So you've been sought out by a potential client or filled out a bunch of project proposals, and someone's expressed interest in working with you. That's great, congrats!
Though, if you're like most people, you're probably dreading the interview that's inevitably coming.
If you're anxious about your upcoming interview, guess what, you're not the only one on the hot seat.
As a freelance interviewee, you have the choice to position yourself as a passive participant, or you can take the reigns and actively play a part in the interview process.
Remember, you're interviewing them as much as they're interviewing you.
This is a business you will potentially be working with, so you need to make sure they align with your goals and values and that you actually want to work with them. The company you're meeting with has a lot of the power, yes. They will decide whether or not to hire you, but once they make that choice, you have the power to either accept or decline. Just because they may want you, it doesn't mean you have to accept, so your interviewer needs to do their job to sell you on the idea of working with them, too.
Note: this post is geared toward freelancers working with other design professionals. If you work directly with clients who have their own projects, I recommend checking out this post.
Here are some essential questions you should have ready to ask your interviewer(s) to ensure they're a good fit for you.
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Where are most of your projects located?
This is important to know for so many reasons. Do they have projects in different states? In different regions of the country? This will influence design decisions, code regulations, and a whole host of other variables. A follow-up to this question could be what your responsibilities are in terms of code research, etc. Of course, as architects and designers, we should always be aware of code regulations, but it's important to know if you're solely responsible for researching and documenting that information or if it's a team effort.
What types of projects do you work on?
You've likely been hired to work on a particular project, but hopefully, you'll be working with this client on future projects, too. For example, perhaps you've been hired to work on a residential building, but when you check out their website, you see that they also work on commercial buildings. Ask if they expect to need help on different types of buildings or if you'll be working with them only on residential projects or whatever project types suit your situation.
Do you do everything in-house or outsource certain parts of your projects?
Do they design millwork and cabinetry for custom kitchens, built-ins, bathrooms, etc., or outsource that work to someone else? That could be useful information to know what level of detail they typically get into for different project areas.
Do they create structural drawings or RCP's or is that work done by engineers? This could be an opportunity to clarify if you need to collaborate or communicate with other disciplines.
What stages of the project will I be involved in?
Will you create existing conditions models and work through until construction documents are completed? Will your involvement begin in the design development phase? Will you be involved in construction administration?
What is your process like?
Do they have templates for project files and folders, established drawing standards, oversight checklists for different stages of the project, etc.?
Now you can interpret this information in a couple of ways. If you're more experienced, you could see the lack of organization and systemization as an opportunity to impart your own wisdom and techniques to improve their productivity and quality control. Alternatively, you could interpret this as a firm that doesn't quite have it together yet, so if you're still early on in your freelancing or architecting career, you may want to seek out a client that will provide more guidance and direction.
If they do have established drawing standards, templates, checklists, etc., that may be a good sign that they value productivity and quality and know what they're doing. These are great clients to learn from.
See also: TSA templates and guides
Can you send me a PDF of a project set example?
Looking at a drawing set that they consider their "gold standard" is an excellent tool for you to reference when you start working on a project. It's a good way to familiarize yourself with how they compose their drawing sets, what types of information they show, etc. It can also help you determine whether your skills are up to par with the types of drawings they typically produce or if you can improve upon their drawing sets. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone a little, but if you're completely overwhelmed by the level of detail, types of drawings, diagrams, renderings, code tables, etc., then you should be upfront about your reservations. Transparency from both you and the client throughout your working relationship is imperative.
What programs do you use?
I assume the types of software you'll be using would be included in the job description, but if not, you should ask. For example, maybe your client uses AutoCAD; would they be okay with you using Revit and exporting drawings to AutoCAD? Perhaps you have Revit LT, but your client needs you to have full Revit so you can use plug-ins, worksharing tools, etc. That's a huge expense you'd have to take on. You may want to talk about the versions of software you're using. Maybe you're using Revit 2021, but your client is using Revit 2022. Are you able to upgrade to 2022?
Suppose your client requires you to have Sketchup Pro. Is that something you can invest in if you don't have it already? Do they use InDesign to create design packages for clients? You'll probably want to make sure you have Adobe CC, then. The conclusions you find from these conversations may be deal-breakers for either of you, so it's always a good idea to be upfront about these conditions before you engage in a contract.
See also: Software I use in my businesses
What weekly time commitment do you need?
If you're an established freelancer, you likely already have some recurring clients or other projects you're working on. You need to evaluate your own availability to make sure that you have enough bandwidth to accommodate the firm you're interviewing with.
Do they need you to work 40 hours a week, 10 hours a week, or does it vary from week to week?
How much time can you give them? Is your schedule consistent, or does it vary weekly?
Can we set up weekly meetings?
Over the years, I've found the best way to keep projects on track is to have weekly meetings with my clients. A scheduled meeting every week, at the same time, even for just 10 minutes, can be very helpful. Even on weeks with nothing to report or no work that week, you can always meet to discuss upcoming projects to prepare your schedules for the following weeks. Meeting consistently is a great way to set expectations, stay on track, and resolve any issues that might come up—they can be quick, and it benefits everyone.
How do you prefer to communicate?
Most freelancing platforms will have built-in messaging boards for each project. Some freelancers or clients prefer to use these platforms for communication, but your clients may also have an established system. Do they prefer to use email, Teams, Slack, or another program?
How do you prefer to share files?
Clients may want you to share files through the integrated messaging board if you're on a freelancing platform. Or, maybe they have OneDrive, Google Workspace, Dropbox, or something else they prefer to use. If your client prefers to use Dropbox, keep in mind you're required to purchase storage space to share files with others. So if you don't have extra funds to fork over to another storage system, that's a good thing to talk about ahead of time.
See also: My favorite work from home tools
What are your views individually and as a company on [insert value(s) here]?
This, to me, is one of the most important questions. Their answer carries so much weight and is one of the most significant determining factors in deciding whether or not I work with each client.
If you're passionate about racial justice or social justice issues, environmental issues, women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, etc., make sure you ask them their views on those issues. You can ask on an individual level as well as the business as a whole.
Maybe you're interested in the environment. Working in architecture, we directly impact the environment and need to be conscious about the decisions we make as designers. Don't be afraid to ask them what initiatives they're taking to lessen their impact. For example, do they use sustainable materials, have LEED or Passivhaus certifications, use energy-efficient products, or allow their non-freelancing employees to work from home occasionally to cut down on emissions?
For another example, if you identify as someone who's LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and/or a woman and the firm tends to hire only cisgender, straight, white people, or only men, maybe that's not the right firm for you. You need to make sure that you work with people who make you feel safe, valued, and supported.
This question can make many people cringe; it's uncomfortable for some to discuss these issues. Some may deflect or say they prefer to separate work issues from life issues. However, any business that's not willing to take a stance to be more inclusive to make people feel safe and welcome is probably not a business worth working for.
You can say something like, "I'm curious about your office culture. I've made a conscious decision to align myself with companies that share my goals and values. So, I'm wondering what your views are on [insert value(s) here], on an individual level as well as the firm as a whole."
I always ask some variation of this question toward the end of the interview with my potential clients.
Prepare yourself for different answers and try to remain calm. If you're faced with defensiveness or an answer that doesn't sit well with you, then it's better that you find out now rather than 6 months into a project. If you get a less than desirable response, you can politely say something like, "Thank you for your response; I'm not sure if we're a good fit for each other. Thank you for your time." And you can leave knowing you just dodged a bullet.
Hopefully, you'll receive a positive response and leave knowing you've found a special firm that aligns with you. I'm happily surprised by the responses every time I pose that question—I've been thanked many times and even had clients open up to me about their own experiences. I've found that it deepens your connection to your clients and opens the opportunity for one or both of you to share a story.
Everyone else will likely steer clear of this "taboo" question. Some may say it's too personal, it's inappropriate, it's irrelevant, etc. But, by asking this question, you're going to stand out from the crowd, and it's likely your conversation will stick with them long after the interview is over.
In a way, you're teaching them that it's okay to discuss these topics openly, even in a workplace setting, especially in a workplace setting. And you're showing them that it's not a hindrance to be vocal in your stance on issues you care about.
I'm happy to share my social justice stance and commitment with anyone interested in knowing my core values and the issues I fight for. I have had people stumble upon my Justice page and reach out just to thank me for being vocal and open about my positions.
If you feel safe in doing so, I encourage you to challenge the norms and approach things differently. Take charge of your interview process, ask questions that are important to you, and stay true to your convictions.
Remember, you don't owe anyone anything. If something in your interview feels off or you find you don't have a great rapport with your potential client, you can always send a message following the interview thanking them for meeting with you, but you don't feel that you're a good fit for each other. There's nothing wrong with turning down a client; just be sure to do it amicably because it's a small world out there.
Interviews can be stressful, but it gets a lot less intimidating if you take some of the control back and gain more experience.
I wish you the best of luck with your interview; you've got this!
Happy freelancing!
♥ Chelsea
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If you have an interview coming up, don’t fret! Take the interview into your own hands and make sure you do your homework. Here is a list of important questions you should consider asking your interviewer.