It’s a necessary evil when it comes to contracting that attending an interview will be required to secure an assignment. Rather than being daunted by this, contractors should see it as an opportunity to fine tune their interpersonal skills and prepare a successful “pitch” that will win them the contract. Even in a digital age, there are few things as powerful as face-to-face first impressions. While most interviewers are looking for the right combination of personal and professional skills, contractor interviews can be more intensely focused towards the latter. This is because the criteria for hiring a limited term contractor will differ from the criteria for hiring permanent staff. In this article, Umbrella Exchange looks at how contractors can adapt their interview technique for the best chance of success.

1. Do your research: Researching your client will help you to draw together relevant questions at interview about the likely requirements of a project. This is crucial in establishing a rapport with the interviewer and indicating that you have a genuine interest in the project. Interviewers will often expect you to have some basic background knowledge of the client. Going one step further and identifying a client’s objectives and how these might mirror your own values can suggest a particular compatibility to the interviewer. A good place to start is the company website. Most organisations have a blog or news section that will provide you with insight on their latest news. You can also research business via industry publications, networking sites like LinkedIn and any mentions of the company in the press for a good overview.

2. Rehearse your pitch: Although you don’t want to sound artificially rehearsed, preparing your pitch will ensure that you get your main points across without losing focus. Your pitch can be a useful lead-in after introductions, especially when the interviewer asks an open question such as: “tell me about yourself” or “tell me why you’d be a good fit for the project”. The purpose of a pitch is to concisely summarise your professional story, using specific examples of your previous experience to highlight why you’re the right person for the job. This will indicate your unique ‘fit’ for a project, while demonstrating that you’ve worked effectively on similar projects and will reassure the client that you can hit the ground running. A well-prepared pitch can also buy you some time against any interview nerves by helping you to feel in control. However, try not to launch into lengthy monologues that don’t acknowledge the interviewers responses to what you’re saying.

4. Listen to what the interviewer is asking you: It’s important to stay focused on what the interviewer is asking or telling you, so listen carefully when they speak and try not to interrupt or speak over them. Paraphrasing and summarising what the interviewer has said when you answer them is a great interview technique as it shows that you have listened carefully and understood what’s required. The fact that you are indirectly affirming what the interviewer has said also has the psychological effect of suggesting compatibility. As contractors are often needed quickly for projects, it’s likely that they will have a ‘one off’ interview rather several stages of interviews. Listening carefully to what the client is asking will help to ensure that you give them the information that they need.

3. Keep it professional: It’s important to remember that with a contracting role, the client wants assurances that you can do the job. They want to minimise risk by putting their contract into a safe pair of hands. Although personality and compatibility is important in any interpersonal exchange, the interviewer is more likely to focus on your professional ability. With this in mind, contractors should avoid going into too much personal detail, especially when asked open-ended questions. It’s also best to err on the side of caution and avoid controversy and flamboyancy, as these can be perceived as risky or as ‘empty’ gimmicks. While it’s good to be confident, you should base this on your achievements and track record, rather than your unique sense of style or humour.

5. Use your judgment:  Learning to apply your own judgment is an essential part of being a good contractor. As contractors grow in experience, they can become more adept at judging the tone of an interview and what’s required by the client. Depending on the hiring organisation and the specifications of the role, it may be desirable for contractors to demonstrate their own personality and opinions to a greater extent. For example, many new media companies pride themselves on their creative flair or ‘unconventional’ attitude. While it can be positive to ‘be yourself’, contractors want to reduce the risk of saying anything that could potentially alienate the interviewer. With this in mind, contractors should always emphasise their skills and ability to do the work above any other information.

Umbrella Exchange offer information on a wide range of contracting issues, to speak with a member of our team call 0203 393 3881