After hours, days, weeks, or even months spent compiling your portfolio, aggressively networking, sending in applications, and completing your Remote Staff profile (*wink*wink*), you’ve finally done it. You’ve landed an interview with a potential client.
While this doesn’t necessarily guarantee you a gig or a job, it’s still significant progress. In some cases, the interview is but a formality. If nothing else, it certainly means you’re on the shortlist. Hurrah!
However, here’s a word of caution. If something feels off during the interview, go with your gut. Sure, it’s exciting to land your first or your fiftieth client, but it can be difficult to get out of a job or project gone sour once you commit.
We’ve talked about red flags when you’re out prospecting clients. Today, we’ll discuss ones to look out for when they’re the ones interviewing you. Read on and learn:
1. Unrepentant tardiness.
There’s a reason why we’re taught to show up to appointments on time, and it’s not just to look professional. Making the effort to do that shows you respect the other party’s time too. After all, tardiness can push someone’s day back considerably, and that can’t be fun.
Granted, starting interviews on the dot may not always be possible, what with time differences and all. However, if your prospective client or interviewer shows up an hour later than you agreed AND does not even offer an apology for it, run. Fast. In the opposite direction.
People like that don’t know to value other people’s time, and such disregard spills over to other things.
2. Vague responsibilities.
Remember our discussion about scope creep? This has a lot to do with that.
Unless you and your interviewer already discussed the job or project’s particulars beforehand, they should bring these up at the interview. A decent client ought to inform their prospective worker about what would be expected of them. How else could you decide properly if you want to take on the job or project or not?
If they’re being vague, you can try to ask follow-up questions. What sort of output would they need from you? How often would you need to provide it? Would they require you to be on hand for a fixed set of hours per week?
The last thing you want is to be roped into a contract where your compensation pales in comparison to your deliverables and responsibilities.
3. Dismissive attitude.
“Why is your rate so expensive?” “I know of someone who can do this for less.” “We’re currently interviewing more experienced people at the moment.” Sound familiar?
Lowballing clients often resort to tactics like these. It’s simply another ploy to intimidate a remote worker into lowering their rates, an underhanded method of bargaining, if you will.
Don’t fall for it. Okay, so there will always be someone better and/or more experienced than you, but you’ve got something unique to offer too.
Besides, if they really did “know someone who can do it for less,” why are they still holding this interview?
4. Asking to see proof of your past salary or pay (!).
Come on, what could this possibly have to do with your application?
First of all, salary figures are confidential. Secondly, your previous compensation is a poor metric for your current or proposed rate. You’re likely to have upgraded your skills and increased your experience after such, and can thus charge more.
So, if the interviewer keeps insisting on seeing this without a good reason, move on to the next one.
5. Monetary fees for processing your application.
IT’S A SCAM. Get out now.
Clients should pay you for your work, not charge you for even applying.
Establishing your remote working career can definitely feel like an uphill climb. Unless you’ve got plenty of prospects, you might feel that you shouldn’t turn down any and all the opportunities that come your way.
While you may have to make certain compromises as you build your skills, portfolio, and contacts, no job, project or career is worth your sanity, peace of mind, and self-esteem. Discerning when to push forward and when to walk away is but another ability you should have in your arsenal.
With Remote Staff, you won’t have to worry about pre-screening your clients as much. We’ll be doing that for you. Furthermore, should there be conflicts about your work schedule, your compensation, or other such concerns, there’ll be an account manager on hand to help you sort it out.
Sign up today and feel a lot more confident about your interviews and prospects.
