel better too!